Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 May 13

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Today's featured article
The Battle of Khafji was the first major ground engagement of the Gulf War. It took place in and around the Saudi Arabian city of Khafji, from 29 January to 1 February 1991 and marked the culmination of the Coalition's air campaign over Kuwait and Iraq, which had begun on 17 January 1991. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion of Saudi Arabia from southern Kuwait. He ordered the 1st and 5th Mechanized Divisions and 3rd Armored Division to conduct a multi-pronged invasion toward Khafji, engaging American, Saudi and Qatari forces along the coastline. These three divisions, which had been heavily damaged by Coalition aircraft in the preceding days, attacked on 29 January. Most of their attacks were fought off by U.S. Marines as well as U.S. Army Rangers and Coalition aircraft, but one of the Iraqi columns occupied Khafji on the night of 29–30 January. Between 30 January and 1 February, two Saudi Arabian National Guard battalions and two Qatari tank companies attempted to retake control of the city, aided by Coalition aircraft and American artillery. By 1 February, the city had been recaptured at the cost of 43 Coalition soldiers dead and 52 wounded. The Iraqi Army lost between 60 and 300 dead, while an estimated 400 were captured as prisoners of war. The battle serves as a modern demonstration that air power can halt and defeat a major ground operation. It was also a major test of the Saudi and Qatari armies. (more...) Recently featured: Hurricane Rick – Shimer College – Toronto Raptors Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that due to the age of the Pitkin County Courthouse (pictured), in Aspen, Colorado, outside media coverage of Charlie Sheen's trial was limited to 16 seats allocated by lottery? ... that Mathieu Ravignat defeated Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons despite Cannon's party making a net gain of seats in the 2011 federal election? ... that, having won four gold medals in 2008, China is the defending champion in all table tennis events at the 2012 Summer Olympics? ... that New Yorker cartoonist William Hamilton was married to the granddaughter of Brazilian dictator Getúlio Vargas? ... that the German destroyer Erich Giese managed to torpedo the British destroyer HMS Jersey during the night of 6/7 December 1939 without ever being spotted? ... that new Princeton Tigers men's basketball head coach Mitch Henderson was co-captain of the 1997–98 Princeton Tigers, the first Princeton basketball team to win 20 consecutive games? ... that the creation of the documentary film America's Most Hated Family in Crisis was prompted by an email? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Damage in Lorca A 5.1-magnitude earthquake (damage pictured), Spain's deadliest in 55 years, occurs near the town of Lorca. In association football, FC Barcelona win their 21st La Liga title. Microsoft announces the acquisition of online phone service Skype for US$8.5 billion. Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt dies in a crash during the third stage of the Giro d'Italia, becoming the first cyclist killed on a Grand Tour since 1995. In the Singaporean general election, the People's Action Party is returned to power, while the opposition wins its first Group Representation Constituency. In association football, A.C. Milan win their 18th Serie A title. Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao retains his WBO Welterweight championship after defeating American Shane Mosley. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
May 13: Rotuma Day in Fiji 1373 – English mystic Julian of Norwich recovered from a severe illness, during which she experienced a series of intense visions of Jesus Christ; later she would describe them in Revelations of Divine Love, the first known English language book written by a woman. 1779 – Russian and French mediators negotiated the Treaty of Teschen to end the War of the Bavarian Succession. 1888 – Isabel the Redeemer (pictured), heiress of Brazil, signed the Lei Áurea into law, formally abolishing slavery in Brazil. 1913 – Russian American Igor Sikorsky flew the world's first multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft, the Russky Vityaz, which he designed himself. 1992 – Li Hongzhi introduced Falun Gong in a public lecture in Changchun, Jilin province, China. 2008 – Nine bombs placed by the heretofore-unknown terrorist group Indian Mujahideen exploded in 15 minutes in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. More anniversaries: May 12 – May 13 – May 14 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now May 13, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles, ssp. novaehollandiae shown), also known as the Spur-winged Plover, is a common and conspicuous bird native to northern and eastern Australia, as well as New Zealand. They are most common around the edges of wetlands and in other moist, open environments, but are adaptable and can often be found in surprisingly arid areas.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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