Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 October 10

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Today's featured article
Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian and Nobel laureate. After studies in zoology at the University of Christiania, his research on the central nervous system of lower marine creatures helped to establish modern theories of neurology. As an explorer, in 1888 Nansen led the first successful crossing of the Greenland interior, and later won international fame after reaching a record northern latitude of 86°14' during his North Pole expedition of 1893–96. After 1896 his main scientific interest switched to oceanography and he contributed significantly to the development of modern oceanographic techniques and equipment. In 1905 Nansen was instrumental in persuading Prince Charles of Denmark to accept the throne of the newly independent Norway, and later served as the Norwegian representative in London. In 1922 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work for the League of Nations on behalf of the displaced victims of the First World War and related conflicts. After his death the League established the Nansen International Office for Refugees to ensure that his work continued. His name is commemorated in numerous geographical features, particularly in the polar regions. (more...) Recently featured: Waddesdon Road railway station – Triton – "Just Like Heaven" Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the aquaculture of cobia, a large warm water fish (pictured), has high potential because of its rapid growth and good flesh quality? ... that professional wrestler Frank Stalletto once claimed to be a lookalike for country music star Billy Ray Cyrus? ... that the Augusta Victoria broke a speed record on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic? ... that in 1933, a mostly Jewish boarding school escaped Nazi Germany and re-opened as Bunce Court School in Kent, England, ultimately saving the lives of hundreds of children and several teachers? ... that Bernice Lake, the chief architect of Anguilla's constitution, was the first Eastern Caribbean woman to be appointed Queen's Counsel? ... that common law rules of natural justice do not require public authorities to give reasons for their decisions? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
In auto racing, Sebastian Vettel (pictured) wins his second Formula One World Drivers' Championship, becoming the youngest person to do so. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakel Karman share the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to advance women's rights. Tomas Tranströmer becomes the 108th winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs dies at the age of 56. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
October 10: Thanksgiving in Canada (2011); National Day in Fiji (1970);Health and Sports Day in Japan (2011); Double Ten Day in the Republic of China (Taiwan); Columbus Day in the United States (2011) 680 – Hussein ibn Ali, grandson of Muhammad, was killed in the Battle of Karbala by the forces of Yazid I, whom Hussein had refused to recognise as caliph. 732 – Charles Martel and the Franks defeated a large Andalusian Muslim army led by Abd er Rahman at the Battle of Tours (pictured) near Tours and Poitiers. 1845 – The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, opened with 50 midshipmen students. 1868 – Carlos Manuel de Céspedes made the Grito de Yara, declaring Cuban independence from Spain, sparking the Ten Years' War. 1928 – General Chiang Kai-shek was named to be Chairman of the National Military Council, giving him leadership of the Republic of China. 1982 – Maximilian Kolbe, who had volunteered to die in place of a stranger in the Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz in Poland, was canonized by the Catholic Church. More anniversaries: October 9 – October 10 – October 11 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 10, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured list

National parks of Sweden are managed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of the national park service is to create a system of protected areas that represent the distinct natural regions of the country. In 1909, Sweden became the first country in Europe to establish such parks when nine were opened following the Parliament of Sweden's passing of a law on national parks that year. This was followed by the establishment of seven parks between 1918 and 1962 and thirteen between 1982 and 2009. Mountain terrain comprises approximately 90% of the 29 parks' combined area. The reason for this is the extensive mountain areas taken up by the large northern parks—Sarek National Park (pictured) and Padjelanta National Park. Many of the northern parks are part of the Laponian area, one of Sweden's UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its preserved natural landscape and habitat for the native reindeer-herding Sami people. The southernmost parks—Söderåsen National Park, Dalby Söderskog National Park and Stenshuvud National Park—are covered with broadleaf forest. (more...)

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Today's featured picture

A composite photo showing the development of a green flash, an optical phenomenon that occurs at sunset or sunrise, when a green spot or ray is visible above the sun. Green flashes occur because higher frequency light (green/blue) curves more than lower frequency light (red/orange), so green/blue rays from the upper rim of the sun remain visible after the red rays are obstructed by the earth.

Photo: Mila Zinkova

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