Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 September 21

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Hubert Walter (c. 1160 – 1205) was an influential royal adviser in the late 12th and early 13th centuries in the positions of chief justiciar of England, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor. As chancellor, Walter began the keeping of the Charter Roll, a record of all charters issued by the chancery. Walter was not noted for his holiness in life or learning, but historians have judged him one of the most outstanding government ministers in English history. Walter served King Henry II of England in many ways, including diplomatic and judicial efforts. After an unsuccessful candidacy to the see of York, Walter was elected Bishop of Salisbury shortly after the accession of King Henry's son Richard I to the throne of England. Walter accompanied King Richard on the Third Crusade, and was one of the principals involved in raising Richard's ransom after the king was captured in Germany on his return from the Holy Land. As a reward for his faithful service, Walter was selected to become Archbishop of Canterbury in 1193. Walter set up a system which was the precursor for the modern justices of the peace. Following Richard's death in 1199, Walter helped assure the elevation of Richard's brother John to the throne. (more...) Recently featured: Rhabdomyolysis – "Stark Raving Dad" – Second Ostend Raid Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Marco da Gagliano's opera La Flora (libretto pictured) was first performed on 14 October 1628 to celebrate the marriage of Margherita de' Medici and Odoardo Farnese, Duke of Parma? ... that Barney Gilligan died on April Fools' Day? ... that if Go Vacation players get bored of scuba diving they can throw pies at each other? ... that the Rędziński Bridge, a recently constructed cable-stayed bridge spanning the Oder river in Wrocław, is the tallest and longest bridge in Poland? ... that although Daniel is portrayed as a young man by Rubens in his depiction of Daniel in the lions' den, Daniel would have been over eighty according to biblical chronology? ... that astronomers have discovered a real-life "Tatooine"? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Juan Carlos Navarro In basketball, EuroBasket 2011 concludes with Spain defeating France in the final (tournament MVP Juan Carlos Navarro pictured). Monsoon rains cause flooding in Pakistan's Sindh province, killing at least 230 people and damaging more than a million homes. A 6.9-magnitude earthquake near the India–Nepal border results in at least 102 deaths. In Gaelic football, Dublin defeat Kerry to win the All-Ireland Senior Championship Final for the first time since 1995. The United Nations General Assembly accepts the credentials of the National Transitional Council to represent Libya in the assembly's current session. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
September 21: International Day of Peace; Independence Day in Armenia (1991), Belize (1981) and Malta (1964) 1745 – Jacobite Risings: Jacobite troops led by Charles Edward Stuart defeated the Hanoverians in Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland. 1827 – According to Joseph Smith, Jr., he was first visited by the angel Moroni, who would guide him to the golden plates that became the basis of the Book of Mormon. 1897 – The New York Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper, published an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church stating, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus", that become a part of popular Christmas lore. 1953 – North Korean No Kum-Sok (pictured) defected with his MiG-15, inadvertently making Operation Moolah, an American effort to bribe Communist pilots, a success. 1976 – Chilean political figure Orlando Letelier was assassinated in Washington, D.C., by DINA agents. More anniversaries: September 20 – September 21 – September 22 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now September 21, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Vexi Salmi is a Finnish lyricist who has become popular through the successes of the platinum-selling music artists for whom he writes. During his prolific career, he has written the lyrics for over 4,000 songs, more than 2,400 of which have been recorded by prominent artists such as Irwin Goodman, Jari Sillanpää, and Katri Helena. A music writer's award, the Vexi Salmi Award, is named after him.

Photo: Teemu Rajala

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