Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 March 24

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Today's featured article
The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement is an environmental movement that calls for all people to abstain from reproduction to cause the gradual voluntary extinction of mankind. VHEMT supports human extinction primarily because it would prevent environmental degradation. The group states that a decrease in the human population would prevent a significant amount of man-made human suffering. The extinctions of non-human species and the scarcity of resources required by humans are frequently cited by the group as evidence of the harm caused by human overpopulation. VHEMT was founded in 1991 by Les U. Knight, an activist who became involved in the environmental movement in the 1970s and thereafter concluded that human extinction was the best solution to the problems facing the Earth's biosphere and humanity. Knight publishes the group's newsletter and serves as its spokesperson. Although the group is promoted by a website and represented at some environmental events, it relies heavily on coverage from outside media to spread its message. Many commentators view its platform as unacceptably extreme, though other writers have applauded VHEMT's perspective. In response to VHEMT, some journalists and academics have argued that humans can develop sustainable lifestyles or can reduce their population to sustainable levels. Others maintain that, whatever the merits of the idea, because of the human reproductive drive mankind will never voluntarily seek extinction. (more...) Recently featured: Altrincham – Ring-tailed lemur – Buildings of Nuffield College, Oxford Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that The Virginian (poster pictured) featured "yup and nope" actor Gary Cooper saying "if you wanna call me that – smile"? ... that the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary Draperis in Istanbul has been leveled by earthquake, forcibly demolished by the Ottoman Government, and destroyed three times by fire? ... that Argentina is in a period of fiscal austerity? ... that American professional wrestler Otto Schwanz is also a high school athletics instructor in Four Oaks, North Carolina? ... that the Iberian rock lizard is often found above the tree line in cold, mountainous areas? ... that Robert Antoine Pinchon was referred to by Claude Monet as a "surprising touch in the service of a surprising eye"? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news

Malian President Amadou Toumani Touré (pictured) is ousted in a coup d'état.

Mohammed Merah, the suspect in a series of fatal shootings in southern France, dies during a police siege.

Hungarian mathematician Endre Szemerédi wins the Abel Prize for his contributions to discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science.

George Tupou V, the King of Tonga, dies in Hong Kong at the age of 63.

Lindsey Vonn and Marcel Hirscher win the Alpine Skiing World Cup.

Joachim Gauck is elected President of Germany.

Conflict in Syria – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...

On this day...

March 24: Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice in Argentina; Cheti Chand in various parts of India (2012)

Brandenburg concerto no. 1 – 1. Allegro

1721 – Johann Sebastian Bach presented Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg-Schwedt with six concertos, now commonly called the Brandenburg concertos (first movement of no. 1 featured).

1860 – Rōnin samurai of the Mito Domain assassinated Japanese Chief Minister Ii Naosuke, upset with his role in the opening of Japan to foreign powers.

1922 – Irish War of Independence: In Belfast, Northern Irish police broke into a house and murdered a Catholic family in reprisal for the deaths of two policemen the day before.

1927 – Chinese Civil War: In the midst of a battle between the Communists and Nationalists, warships from six countries bombarded Nanjing in defense of the foreign citizens living there.

1944 – Second World War: Captured Allied airmen began "the Great Escape", breaking out of the German prison camp Stalag Luft III.

More anniversaries: March 23 – March 24 – March 25

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It is now March 24, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Squilla mantis, a species of mantis shrimp, for sale at the fish auction of l'Ametlla de Mar in Catalonia, Spain. It is native to the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent warm parts of the Atlantic Ocean, where it burrows into muddy and sandy seabeds. It is the only native stomatopod to be fished for on a commercial scale in the Mediterranean.

Photo: Hans Hillewaert/Greg L/PLW

Recently featured: Humpty Dumpty by W. W. Denslow – Noctilucent clouds over Soomaa National Park, Estonia – Yttrium

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