Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 May 1

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Today's featured article
Disintegration is the eighth studio album by English alternative rock band The Cure, released on 1 May 1989 by Fiction Records. The record marks a return to the introspective and gloomy gothic rock style the band had established in the early 1980s. As he neared the age of thirty, vocalist and guitarist Robert Smith (pictured) felt an increased pressure to follow up on the group's pop successes with a more enduring work. This, coupled with a distaste for the group's new-found popularity, caused Smith to lapse back into the use of hallucinogenic drugs, the effects of which had a strong influence on the production of the album. The Cure recorded Disintegration at Hook End Manor Studios in Reading, Berkshire, with co-producer David M. Allen from late 1988 to early 1989. In spite of Fiction's fears that the album would be "commercial suicide", Disintegration became the band's commercial peak. It charted at number three in the United Kingdom and at number twelve in the United States, and produced several hit singles including "Lovesong", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Disintegration sold over three million copies worldwide. (more...) Recently featured: Planets beyond Neptune – Rainilaiarivony – SMS König Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Baudry's painting The Pearl and the Wave (pictured) was bought by French Empress consort Eugénie de Montijo for 20,000 francs? ... that the rulers of the ancient state of Jin include Duke Jing and Duke Jing, while a third Duke Jing is disputed? ... that Yvonne van Mentz scored South Africa's first century in Women's Test cricket? ... that the 2011 film Asmaa is the first feature-length Egyptian drama film to present AIDS patients sympathetically? ... that the Idle Thumbs video game culture podcast organized a game jam based on a parody of Peter Molyneux which produced over 280 games? ... that Reckless Roy Hall beat Big Bill France to win the first racing event held at Seminole Speedway? ... that Oakland Medical Center was the first health maintenance organization (HMO) hospital? ... that larvae of the Ouachita creekshell attach themselves to fish hosts as part of their life cycle? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Saudi Arabia closes its embassy and consulates in Egypt following protests (pictured) over the Saudi detention of Egyptian lawyer Ahmed al-Gizawi. Malaysian police arrest more than 500 protesters in Kuala Lumpur rallying for election reform. Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Connecticut becomes the fifth U.S. state in five years to abolish the death penalty. Chinese civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng escapes house arrest, reportedly fleeing to the U.S. embassy in Beijing. Bahraini police clash with demonstrators calling for the cancellation of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix due to ongoing political protests. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
May 1: May Day; International Workers' Day; Beltane in Ireland and Scotland 1786 – The Marriage of Figaro, an opera buffa composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, premiered at the Burgtheater in Vienna. 1794 – War of the Pyrenees: France regained nearly all the land it lost to Spain the previous year with its victory in the Battle of Boulou. 1941 – Citizen Kane, a widely acclaimed film by actor and director Orson Welles (pictured), premiered. 1956 – A doctor in Japan reported an "epidemic of an unknown disease of the central nervous system", marking the official discovery of Minamata disease. 2009 – Carol Ann Duffy was elected Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, the first woman, the first Scot, and the first openly bisexual person to hold the position, as well as the first laureate to be chosen in the 21st century. More anniversaries: April 30 – May 1 – May 2 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now May 1, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Crescent Honeyeater (Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus) is a passerine bird native to south-eastern Australia. It is a fairly nondescript bird of dark grey plumage and paler underparts, highlighted by yellow wing patches and a broad, black crescent, outlined in white, down the sides of its breast. Females are slightly duller than males. It is found in areas of dense vegetation and its diet is made up of nectar and invertebrates.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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