Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 November 14

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article
Thomas Baker (1897–1918) was an Australian soldier, aviator and flying ace of the First World War. He was employed as a clerk with the Bank of New South Wales before he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915, for service in the First World War. Posted to an artillery unit on the Western Front, he was awarded the Military Medal for carrying out numerous repairs on a communications line while subject to severe artillery fire. In June 1917, Baker was awarded a bar to his decoration, for his part in quelling a fire in one of the artillery gun pits that was endangering approximately 300 rounds of shrapnel and high explosive. In September 1917, Baker applied for a position as a mechanic in the Australian Flying Corps. He was instead selected for flight training, and was posted to courses in the United Kingdom. He graduated as a pilot and was commissioned a second lieutenant in March 1918. Posted for active duty in France that June, Baker joined the ranks of No. 4 Squadron AFC. Over the next four months, he rose to the rank of captain and was credited with bringing down twelve German aircraft. He was shot down and killed on 4 November 1918. In February 1919, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. (Full article...) Recently featured: Horseshoe Curve – Edmund Sharpe – William Jennings Bryan presidential campaign, 1896 Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Claire Taylor (pictured) was the first woman to be named as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year? ... that in 1924, Estonia's Tallinn Power Plant became the world's first power plant to use oil shale as the primary fuel to generate electricity? ... that Jean-Baptiste Lynch fled to England during the Hundred Days, but returned during the Bourbon Restoration and became a Peer of France? ... that St Giles' Church, Barrow, is one of the earliest surviving churches in Shropshire, and contains the county's only Saxon chancel? ... that the endangered Decary's Leaf Chameleon can be found over an area of 1,300 square kilometres (500 sq mi)? ... that the mysterious Glasgow effect refers to the low life expectancy of Glaswegians, which epidemiologists say deprivation alone does not explain? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Justin Welby is announced as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. An earthquake off the Pacific coast of Guatemala kills at least 52 people. Barack Obama is re-elected President of the United States. In a non-binding referendum, Puerto Rico votes in favor of changing its territorial status and requesting to become the 51st state of the United States. The first complete specimens of Mesoplodon traversii, the world's rarest known whale species, are identified. In thoroughbred horse racing, Green Moon, ridden by Brett Prebble, wins the Melbourne Cup. Syrian civil war – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
November 14: World Diabetes Day; Islamic New Year (2012, 1434 AH); Day of the Colombian Woman in Colombia; Children's Day in India 1941 – Second World War: After suffering torpedo damage the previous day, the British aircraft carrier *HMS Ark Royal* (91) sank as it was being towed to Gibraltar for repair. 1952 – Al Martino's "Here in My Heart" became the first song to be listed at the top of the UK Singles Chart. 1970 – Southern Airways Flight 932, chartered by the Marshall University football team, crashed into a hill near Ceredo, West Virginia, US, killing all 75 people on board. 1995 – As a result of budget conflicts between President Bill Clinton and the United States Congress led by Newt Gingrich, the federal government was forced to shut down non-essential services. 2003 – Astronomers Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David L. Rabinowitz discovered the trans-Neptunian object 90377 Sedna** (artist's impression pictured). More anniversaries: November 13 – November 14 – November 15 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now November 14, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Maurice of Nassau (1567–1625) was stadtholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands from 1585 until his death. He succeeded his father, William the Silent, in that role, although the position was not hereditary. On the death of his half-brother, Philip William, in 1618, he also became the sovereign Prince of Orange. Maurice was responsible for organising the Dutch rebellion against Spain into a coherent, successful revolt. He won great fame as a military strategist and his training methods affected the entire conduct of warfare.

Artist: Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt; Restoration: Brandmeister

Recently featured: Rusty chain – The Horn, Mount Buffalo National Park, Australia – Curve Theatre, Leicester

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – Bulletin board, projects, resources and activities covering a wide range of Wikipedia areas.
Help desk – Ask questions about using Wikipedia.
Local embassy – For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Reference desk – Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects.
Site news – Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Village pump – For discussions about Wikipedia itself, including areas for technical issues and policies.