Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 November 8

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From today's featured article
Abuwtiyuw is one of the earliest domestic animals whose name is known. A lightly built Egyptian hunting dog similar to a greyhound, with erect ears and a curly tail, he is believed to have been a royal guard dog of the Sixth Dynasty (2345–2181 BC). He received an elaborate ceremonial burial in the Giza Necropolis at the behest of a pharaoh whose name is not known. An inscribed stone listing the gifts donated by the pharaoh for Abuwtiyuw's funeral was discovered by Egyptologist George A. Reisner in October 1935. It was apparently part of the spoil material incorporated into the structure of a Sixth-Dynasty mastaba (pharaonic-era tomb) in Cemetery G 2100 in Giza West Field, close to the western side of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The inscription on the white limestone tablet, which measures 54.2×28.2×23.2 cm (21.3×11.1×9.1 in), is composed of ten vertical rows of hieroglyphs, separated by vertical lines. The stone was probably originally installed in the demolished funerary chapel of Abuwtiyuw's owner. (Full article...) Recently featured: Banksia ilicifolia – Carlson's patrol – Thomas Percy Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Charles V Wall (pictured) was built by Spain to keep the Barbary pirates out of Gibraltar, but ended up being used by the British to keep the Spanish out? ... that Erich Barke, professor of microelectronic systems and since 2005 president of the the University of Hannover, was elected as president for a second term? ... that Steinitz' prawn goby shares a burrow excavated by a shrimp? ... that aquatic botanist Marietta Pallis studied the floating reed systems of the Danube Delta? ... that in 2011, a major fire occurred in the attic of the Haus Cumberland in Charlottenburg, Berlin, causing the left side of the roof to collapse? ... that Bai Anqi, a Chinese swimmer, is nicknamed "White Angel"? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Barack Obama (pictured) 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 whale species, are identified. In thoroughbred horse racing, Green Moon, ridden by Brett Prebble, wins the Melbourne Cup. Theodoros II of Alexandria is selected as Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Syrian civil war – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
November 8: St. Demetrius' Day (Coptic Church and Serbian Orthodox Church) 1602 – The Bodleian Library (pictured), one of Europe's oldest libraries, opened at the University of Oxford. 1892 – Despite racial divisions, black and white union members united in a general strike in New Orleans. 1912 – First Balkan War: The Greek Army accepted the surrender of the Ottoman garrison at Thessaloniki, one day before the Bulgarian Army arrived to do the same. 1940 – The Italian invasion of Greece failed as outnumbered Greek units repulsed the Italians in the Battle of Elaia–Kalamas. 1987 – A Provisional Irish Republican Army bomb exploded during a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, killing at least eleven people and injuring sixty-three others. More anniversaries: November 7 – November 8 – November 9 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now November 8, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) is a member of the grebe family found in Australia and New Zealand. It is a fairly small dark grey and white grebe. During the breeding season the adult's plumage has white streaks over its entire head (seen here), which is the source of the common name.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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