Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 October 6

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Today's featured article
Fertilisation of Orchids, written by Charles Darwin (pictured) and published on 15 May 1862, explores the evolutionary interactions between insects and the orchids they pollinate, which Darwin had mentioned in his previous book, On the Origin of Species. Field studies and practical scientific investigations that were initially a recreation for Darwin—a relief from the drudgery of writing—developed into enjoyable and challenging experiments assisted by his family, friends, and correspondents worldwide. The book was his first detailed demonstration of the power of natural selection, showing how the benefits of cross-fertilisation lead to complex ecological relationships and the coevolution of orchids and insects, with cumulative small variations resulting in beautiful and complex functional forms that natural theology had attributed to a grand designer. It explained the puzzle of Catasetum, which was thought to have different species of flowers on the same plant, and produced the testable prediction that the long nectary of Angraecum sesquipedale meant that there must be a moth with an equally long proboscis. (more...) Recently featured: Appaloosa – Hurricane Guillermo – "Say Say Say" Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that confused terminology and misconceptions about strepsirrhine anatomy and phylogeny were factors in the media hype over the "Ida" fossil (pictured)? ... that the name of the Syrian town Taftanaz is likely of Hittite origin? ... that at the age of 15, Cody Bollinger made his mixed martial arts debut, winning two fights in one night? ... that the Norwegian Troll Satellite Station in Antarctica's Queen Maud Land is one of only two ground stations capable of communicating with all low Earth orbit satellites? ... that the SoundHound mobile app can recognise a song even from a badly hummed version? ... that part of John London's punishment for his role in a failed plot against Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer was to ride through several towns seated backwards on a horse and be pilloried? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Miguel Cabrera (pictured) of the Detroit Tigers becomes the first batter to win Major League Baseball's Triple Crown since 1967. The opposition Georgian Dream coalition wins a majority of seats in the Georgian parliamentary election. British historian Eric Hobsbawm dies at the age of 95. A ferry collision off the coast of Hong Kong kills 39 people. In golf, the Ryder Cup concludes with Europe defeating the United States. The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship concludes with Kilkenny defeating Galway in the final. Syrian civil war – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
October 6 1777 – American Revolutionary War: British forces under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton captured Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery, and then dismantled the Hudson River Chain. 1910 – Eleftherios Venizelos was elected Prime Minister of Greece for the first of his seven non-consecutive terms. 1927 – The first successful feature sound film The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson, was released. 2000 – Denouncing corruption in the administration of Argentine President Fernando de la Rúa and in the Senate, Vice President Carlos Álvarez (pictured) resigned from his office. 2002 – Al Qaeda bombed the oil tanker Limburg, causing 90,000 barrels (14,000 m³) of oil to leak into the Gulf of Aden. More anniversaries: October 5 – October 6 – October 7 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 6, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis) is a species of bird endemic to southern Australia and Tasmania. It is medium in size for a plover, stocky, and pale in color. Its length is 190–230 mm (7.5–9.1 in) and its wing-span 230–440 mm (9.1–17 in). Males and females are similar in appearance. With a population of about 7,000 individuals, it is classified as vulnerable.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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