Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 August 21

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From today's featured article

Banksia violacea is a species of shrub or tree in the plant genus Banksia (family Proteaceae). It generally grows as a small shrub to 1.5 m (5 ft) high with fine narrow leaves, and is best known for its unusually coloured dark purple-violet inflorescences. The colour of the inflorescences, short leaves, and flattened follicles which are sticky when young, help identify this species from others in the field. It is found in low shrubland in southern regions of Western Australia from Esperance in the east to Narrogin in the west, growing exclusively in sandy soils. First described in 1927 by West Australian botanist Charles Gardner, the species was at one stage considered a variety of B. sphaerocarpa. Although there are no recognised subspecies or varieties, both lignotuberous and nonlignotuberous forms exist for Banksia violacea. Wasps, ants and flies have been recorded visiting flower spikes. Banksia violacea is classified as Not Threatened under the Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia. Regarded as of little value to floriculture, it is rarely cultivated. (Full article...)

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Did you know...

From Wikipedia's newest content:

... that when Mahatma Gandhi visited Sirsi in 1933 during his campaign to abolish untouchability, he refused to visit Marikamba Temple (pictured), as animal sacrifice was a prevalent practice there?

... that the musicians of the chamber orchestra Kammerorchester Basel accompanied Andreas Scholl in Bach cantatas and also sang the closing chorale?

... that the fort at Upper Zohar, once thought to be a part of Roman frontier defenses, may have been constructed for economic reasons?

... that Indiana State Auditor appointee Dwayne Sawyer is the first African-American Republican to hold statewide office?

... that Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra was a triple nominee for Tropical/Salsa Song of the Year at the 1991 Lo Nuestro Awards?

... that Valerie Robertson won gold medals in swimming and athletics before having a highly successful wheelchair lawn bowling career?

... that while medieval popes ordered Europeans to kill them, cats are so revered in Islam for their neatness and Muhammad's love for them that an Egyptian sultan set up a charitable trust for them?

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In the news

Flooding in northeastern China and eastern Russia kills at least 85 people.

The World Championships in Athletics (pictured) in Moscow conclude with Russia winning the most gold medals.

Ecuador announces it will reopen Yasuni National Park to oil drilling, ending a six-year initiative aimed at protecting the rainforest.

More than 100 people are missing or dead after a collision between the MV St. Thomas Aquinas and a cargo ship near Cebu, Philippines.

Petroglyphs at Winnemucca Lake in the U.S. state of Nevada are dated to at least 10,500 years ago, making them the oldest petroglyphs ever found in North America.

Recent deaths: Dezső Gyarmati

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On this day...

August 21: Ninoy Aquino Day in the Philippines

1831 – Nat Turner led a slave revolt in Southampton County, Virginia, US; it was suppressed about 48 hours later.

1911 – Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa (pictured) was stolen from the Louvre by a museum employee and was not recovered until two years later.

1963 – The Army of the Republic of Vietnam Special Forces raided and vandalised Buddhist pagodas across the country, arresting thousands and leaving an estimated hundreds dead.

1969 – An Australian tourist set the Al-Aqsa Mosque on fire, a major catalyst of the formation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

1993 – NASA lost contact with its Mars Observer spacecraft, three days before orbital insertion.

More anniversaries: August 20 – August 21 – August 22

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Today's featured picture

St John the Apostle Church in Sheepscombe, Gloucestershire; established in 1820, it was expanded in 1872.

Photograph: Saffron Blaze

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