Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 May 21

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Tripura is the third-smallest state in India, bordered by the states of Assam and Mizoram and by Bangladesh. The Kokborok-speaking Tripuri people (children pictured) are the major group among 19 tribes and many subtribes; Bengali people form the ethno-linguistic majority. Before becoming part of the newly independent India in 1949, the area was ruled for several centuries by the Tripuri dynasty. Ethnic strife between the indigenous people and Bengalis has been eased by the establishment of an autonomous tribal administrative agency and other strategies. Five mountain ranges run north to south; Agartala, the capital, is located on a plain to the west. Forests cover more than half of the area, in which bamboo and cane tracts are common. Tripura, which has a tropical savanna climate, has the highest number of primate species found in any Indian state. Economic progress is hindered by its geographical isolation – only one major highway connects it with the rest of India. Most residents are involved in agriculture and allied activities. Mainstream Indian cultural elements, especially from Bengali culture, coexist with traditional practices of the ethnic groups. (Full article...)

Recently featured: Prince George of Denmark – Joppenbergh Mountain – Juwan Howard

Archive – By email – More featured articles...

Did you know...

From Wikipedia's newest content:

... that priests of Caracas Cathedral (pictured) believed that the 1812 earthquake which devastated the church and city was divine retribution?

... that while serving as the first Chair of the School of Aeronautics at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Montgomery Knight developed one of the first jet-powered helicopter rotors?

... that perfume critic Luca Turin considers the monks of Caldey Abbey to produce "simply the best lavender soliflore on earth"?

... that a great-grandniece of George Washington, Eugenia Washington, founded two lineage societies including the Daughters of the American Revolution?

... that King Razagyi of Arakan sacked and burned down Pegu, the capital of Toungoo Empire in 1600?

... that mento artist Count Lasher was covered by Bob Marley and once recorded a song about an old lady offering strains of cannabis with names like "Deadman Get-up" and "Granny Crack Cracks"?

Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news

A large, black tornado fills most of the image with a road in the foreground

An EF4+ tornado (pictured) strikes outside Oklahoma City in the United States, killing more than 90 people.

In ice hockey, the IIHF World Championship concludes with Sweden defeating Switzerland in the final.

"Only Teardrops" by Danish singer Emmelie de Forest wins the Eurovision Song Contest.

In rugby union, the Heineken Cup concludes with Toulon defeating Clermont in the final.

An upsurge in violence in Iraq leaves more than 170 people dead over three days.

Recent deaths: Ray Manzarek – Jorge Rafael Videla

Wikinews – More current events...

On this day...

May 21: Navy Day in Chile

1403 – King Henry III of Castile sent an embassy to the court of Timur (Tamerlane) to discuss the possibility of an alliance between Timur and Castile against the Ottoman Empire.

1863 – The Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Protestant denomination distinguished by its emphasis on the imminent second coming (Advent) of Jesus, was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan, US.

1894 – The Manchester Ship Canal, linking Greater Manchester in North West England to the Irish Sea, officially opened, becoming the largest navigation canal in the world at the time.

1979 – Riots erupted in San Francisco (rioters pictured) after former Supervisor Dan White was only sentenced for voluntary manslaughter for the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Supervisor Harvey Milk.

1991 – Former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

More anniversaries: May 20 – May 21 – May 22

Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries

It is now May 21, 2013 (UTC) – Reload this page

Today's featured picture

A mosaic image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of Messier 82, a starburst galaxy located about 12 million light years away, in the constellation Ursa Major. The galaxy is five times as bright as our own Milky Way.

Photo: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team

Recently featured: Machinery Hall – Rembrandt – Purple Swamphen

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.