Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 August 20

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The Metacomet Ridge of southern New England, United States, is a narrow and steep fault-block mountain ridge known for its extensive cliff faces, scenic vistas, microclimate ecosystems, and communities of plants considered rare or endangered. An important recreation resource located within 10 miles (16 km) of a population corridor of over 2.5 million people, the ridge is home to four long distance hiking trails and over a dozen parks and recreation areas including several state and nationally recognized historic sites. Because of its natural, historic, and recreational value, the ridge has been the focus of ongoing conservation efforts involving municipal, state, and national agencies as well as nearly two dozen non-profit organizations. (more...) Recently featured: 766th Independent Infantry Regiment – "200" – Air-tractor sledge Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Gakhwangjeon Hall (pictured), a National Treasure of South Korea, was built to replace Jangnyukjeon Hall, which had been destroyed during the Imjin War? ... that the recent Budget Control Act of 2011, which resolved the 2011 U.S. debt ceiling crisis, will not actually reduce the overall size of the U.S. public debt? ... that Perseverance IV is the last floating River Wey barge in existence? ... that the Paleocene Alaskan maple Acer alaskense was described from a fossil leaf that may be atypical for the species? ... that in 1912, during the First Balkan War, the Kingdom of Serbia established Durrës County on territory captured from the Ottoman Empire? ... that the Mangrove restaurant in Notting Hill, London, attracted a clientele that included Christine Keeler, Mandy Rice-Davies, Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, and Bob Marley? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

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Indian social activist Anna Hazare agrees to leave his jail cell after Delhi police allow a 15-day hunger strike against corruption. Astronomers announce that TrES-2b has the lowest known albedo of any planet, reflecting less than 1% of the starlight falling upon it. Google (headquarters pictured) announces an agreement to acquire Motorola Mobility for US$12.5 billion. In golf, Keegan Bradley wins the 2011 PGA Championship. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
August 20: St. Stephen's Day in Hungary 636 – Rashidun forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid took control of Syria and Palestine in the Battle of Yarmouk, marking the first great wave of Muslim conquests after the death of Muhammad. 917 – Byzantine–Bulgarian Wars: Bulgarians led by Tsar Simeon I drove the Byzantines out of Thrace with a decisive victory in the Battle of Achelous. 1882 – The 1812 Overture by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (pictured) was first performed at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. 1989 – After a collision with a dredger on the River Thames in London, the pleasure boat Marchioness sank in just thirty seconds, killing 51 people. 1998 – The Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan was destroyed by a missile attack launched by the United States in retaliation for the August 7 U.S. embassy bombings. More anniversaries: August 19 – August 20 – August 21 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now August 20, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Battle of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in Churubusco (now a suburb of Mexico City) during the Mexican-American War. Three Mexican battalions—including the Saint Patrick's Battalion made up of immigrants—took up defensive positions inside a convent and were able to repulse the American attacks until they ran out of ammunition.

Artist: John Cameron; Restoration: Lise Broer

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