Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 March 16

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Today's featured article
Conan the Barbarian is a 1982 fantasy film. It is based on the stories by Robert E. Howard, a pulp fiction writer of the 1930s, about the adventures of the eponymous character in a fictional pre-historic world of dark magic and savagery. The film adaptation was written and directed by John Milius, and produced by Raffaella De Laurentiis and Buzz Feitshans. The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger (pictured) and James Earl Jones, and tells the story of a young barbarian (Schwarzenegger) who seeks vengeance for the death of his parents. Filming took place in Spain over five months, in the regions around Madrid and Almería. Conan grossed more than $68 million at box-offices around the world, though the revenue fell short of the level that would qualify the film as a blockbuster. Academics and critics interpreted the film as advancing the themes of fascism or individualism, with the fascist angle featured in most of the criticisms of the film. Critics also negatively reviewed Schwarzenegger's acting and the film's violent scenes. Despite the criticisms, Conan was popular with young male audiences, and the film brought Schwarzenegger worldwide recognition. The film spawned a sequel, Conan the Destroyer in 1984, and a remake in 2011. (more...) Recently featured: Liverpool F.C. – Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss – Titan Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that in 1854, the filly Virago (pictured) won ten of the eleven races she entered, including the 1000 Guineas, the Goodwood Cup, the Nassau Stakes, the Yorkshire Oaks, and the Doncaster Cup? ... that a government commission has found that Bahrain Public Security Forces involved in Arab spring protests sometimes used force and firearms unnecessarily and in a disproportionate manner? ... that in 2009 Addie MS and his Twilite Orchestra were the first Indonesian orchestra to play in the Sydney Opera House? ... that Anonymous hacked into private intelligence company Stratfor's email system and these emails were leaked by WikiLeaks? ... that after the O&C Lands were revested to the United States government, 18 Oregon counties received federal payments that may have ended in 2012? ... that the newly described Galápagos catshark differs from other catsharks by having an asymmetric pattern of spots? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
The International Criminal Court (building pictured) finds Thomas Lubanga Dyilo guilty of the war crime of conscripting children. The Encyclopædia Britannica discontinues its print edition, 244 years after its first publication. The Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), led by Alfredo Cristiani, wins a plurality in the Salvadoran elections. An American soldier's shooting spree kills 16 Afghan civilians. Direction – Social Democracy wins a majority in the Slovak parliamentary election. The Egyptian Football Association cancels the remainder of the 2011–12 Egyptian Premier League season as a result of the Port Said Stadium disaster. Conflict in Syria – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
March 16: Remembrance day of the Latvian legionnaires 1243 – Following their successful siege of Montségur, French royal forces burned about 210 Cathar Perfecti and unrepentant credentes. 1322 – Despenser War: A royalist army defeated troops loyal to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in the Battle of Boroughbridge, which allowed King Edward II of England to hold on to power for another five years. 1872 – In the first-ever final of the FA Cup, today the oldest association football competition in the world, Wanderers F.C. defeated Royal Engineers A.F.C. 1–0 at The Oval in Kennington, London. 1968 – Vietnam War: American soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed civilians in the Sơn Mỹ village in the Sơn Tịnh district of South Vietnam. 1978 – Former Prime Minister of Italy Aldo Moro (pictured) was kidnapped in Rome by Mario Moretti and the Red Brigades. More anniversaries: March 15 – March 16 – March 17 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now March 16, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Atlantic spadefish is a species of marine fish endemic to the shallow waters off the coast of the southeastern United States and in the Caribbean Sea. They are similar in appearance to fresh water angelfish, but much larger, reaching up to three feet (0.9 m) in length. Due to their reputation as strong fighters, they are popular game fish, especially during the summer months when they are most active.

Photo: Matthew Hoelscher, Papa Lima Whiskey

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