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Today's featured article The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane. Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Overcome with shame, he longs for a wound—a "red badge of courage"—to counteract his cowardice. When his regiment once again faces the enemy, Henry acts as standard-bearer. Although Crane was born after the war, and had not at the time experienced battle firsthand, the novel is known for its realism. He began writing what would become his second novel in 1893, using various contemporary and written accounts (such as those published previously by Century Magazine) as inspiration. It is believed that he based the fictional battle on that of Chancellorsville; he may also have interviewed veterans of the 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Orange Blossoms. Initially shortened and serialized in newspapers in December 1894, the novel was published in full in October 1895. Several of the themes that the story explores are maturation, heroism, cowardice, and the indifference of nature. Adapted several times for the screen, the novel became a bestseller. It has never been out of print, and is now thought to be Crane's most important work and a major American text. (more...) Recently featured: Trevor Linden – Big Butte Creek – Hurricane Nate  Today's featured media Kalākaua was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. He was elected king after Kamehameha V died without leaving an heir, and began his reign on February 12, 1874. During his nearly 17-year rule, Kalākaua believed in the hereditary right of the aliʻi to rule, putting him in contention with the Hawaiian League, composed mostly of Americans who favored annexation of the Hawaiian islands by the United States. In 1887, he was forced to sign the Bayonet Constitution, which stripped the monarchy of much of its power. He died in 1891, and the throne passed to his sister, Liliuokalani. Photo: Unknown; Restoration: Greg L/Papa Lima Whiskey Recently featured: Tramp – Dendropsophus microcephalus – Brandenburg an der Havel Archive – More featured media...  Did you know From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that George Peter Alexander Healy's portrait Abraham Lincoln (pictured) was based on his earlier work, The Peacemakers? ... that during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Indian pilots landed Dakota aircraft at Poonch Airport during the night with the help of oil lamps in the absence of any landing aids? ... that the USNS Montford Point, a Mobile Landing Platform, will be a pier at sea for the United States Navy once it enters service in 2015? ... that India has 53 urban agglomerations with a population of one million or more as of 2011 against 35 in 2001? ... that the only state legislator in Missouri or Illinois to condemn the burning of Francis McIntosh in 1836 was Abraham Lincoln? ... that Phantom, the 1811 winner of the Derby Stakes and the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1820 and 1824, covered a half-sister to produce Cedric, the winner of the 1824 Derby? ... that Japanese skeleton shrimp are invading the coastlines of North America, Europe, and New Zealand?

In the news American singer Whitney Houston (pictured) dies at the age of 48. Mohammed Waheed Hassan is sworn in as President of the Maldives following the resignation of Mohamed Nasheed. Queen Elizabeth II, the second-longest reigning British monarch, celebrates her Diamond Jubilee. An earthquake off the coast of Negros Oriental, Philippines, kills 81 people and causes extensive damage. Russian scientists reportedly reach Lake Vostok, a body of water isolated under the Antarctic ice shield, after drilling a borehole 12,362 feet (3,768 m) deep.  This day in history February 12: Darwin Day; Red Hand Day 1818 – On the first anniversary of its victory in the Battle of Chacabuco, Chile formally declared its independence from Spain. 1912 – Xinhai Revolution: Puyi (pictured), the last Emperor of China, abdicated under a deal brokered by military official and politician Yuan Shikai, formally replacing the Qing Dynasty with a new republic in China. 1935 – The USS Macon, one of the two largest helium-filled airships ever created, crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California and sank. 1946 – Black United States Army veteran Isaac Woodard was severely beaten by a South Carolina police officer to the point that he lost his vision in both eyes, an incident that galvanized the Civil Rights Movement. 1994 – Edvard Munch's iconic painting The Scream was stolen from the National Gallery of Norway. 2009 – Just before it was scheduled to land at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed into a house in Clarence Center, New York, killing the house's occupant and all 49 people on board the aircraft. More anniversaries: February 11 – February 12 – February 13 It is now February 12, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

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