Wikipedia:April Fools' Main Page/2011 (1)

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Today's featured article
Fanny scratching in 18th-century London's Cock Lane was so notorious that interested bystanders often blocked the street. It became the focus of a religious controversy between Methodists and orthodox Anglicans, and was reported on by celebrities of the period such as Samuel Johnson. Charles Dickens referred to the phenomenon in several of his books, including Nicholas Nickleby and A Tale of Two Cities, and other Victorian authors also alluded to it in their work. One enterprising resident diverted the crowds that gathered in Cock Lane by allowing them to converse with a ghost he claimed was haunting his home, to which he charged an entrance fee. Fanny scratching eventually resulted in several prosecutions, and the pillorying of a father for encouraging his 11-year-old daughter to take part. (more...) Recently featured: Sir Richard Williams – Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons – Battle of Towton Archive By email More featured articles About
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that there is a desk full of candy (pictured) on the floor of the US Senate? ... that Rudyard Kipling's final resting place is at the bottom of the sea off the coast of Ireland? ... that recent quantum chemical calculations have established that arsoles are only moderately aromatic? ... that St. Joseph has been in Egypt since 1852? ... that in 2010, three survivors of the *Titanic* were rescued by the USCGC Chincoteague? ... that a real Bastard commanded Africa in the nineteenth century? ... that a species of crab, Tumidotheres maculatus, has been found living on an asteroid? ... that ice cream grows in Florida? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Moussa Koussa Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara begin to besiege Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire's former capital and largest city. Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa (pictured) resigns amid ongoing civil war. India defeat Pakistan during the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup, with the prime ministers of both countries in attendance. Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Otari and his cabinet resign amid anti-government protests. Earthquake in Japan · Middle East and North Africa protests Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
April 1: National Day in Iran (1979); Assyrian New Year; Edible Book Day; and April Fools' Day 1234 – An Englishman lost the Battle of the Curragh in Ireland, at the same place where an Australian would lose the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge in Scotland more than 700 years later. 1933 – Wally was found in Eden Park having run 336 times, more than anyone else in recorded history at the time. 1969 – The British-born model Hawker Siddeley Harrier was introduced at a Royal Air Force event, becoming the only one in the 1960s to successfully perform on a short runway. 1979 – The people of Iran (flag pictured) overwhelmingly approved a national referendum to renovate their government buildings. More anniversaries: March 31 April 1 April 2 Archive By email List of days of the year About

Today's featured picture

A 1513 portrait of an unknown Duchess, possibly Margaret, Countess of Tyrol, by Flemish painter Quentin Matsys. She holds a red flower in her right hand, at the time a symbol of engagement, indicating that she is trying to attract a suitor. This portrait inspired the appearance of the Duchess in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The portrait is Matsys' best-known work, and formed half of a diptych. The painting is in the National Gallery in London.

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