Template talk:Did you know

For discussion of the "Did you know" section, see Wikipedia talk:Did you know.

Jenny Hurn ... that Jenny Hurn (pictured) in Lincolnshire, England, is said to be haunted by a boggart that crosses the River Trent in a dish propelled by oars the size of teaspoons? ... that the Mount Leona Fire was finally contained on the upper slopes of Profanity Peak? ... that the International Olympic Committee's TikTok account praised the "incredible strategy" of speed skater Yang Jingru's win at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics? ... that according to writer Russell T Davies, he conceived elements of the Doctor Who episode "Empire of Death" decades before he wrote it? ... that during his tenure as the manager of Austria's Burgtheater from 1971 to 1976, Gerhard Klingenberg often directed plays with analogies of a divided Europe? ... that Red (Taylor's Version) was credited by media publications with popularizing the "Sad Girl Autumn" phenomenon in popular culture? ... that 14 months after taking up track cycling, René Heyde only narrowly missed out being selected to the New Zealand team at the 1972 Summer Olympics? ... that during the construction of 181 Montague Street in New York City, each of the building's columns was pulled by 14 horses? ... that Unilever invited Britons to congregate and worship at a shrine to Marmite in 2010?

This page is for nominations to appear in the "Did you know" section (reproduced on the right) on the Main Page.

Did you know?
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Instructions

List new suggestions here, under the date the article was created or the expansion began (not the date you submit it here), with the newest dates at the top. If a suitable image is available, place it immediately before the suggestion. Any user may nominate a DYK suggestion; self-nominations are permitted and encouraged.

Remember:

• Proposed articles should:
  • not be marked as stubs;
  • contain more than 1,500 characters (around 1.5 kilobytes) in main body text (ignoring infoboxes, categories, references, lists, and tables). This is a mandatory minimum; in practice, articles longer than 1,500 characters may still be rejected as too short, at the discretion of the selecting administrators.
  • cite their sources (these sources should be properly labelled; that is, not under an "External links" header); and
  • be no more than five days old (former redirects, stubs, or other short articles whose main body text has been expanded fivefold or more within the last five days are acceptable).
• Articles on living individuals must be carefully checked to ensure that no unsourced or poorly sourced negative material is included. Articles and hooks which focus unduly on negative aspects of living individuals should be avoided.
• Articles with good references and citations are preferred.
• To count the number of characters in a piece of text, you will need to use a JavaScript extension like User:Dr pda/prosesize.js (instructions on the talk page), a free website like this, or an external software program that has a character-counting feature. For example, if you are using Microsoft Word, select the text from the article page (or, in the case of "Did you know" nominations, this Talk page) – not the edit page containing Wikitext – then copy and paste it into a blank document. Click "Tools" ("Review" in Office 2007), then "Word Count", and note the "Characters (with spaces)" figure. Other word processing programs may have a similar feature. For Mac users, Apple has a Word counter widget available for Mac OS X 10.4 or later. Note: The character counts indicated on "Revision history" pages are not accurate for DYK purposes as they include categories, infoboxes and similar text in articles, and comments and signatures in hooks on this page.
• Suggested facts (the 'hook') should be:
  • interesting to draw in a variety of readers,
  • short and concise (fewer than about 200 characters, including spaces),
  • neutral,
  • definite facts that are mentioned in the article, and
  • always cited in the article with an inline citation.

Please note that hooks are subject without notice to copyediting as they move to the main page. The nature of the DYK process makes it impractical to consult users over every such edit. In particular, hooks will be shortened if they are deemed too long: the 200-character limit is an outside limit not a recommended length. Also, watch the suggestions page to ensure that no issues have been raised about your hook, because if you do not respond to issues raised your hook may not be featured at all.

• Suggested pictures should be:
  • suitably and freely (PD, GFDL, CC etc) licensed (NOT fair use) because the main page can only have freely licensed pictures;
  • attractive and interesting, even at a very small (100px-wide) resolution;
  • already in the article; and
  • relevant to the article.
  • formatted as [[Image:image name |right|100x100px| Description]] and placed directly above the suggested fact.
• Suggested sounds should have similar qualities to pictures, and should be formatted using the format {{DYK Listen|filename.ogg|Brief description}}

• Proposed lists should have two characteristics to be considered for DYK: (i) be a compilation of entries that are unlikely to have ever been compiled anywhere else (e.g. List of architectural vaults), and (ii) have 1,500+ character non-stub text that brings out interesting, relational, and referenced facts from the compiled list that may not otherwise be obvious but for the compilation.
• Please sign the nomination, giving due credit to other editors if relevant. For example:
  • *... that (text)? -- new article by [[User]]; Nom by ~~~~
  • *... that (text)? -- new article self-nom by ~~~~
  • *... that (text)? -- new article by [[User]] and ~~~~
  • *... that (text)? -- Article expanded fivefold by [[User]]; Nom by ~~~~
  • *... that (text)? -- Article expanded fivefold and self-nom by ~~~~
  • *... that (text)? -- Article expanded fivefold by [[User]] and ~~~~
• When saving your suggestion, please add the name of the suggested article to your edit summary.
• Please check back for comments on your nomination. Responding to reasonable objections will help ensure that your article is listed.
• If you nominate someone else's article, you can use {{subst:DYKNom}} to notify them. Usage: {{subst:DYKNom|Article name|July 23}} Thanks, ~~~~
• For more details see the previously Unwritten Rules.

Symbols

• If you want to confirm that an article is ready to be placed on a later update, or that there is an issue with the article or hook, you may use the following symbols (optional) to point the issues out:

Symbol	Code	Ready for DYK?	Description
	{{subst:DYKtick}}	Yes	No problems, ready for DYK
	{{subst:DYKtickAGF}}	Yes	Article is ready for DYK, with a foreign-language or offline hook reference accepted in good faith
	{{subst:DYK?}}	Query	An issue needs to be clarified before the article's eligibility can be determined
	{{subst:DYK?no}}	Maybe	Article is currently ineligible but may only need some minor work to fix
	{{subst:DYKno}}	No	Article is either completely ineligible, or else requires considerable work before becoming eligible

Backlogged?

This page often seems to be backlogged. If the DYK template has not been updated for substantially more than 6 hours, it may be useful to attract the attention of one of the administrators who regularly updates the template. See the page Wikipedia:Did you know/Admins for a list of administrators who have volunteered to help with this project.

Candidate entries

Articles created/expanded on November 6

• ...that Ropar Wetland, (pictured) has ecological diversity with at least 9 mammal, 154 bird (migratory and local), 35 fish, 9 arthropod, 11 rotifer, 9 crustacean and 10 protozoan species.--Nvvchar (talk) 10:42, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

Nepenthes northiana

• ...that Victorian plant collector, Charles Curtis, who first introduced the pitcher plant, Nepenthes northiana (pictured), to England, went on to become the first superintendent of the Penang Botanic Gardens? -- new articles, self-nom by Daemonic Kangaroo (talk) 07:12, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that when cellist George Sopkin auditioned for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at age 18, conductor Frederick Stock looked at him and remarked "so we're taking Boy Scouts now?" -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 05:02, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Henry Fitz was the first American to make refractor telescopes and constructed the largest refracting telescopes in America on five different occasions? new article, self nominated by --Doug Coldwell ^talk 00:20, 6 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Length, hook, and refs all good. —Politizer ^talk/_contribs 04:47, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

Articles created/expanded on November 5

Charles Shorey House

• ... that the historic Charles Shorey House mixes both gambrel and gable roofs? (self) Aboutmovies (talk) 07:29, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Polish-Armenian Roman Catholic priest, Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski was ordered to be silent by the Krakow Curia because of his clergy lustration activities? self-nom by Tymek (talk) 03:30, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

Bank of Spain.

• ... that during the Spanish Civil War, the Second Spanish Republic, in an operation known as the Moscow Gold, ordered the transfer of 510 tonnes of gold from the Bank of Spain (pictured) to the Soviet Union? -- Article expanded fivefold and self-nom by CarlosPatiño (talk) 01:00, 6 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Note: expansion of the article completed on November 4. The beginning of the expansion started in its translation a while back.--CarlosPatiño (talk) 04:34, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that ballet impresario George de Cuevas faced Serge Lifar in a 1958 duel with swords, that was described as "the most delicate encounter in the history of French dueling"? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 23:25, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Black Iraqis still maintain their African heritage in healing ceremonies? Taprobanus (talk) 22:01, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the curfew bell with the associated curfew law is recorded by history as having been started by Alfred the Great and abolished by Henry I of England? new article, self nom by --Doug Coldwell ^talk 21:33, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that The Finnish Association of Graduate Engineers is a trade union which requires its full members to have a master's degree?

Whose nom is this? --74.14.18.233 (talk) 21:34, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Looks like it's MPorciusCato's. BobAmnertiopsis∴_ChatMe! 22:47, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that during the history of San Diego State University some students joined the armed forces during World War II and assisted in the Doolittle Raid over Japan? New article, self-nom. Nehrams2020 (talk) 19:59, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
  • (alt. hook) ... that during the history of San Diego State University several students attempted to pull a prank by dumping marshmallows from a plane, but accidentally crashed the plane on campus instead? New article, self-nom. Nehrams2020 (talk) 19:59, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that during one trial of the Mexican Inquisition, 123 men were accused of homosexuality but 99 managed to escape before the proceedings? self-nom by Thelmadatter (talk) 19:03, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that ballerina Rosella Hightower received critical acclaim in 1947 after filling in for the sick Alicia Markova and learning the role of Giselle in five hours, having never danced the part before? -- fivefold expansion, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 18:45, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the digital time capsule A Message From Earth which was transmitted towards the planet Gliese 581c, included a message submitted by actress Gillian Anderson consisting of two images of George W. Bush and Barack Obama? -- Article expanded fivefold and self-nom. Please feel free to make any suggestions on alternate hooks if you can think of something better than this. Chamal ^talk 15:23, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Harrison Gray Dyar erected the first telegraph line and dispatched the first message over it ever sent, being designated by the U.S. Supreme Court as the real inventor of the telegraph? new article, self nom by --Doug Coldwell ^talk 14:45, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Tzvia Greenfeld is the first Haredi woman to serve as a member of the Knesset? new article, self nom. -- Nudve (talk) 14:03, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Ludvík Čelanský was founder and first chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra? - self-nomination. --Vejvančický (talk) 10:28, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that on 25 October of this year, the Navy Midshipmen football team played their 1,200th game, making them the second team in the Football Bowl Subdivision to reach that mark? - expanded and cleaned up, self-nomination. Msr iaidoka (talk) 09:09, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• No qualifying article, but only if we strictly interpret the rule that tables don't count towards the 1500 character minimum. This may be an exception because it's 60,000 characters of tables. Art LaPella (talk) 23:58, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Livermore, Pennsylvania was abandoned in the early 1950s so that the area could be made into a reservoir to prevent flooding to Pittsburgh? — expansion, self nom, Grsz^{11 →Review!} 05:52, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that a rare Manjampatti White Bison and Indian Tiger pugmarks were recently seen near Kukkal village in Tamil Nadu state, South India? -- new article, self nom by Marcus (talk) 05:35, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that in October 2008, the biofuel company Mascoma received a US$26 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a cellulosic fuel production facility? (self-nom) Ecoleetage (talk) 04:20, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

Articles created/expanded on November 4

Pacific University Health Professions Campus

Pacific University Health Professions Campus

• ...that Pacific University’s first building at its Health Professions Campus in Hillsboro, Oregon, attained LEED gold status? (self) Aboutmovies (talk) 07:09, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Eugene Vaulot of the Waffen SS destroyed eight tanks during the Battle of Berlin in 1945, earning himself a Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross days before he was killed in action by a sniper? -- new article by Jim Sweeney (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 06:47, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Union general Robert Alexander Cameron participated in the 1863 Vicksburg Campaign, where he was slightly wounded in his eyes during the Battle of Port Gibson? (new article by User:AdjustShift, expanded by User:Kresock) AdjustShift (talk) 10:23, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Jheryl Busby, once President and CEO of Motown Records, was a major shareholder of the first African-American-owned national bank in the US along with Janet Jackson and Magic Johnson? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 00:05, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Confederate Memorial Gateway in Hickman, Kentucky took ten years and $10,000 to build? (created by --Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 23:27, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Length, date, hook's ref verified. --Rosiestep (talk) 03:42, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that in the 5th century BC, Theodorus of Cyrene created the Spiral of Theodorus which made square roots up to the square root of 17 easily constructable by means of the Pythagorean theorem? Article expanded fivefold and self-nom by --pbroks13^talk? 22:16, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Nice hook but the article has not been expanded 5x in the last 5 days. --Bruce1ee^talk 12:30, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
    • Yikes. 5 times? I'll see what I can do. Its at 2x right now. --pbroks13^talk? 09:07, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Clarence W. Spangenberger was the last president of Cornell Steamboat Company, whose more than 60 vessels made it the largest tugboat company in the United States? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 20:43, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that attorney P. Cameron DeVore died of an apparent heart attack, but jested in a self-written obituary that he had succumbed to "a surfeit of pâté de fois gras ice cream smothered in huckleberries"? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 17:13, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that William Jay Bolton was the first artist in the United States to design and manufacture figural stained glass windows? new article, self nom by --Doug Coldwell ^talk 17:02, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Length, date verified. Offline hook reference accepted in good faith. --Rosiestep (talk) 03:45, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Mark Canton, producer of 300 and The Spiderwick Chronicles, started his movie career working in the mail room of Warner Bros.? -- new article self-nom by Fram (talk) 15:00, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Terence Tolbert, Nevada state director for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, died of a heart attack at age 44, two days before the 2008 presidential election? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 14:53, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• (alt.hook)... that Terence Tolbert, the Nevada state campaign for Barack Obama's presidential campaign, died of a heart attack at age 44, two days before polls opened on Election Day? --PFHLai (talk) 15:56, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• (alt 2)*... that Terence Tolbert, the Obama campaign's Nevada state director, died of a heart attack at age 44, two days before Barack Obama won both the state and the presidency? -- modified hook to reflect the election results. Alansohn (talk) 16:30, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
• (alt 3)*... that Terence Tolbert, the Obama campaign's Nevada state director, died of a heart attack at age 44 two days before Barack Obama won the state's five electoral votes that George W. Bush had won in 2004? -- another alternate hook that reflects the 2008 election results and that Nevada swung to the Democrats. Alansohn (talk) 16:54, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that bilateral trade between India and Poland has grown by more than seven times from 1992 to 2007? Self nom. --GPPande talk! 13:08, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
  • One question - Can the map in the article be used too? --GPPande talk! 13:08, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

It might be a challenge to get a map that looks good at the usual pic size of 100x100px. Cropping may help. --PFHLai (talk) 15:56, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Harike Wetland (pictured) with the Harike Lake formed across the Sutlej River by a barrage built in 1953 has a concentration of migratory fauna of waterfowls with number of globally threatened species.--Nvvchar (talk) 11:26, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
  • barrage was dab'ed to barrage (tidal). Confirm that this is accurate. Alansohn (talk) 00:14, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
    • Barrage is on the river and far away from the tidal zone, please. Hence, introducing (tidal) would not be proper.Thanks.--Nvvchar (talk) 01:11, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
      • If barrage (tidal) is misleading, then the disambiguation page barrage is more misleading, because it asks the reader to choose between the same barrage (tidal) article and several other meanings of "barrage" that aren't related to water at all. Could we change it to a synonym like "dam"? Also, "... of migratory fauna of waterfowls with number of ..." is confusing in English. Based on the second reference, I think it means "... of migratory waterfowl with a number of ..." Art LaPella (talk) 02:32, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
        • Barrage is a very common usage in India to define low height headworks on rivers. Since there is a confusion due to disambuation, headworks could replace the name barrage. On the second part, I agree with your suggestion.I have reworded the Hook as under.--Nvvchar (talk) 02:55, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
          • ... that Harike Wetland (pictured) with the Harike Lake formed across the Sutlej River by a headwork built in 1953 has a concentration of migratory waterfowl with a number of globally threatened species?--Nvvchar (talk) 02:55, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
            • "Headwork" is also unfamiliar to me as an American, and it's missing from unspecialized dictionaries. But I found barrage (engineering) redirects to sluice. So I suggest [[sluice|barrage]] or [[sluice|headwork]] (or just "sluice" or "sluice gate"). I also removed the "s" from "waterfowls", added "a" before "number", and changed the period to a question mark (we have a rule about question marks). Art LaPella (talk) 05:25, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
              • • Can we adopt the word "Headregulator" which would be more appropriate than a sluice. In case that is also not found in the unspecialised dictionary, adopting the word "Dam" could be a better alternative. Similar change has to be made on another article on the Kanjli Wetland posted by me here on 1st November. I am now also considering writing an article on Barrage to bridge the gap in the data base on the subject.--Nvvchar (talk) 07:45, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Bill Stall of the Los Angeles Times won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for a series of editorials the Pulitzer board said "served as a model for addressing complex state issues"? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 02:58, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that The ABC of Communism by Nikolai Bukharin and Evgenii Preobrazhensky was the most widely read political work in Soviet Russia? new article, self nom Bsimmons666 (talk) ^Friend? 02:30, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• 251 character hook. Art LaPella (talk) 03:45, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• I subtracted 36 characters, which still leaves it a bit long. Otto4711 (talk) 03:52, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• Deleted a bit that I wasn't sure about adding in the first place. I hope its ok now. Bsimmons666 (talk) ^Friend? 22:05, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Dracula's Daughter (1936) was the first film to present the lesbian vampire trope on-screen?

<alt> ... that horror novelist Anne Rice has cited Dracula's Daughter (1936) as an inspiration for her own homoerotic vampire fiction?

self-nom, article expanded over the last couple of days. Otto4711 (talk) 02:27, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that an initial €1 million was allocated for the new political foundations at European level in 2007–08?

new article self-nom by Anameofmyveryown (talk) 02:16, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Looks good to me. —Nightstallion 08:43, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Gets a tick of approval from me too doktorb _words^deeds 20:06, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Excellent work very concise and great links and sources. Approve!! 03:06, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Henri Joseph Fenet, a soldier in World War II, was awarded the Croix de Guerre by France and the Knight's Cross by Germany? -- new article self nom by Jim Sweeney (talk) 09:58, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Connecticut River Museum is located in a restored 1878 steamboat warehouse? (self-nom) Ecoleetage (talk) 18:35, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that in 1919, Poland tried to overthrow the Lithuanian government, but the premature Sejny Uprising resulted in the plan's failure? --self-nom by _{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| talk} 19:47, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Articles created/expanded on November 3

• ... that the Tang Dynasty chancellor Zhang Yanshang was the son of one chancellor (Zhang Jiazhen), son-in-law of another (Miao Jinqing), and father of another (Zhang Hongjing)? (self-nomination) --Nlu (talk) 17:20, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the History of Hobart has seen the former penal colony become an important 19th century centre of the whaling, sealing and shipbuilding trades, and more recently, a port of call to Antarctic and US Navy ships? Robert Fleming (talk), self-nom, 13:30, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Subtropical Storm One (1978) is the only Atlantic subtropical cyclone to develop in the month of January? Article expanded from a redirect by Hurricanehink (talk · contribs). –Juliancolton ^{Tropical Cyclone} 00:43, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that SM U-X and SM U-XI, which were U-10-class submarines constructed in Germany and shipped to Austria-Hungary by rail, were both commissioned into the German Imperial Navy and the Austro-Hungarian Navy during World War I? — new article self-nom by Bellhalla (talk) 22:07, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
  • (SM U-X and SM U-XI were created on 4 November.) — Bellhalla (talk) 22:07, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that SM U-V, ceded to Italy in 1920 as war reparations, was the only member of the U-5 class submarines of the Austro-Hungarian Navy to survive World War I? -- new article by Bellhalla (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 16:37, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Papillifera bidens

• ... that the Mediterranean land snail Papillifera bidens (pictured) lived in England for over 100 years before being discovered? -- new article by User:Invertzoo; Nom by Snek01 (talk) 19:29, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that country music singer Jeremy McComb was once a tour manager for comedian Larry the Cable Guy? Self nom Ten Pound Hammer and his otters • ^{(Broken clamshells • Otter chirps • HELP)} 17:32, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• Date, length and ref all check out. —97198 (talk) 09:44, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Milan Bandić was elected in 2005 as the mayor of Zagreb, Croatia, with the support of only a seventh of eligible voters? -- self-nom, article moved from user space. Admiral Norton ^(talk) 15:22, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Ford Road in Dearborn, Michigan, was named for William Ford, father of Henry Ford? -- self-nom of 8.3x expansion of M-153 (Michigan highway) (redirect target for Ford Road) Imzadi1979 (talk) 10:34, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Jack Massie, an Australian cricketer, fought at Gallipoli and wore a scarlet rag on his right arm to lure marksmen away from his left arm which he used for bowling? Jevansen (talk) 02:15, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• Date, length & ref verified. A nice hook, too - the poor guy, he shattered his left shoulder anyway. —97198 (talk) 06:31, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Paducah Freight House was built larger than it needed to be, because it was to service rail lines that never came to Paducah, Kentucky? (created by --Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 00:49, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that William Louis Abbott, American doctor and philanthropist, went to Madagascar to enlist in the native army against the second French occupation of the island? new article self-nom by Maias (talk) 00:43, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that there are more than 700,000 km of mains and sewers are buried underground in England and Wales, a distance 200 times greater than the UK’s entire motorway network? -- new article by Mschiffler (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 23:27, 3 November 2008 (UTC) Withdrawn. This article turns out to be a fork of Water supply and sanitation in the United Kingdom, and thus do not qualify for DYK. Never mind... --PFHLai (talk) 23:34, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Hustler Video recently produced the pornographic film Who's Nailin' Paylin? as a parody of Sarah Palin? -- Article expanded fivefold and self-nom by Nyctonymous 22:56, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Probably not perfectly suitable material for Wikipedia's Main Page.--Wetman (talk) 01:20, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• WP:NOTCENSORED. Otto4711 (talk) 03:53, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

WP:NOTCENSORED is better applied to the inclusion/exclusion of materials in the encyclopedia. For Main Page, to some extent "the face of the project", we really should exercise a bit more discretion, IMO. Also, getting such a DYK entry on Main Page soon after this video is released may appear to be "free frontpage advertising". I'd avoid this nom. --PFHLai (talk) 15:39, 4 November 2008 (UTC) ^{Added the word "free" later. --18:49, 4 November 2008 (UTC)}

It's be a crying shame if we wimped out of putting this expanded article on the main page because we are squeamish. Material in DYK, ITM or TFA is not advertising. WP:NOTCENSORED absolutely relates to those parts of the project. No reason to reject this nom. 65.30.180.47 (talk) 18:05, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

"because we are squeamish"? How about common sense and good taste? I have no problem having this article in the encyclopedia, per WP:NOTCENSORED. Those who search for the article can read it. But I don't suggest featuring porn-related materials on MainPage, where no one is looking for porn. When we have a long backlog of noms to pick for DYK, I'd pick something else. --PFHLai (talk) 18:43, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

I'd also invoke Unwritten rule C2: "No ads." This goes for any hooks about films, books, software, etc. that are *recently* released to the market. This DVD is scheduled for release *this week*. --PFHLai (talk) 19:03, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Strongly endorse this view. If this video company needs a title like this to sell its goods then that isn't a reason for wikipedia to do the same. I'm proud we are not censored ... we don't have to prove it on our front page, but I'd be happy to do so if this article had any valuable contribution, but frankly I don't think it has. Victuallers (talk) 15:20, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

(Outdent) "common sense and good taste"...hmmm. How does refusing to run an article which meets the DYK criteria on that basis not just censorship. We don't need to be prudish. As far as the ads complaint, I guess I don't see it. Let's pretend that I wrote a new article on a normal book scheduled for publication this week. If the article I wrote met NPOV/WP:N/ADVERT, would DYK decide to not run it on the potential that main page exposure would constitute "advertising"? And honestly, it's an unwritten rule. I understand that DYK is a volunteer effort that has to take many applications and produce vetted content. But it would be a shame to see this hook in particular pushed aside for the reasons presented here. If we are honestly talking about restricting content on the main page on the basis that the article covers a subject that wouldn't be shown in a grade school, we have to reorient ourselves, fast. Protonk (talk) 00:57, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

It's not only grade school, you know. Potentially objectionable/offensive materials should be avoided on MainPage. If you want to call it censorship, so be it. Just trying to be sensible and stay out of trouble. --PFHLai (talk) 06:02, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

I'd concur with PFHLai on this, just going off past precedent. Not too long ago there was a rather serious issue over the appearance of a DYK nom on the main page that was judged by some to be of questionable taste. That eventually resulted in Jimbo getting involved, a desysopping and a lot of bad feeling. And the subject there was a lot milder than a porn film. The mainpage has always been sensitive and rightly so. Over at the Featured Article side of things there are some FAs that are I believe defacto banned from a mainpage appearance on grounds of taste. (e.g. 1987 (What the Fuck Is Going On?) and Jenna Jameson). There have also been concerns raised after commercial subjects like Ernest Emerson and Elderly Instruments were placed on the mainpage. I'm not making any judgements on the rightness or wrongness of these stances, but this is a highly controversial topic that is perhaps best pursued somewhere centralised and open if you want to challenge this stance and get a generalised statement of how the mainpage can be used, rather than fighting over individual noms as they come up. Benea (talk) 11:46, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that William Shockley of transistor fame also worked on solar cells, and produced one of its most fundamental theoretical works, the Shockley-Queisser limit? Maury Markowitz (talk) 22:39, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the meaning of "Der Pleier", the pseudonym of the 13th-century author of the romance Garel, is unknown, though it might refer metaphorically to glassblowing? -- Expansion from redirect, self nom byCúchullain ^t/c 21:59, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Ylon Schwartz, main event finalist at the 2008 World Series of Poker, has gambled on backgammon, chess, darts, horses and his ability to toss lemons across a street onto the roof of a Burger King? -- five-fold expansion, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 21:10, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that pianist and composer Moshe Cotel chose to become a rabbi after meeting a Holocaust survivor who was so inspired by his retelling of the story of Alfred Dreyfus that she had returned to Judaism? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 18:37, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that memories of the Confederacy in Mayfield, Kentucky include the westernmost counties of Kentucky and Tennessee planning to form a new state to join the Confederacy? (created by --Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 17:52, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• A verb like "planning" is missing before "to form". Art LaPella (talk) 03:45, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• Indeed. Amended.--Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 03:55, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that William Munroe was the first manufacturer of pencils in the United States? new article, self nom by --Doug Coldwell ^talk 17:23, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Kohler-Andrae State Park (pictured) consists of two separate state parks, one donated by an electric company president and another by plumbing fixture manufacturer Kohler Company? - 5x expansion by Royalbroil 15:47, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Castle Rushen (pictured) in the Isle of Man was founded by the Norse king Magnus III of the Isle of Man in the mid-13th century and is still in use today as a museum and lawcourt? Expand nom by Manxruler (talk) 15:27, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that al-Karmil, an Arabic language newspaper first published in Haifa in 1908, was founded with the express purpose of "opposing Zionist colonization"? (self-nom) Tiamut^talk 14:54, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the "Valley of Tears" in the Golan Heights was so named after it became the site of a major battle in the Yom Kippur War? expansion, self nom. -- Nudve (talk) 14:28, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Rear-Admiral Charles Austen′s family included Admiral of the Fleet Francis Austen, and the novelist Jane Austen? - self nom, new article, Benea (talk) 12:25, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Tang Dynasty official Li Mian kept places at feasts for two deceased subordinates for three years after their deaths, offering meals and wine to their spirits? (self-nomination) --Nlu (talk) 07:40, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Japanese admiral Mitsumi Shimizu authorized the midget submarine operation during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941? <self-nom> --MChew (talk) 05:57, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the subprime mortgage crisis, among several other factors, led to a negative demand shock in the American economy, which causes demand for goods and services to decrease? Gary King (talk) 01:18, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that General James Deshler (pictured) was killed instantly by a Union cannon's artillery shell when it exploded in front of him tearing his heart from his body? New Article, Self Nom., Duke R. Oliver I ^{His Duchy} 00:05, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the CZ 2075 RAMI is a subcompact pistol designed for concealed carry? This is my first nom, and my first "real" article I created. Someone suggested it to me, so I decided to nom and see what feedback I received. Thanks for considering. Digital^Ninja 02:16, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• Creation date and length verified. Article has a decent amount of references (in general). Do you have a more interesting fact? Usually we try to draw out something unusual or interesting, not state what something is. For instance, you have sourced that:

• (ALT) ... that the CZ 2075 RAMI was named by combining the first two initials of the two people who originally designed it? Royalbroil 15:58, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Ha! I was just coming back here to add that. I can't find another gun that is named after it's designers. There's an idea! Cheers Digital^Ninja 16:04, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

I was wondering if featuring an image of a gun on Main Page would draw complaints? I am aware of the "if we can feature tanks and warships, we can feature guns, too" logic, but AFAIK gun is a particularly sensitive topic in English-speaking countries. --BorgQueen (talk) 06:17, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

As a person in the British Isles I'd say we are happy to see them as as an academic subject (even though we don't encourage people to have/own or use them). Seems like a good first article (I even like the 1st hook) Victuallers (talk) 15:26, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

As an U.S. resident who doesn't like guns, I don't have a problem with a gun on the main page and I would expect that most Americans wouldn't have a problem with it. Royalbroil 05:10, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that director Peter Ustinov instructed Richard Burton not to blink during his performance as the escaped sociopath in the 1972 film Hammersmith is Out? (self-nom) 02:51, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• Date, length & ref verified. BTW, nominator is Ecoleetage (talk · contribs). —97198 (talk) 09:48, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that art historian Albert Boime theorized to the American Astronomical Society that Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night (pictured) was based on positions of celestial objects at 4 a.m. on June 19, 1889? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 05:23, 3 November 2008 (UTC)
  • (moved here from November 2) Length, date and hook ref verified. The hook is 202 characters with "(pictured)", but I guess that's ok. --Bruce1ee^talk 11:44, 3 November 2008 (UTC)
• (why not?)... that art historian Albert Boime theorized that Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night (pictured) was based on positions of celestial objects at 4 a.m. on June 19, 1889? I'm not influenced by who he theorised to and I think it detracts from (and pads out) the hook Victuallers (talk) 15:32, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Bus Stop, a 1961–1962 ABC series starring Marilyn Maxwell as the owner of a diner in a small Colorado town, was loosely based on the William Inge play of the same name?--self-nom , new article Billy Hathorn (talk) 23:24, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• Usual issue. All the refs but one (and another very vague "television schedule" ref which isn't necessarily a physical source) are cited to user-edited TV.com and IMDb. —97198 (talk) 09:53, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

L. Frank Baum

• ... that Policeman Bluejay, a children's novel by L. Frank Baum (pictured) of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz fame, was first published in 1907 under the pen name "Laura Bancroft"? -- new article by Ugajin (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 23:16, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Articles created/expanded on November 2

• ... that the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in New Zealand? Article created by Mikenorton, but I nominated it for him. Ceran →(sing→see →scribe) 22:27, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
• ... that space rock band The Boxing Lesson's drummer was sent to prison for five years for "conspiracy to manufacture marijuana"? - or - ... that space rock band The Boxing Lesson use a Moog synthesizer in place of a bass guitar? - article created November 2. Self-nom. Lankiveil ^{(speak to me)} 13:01, 5 November 2008 (UTC).

Norton 16H

• ... that the British War Office placed orders for the Norton 16H (pictured) for ten years, making it the longest period it had procured a single make of motorcycle? -- new article by User:Thruxton; nom by Bruce1ee^talk 07:19, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the state of Wisconsin proposed the route of Wisconsin Highway 57 as an Interstate Highway corridor in the 1950s? --self-nom, fivefold expansion by TheCatalyst31 ^{Reaction•Creation} 23:48, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Bert Bolle's Barometer

• ... that the Bert Bolle Barometer (pictured) in Denmark, Western Australia, is the largest barometer in the world? -- new article by Platoplatypus (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 15:12, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• (alt.hook)... that User: BaroBert's Big Barometer (pictured) in Denmark, Western Australia, is the largest barometer in the world? -- new article by Platoplatypus (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 15:12, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Meare Pool was an important source of fish for Glastonbury Abbey before it was drained between 1500 and 1750? started by User:Derek Andrews & nom by— Rod ^talk 11:35, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Wishram Indian Village Site is believed to have been occupied for at least 10,000 years? - selfnom - Murderbike (talk) 00:42, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Scotsman Adam Menelaws became the de facto leading architect of the Russian Empire when he was already around seventy years old? -- new, self-nom. Note: 70 is the most conservative mark, assuming that Menelaws was born in 1756. If he was born in 1748 (see article), than by 1825 he was closer to 80. NVO (talk) 22:12, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Offline ref can be accepted in good faith, but right now the hook contains the conservative estimate (70) while the article contains the less conservative 80. Can you reword that part of the article lead-in, to make it clearer that it is only an estimate? (the current language is "In 1825–1831 Menelaws, then in his eighties...") —Politizer ^talk/_contribs 22:38, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
    • Got it! For some reason I shortcircuited in believing that eighties are 70-79... just like the 18th century. NVO (talk) 23:35, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
    • P.S. Cited refs by Cross and Hayden are available online through googlebooks. NVO (talk) 23:36, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
      • Hook looks good, will keep working on clarifying things in the article. —Politizer ^talk/_contribs 06:11, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the name "Manchester United Football Club" is generally believed to have been suggested by Louis Rocca? -- new article self-nom by – PeeJay 21:50, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• OR ... that former Manchester United football manager Matt Busby was brought to the club by Louis Rocca? – PeeJay 21:53, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Clärenore Stinnes was the first person to circumnavigate the world by automobile in an Adler Standard 6 between 1927 and 1929? -- new article Clärenore Stinnes, too short to qualify, but small expansion to Adler does. Interesting factoid worthy of DYK. Author is DIH7184, nom by me Russeasby (talk) 21:48, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • expanded article and added image of Adler car, should be quite complete now DIH7184 (talk) 15:30, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the 20 deaths in the Donora Smog of 1948, called "one of the worst air pollution disasters in the nation's history", have been credited with leading to passage of the U.S. Clean Air Act in 1970? -- five-fold expansion, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 21:38, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Expansion, date and hook ref verified. --Bruce1ee^talk 13:05, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Kitty Barne's novel Rosina Copper was about the true story of an Argentine polo pony rescued from neglect? -- new article self-nom by John Vandenberg ^(chat) 19:19, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

"The Ghost of a Flea", c.1819-20, by William Blake

• ... that before William Blake painted The Ghost of a Flea, the flea allegedly came at a séance and told him "fleas [are] inhabited by the souls of such men as were by nature blood thirsty to excess"? Self nom Ceoil ^sláinte 19:17, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• Alt nom (because the above is too long) - ... that William Blake's The Ghost of a Flea caused his contemporaries to believe that he was a madman? (and I added this section, so of course I would emphasize it). Ottava Rima (talk) 21:36, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

A bit simplistic? Ceoil ^sláinte 21:45, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Yes, but to the point. :) One of my literary focuses is on the "insanity" of poets, or how poetic inspiration causes them to appear insane to their culture. This image caused the same reaction of Christopher Smart's Song to David, which is funny because of their opposite takes. Ottava Rima (talk) 22:02, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

I thightened it. Ceoil ^sláinte 05:08, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

That sounds fun! Johnbod (talk) 00:52, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Jacob Earl Fickel firing first gun shots from airplane, 1910

• ... that Jacob Earl Fickel (pictured) fired the first gun shots from an airplane? new article, self nom by --Doug Coldwell ^talk 15:38, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • The prose part of the article is too short at 1251 characters (see instructions above). Can you expand it to get it above 1500? --Bruce1ee^talk 08:52, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
    • Expanded article by 2500 characters. --Doug Coldwell ^talk 14:05, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
      • Length and date good, offline hook refs accepted in good faith. --Bruce1ee^talk 05:23, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Confederate Memorial Gates in Mayfield

• ... that the Confederate Memorial Gates in Mayfield (pictured) were built to not only pay tribute to Confederate veterans of Graves County, Kentucky, but to also be a civic improvement? (created by --Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 15:32, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Urakami class destroyer Kawakaze of the Imperial Japanese Navy was built in Scotland, sold to the Regia Marina of Italy and sunk as a ship of the Kriegsmarine of Nazi Germany? <self-nom> --MChew (talk) 15:19, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • How about changing German Navy to Kriegsmarine? Manxruler (talk) 20:56, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
    • done. --MChew (talk) 14:50, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Tithe Barn, Pilton

• ... that the restoration of the Tithe Barn, Pilton (pictured) in Somerset was supported by profits from the Glastonbury Festival? (self nom)— Rod ^talk 14:59, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Egyptian Communist Organisation (1948–1954) was nicknamed 'Mishmish' (Arabic for 'apricot')? (self-nom) --Soman (talk) 14:54, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Manny Harris was the first player to start for three consecutive Detroit Public School League Basketball Champions since Jalen Rose and Voshon Lenard?--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 12:38, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Thomas Paton worked on the construction of the Owen Falls Dam (pictured) which was responsible for the first complete stoppage of the White Nile in recorded history? - new article, self nom - Dumelow (talk) 12:16, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that AKVA Group, then called Helgeland Plast, developed the world's first plastic fish farming cages in 1974? —self-nom Arsenikk ^(talk) 12:15, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Joseph C. Hare has a valley in the Northern Oregon Coast Range named after him? Nom by --Gwib (talk) 11:10, 2 November 2008 (UTC), article by Aboutmovies

• ... that the Air Support Division in Los Angeles is the nation's largest municipal airborne law enforcement organization? Nom by --Gwib (talk) 11:05, 2 November 2008 (UTC), article by Liquidtash

• ... that the book Brainwashing: The Science of Thought Control was runner-up in the 2005 Times Higher Education Supplement Young Academic Author Award? -- self-nom by Cirt (talk) 09:46, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Replica of the Star of the South in Reich der Kristalle museum, Munich

• ... that the light reflected by the diamond Star of the South (replica pictured) is white and the light refracted is of a rose tint, which gives the diamond its light pinkish-brown hue? -- new article self-nom by Chamal ^talk 09:14, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • ALT: ... that the original owner of the diamond Star of the South sold it for a mere £3,000, and the buyer later deposited it in the bank of Rio de Janeiro for £30,000? -- new article self-nom by Chamal ^talk 09:14, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Terence Fox was made the first Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge despite never having published a research paper? New article, 2400-odd chars. Ironholds (talk) 03:29, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Verifed. – RyanCross (talk) 09:05, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that until his death in 1927, James C. Donnell was the last living man known to call John D. Rockefeller simply "John"? -- new article self-nom by PEPSI2786^talk 07:33, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Verified. – RyanCross (talk) 09:08, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that having served in the Norwegian Parliament from 1985 to 2001, Ingvald Godal subsequently involved himself in solidarity work for Chechnya? Punkmorten (talk) 16:05, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the controversial Scout Moor Wind Farm (pictured), which opened on 25 September 2008, is presently the largest onshore wind farm in England? New article, Self nom by Richerman (talk) 19:22, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Length, date and hook refs verified. --Bruce1ee^talk 08:43, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

The Enterprise

• ... that the steamboats Enterprise (pictured) and Maria once had a monopoly on transport along the Fraser River in British Columbia? -- new article by Mtsmallwood (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 17:11, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Hopefully, Maria gets her own article created soon and we can have a double-DYK hook. --PFHLai (talk) 17:11, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Articles created/expanded on November 1

• ... that the entrance to Kaipara Harbour has treacherous sandbars known as the graveyard which are responsible for more shipwrecks than any other place in New Zealand? Expanded article, self nom, --Geronimo20 (talk) 11:14, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that throughout 100 years of tanks in the Spanish Army, Spain never put a Spanish-designed tank in mass production? JonCatalán^(Talk) 03:59, 6 November 2008 (UTC) It has no lead, but I just finished it, and it's at almost 90kB. It will have a lead by midnight (Pacific Time) tonight, or tomorrow morning. JonCatalán^(Talk) 03:59, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Lt. Henry B. Hidden (pictured) is believed to be first officer of Union volunteer cavalry killed in the American Civil War? (new article/self-nom) MaxVeers (talk) 23:41, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that "strawberries and cream" or "bleeding tooth fungus" (pictured) is a member of the woody toothed fungus genus Hydnellum? ...exp by Sasata (talk · contribs), more and nom by Casliber (talk · contribs)
  • Shouldn't the picture be from the qualifying article? --Bruce1ee^talk 13:39, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Zeituni Onyango is the half-aunt of President-elect Barack Obama and a political asylum claimant from Kenya whose case was leaked in the final days of the 2008 U.S. presidential election? -- new article by User:Hobartimus; cleaned-up and Nom by -- Banjeboi 19:56, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Article is at AfD which I expect to be resolved as nom has withdrawn. Also US elections may warrant the modifying of Obama's title. -- Banjeboi 19:56, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
  • I've updated link to President-elect per the election outcome. -- Banjeboi 22:12, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that India's Sir Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar was the first President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council?-self-nom by-Ravichandar_{My coffee shop} 08:00, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Arabian Hall of the Winter Palace was named after four "massive Negroes" who were attendants of the Tsar, one of whom, from 1896, was the American Jim Hercules? -- article by User:Giano II (recently moved to mainspace from a userpage); nom by Testing times (talk) 22:22, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Observer Group was the first joint-United States Army/Marine unit to be organized and trained specifically for amphibious reconnaissance? -- new article by User:RekonDog; nom by Bruce1ee^talk 14:21, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Noonday Globe snail, Patera clarki nantahala

• ... that the threatened "noonday globe" land snail Patera clarki nantahala (pictured) is known only from a two-mile-long area inside the gorge of the Nantahala River in North Carolina? -- new article self-nom by Snek01 (talk) 12:41, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that James Wandin, the first Australian Rules footballer of aboriginal descent to play with St Kilda Football Club, was also the tribal leader of the Wurundjeri people? -- new article by Tirin (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 11:08, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Metropolitana di Napoli, which is the metro system of the city of Naples, Italy, is undergoing a massive network expansion at a cost of 3.886 billion euros? self-nom by Robert Fleming (talk) 10:32, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that after his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, tributes to Allan Rosenfield included a song dedication by Bono at a U2 concert? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 04:14, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Ariel W/NG 350

• ... that although the Ariel W/NG 350 (pictured) was not initially selected by the British War Department, they were in great demand after the evacuation of Dunkirk in the World War II? - created by Thruxton (talk · contribs), nom by BorgQueen (talk) 03:54, 3 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Length, date and hook ref verified. --Bruce1ee^talk 12:06, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Detail of The Family of Sir Thomas More by Rowland Lockey, after Hans Holbein the Younger, 1592

• ... that Rowland Lockey was an English painter and miniaturist best known for painting copies of works by other artists (detail pictured) including Hans Holbein the Younger and Nicholas Hilliard? - self-nom, major expansion by PKM (talk) and Johnbod (talk) 18:38, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • The article doen't say he copied Hilliard's works. How about this revised hook: ... that Rowland Lockey was an English painter and miniaturist best known for painting copies of works by other artists including Hans Holbein the Younger (painting detail pictured)? --Bruce1ee^talk 12:36, 3 November 2008 (UTC)
    • Revised hook looks good to me. Added Johnbod as co-nominator based on his additions to the article. - PKM (talk) 02:38, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
      • Revised hook verified: expansion and date good, offline hook refs accepted in good faith. --Bruce1ee^talk 05:21, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Tang Dynasty chancellor Jiang Gongfu was removed from office when he opposed Emperor Dezong's wish to build a pagoda in mourning his daughter Princess Tang'an? (self-nomination) --Nlu (talk) 16:27, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... the Fodder Scam was a corruption scandal that involved the alleged embezzlement of about ₹950 crore (US$110 million) from the government treasury of the Indian state of Bihar? -expanded by Hunnjazal (talk · contribs), nom. by KnowledgeHegemonyPart2 --KnowledgeHegemonyPart2 14:14, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Chemische Fabrik Kalk (pictured) was founded 150 years ago and was shut down 15 years ago? --new article, self nom Голубое сало/Blue Salo (talk) 07:46, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• The article was deleted. Art LaPella (talk) 23:58, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Nebuchadnezzar (pictured), a colour monotype by William Blake, depicts the Babylonian king "crawling like a hunted beast" with "his wild eyes full of sullen terror"? - created by Ceoil (talk · contribs) and expanded by Ottava Rima (talk · contribs) and Johnbod (talk · contribs), nom. by BorgQueen (talk) 02:36, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

That works. Ottava Rima (talk) 13:28, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• Length and date good, offline hook refs accepted in good faith. --Bruce1ee^talk 12:12, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the silhouette artist S. John Ross (d. August 2008) was a legend of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and created portraits of Vivian Leigh and Nicole Kidman? --new article, self-nom by Amandajm (talk) 02:12, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that outdoors broadcaster Tony Dean was eulogized by South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson for striking a balance in "his advocacy on behalf of conservation and sportsmen alike"? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 02:00, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that in 1917, baseball managers John McGraw and Christy Mathewson were arrested after a game for playing on Sunday? (new article, self-nom) --Mr.crabby (Talk) 00:23, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Wooldridge Monuments (pictured) have been dubbed "The Strange Procession Which Never Moves"? (created by --Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 00:11, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• An interesting display of one man's loopiness; maybe someone else could come up with a better hook?--Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 00:11, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• Length and date good, offline hook refs accepted in good faith. --Bruce1ee^talk 13:09, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Ihlen Declaration was a statement made on July 22, 1919 by the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Nils Claus Ihlen, on the subject of the sovereignty of Greenland, and led to an Permanent Court of International Justice case? new article, self nom. Bsimmons666 (talk) ^Friend? 00:01, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Amasa Holcomb was the first in the United States to manufacture telescopes? new article, self nom by --Doug Coldwell ^talk 22:20, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

"America" = United States or the Americas? Pls disambiguate. --74.13.129.187 (talk) 19:24, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

Changed to United States, as the reference shows. --Doug Coldwell ^talk 23:43, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Sunday Closing Act of 1881, which restricted the opening of public houses in Wales, was the first legislation for over three centuries to recognise that country as distinct from England? (self nom) Ghmyrtle (talk) 21:30, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Nemattanew, a renegade Powhatan captain dubbed "Jack-of-the-Feather" in 1611 for his extravagant regalia, believed he was invincible to English bullets? self nom, new Til Eulenspiegel (talk) 19:31, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Symantec (headquarters pictured), a computer security company, was originally founded by Gary Hendrix to focus on artificial intelligence-related projects such as natural language processing? Gary King (talk) 17:12, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Kanjli Wetland, which subsumes the Kanjli Lake, created in 1870 by a barrage on the Bien River, has been recognized by the international Ramsar Convention for its rich biodiversity? --Nvvchar (talk) 16:35, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Alternate Hook ... that Kanjli Wetland, which subsumes the Kanjli Lake, created in 1870 by Headworks on the Bien River, has been recognized by the international Ramsar Convention for its rich biodiversity?--Nvvchar (talk) 04:56, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks, a Soviet propaganda film from 1924, is the first explicitly anti-American film from the USSR? - new article, self nom by LGF1992UK (talk) 15:55, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the mysterious green flash (pictured) is a by-product of a corresponding mirage of an astronomical object? new article self-nom by --Mbz1 (talk) 15:51, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
  • That's a beautiful image! --BorgQueen (talk) 16:16, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
    • Thank you. It sure was one of the best green flashes I've ever seen and I've seen quite a few.--Mbz1 (talk) 16:41, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
    • Verified. I'm excited to see this, my first picture of a green flash! Royalbroil 16:03, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that David Jeaffreson served as Commissioner of ICAC before retiring from the Hong Kong government in 1991?-- new article self-nom by --Clithering (talk) 15:43, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that a riot at Paducah, Kentucky's Woolfolk Home led to Ulysses S. Grant's rise above his superior officer, Brigadier General Charles Ferguson Smith? (created by --Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 15:09, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that King Mahasen, who ruled Sri Lanka from AD 275 to 301, started the construction of large irrigation tanks in the country? -- new article self-nom by Chamal ^talk 11:08, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Alt: ... that King Mahasen, who ruled Sri Lanka from 275 to 301 AD, constructed sixteen large tanks including the Minneriya tank, which covers an area of 4670 acres? Chamal ^talk 11:08, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Zaki Tun Azmi became the Chief Justice of Malaysia after serving just over one year in the superior courts of Malaysia? -- new article self-nom by ќמшמφטтгמ^torque 09:27, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Article is too short at the moment: 887 characters, needs a minimum of 1500. Bencherlite^Talk 09:36, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
    • I have expanded the article and modified the hook. ќמшמφטтгמ^torque 16:14, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
      • Now it's long enough. Art LaPella (talk) 01:35, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the so-called "lobster mushroom" (pictured) is a delicacy created by one fungus, Hypomyces lactifluorum, parasitising another, usually Russula brevipes? - exp 5x by Sasata (talk · contribs), and Casliber (talk · contribs) helped.

• ... that the Moon of Baroda, a 24.04 carat diamond, was worn by singer and actress Marilyn Monroe and Empress Marie Therese of Austria? -- new article self-nom by Chamal ^talk 06:13, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Length, date and references verified. Any more categories into which the article can be put? Bencherlite^Talk 09:41, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Tang Dynasty chancellor Xiao Fu incurred Emperor Dezong's displeasure by refusing to exclude fellow chancellors Li Mian and Lu Han on discussions of important matters? (self-nomination) --Nlu (talk) 04:21, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
  • (alternative) ... that the Tang Dynasty official Xiao Fu refused to placate the chancellor Wang Jin by offering Wang ancestral property that Wang wanted? --Nlu (talk) 04:22, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that William David Davies was the first Welsh non-conformist to obtain a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the University of Oxford?
  • (alt) ... that William David Davies refused the offer of a fellowship at the University of Oxford, which required membership of the Church of England, in order to become a Presbyterian minister? -- new article/self-nom. No pressure, but this would be DYK no.25 for me if it makes it... Bencherlite^Talk 02:31, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres' Jupiter and Thetis (pictured) was painted in 1811 primarily to meet the artist's financial obligations to the French Academy in Rome; a body famous for the patriarchal attitude that the work seeks to repudiate? Self nom. Ceoil ^sláinte

• What is "partrical"? Art LaPella (talk) 01:35, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

typo for "patriarchal"; changed. Johnbod (talk) 01:49, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the cruise ship MS Astor (pictured) was ordered in 1985 as an ocean liner for Safmarine's United Kingdom–South Africa service, but the service was abandoned before the ship was completed? — article creation and self-comination by — Kjet (talk · contribs) 14:26, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Rensselaer County, New York, Historical Society uses Troy's Hart-Cluett Mansion (pictured) in their logo? Self-nom Daniel Case (talk) 20:29, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that B.P. Newman, a business entrepreneur from Laredo, began operations with a dairy distributorship but branched into restaurants, subdivisions, apartments, and ranches throughout much of Texas?--self-nom, new articleBilly Hathorn (talk) 04:49, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the World Youth Chess Champion of 2008 Valentina Golubenko (pictured) was forced to play under the Croatian flag despite living all her life in Estonia? -- self-nom by Alex Bakharev (talk) 15:41, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Golubenko holds Russian citizenship, most sport associations don't allow foreign citizens to represent the flag of the country they happen to reside in (if she really wants to represent Estonia, she is eligible to take out Estonian citizenship if she wishes). An alternative hook could be:

• ... that the World Youth Chess Champion of 2008 Valentina Golubenko (pictured) would rather play under the Croatian flag despite having Russian citizenship? -- alternate proposal by Martintg (talk) 21:49, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the California Milk Processor Board spent US$1.5 million in 2002 to popularize the Latin American drink licuado as a way to promote milk consumption? -- new article by Wikidemon (talk · contribs), nom. by PFHLai (talk) 18:14, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

grammatically, "to popularize licuados, the Latin American drink" works better - if you don't speak Spanish just imagine the word "smoothie" in place of "licuado" to get a sense of the flow. Wikidemon (talk) 18:30, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Expiring noms

• Currently a backlog of 86 hooks as of 03:54, 5 November 2008 (UTC) - Gatoclass (talk)
• Backlog of 75 hooks as of 03:39, 6 November 2008 (UTC) - Gatoclass (talk)

Articles created/expanded on October 31

• ... that Daniel Mangeas, the main commentator of the Tour de France for 30 years, is known as the talking encyclopedia of cycling because he never uses notes? Article created by User talk:Les woodland. Nom by Autodidactyl (talk) 11:09, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

or ... that Daniel Mangeas, the voice of the Tour de France, commentates on 200 events a year but tries never to speak between races, to preserve his voice? Article created by User talk:Les woodland. Nom by Autodidactyl (talk) 11:09, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Zlín International Film Festival for Children and Youth belongs among the oldest film festivals for young audiences worldwide? - created by user Ondreesek, inline citations and nom by Vejvančický (talk) 21:03, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the 2008-09 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is in its first season off of scholarship probation following the University of Michigan basketball scandal?--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 13:21, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• That ought to be an endash in the title per WP:DASH, but that'd probably also justify a mass-move of Category:2008-09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season and maybe a lot of other sports seasons. —97198 (talk) 06:36, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that in geometric group theory, a Dehn function is an optimal function associated to a finite group presentation which estimates the area of a relation in that group in terms of the length of that relation? - created by Nsk92 (talk · contribs), nom by BorgQueen (talk) 04:57, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Actually, I don't have a single clue about what this means. But then probably the subject cannot be told in a manner that a layperson would understand. --BorgQueen (talk) 14:07, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
    • True. This is a rather technical math article and I am not sure if it is suitable for the DYK page (that is why I did not do a self-nom). Nsk92 (talk) 14:13, 4 November 2008 (UTC)
• ... that the McLaren M6As which won the 1967 Can-Am Challenge Cup for Bruce McLaren Motor Racing were the first cars to be painted the color now known as McLaren Orange? (self-nom) The359 (talk) 01:10, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Mayor of New York City John Lindsay was said to have been so angered by Edith Evans Asbury of The New York Times that he broke his telephone after slamming down the receiver? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 00:58, 2 November 2008 (UTC)
  • Length, date and hook ref verified. --Bruce1ee^talk 08:12, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Matilda, a hen who lived to 16 and became the world's oldest chicken in 2004, never laid any eggs? ~ New article by Neasie1; nominated by Hassocks5489 (tickets please!) 16:28, 1 November 2008 (UTC). Other hooks are possible.

I've commented out the pic because it's not showing as a 100x100 thumbnail, at least not in my browser... Hassocks5489 (tickets please!)

• Length and date good, offline hook refs accepted in good faith. --Bruce1ee^talk 08:19, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Paducah, Kentucky's Lloyd Tilghman Memorial honors a Marylander, and was built by an English immigrant from Boston? (created by --Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 15:45, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Alfred D'Orsay Tennyson Dickens, the son of novelist Charles Dickens, died in New York in 1912 while on a lecture tour celebrating the centenary of his father's birth? self nom by Jack1956 (talk) 10:24, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Saul Newman's From Bakunin to Lacan (2001) introduced a conception of postanarchism as anti-essentialist anarchism? Article created by User:Cast and User:Skomorokh, nom by the skomorokh 23:56, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• Alt1... that in his 2001 book From Bakunin to Lacan, Saul Newman identified Max Stirner as an important forerunner of post-anarchist thought? the skomorokh 23:56, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that rather than await execution, Russian anarchist assassin Moishe Tokar doused himself in paraffin from his prison cell lamp and burned himself alive? Self-nom by the skomorokh 23:56, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Gants Mill is a historic watermill now generating hydroelectric power from the River Brue? - new article, self nom by — Rod ^talk 22:16, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Kukkarahalli lake (pictured) adjoining the University of Mysore, was created in 1864 during Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar’s rule of the Kingdom of Mysore, to provide water for irrigation?
  • The above hook on article Kukkarahalli lake is by me. Sorry, I forgot to sign the hook earlier. --Nvvchar (talk) 02:31, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

• Length, date, creative-commons image, and reference verified. Cunard (talk) 05:37, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that The Animatrix was the first film incorporating Japanese anime to be nominated for the Annie Award for Best Animated Home Entertainment Production? (self-nomination) — sephiroth bcr ^(converse) 07:39, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• Length and date verified. However, neither of the references you cited say that this is the first anime film to be nominated for the Annie Award for Best Animated Home Entertainment Production. Cunard (talk) 05:29, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• alt: ... that eight films produced by DisneyToon Studios have been nominated for the Annie Award for Best Animated Home Entertainment Production, more than any other company? — sephiroth bcr ^(converse) 07:39, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that "Guan ju" is one of the oldest and most well known poems in Chinese literature? Zhao Wendao (talk) 11:04, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

I much prefer "best known" to "most well known" jnestorius^(talk) 13:19, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Either way, such a hook is rather WP:PEACOCK/POV-ish. --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:04, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• Possible alt: ... that "Guan ju", one of the oldest poems in Chinese literature, was praised by Confucius for its restrained emotions? Guan ju|Zhao Wendao Hassocks5489 (tickets please!) 19:46, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• Length and date verified. Offline reference accepted in good faith. I prefer the alternate hook. Cunard (talk) 05:02, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that many Norwegian political parties opposed the establishment of a State Secretary institution, only to expand the same institution when assuming power? -- self-nom by Punkmorten (talk) 15:14, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Length and date verified. The first part of the reference is cited in the article, but I don't see much about the political parties expanding the institution. Could you add that into the article? Thanks, Cunard (talk) 05:16, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

It was there all along, but should be clearer now. Punkmorten (talk) 09:07, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that fear of ghosts, as well as of other supernatural beings, may be seen as a mechanism of social control? -- self-nom . Laudak (talk) 19:46, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Since today is Halloween here in the US, may I humbly ask to post it "ahead of the schedule"? Right now it is barely proper size, but I am actively working on it and I am pretty sure other will join. Laudak (talk) 19:46, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

There is some overlap here with phasmophobia, which featured on DYK earlier today. Hassocks5489 (tickets please!) 19:49, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

There is no overlap. Laudak (talk) 01:36, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

There should not be overlap, but the distinction between fear of ghosts and phasmophobia has not been addressed in the article; I had to add a dablink as a quick fix to try to explain the difference between the two. In any case, the article as it currently stands is not fit to be linked to from the main page, there are major cleanup and content problems that I can't fix in just a couple days; furthermore, the hook itself is POV and has a weasel word. —Politizer ^talk/_contribs 22:07, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Apostlebird (pictured) of inland Australia is so named after the Twelve Apostles as it was seen to travel in groups of twelve? ...exp 5x by AusNG1007 (talk · contribs) and casliber (talk · contribs) 04:40, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

Verified. I've added "(pictured)" for you. – RyanCross (talk) 09:11, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Judith Wachs, who spent 30 years with her Sephardic music group Voice of the Turtle, first turned to music when she filled in for her husband who signed up for recorder lessons but couldn't attend? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 04:04, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
  • (moved here from October 30) Length, date and hook ref verified. I added a missing "her" from the hook, which pushes it up to 202 characters, but I'm sure that's fine. --Bruce1ee^talk 11:16, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Articles created/expanded on October 30

• ... that in 2004, The Hershey Company released three flavors of Snack Barz, a new product, including Chocolate Creme, Peanut Butter, and Marshmallow Creme? -- 5x expanded from this, halloween candy and self nom by Intothewoods29 19:11, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• Comment - In addition to the DYK nom Hershey's Snack Barz, there also is an article named Snack Barz. -- Suntag ☼ 22:16, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• Fixed with redirect. :) Intothewoods29 (talk) 23:50, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• Comment The Hershey Company references do not seem to be independent of the Snack Barz product. See Wikipedia:Reliable sources, which suggests using sources that are not very close to the origin of a particular topic. -- Suntag ☼ 00:29, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

I think in this case primary sources might be all right because no original research is involved. "Primary sources are considered reliable for basic statements of fact", in this case the date when the Hershey Company released three flavors of Snack Barz. --Jh12 (talk) 01:49, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

I think there might be a questionmark over the notability of these products though. Gatoclass (talk) 02:03, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

There are articles on every other Hershey's product, so why not this one? Why wouldn't a specially-named product produced by one of the world's largest chocolate manufacturers be notable? Can I at least have another opinion?Intothewoods29 (talk) 04:06, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Snack Barz may be a more appropriate name for the article since "There are three varieties, Hershey's Snack Barz, Reese's Snack Barz, and S'mores Snack Barz. ".[1] The DYK rules say that articles longer than 1,500 characters may still be rejected as too short, at the discretion of the selecting administrators. Usually, that happens when primary sources are used rather than secondary sources. As for material to expand the article, see Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL and some of [2][3][4][5][6]. -- Suntag ☼ 16:16, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Eduard Spelterini

• ... that Eduard Spelterini (pictured), an early Swiss balloonist, was acclaimed for his aerial photographs? — Article by Lupo (talk · contribs), nominated by  Sandstein  21:59, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• I think "ballooneer" is a Wikipedia:Avoid neologisms problem. Art LaPella (talk) 01:35, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• Is it not a mis-spelling of ballooner. That source is the 1913 edition of Webster's. balloonist is also a word, though you can also call them aeronauts. Carcharoth (talk) 01:46, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

"balloonist" is surely much the commonest, & to be preferred? Johnbod (talk) 02:13, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Changed to "balloonist", though any other term is also fine with me. Thanks for notifying me, Art!  Sandstein  06:31, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that no multicellular organisms have ever evolved wheels or similar propulsion methods, although the Pleuroptya ruralis caterpillar can roll and a species of mantis shrimp performs somersaults? ~ New article by Swpb; nominated by Hassocks5489 (tickets please!) 19:41, 31 October 2008 (UTC). Fascinating article; ref [1] relates. (As does the Dawkins article, which is a less simplistic treatment of the subject than ref [1]; should I place one or both ref tags at the end of the first paragraph to reinforce the hook fact? Hassocks5489 (tickets please!))

• ... that Microsoft made its largest acquisition ever when it purchased digital marketing company aQuantive for over US$6 billion? Gary King (talk) 18:39, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Old postcard from Ceranów, Poland

• ... that the Polish Righteous among the Nations, Alfreda and Bolesław Pietraszek, rescued families of 18 Jews during the Holocaust on their farm in Ceranów (village pictured)? -- New article, self-nom by Poeticbent talk 17:58, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Schloss Vollrads claims to be the eldest winery of Germany? Schloss Vollrads is a vineyard site documented since the middle ages within the Rheingau in the space of the collective site Honigberg.-- new article, self-nom by Symposiarch (talk) 17:10, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Interesting hook, but article has no sources at all. —Politizer ^talk/_contribs 01:27, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Richard Petty and his crew chief Dale Inman (pictured) presented the first artifact to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the car that Petty drove to a record 27 victories in 1967? -- 5x expansion beginning on October 30. The source's statement which says that 27 victories is the record is found by clicking "2" on the bottom to access the second page of the article. Royalbroil 16:32, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that in his 1933 essay In Praise of Shadows, Junichirō Tanizaki includes monastery toilets in his reflections on Japanese aesthetics? (self nom expanded stub) Julia Rossi (talk) 03:58, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Camp Beauregard, an American Civil War camp in western Kentucky, was abandoned in less than six months due to over 1000 cases of typhoid and pneumonia? (created by --Gen. Bedford ^{his Forest} 01:55, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Byron recorded seeing the "tigers sup" at the Exeter Exchange menagerie in central London owned by Edward Cross (pictured)? -- One pound (talk) 23:40, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that at Washington State University from 1948 to 1950, Bob Gambold was the quarterback of the school's football team and the starting forward for its basketball team during all three of those years? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 19:31, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Estelle Reiner′s line—"I'll have what she's having"—after Meg Ryan's filmed fake orgasm was ranked 33rd on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest Movie Quotes of All Time? -- new article, self-nom by Alansohn (talk) 18:06, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the 1925 Irish Senate election required a change in the law governing the layout of the ballot, to allow all 76 candidates to be listed? -- new article (moved from User: space on Oct 30) self-nom by jnestorius^(talk) 16:22, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that St. Louis Browns first baseman Chuck Stevens was the player who delivered the first major league hit off pitching legend Satchel Paige? – New article, self-nominated by MusiCitizen (talk) 16:20, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

I presume Satchel Paige should not be bold jnestorius^(talk) 16:22, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

I hope Satchel Paige can be expanded 5 times soon. Or it won't qualify--74.13.128.225 (talk) 19:27, 30 October 2008 (UTC) Unbolded. Expansion is unlikely for the already long article. --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:24, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Sri Lanka Air Force lost 57 aircraft during the conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels?--TheFEARgod (Ч) 15:20, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

This conflict is still ongoing. Suggest mentioning "so far" or sth to that effect in the hook. Also suggest checking the news for updates before posting the "57" figure on the main page. Pls also expand the intro. It's rather short. --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:59, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Ōe Taku

• ... that Ōe Taku (pictured), after spending 12 years in prison for treason, was elected to the lower house in the Diet of Japan in 1890? <self-nom> --MChew (talk) 14:39, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Akkamma Cherian, an Indian freedom fighter, was popularly known as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore? -- new article self-nom by -- Tinu Cherian - 10:16, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

ALT2: ... that Akkamma Cherian (pictured), an Indian freedom fighter, was popularly known as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore? -- new article self-nom by -- Tinu Cherian - 11:22, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

ALT3: ... that Akkamma Cherian , an Indian freedom fighter , dared firing orders of the police to lead a rally inorder to revoke a ban on State congress party?-- new article self-nom by -- Tinu Cherian - 06:00, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

ALT4: ... that Akkamma Cherian 's , an Indian freedom fighter , courageous words , “I am the leader; shoot me first before you kill others” , forced the police authorities to withdraw firing orders on the protest rally? -- new article self-nom by -- Tinu Cherian - 06:07, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Japanese author Jun'ichirō Tanizaki attributed his phobia of earthquakes to the collapse of his family house in the 1894 Meiji Tokyo earthquake? <self-nom> --MChew (talk) 06:16, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

An inspiration for any of this author's books? --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:24, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that baseball player Floyd Rayford was the man that Cal Ripken, Jr. replaced in the starting lineup to begin his streak of 2,632 consecutive games played? -- new article, self-nominated by Transaspie (talk) 05:17, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Bowie Seamount on the British Columbia Coast of Canada is one of the most biologically rich submarine volcanoes on Earth and was an active volcanic island throughout the last glacial period? (self-nomination) Black Tusk (talk) 03:48, 30 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Not expanded 5x in the last 5 days (see instructions above). --Bruce1ee^talk 08:48, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the film To Get to Heaven, First You Have to Die, released in 2006, is the only recorded Central Asian film about impotence? LGF1992UK (talk) 00:29, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Only 845 bytes/162 words of readable prose. Hook is not mentioned in the article. — BillC ^talk 09:04, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Cavallo's multiplier was an 18th-century electrostatic influence machine used to amplify electric charge? New article, self-nom — BillC ^talk 05:42, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Which citation verifies this hook? --Rosiestep (talk) 03:39, 6 November 2008 (UTC)]

Both the first (Gray, p80) Electrical Influence Machines: "Cavallo, in 1795... described an influence machine", and the second (de Queiroz) Influence machines: "A similar [electric charge] adding device was Cavallo's multiplier (1795)". — BillC ^talk 08:31, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

Articles created/expanded on October 29

• ... that after retiring from the stage opera singer Emma Carelli managed the Rome Opera House for almost fifteen years? new article self nom.Nrswanson (talk) 07:30, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the Japanese light novel Gakkō no Kaidan tied with Hashitte Kaero! for Enterbrain's eighth Enterbrain Entertainment Awards' excellence award, under the novels section?
  • Alt: ... that when the Japanese light novel series Gakkō no Kaidan was adapted into a live-action film, the gender of the protagonist was changed from male to female? - Created and nominated by Cloud668, fivefold expanded (well if you count only the prose) with Juhachi. -- クラウド６６８ 01:44, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• There's really nothing in the article to indicate notability. Gatoclass (talk) 09:20, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that with the Kabuki-za scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt over the course of 2010–2013, the nearby Shinbashi Enbujō will become the chief venue for kabuki in Tokyo for several years? -- self nom. by LordAmeth (talk · contribs) 06:35, 30 October 2008 (UTC)
  • (alternatively)... that the Shinbashi Enbujō in Ginza, today a major kabuki theatre, was originally built to serve as a venue for geisha dances? LordAmeth (talk) 16:23, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• Again, no explanation as to why this building is notable. Gatoclass (talk) 09:23, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Viswanathan Kakkan, who stood for 2006 Assembly elections as a Janata Party candidate from Perambur, is a brother of Dalit leader and former Minister of the Indian National Congress, P. Kakkan? - self-nom by-Ravichandar_{My coffee shop} 03:33, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

This fact will work better as a DYK hook if Viswanathan Kakkan is a famous guy with a wikibio (Go turn the redlink blue!), or if the two political parties are high-profile rivals. So many politicians have siblings in the same business, you know. --74.13.129.207 (talk) 15:13, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

It isn't a question of siblings being in politics. But it is a rarity for a Dalit politician (that too in Tamil Nadu where the anti-Hindutva sentiments are high amongst Dalits) to contest the elections as a candidate of the NDA. And though I'm not sure if Viswanathan Kakkan, himself, would satisfy notability criteria, it would come as a surprise to many that the brother of a former Minister and prominent Dalit leader is associated with the Sangh Parivar and has contested the elections as a candidate of the NDA.-Ravichandar_{My coffee shop} 03:21, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, Indian National Congress and Janata Party are rivals today. But the rivalry did not exist during the lifetime of P.Kakkan as he died 27 years back. In fact, the Congress party had no serious opponents at that time. But there has not been any high-profile Dalit leader or relative of any high-profile Dalit leader from Tamil Nadu associated with the BJP or its allies. Almost all big names from the Dalit communities in Tamil Nadu as Iyothee Thass, Rettamalai Srinivasan, Thirumavalavan and Krishnasamy had been opponents of the Sangh Parivar and its ideology.-Ravichandar_{My coffee shop} 03:32, 2 November 2008 (UTC)

Anon has put forth his points and I have made my replies. Considering that Mr. Anon has been absent for quite sometime someone here must take some decision-Ravichandar_{My coffee shop} 04:19, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

I'm back. The hook is passable per DYK rules. I ain't rejecting the nom, but I just wonder why this fact is interesting. I don't know anything about Tamil Nadu politics. And I'm scratching my head... is it supposed to be funny? ironic? interesting by relations to something famous? I don't know.... --74.14.18.233 (talk) 21:31, 5 November 2008 (UTC) You might want a hook about his stamp, or the reservoirs if they are notable enough to get an article in Wikipedia. Either would be more interesting than a non-famous sibling. --74.14.18.233 (talk) 21:54, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Dalits are all generally against Hindu conservatives. And Viswanathan Kakkan, who is a brother of a prominent Dalit leader, P. Kakkan, has fought the elections as a member of the Janata Party, which is part of a Hindu conservative coalition. Though Kakkan did not openly support any conservative Hindu organizations as long as he was alive, it is, indeed, news that his brother does. Am I clear enough now?-Ravichandar_{My coffee shop} 10:00, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• Is it possible to modify the hook so that these facts you have given can be included? I think it will be better, since that will make it clearer what it says. The refs, date, length are fine. We can pass it as it is, if the selector thinks the current version is good enough. Chamal ^talk 11:48, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, I don't understand. What facts? I was only explaining to Mr. Anon, the significance of the fact included in the hook I've specified.-Ravichandar_{My coffee shop} 12:52, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

I meant that if this information is added in some way, it would be clearer for someone who doesn't know anything about Tamil Nadu politics. Anyway as I said there's nothing wrong with the hook as it is, and if you think there's no need to change it, fine by me. So, with date, length, ref verified. Chamal ^talk 14:20, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• What was the guy's first name? You can hardly propose an article on someone for DYK and include only an initial. Gatoclass (talk) 10:16, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Mint Productions created the 2005 and 2008 documentary series Haughey and Bertie, which examined the lives of former taoisigh Charles Haughey and Bertie Ahern? --➨Candlewicke  ^{:) Sign/Talk} 21:42, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

• Nominator comment: Three brand new articles which, if I've calculated correctly (and maybe I haven't), ought to feature (if passed) on the Main Page on the same day that the last commences broadcasting. --➨Candlewicke  ^{:) Sign/Talk} 21:51, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

Bertie Ahern

After is better, or this will appear to be free advertising. --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:51, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• ALT:... the documentary series Bertie and Haughey on the lives of former taoisigh Bertie Ahern (pictured) and Charles Haughey were made by Mint Productions? --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:51, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

• I like it. --➨Candlewicke  ^{:) Sign/Talk} 22:03, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

In relation to the free advertising comment I hardly think it would be appropriate given the plans that are afoot to throw Barack Obama and John McCain onto the Main Page on November 4. There would seem to be inconsistencies if a former world leader cannot feature on the same day as a documentary on him airs. --➨Candlewicke  ^{:) Sign/Talk} 19:50, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

It doesn't matter if the show is about a former world leader or a fictional fungus in the future. Just don't put hook on the Main Page when (or just before) the show is broadcast. We shouldn't help Mint advertise their show. --74.14.18.233 (talk) 21:13, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the pilot edition of the BBC Radio 7 comedy A Series of Psychotic Episodes was nominated for a Sony Radio Academy Award? Self-nom by ISD (talk) 17:54, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

• Needs a copyedit, it's quite hard to follow. Gatoclass (talk) 09:26, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that the film Lonesome Jim was filmed in just 17 days on a budget of only US$500,000 due to the film's funding being drastically cut shortly before production began? expanded five-fold and nominated by SWik78 (talk • contribs) 15:33, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

Need to establish in the hook that this is a notable film, or this sounds like another low-budget film failure. Also need to clarify the currency.

• ALT:... that the movie Lonesome Jim, nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, was filmed within 17 days on a mere budget of US$500,000? --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:38, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
• ALT:... that the award nominated film Lonesome Jim had a last minute budget cut from US$3 million down to $500,000 and had to be shot in only 17 days?

Good point about the notable vs low-budget failure criteria. What do you mean by needing to "clarify the currency"? SWik78 (talk • contribs) 15:45, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Clarifying the currency means specifying whether it's U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Liberian dollars, or whichever. —97198 (talk) 06:08, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Understood, clarified accordingly. SWik78 (talk • contribs) 13:34, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that failed Australian politician and prominent barrister, Edward St John QC became an early anti-nuclear activist in the last ten years of his life? (self-nom vastly expanded stub) Julia Rossi (talk) 05:39, 29 October 2008 (UTC)
  

• alt:... that Australian 60s politician, prominent barrister and activist Edward St John QC was distantly related to Oliver Cromwell? (self-nom) Julia Rossi (talk) 05:39, 29 October 2008 (UTC)

Suggest mentioning in the hook who Cromwell was, at least for the uninitiated. --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:38, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

I wouldn't. The uninitiated might not recognize the Britishisms "barrister" and "QC" either, and at least Cromwell is linked. "Lord Protector" wouldn't help the uninitiated at all, and "17th-century British ruler" is a lot of words for the Main Page. Art LaPella (talk) 21:33, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

How about–

• ... that Australian 60s politician, leading lawyer and activist Edward St John QC was distantly related to republican British ruler Oliver Cromwell of the 1600s? Julia Rossi (talk) 22:06, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

"17th-century British ruler" is not a lot of words. --74.14.18.233 (talk) 21:13, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• Not eligible - article contains plagiarized material from the State Library of NSW. Gatoclass (talk) 09:05, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that redistributive change is a theory of economic justice that promotes the recognition of poverty as a suspect classification under U.S. law? -- Kendrick7^talk 20:46, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• Are there any non-Obama/political mentions or refs of this theory? Mitico (talk) 02:05, 6 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that shortly after architect Ralph Anderson's early "modernist glass-box phase" he began rehabilitating turn-of-the-century buildings (example pictured) in Seattle's Skid Road / Pioneer Square district? - (new, self-nom) Jmabel | Talk 23:16, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• Length, date, and hook verified. However, I would chose either Skid Road or Pioneer Square not both for the final hook. Mitico (talk) 22:01, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that The Spirit of Mickey featured clips from The Wonderful World of Disney and The Mickey Mouse Club in its intro? -- Article created by Jscorp 22:47, 29 October 2008 (UTC) (self-nom) Jscorp (talk) 01:07, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Is "intro" a formal word to be used on Wikipedia's front page? --74.13.129.207 (talk) 14:38, 31 October 2008 (UTC)

Not nearly long enough. Gatoclass (talk) 09:58, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

Articles created/expanded on October 28

• ... that BBC presenter Jonathan Ross (pictured) was suspended for "gross lapse of taste" as a result of a Russell Brand Show prank telephone calls row? New article - it is current but likely to be fairly stable from here on in. (initially written by me by moving a poor BLP stub, and greatly expanded by User:Uncle G and others)--Scott MacDonald (talk) 10:31, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
  • Does this hook focus unduly on negative aspects of a living individual (see instructions above)? --Bruce1ee^talk 13:08, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
    • "unduly" I don't know. Omit for "gross lapse of taste" if it helps - but the suspension of a celebrity is central to the article, and given this has been highly publicised, and don't think appearing in DYK for a few hours can be remotely prejudicial. I avoided a hook naming any of the more "private" individuals. Ross is a household name in UK.--Scott MacDonald (talk) 13:22, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
      • Wouldn't this be a more apt candidate for WP:ITN/C? It Is Me Here (talk) 15:50, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
        • It is no longer current news.--Scott MacDonald (talk) 22:02, 1 November 2008 (UTC)
          • I highly doubt there is anyone left at this stage who "doesn't know" about this... --➨Candlewicke  ^{:) Sign/Talk} 20:31, 5 November 2008 (UTC)
            • Perhaps you meant anyone left in the UK. Without clicking the links, I don't recognize anything in that hook except the BBC. Art LaPella (talk) 23:58, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Blue Moon Rising was the first bestseller for British author Simon R. Green? -- new article, self nom -- Cabe6403 ^{(Talk•Sign!)} 14:00, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• Why is Simon R. Green deliberately piped to the disambiguation page Simon Green, when we already have a page dedicated to Simon R. Green? Art LaPella (talk) 05:40, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

• Woops, my bad there. Fixed to link to Simon R Green --Cabe6403 ^{(Talk•Sign!)} 07:41, 4 November 2008 (UTC)

Article and hook are referenced to a personal website. Can you find a WP:RS? Should be relatively easy for straightforward claims. Length and date checked. — BillC ^talk 08:32, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Butler English is an occupational dialect of Indian English that was originally spoken by butlers? Me, again. Uncle G (talk) 14:44, 28 October 2008 (UTC)
  • While the Butler English section was newly created on Oct 27, the target article, regional differences and dialects in Indian English, has not been expanded 5x. Also note, the article is going through review at AfD. --Rosiestep (talk) 16:07, 28 October 2008 (UTC)
    • You need to look more carefully at the edit history, instead of just looking at the byte counts and ignoring the edit summaries and the actual state of the article. Start with this edit. I predict, based upon long experience, that the AFD discussion will result in the article being kept, by the way — probably in petty short order, too, once someone notices. ☺ Uncle G (talk) 17:29, 28 October 2008 (UTC)
      • I think Rosiestep is aware of that edit, but she is also aware of "Unwritten" Rule A3. Art LaPella (talk) 22:49, 28 October 2008 (UTC)
        • As mentioned above in the Art LaP link, the state of the earlier version, however good or bad, is not taken into account in the DYK review process; edit summaries are also not considered. This doesn't mean that DYK volunteers don't look at them, nor does it mean that your points are without merit. If you'd like to suggest changes to the review process, WT:DYK would be the place to start. --Rosiestep (talk) 16:04, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• ... that Nazi Germany considered liberating Soviet prisoners from the GULAG system to create a resistance in Siberia? --self-nom by _{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| talk} 18:57, 28 October 2008 (UTC)
  • poorly sourced, some other reliable sources should be used for such an outrageous operation. HerkusMonte (talk) 12:50, 29 October 2008 (UTC)
    • English language books by Parrish have been added in addition to previous, Russian-language newspaper articles.--_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| talk} 18:35, 29 October 2008 (UTC)
  • I don't think this belongs on the front page without some German-viewpoint sourcing. Parrish's work is based on NKVD records, just like the Melenberg piece. Not yet NPOV. Angus McLellan (Talk) 10:01, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

• Huh? You want to use Nazi sources? A reliable western academic work is cited, I don't see anything in it indicating it is based on "NKVD reports".--_{Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus| talk} 03:42, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

• ... director Peter Ustinov instructed Richard Burton not to blink during his performance as the escaped sociopath in the 1972 film Hammersmith is Out? (self-nom) 02:50, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• This hook is also listed under November 3, which appears to be the correct date. Art LaPella (talk) 04:22, 3 November 2008 (UTC)

• Indeed. I've slashed this one and verified the other. —97198 (talk) 09:48, 5 November 2008 (UTC)

See also

• User:AlexNewArtBot/GoodSearchResult – This is an automated list of promising new articles generated by AlexNewArtBot (talk · contribs · logs).