Wikipedia:Main Page history/2015 December 22

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Miniopterus aelleni is a bat in the genus Miniopterus found in the Comoro Islands and Madagascar. It is a small, brown bat, with a forearm length of 35 to 41 mm (1.4 to 1.6 in). The long tragus (a projection in the outer ear) has a broad base and a blunt or rounded tip. The uropatagium (tail membrane) is sparsely haired. The palate is flat and there are distinct diastemata (gaps) between the upper canines and premolars. Populations of this species were previously included in Miniopterus manavi, but recent molecular studies revealed that M. aelleni is a separate species and that Miniopterus is more species-rich than previously thought. M. aelleni is known to live from 4 to 225 m (13 to 738 ft) above sea level in northern and western Madagascar, at 1,100 m (3,600 ft) in northern Madagascar, and from 220 to 690 m (720 to 2,260 ft) on Anjouan in the nearby Comoros. On Madagascar, M. aelleni has been found in forests and caves in karstic areas. The specific name aelleni honors Professor Villy Aellen of the Natural History Museum of Geneva. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know...

Chianti bottle

... that physicist Albert Wattenberg kept an empty Chianti bottle (pictured) as a souvenir, the contents of which were consumed to celebrate the Chicago Pile-1 nuclear reactor going critical?
... that the 1964 Atlantic hurricane season featured the highest number of hurricanes to landfall in the United States since the 1933 season?
... that a cascade development on the Hrazdan River is the largest hydro-power scheme in Armenia?
... that opera singer Camellia Johnson performed at Donald Trump's wedding ceremonies to Marla Maples and Melania Knauss?
... that Wu Chengzhen was the first woman to be ordained as a Taoist fangzhang?
... that the most dominant fish species of the Lighthouse Reef in Belize are the creole wrasse and blue chromis?
... that actor Alex Saxon was told that his character in Finding Carter was to be killed off, but a month later found out that plans had changed?
... that when a new digital system of payment was put in place to prevent the skimming of salaries for Afghan police, the policemen thought they had been given a raise?

In the news

Mariano Rajoy

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, the suspended presidents of FIFA and UEFA respectively, are banned from association football for eight years amid a corruption case.
In the Spanish general election, the ruling People's Party, led by Mariano Rajoy (pictured), loses one third of its seats, but remains the largest single party.
Deep coal mining ceases in the United Kingdom with the closure of Kellingley Colliery.
Soyuz TMA-19M is launched to the International Space Station.
In mixed martial arts, Conor McGregor ends UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo's ten-year winning streak at UFC 194.

Ongoing events:
- Syrian Civil War
- European migrant crisis
Recent deaths:

On this day...

December 22: December solstice (04:48 UTC, 2015); Yule, Mother's Day in Indonesia

Anthony McAuliffe

1769 – Having been soundly defeated in battle, the Qing dynasty agreed to terms of truce, ending the Sino-Burmese War.
1807 – In an effort to avoid engaging in the Napoleonic Wars, the United States Congress passed the Embargo Act, forbidding American ships from engaging in trade with foreign nations.
1944 – World War II: US Army General Anthony McAuliffe (pictured) responded to the German ultimatum of surrender during the Battle of the Bulge with a single word, "NUTS!"
1974 – Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli voted to become the independent nation of the Comoros.
1997 – Hussein Farrah Aidid relinquished the disputed title of President of Somalia.

More anniversaries:

Today's featured picture

The willow tit (Poecile montanus) is a passerine bird in the tit family commonly found throughout temperate and subarctic Europe and northern Asia. These birds feed on insects, caterpillars, and seeds, and nest in holes in (mostly conifer) trees.

Photograph: Francis C. Franklin

Recently featured:

Archive
More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – Bulletin board, projects, resources and activities covering a wide range of Wikipedia areas.
Help desk – Ask questions about using Wikipedia.
Local embassy – For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Reference desk – Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects.
Site news – Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Village pump – For discussions about Wikipedia itself, including areas for technical issues and policies.