Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 October 28

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Today's featured article
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886. The statue, a gift to the United States from the people of France, is of a robed female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of American independence. It has become an iconic symbol of freedom and of the United States. Fundraising for the statue proved difficult, especially for the Americans, and by 1885 work on the statue's pedestal was threatened due to lack of funds. Publisher Joseph Pulitzer of the World initiated a drive for donations to complete the project, and the campaign inspired over 120,000 contributors, most of whom gave less than a dollar. The statue was constructed in France, shipped overseas in crates, and reassembled on the completed pedestal on what was then called Bedloe's Island. Its completion was marked by New York's first ticker-tape parade and a dedication ceremony presided over by President Grover Cleveland. (more...) Recently featured: Rudolph Cartier – Northern Bald Ibis – HMAS Australia Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Miraflores Altarpiece (center panel pictured) by Rogier van der Weyden was a chronological reading of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus? ... that the Tayloe family of Richmond County, Virginia, including John Tayloe I, his son, John Tayloe II, and grandson, John Tayloe III, exemplified gentry entrepreneurship? ... that in 2009 the Toronto Star called Winnipeg's Manitoba Hydro Place, which uses 60% less energy than a typical large office tower, "the most important building in Canada"? ... that Dira Sugandi was awarded the Indonesian Young Jazz Talent Award for her duet with Jason Mraz? ... that the 2005 Alabama Crimson Tide football team had all ten of its victories vacated by the NCAA, resulting in an official record of zero wins and two losses for the season? ... that the Japanese anime film Magic Tree House is based on the American children's book series of the same name? ... that Ratih Hardjono connected her wedding with corruption, collusion, and nepotism? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Hamadi Jebali The Renaissance Party, led by Hamadi Jebali (pictured), wins Tunisia's first Constituent Assembly election since the country's revolution. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes its inaugural commercial flight, from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is re-elected for a second term. Floods in central Thailand reach Bangkok, affecting more than two million people. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes the eastern Turkish city of Van, leaving hundreds of people dead or missing. Italian motorcycle racer Marco Simoncelli dies after an accident at the Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
October 28: Feast day of Simon the Zealot (Western Christianity) 312 – Constantine the Great (statue pictured) defeated Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in Rome. 1664 – The Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot, the forerunner to the Royal Marines, was established at the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company in London. 1776 – American Revolutionary War: As George Washington's Continental Army retreated northward from New York City, the British Army captured the village of White Plains. 1835 – Māori chiefs signed the Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand and established the United Tribes of New Zealand. 1928 – Indonesian composer Wage Rudolf Supratman introduced "Indonesia Raya", now the country's national anthem. 1995 – The world's deadliest subway disaster took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, when an electrical malfunction caused a fire that killed 289 passengers and injured 265 more. More anniversaries: October 27 – October 28 – October 29 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 28, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

A female koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia. The word "koala" comes from the Dharuk word gula. English-speaking settlers from the late 18th century first called it "koala bear" due to its similarity in appearance to bears, although they are not at all related. Instead, its closest living relative is the wombat.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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