Wikipedia:Main Page history/2019 November 9

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Fort Somba Opu

The early history of the kingdoms of Gowa and Talloq can be traced back to 1300, when the Makassar kingdom of Gowa emerged as an agrarian chiefdom in the Indonesian peninsula of South Sulawesi. Talloq was founded two centuries later when a prince from Gowa fled to the coast after his defeat in a succession dispute. The coastal location of the new polity allowed it to exploit maritime trade to a greater degree than Gowa. The growth of early Gowa was supported by a rapid increase in wet rice cultivation. Verdant forests were cleared to make way for rice paddies. The population may have increased tenfold between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries. Gowa and Talloq became close allies in the sixteenth century and dominated most of the peninsula, following wide-ranging administrative and military reforms. Around 1600 the twin kingdoms converted to Islam, defeated their rivals and became the most important powers in eastern Indonesia, with Fort Somba Opu (pictured) as one of their centers. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know ...

Checkpoint Charlie on the night of 9/10 November 1989

... that the fall of the Berlin Wall (immediate aftermath pictured) was the result of a bureaucratic mistake?
... that Anne L. Stevens disguised herself in order to enroll in the male-only mechanics pit crew at a race track?
... that UK prime minister Boris Johnson said he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than seek an extension to Brexit under the terms of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019?
... that paediatrician Ji Xiaocheng co-founded the first neonatal intensive care unit in China?
... that the lamenting grasshopper seems to be expanding its range northwards in Italy, possibly as a result of climate change?
... that Belgian bass Tijl Faveyts, recognized internationally since his 2006 performance as Mozart's Sarastro at the Aix-en-Provence Festival, has portrayed both Fasolt and Hunding in Der Ring in Minden?
... that for his narrative poetry novel The Long Take, Robin Robertson became the first poet and first Scot to win the Walter Scott Prize?
... that Jack Hadley founded his own black history museum in Thomasville, Georgia?

In the news

Duane Vermeulen

In rugby union, the World Cup concludes with South Africa defeating England in the final (player of the match Duane Vermeulen pictured).
A series of earthquakes hits Mindanao, Philippines, killing at least 21 people.
A fire on a passenger train near Liaquatpur, Pakistan, kills at least 75 people.
In baseball, the Washington Nationals defeat the Houston Astros to win the World Series.

On this day

November 9: Iqbal Day in Pakistan

USS Alligator

1729 – Great Britain, France, and Spain signed the Treaty of Seville to end the Anglo-Spanish War, although the underlying tensions were left unresolved.
1822 – USS Alligator (pictured) engaged three pirate schooners off the coast of Cuba in one of the West Indies anti-piracy operations of the United States.
1888 – Mary Jane Kelly was murdered in London; she was widely believed to be the fifth and final victim of the notorious unidentified serial killer Jack the Ripper.
1913 – The "Big Blow" storm reached its maximum intensity in the Great Lakes Basin of North America, destroying 19 ships and 68,300 tons of cargo, and killing more than 250 people.
1967 – French comic book heroes Valérian and Laureline first appeared in Pilote magazine.

A. P. Hill (b. 1825) · Enrico De Nicola (b. 1877) · Markus Wolf (d. 2006)

More anniversaries:

Today's featured picture

The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is a species of woodland antelope in the genus Tragelaphus found throughout eastern and southern Africa. Despite occupying widespread territory, they are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation and poaching. The greater kudu is one of two species commonly known as kudu, the other being the lesser kudu, T. imberbis. Greater kudus have a narrow body with long legs, and their coats can range from brown or bluish grey to reddish brown. They possess between four and twelve vertical white stripes along their torso. The head tends to be darker in colour than the rest of the body, and exhibits a small white chevron running between the eyes. The helical horns of adult males grow as the animal ages, reaching 2 ¹⁄₂ rotations at about 6 years old.

This picture shows a greater kudu bull photographed near Groot Okevi in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Bulls weigh 190–270 kg (420–600 lb), up to a maximum of 315 kg (690 lb), and stand up to 160 cm (63 in) tall at the shoulder.

Photograph credit: Hans Hillewaert

Recently featured:

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.