Wikipedia:Main Page history/2014 September 21

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From today's featured article Gustav Holst (1874–1934) was an English composer, arranger and teacher, best known for his orchestral suite The Planets. He had originally hoped to become a pianist, but was prevented by neuritis in his right arm. Unable to support himself as a composer, he played the trombone professionally and later became a teacher. He was musical director at Morley College from 1907 until 1924, and pioneered music education for women at St Paul's Girls' School, where he taught from 1905 until his death. He also founded a series of annual Whitsun music festivals, which ran from 1916 for the remainder of his life. As a composer, it was not until the international success of The Planets in the years immediately after the First World War that he became a well-known figure. In his later years his style of composition struck many as too austere, and his brief popularity declined. Nevertheless, he was a significant influence on a number of younger English composers, including Michael Tippett and Benjamin Britten. Apart from The Planets and a handful of other works, his music was generally neglected until the 1980s, since when recordings of much of his output have been available. (Full article...) Recently featured: Great North of Scotland Railway – History of a Six Weeks' Tour – Murder of Joanna Yeates Did you know... From Wikipedia's new and recently improved content: ... that solar activity and related events (solar flare pictured) have been recorded since the time of the Babylonians in the 8th century BCE? (TAFI) ... that Ashley Tisdale became the first female artist to have two songs debut at the same time on the US Billboard Hot 100, with "What I've Been Looking For" and "Bop to the Top"? ... that ajaw Itzam K'an Ahk II's reign of Piedras Negras, from 729 to 757 AD, was one marked by hegemony over neighboring kingdoms? ... that the jawbone of Armenian activist Khetcho was shattered by a bullet during a battle? ... that illegal forms of gambling in Manila included jueteng, masiao, and "last two"? ... that despite being injured by a land mine some 3 feet (1 m) away, war dog Ricky continued to clear the mines from the surrounding area? ... that the Washington State Treasurer must post a $500,000 surety bond before taking office?

In the news The National Party, led by John Key, win a majority in the New Zealand general election. Scotland votes against independence from the United Kingdom. In cycling, Jens Voigt sets a new hour record, riding more than 51 kilometres (31.7 mi) in an hour. The FijiFirst Party, led by Frank Bainimarama, win a majority in the Fijian general election. The Social Democrats, led by Stefan Löfven (pictured), win a plurality in the Swedish general election. The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup concludes with the United States defeating Serbia in the final. Ongoing: Ebola outbreak – Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Recent deaths: Ian Paisley On this day... September 21: International Day of Peace; Independence Day in Armenia (1991); Banned Books Week begins (2014) 1860 – Second Opium War: Anglo-French forces earned a decisive victory against Qing dynasty troops in the Battle of Palikao, allowing them to capture Beijing. 1897 – The New York Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper, published an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church stating, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus", that has become a part of popular Christmas lore in the United States. 1933 – Salvador Lutteroth ran the first Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre event in Mexico City, the world's oldest continuously operating professional wrestling promotion. 1939 – Romanian Prime Minister Armand Călinescu (pictured) was assassinated in Bucharest by pro-Nazi members of the Iron Guard. 1999 – A 7.6 Mw earthquake struck Jiji, Nantou County, Taiwan, killing 2,416 people, injuring over 11,000 others and causing about NT$300 billion in damage. More anniversaries: September 20 – September 21 – September 22 It is now September 21, 2014 (UTC) – Reload this page

Today's featured picture Gassed is a 231 × 611 cm (7.6 × 20 ft) oil painting completed in March 1919 by John Singer Sargent. Painted after Sargent visited the Western Front on a commission by the British War Memorials Committee, it depicts the aftermath of a mustard gas attack during the First World War, with a line of wounded soldiers walking towards a dressing station. The painting, voted picture of the year by the Royal Academy of Arts in 1919, is now held by the Imperial War Museum. Painting: John Singer Sargent Recently featured: Cantino planisphere – Carina Nebula – White-tailed eagle

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