Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 March 20

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

The Iraq War in Anbar Province was a counter-insurgency campaign in the Iraq War, waged in the Al Anbar Governorate in western Iraq from 2003 to 2011. It was fought primarily between the United States Marine Corps and the Federal government of Iraq against members of the Iraqi insurgency led by Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). Almost 9,000 Iraqis and 1,335 Americans were killed during the war in Anbar, mostly between April 2004 and September 2007. Savage fighting occurred in the province in 2004, including the First and Second Battle of Fallujah. Though the fighting initially featured heavy urban warfare, in later years insurgents focused on ambushing the American and Iraqi security forces with improvised explosive devices. Both sides committed multiple human rights violations, such as the Fallujah killings and Haditha killings. In August 2006, several tribes located near Ramadi and led by Sheikh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha formed the Anbar Awakening and revolted against AQI. US and Iraqi tribal forces regained control of Anbar Province in 2007 and turned it over to the Iraqi Government in 2008. The last American forces left the province on 7 December 2011. (Full article...)

Recently featured: Tender Mercies – Madeira Firecrest – Irish Thoroughbred

Archive – By email – More featured articles...

Did you know...

From Wikipedia's newest content:

... that the larvae of the Middle-Eastern salamander Arouss Al Ayn (pictured) are often cannibalistic?

... that 2002, 2006, and 2010 Paralympic skier Jon Santacana won three gold medals at the 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships?

... that Gocho described his debut single "Dándole" as a combination of mambo and urban music?

... that Mats Møller Dæhli won Manchester United's "Young Player of the Year" award in 2012?

... that the famed Arapian pastourma and soutzouki market in Athens, Greece, operates out of a 15 m² (160 sq ft) store?

... that actor Robert O'Reilly based his performances as Gowron in the Star Trek franchise on Edmund from the Shakespeare play King Lear?

Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news

Japanese architect Toyo Ito (pictured) wins the Pritzker Prize.

In alpine skiing, Tina Maze and Marcel Hirscher win the overall women's and men's World Cup titles, respectively.

In rugby union, the Six Nations Championship concludes with Wales winning the tournament for the second consecutive year.

The National People's Congress of China names Xi Jinping as the new President and Li Keqiang as the new Premier.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is elected as Pope Francis, becoming the first Latin American pope of the Catholic Church.

JOGMEC announces the first successful extraction of methane hydrate from seabed deposits.

Recent deaths: Ieng Sary

Wikinews – More current events...

On this day...

March 20: Nowruz in Iran, Central Asia, and Zoroastrianism (2013)

1602 – The Dutch East India Company was established.

1923 –The Arts Club of Chicago hosted the opening of Pablo Picasso's first United States showing, entitled Original Drawings by Pablo Picasso, becoming an early proponent of modern art in the U.S.

1942 – World War II: After being forced to flee the Philippines, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur (pictured) announced in Terowie, South Australia, "I shall return."

1987 – The antiretroviral drug zidovudine (AZT) became the first antiviral medication approved for use against HIV and AIDS.

1993 – The Troubles: The second of two bomb attacks by the Provisional IRA in Warrington, England, killed two children.

More anniversaries: March 19 – March 20 – March 21

Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries

It is now March 20, 2013 (UTC) – Reload this page

Today's featured picture

Satellite photographs showing massive flooding in Thailand. In late July 2011, before the floods began, the Chao Phraya River curved through the provinces of Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani (left). By October the river had overflown and submerged fields, roads and buildings in most of the area (right).

Photo: NASA Earth Observatory

Recently featured: Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey – Peter Oliver – Thelephora palmata

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.