Wikipedia:Main Page history/2021 May 23b

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Extent of the Western Chalukya Empire (circa 1100)

Extent of the Western Chalukya Empire (c. 1100)

A large body of Western Chalukya literature in the Kannada language was produced during the empire's reign (973–1200) in present-day India (map pictured). Kannada literature from this period, usually considered Old Kannada, constituted the bulk of the Chalukya court's textual production and pertained mostly to the socio-religious development of the Jain faith, with some of that of the Shaiva faith. Important literary contributions in the Kannada language came not only from court poets, noblemen, royalty, ascetics and saints who wrote in the marga (mainstream) style, but also from commoners and artisans, including cobblers, weavers, cowherds and shepherds who wrote in the desi (folk) style. These poets revolutionised Kannada literature, rejecting traditional themes that eulogised kings and noblemen, and writing didactic poems that were closer to the spoken and sung form of the language. In addition to hundreds of male poets, over thirty female poets have been recorded. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know ...

Kerttu Saalasti

... that the University of Oulu renamed an institute after Finnish politician Kerttu Saalasti (pictured) in 2017, six decades after she introduced the bill that established the university?
... that the Golden Age short story "The Voyage That Lasted 600 Years" includes the first use of a generational starship in fiction?
... that Kidsgrove Athletic F.C. became the first football club in England to have father and son goalkeepers when they signed Steve Cherry in 2003?
... that "O komm, du Geist der Wahrheit" is an 1833 German-language hymn for Pentecost in which the "Spirit of Truth" is called to come and restore the attitude of early Christianity?
... that because of her striking beauty and sense of high fashion, soprano Annamary Dickey was dubbed the "Glamour Girl of the Met" in 1949?
... that the statue of Billie Holiday in Upton, Baltimore, also depicts a crow eating a gardenia?
... that the Nakba – the destruction of Palestinian society, their homeland, and the permanent displacement of a majority of the Palestinian people – has been described as an ongoing catastrophe?
... that the design of Suffolk Downs station was inspired by medieval fortified churches?

In the news

Måneskin

In Belarus, journalist Raman Pratasevich is arrested after Ryanair Flight 4978 is forced to land at Minsk National Airport due to a false bomb alert.
Italy, represented by Måneskin (pictured) with the song "Zitti e buoni", wins the Eurovision Song Contest.
After more than 200 deaths, a ceasefire is enacted in the Israel–Palestine crisis.
Results of the Samoan general election are upheld by the Supreme Court, giving the majority to the opposition FAST party led by Naomi Mataʻafa.

On this day

May 23: Aromanian National Day

New York Public Library Main Branch in 1908

1555 – Gian Pietro Carafa became Pope Paul IV, beginning a tumultuous four-year papacy during which the Papal States suffered a serious military defeat.
1873 – The North-West Mounted Police, the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was established to bring law and order to and assert Canadian sovereignty over the Northwest Territories.
1895 – Backed by Samuel J. Tilden, the Astor Library and the Lenox Library agreed to merge and form the New York Public Library (building pictured).
1951 – Delegates of the 14th Dalai Lama and the government of the newly established People's Republic of China signed the Seventeen Point Agreement, affirming Chinese sovereignty over Tibet.
1974 – The Airbus A300, the first twin-engined wide-body airliner, went into service with Air France.

John Wood, the Elder (d. 1754)
ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (b. 1844)
David Lewis (d. 1981)

More anniversaries:

Today's featured picture

The Crucifixion of Saint Wilgefortis is an oil-on-panel triptych created by the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch from 1497 to 1505. The identity of the subject has been uncertain; she was believed to be Saint Julia of Corsica, whose feast day is May 23 in the Western liturgical calendar, but the triptych is now believed to depict Saint Wilgefortis, after restoration work revealed that the female martyr had originally been painted with a beard. The work is in the collection of the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice, Italy.

Painting credit: Hieronymus Bosch

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.