Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 October 24

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Today's featured article
Hadji Ali (c. 1888–92 – 1937) was a vaudeville performance artist famous for acts of controlled regurgitation. Thought to be of Egyptian extraction, his best-known feats included water spouting, smoke swallowing and nut and handkerchief swallowing followed by disgorgement in an order chosen by the audience. The mainstay of Ali's act was "water spouting". After swallowing large amounts of water, 60 to 100 glasses at a time, he spouted it in a continuous stream for a sustained period of time, sometimes approaching one minute. Ali's most famous stunt, and the highlight of his act, was drinking copious amounts of water followed by kerosene, and then acting by turns as a human flamethrower and fire extinguisher as he expelled the two liquids onto a theatrical prop. Ali had a dedicated following on the vaudeville circuit in the United States and performed for heads of state including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Ali's unusual gastric abilities led to rumors that the Rockefeller Institute had offered a large sum of money to obtain his stomach post-mortem. After he died in England his body was offered to Johns Hopkins for study, though the offer was declined. (more...) Recently featured: Ian Fleming – Nixon in China – Introduction to viruses Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Gamleborg (fortress ruins pictured) represents Bornholm's oldest defence works? ... that 444 years ago, Poland's Royal Posts were entrusted to an Italian banker, Sebastiano Montelupi? ... that at the 2012 Berlin Biennale, one artist blocked Friedrichstraße with a wall, which was removed early after public protest? ... that despite only playing one match for Bayer Leverkusen, the Norwegian footballer Terje Olsen does not regret moving to Germany at the age of 15? ... that Swiss composer Hermann Suter's symphonic oratorio Le Laudi is a setting of St. Francis of Assisi's Italian Canticle of the Sun for choir, soloists, voci di ragazzi, organ and orchestra? ... that John Lennon married Yoko Ono at The Rock Hotel? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Six scientists and a former government official, accused of "falsely reassuring" the public of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake's unlikelihood, are convicted of manslaughter. The Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body for cycling, strips Lance Armstrong (pictured) of his seven Tour de France wins. Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, marries Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy. Lebanese intelligence chief Wissam al-Hassan is assassinated in a car bomb attack in Beirut that kills eight people and injures more than 100 others. Recent deaths: Yash Chopra – George McGovern Syrian civil war – Wikinews – More current events...
On this day...
October 24: United Nations Day (1945); Independence Day in Zambia (1964) 1851 – William Lassell (pictured) discovered the Uranian moons Umbriel and Ariel. 1912 – First Balkan War: Serbian forces defeated the Ottoman army at the Battle of Kumanovo in Vardar Macedonia. 1945 – The UN Charter, the constitution of the United Nations, entered into force after being ratified by the Republic of China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and a majority of the other signatories. 1964 – The military court of South Vietnamese junta chief Nguyen Khanh acquitted Generals Duong Van Duc and Lam Van Phat of leading a September 1964 coup attempt against Khanh, despite the pair's proclamation of his overthrow during their military action. 2007 – Chang'e 1, the first satellite in the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. More anniversaries: October 23 – October 24 – October 25 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 24, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Alice Manfield (1878–1960), commonly known as Guide Alice, was a mountain guide, amateur naturalist, chalet owner, photographer, and early feminist figure from Victoria, Australia. Her pioneering work at Mount Buffalo from the 1890s to the 1930s led to her becoming a tourist attraction in her own right, and helped lead to the establishment of the Mount Buffalo National Park. Manfield's parents ran a hotel at Mount Buffalo, and she led tours up the mountain from her youth. Because of her enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of the area, she quickly became a highly sought-after guide. She continued guiding tourists until the 1930s.

Photo: Unknown; Restoration: John O'Neill

Recently featured: Hard disk drive – Azure Damselfly – Red rock crab

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.