Wikipedia:Main Page history/2019 August 30

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Tropical Storm Faxai was a short-lived storm that had minor effects on land. The twentieth named storm of the 2007 Pacific typhoon season, Faxai originated from a tropical depression over the open waters of the western Pacific Ocean in late October. It quickly strengthened, becoming a severe tropical storm on October 26 as it rapidly traveled towards the northeast. It became extratropical the following day as it brushed Japan. Although Faxai never made landfall, outer bands associated with the storm produced torrential rains, amounting to 458 mm (18.0 in) on Miyake-jima. A Japan Airlines flight to Narita Airport encountered severe turbulence during the afternoon of October 27; one person sustained serious injuries, five others received minor injuries, and the plane was damaged. One person was killed near Tokyo as the storm passed by, and three others were injured. The storm's remnants dissipated on October 28. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know...

Female kob and calf

... that the wildlife of Uganda includes the Ugandan kob (pictured), the Uganda mangabey, and the Ugandan musk shrew?
... that Misty Talley, who directed shark horror films for Syfy, edits about five feature film projects at a time?
... that a railroad bisects the Italian town of Miramare di Rimini into a residential neighborhood and a prominent tourist area?
... that shortly after the arrest of the leaders of the Indonesian National Party, Sartono disbanded it and founded the Indonesia Party?
... that during change of command ceremonies of the United States Marine Band, the John Philip Sousa Baton is transferred from the outgoing to the incoming director?
... that the CISF Unit Delhi Metro Rail Corporation is the largest Central Industrial Security Force unit?
... that Allen F. Donovan worked for the Manhattan Project on the design of the shape of the Fat Man atomic bomb?
... that there will be a women's Twenty20 cricket tournament for the first time at the 2022 Commonwealth Games?

In the news

Wildfire locations in Brazil and the Amazon

Brazil's National Institute for Space Research announces that it has detected more than 75,000 wildfires in the country (satellite rendering shown) since January, at least 40,000 of which have occurred in the Amazon rainforest.
At least 80 people are killed and 160 others injured in a bombing at a wedding in Kabul, Afghanistan.
All 233 people on board Ural Airlines Flight 178 survive a crash following bird strikes in both engines of an Airbus A321.

On this day

August 30

Maiden launch of Space Shuttle Discovery

526 – Upon the death of her father, Theodoric the Great, Amalasuntha of the Ostrogoths became the regent for her ten-year-old son, Athalaric.
1799 – Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland: A squadron of the navy of the Batavian Republic surrendered to the British without a fight, near Wieringen.
1959 – The title of National Hero of Indonesia was first awarded, the recipient being the writer-cum-politician Abdul Muis.
1984 – Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off on its maiden voyage (launch pictured).
2014 – Prime Minister of Lesotho Tom Thabane fled to South Africa, claiming that the army had launched a coup d'état.

Joseph Dennie (b. 1768) · Mary Shelley (b. 1797) · Guy Burgess (d. 1963)

More anniversaries:

From today's featured list

Yuji Nagata, a 2018 inductee

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a journalistic hall of fame of professional wrestling that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Like other wrestling halls of fame, such as the WWE, TNA and WCW halls of fame, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not contained in a building, and there are no ceremonies for inductions other than a highly detailed biographical documentation of their career in the newsletter. Inductees include wrestlers, managers, promoters, trainers, and commentators. Meltzer began the Hall of Fame by choosing a list of 122 inaugural inductees in 1996. Since then, wrestlers from past and present, others employed in the professional wrestling industry, and wrestling journalists and historians have been selected by Meltzer to cast secret ballots to determine annual groups of inductees. Voting criteria include the length of time spent in wrestling, historical significance, ability to attract viewers, and wrestling ability. As of 2018, there are 223 inductees, including eight tag teams. (Full list...)

Recently featured:

Today's featured picture

Goryeo ware refers to all types of Korean pottery and porcelain produced during the Goryeo dynasty, from 918 to 1392, but most often refers to celadon (greenware). Celadon techniques were first introduced from China; Goryeo potters established a native style by the 12th century. One of these native styles is characterized by the sanggam technique, a way of inlaying that was unique to Goryeo celadon. The color of the celadon, called bisaek for 'green', was also highly admired. The celadon industry arose and declined as the Goryeo dynasty developed. A large number of wares were produced at the Gangjin Kiln Sites in southwestern Korea.

This picture shows a 12th-century celadon pitcher produced during the Goryeo dynasty, with the head of a dragon and the body of a fish. The pitcher has been catalogued as a National Treasure of South Korea and forms part of the collection of the National Museum of Korea.

Pitcher credit: unknown; photographed by the National Museum of Korea

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.