Introduction · Almanac · Categories · Glossaries · Lists · Overviews · Portals · Questions · Site news · Index

Welcome to Wikipedia

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit

	Art		Geography		History		Philosophy		Society
	Culture		Health		People		Science		Technology

Today's featured article

Crypt of Worcester Cathedral

Nicholas of Worcester (died 1124) was the prior of the Benedictine priory of Worcester Cathedral (crypt pictured) from about 1115 until his death. He was born around the time of the Norman Conquest. It is not known who his parents were, but William of Malmesbury wrote that he was "of exalted descent", and it has been argued that he was a son of King Harold Godwinson. Nicholas was the favourite pupil of Wulfstan, the bishop of Worcester, who brought him up. Wulfstan was influential in transmitting Old English culture to Anglo-Norman England, and Nicholas carried on this work as prior. He was respected by the chroniclers William of Malmesbury, John of Worcester and Eadmer for his assistance with their histories. Nicholas was an English monk at a time when both Englishmen and monks rarely received promotion in the church, and when Bishop Theulf of Worcester died in October 1123, Nicholas led an unsuccessful attempt of the monks of the priory chapter to be allowed to choose the next bishop. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

In the news

Mitchell Starc

In cricket, the Kolkata Knight Riders defeat Sunrisers Hyderabad to win the Indian Premier League (player of the final Mitchell Starc pictured).
Gitanas Nausėda is re-elected as president of Lithuania.
A landslide in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province leaves thousands of people missing and presumed dead.
The European Union passes the Artificial Intelligence Act, aiming to establish a regulatory and legal framework for AI.

Today's featured picture

Acraea terpsicore, commonly known as the tawny coster, is a species of butterfly in the Nymphalidae family, the brush-footed butterflies. It is found across eastern Asia from India and Sri Lanka to Singapore, Indonesia and the Maldives and, more recently, Australia. It is small, with a size of 53–64 millimetres (2.1–2.5 in), has leathery wings and is common in grassland and scrub habitats. Acraea terpsicore has a weak fluttery flight and is avoided by most insect predators. This A. terpsicore individual was photographed in Komodo National Park, Indonesia.

Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp

Recently featured:

Did you know...

Gyōji with a Pokémon-inspired kimono

... that since 2022, gyōji can be seen wearing Pokémon-inspired kimonos (example pictured) in the ring to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pokémon Red and Blue?
... that Marie Catharine Neal, an expert on Hawaiian plants, authored the acclaimed book In Gardens of Hawaii in 1948, which described more than 2,000 species with detailed scientific information and illustrations?
... that Indonesian politician Sanusi's parents discouraged him from becoming a government employee, because his salary would be paid partly from taxes on alcohol and prostitution?
... that Barry Sanders was the first player to play at least ten seasons in the National Football League and be selected to the Pro Bowl in each year?
... that Ilie Purcaru, as a contributor to Nicolae Ceaușescu's cult of personality, claimed that a young Ceaușescu had walked into the woods of Scornicești without fearing their wolves?
... that the Lord Chamberlain's plays are a historical archive of play scripts curated through theatrical censorship that provide a unique insight into attitudes to race and sexuality?
... that Elizabeth Seifert, who was denied a medical degree due to her gender, went on to achieve success as a writer, penning more than 80 novels about the very field from which she had been excluded?
... that Rachel Chinouriri decided to include the English flag on the cover art of What a Devastating Turn of Events to celebrate her Black British identity?
... that when the Oakland Athletics promoted Bill McNulty to the major leagues, they needed forest rangers to find him?

Wikipedia community

Every page on Wikipedia is a collaborative effort. But there are some special places reserved for specific types of discussion and assistance. Find what you're looking for here:

Help (contents) — Use this if you need help editing. There is also a comprehensive range of help articles available here. You can ask a question about using Wikipedia at the Help Desk.
Community bulletin board — Requests for help within the Wikipedia community.
The Village Pump — These are main discussion forums for Wikipedia.
The Signpost — This is Wikipedia's local newspaper.
The Community Portal — This is the center of community involvement. Learn about projects and activities you can join to help improve Wikipedia.

Collaborations — Weekly, monthly, and ongoing collaborative article improvement drives within specific subject areas.
Reference Desk — Help other Wikipedians who are looking for specific information by answering their subject-related questions at the reference desk (like a library's information desk).
Local Embassy — For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Department of Fun — Dedicated to FUN on Wikipedia.
Clinic for Wikipediholics — Sign-in to Wikipedia!
Welcoming committee — Greet newcomers.
Wikipedia Boot Camp — Take a crash course about Wikipedia!

Wikipedia sister projects

Wikipedia is written by volunteer editors and hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that also hosts a range of other volunteer projects: