Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 December 20

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Today's featured article
McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink is a multi-purpose venue within Millennium Park in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, US. On December 20, 2001, it became the first attraction in Millennium Park to open. The $3.2 million plaza was funded by a donation from the McCormick Tribune Foundation. It has served as an ice skating rink, a dining facility and briefly as an open-air exhibition space. The plaza operates as McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, a free public outdoor ice skating rink that is generally open four months a year, from mid-November until mid-March, when it hosts over 100,000 skaters annually. It is known as one of Chicago's better outdoor people-watching locations during the winter months. For the rest of the year, it serves as "Plaza at Park Grill" or "Park Grill Plaza", Chicago's largest outdoor dining facility. The 150-seat park grill hosts various culinary events as well as music during its months of outdoor operation, and it is affiliated with the 300-seat indoor Park Grill restaurant located beneath AT&T Plaza and Cloud Gate. The outdoor restaurant offers scenic views of the park. (more...) Recently featured: Egbert of Wessex – Star Wars: Episode I: Battle for Naboo – David Lewis Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that, when he died in Monte Carlo in 1962, the 16th Marquess of Winchester (pictured) was the oldest-ever member of the House of Lords? ... that the king of the Mataram Sultanate during the First Java War used the reconstruction of a terrace as an excuse for not providing soldiers? ... that architect Peter Beaven founded New Zealand's first heritage lobby group? ... that the application Read It Later obtained venture capital investments totaling $2.5 million in 2011? ... that the U.S. House of Representatives has had a Princeton University alumnus in its membership in every year since it was established in 1789? ... that despite its name, the long-stolon sedge does not form stolons? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
North Korea announces the death of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il (pictured). Czech writer and first President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel dies at the age of 75. The FIFA Club World Cup concludes with FC Barcelona defeating Santos FC in the final. Tropical Storm Washi hits the Philippines, killing more than 650 people. Russia is accepted for membership in the World Trade Organization. British-American author and journalist Christopher Hitchens dies at the age of 62. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
December 20: Hanukkah begins at sunset (Judaism, 2011) 1941 – World War II: The Flying Tigers of the Chinese Air Force engaged in its first combat missions. 1973 – Spanish Prime Minister Luis Carrero Blanco was assassinated by a bomb planted by members of the Basque nationalist and separatist group ETA. 1988 – The United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances governing international cooperation against the illegal drug trade was signed in Vienna. 1999 – Portugal transferred sovereignty of Macau to China (flag lowering ceremony pictured). 2005 – US district court Judge John E. Jones III ruled against mandating the teaching of "intelligent design" in his ruling of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District. More anniversaries: December 19 – December 20 – December 21 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now December 20, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Moorish Castle of São Jorge occupies a commanding position overlooking the city of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, and the Tagus River beyond. The fortified citadel, which dates from medieval times, is located atop the highest hill in the historic centre of the city. The castle is one of the main historical and touristic sites of Lisbon.

Photo: Massimo Catarinella

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