Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 October 15

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Today's featured article
The Brinks Hotel bombing in Saigon occurred on December 24, 1964, during the Vietnam War. Two Vietcong operatives detonated a car bomb underneath the hotel, which housed United States Army officers. The explosion killed two Americans, an officer and a non-commissioned officer, and injured approximately 60, including military personnel and Vietnamese civilians. The Vietcong commanders had planned the venture with two objectives in mind. Firstly, by attacking an American installation in the center of the heavily guarded capital, the Vietcong intended to demonstrate their ability to strike in South Vietnam should the United States decide to launch air raids against North Vietnam. Secondly, it demonstrated to the South Vietnamese that the Americans were vulnerable and could not be relied upon for protection. The bombing prompted debate within the administration of United States President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Most of his advisers favored retaliatory bombing of North Vietnam and the introduction of American combat troops, while Johnson preferred the existing strategy of training the Army of the Republic of Vietnam to protect South Vietnam from the Vietcong. In the end, Johnson prevailed and no retaliatory action was taken. (more...) Recently featured: "Mother and Child Reunion" – "Indian Camp" – Marojejy National Park Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Scotsmen James and Robert Smith (pictured) were the first pair of brothers to play international football? ... that MercyMe's song "Finally Home" was written after lead singer Bart Millard heard the group's guitarists improvising on an acoustic guitar riff? ... that studio executive Mo Rothman persuaded Charlie Chaplin to return to the United States in 1972, which restored Chaplin's public reputation and popularity? ... that a new Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle could be used for relaying targeting information for ballistic and cruise missiles to destroy enemy ships? ... that the Goethe–Schiller Monument in Syracuse, dedicated 100 years ago today, was the last of 13 US monuments honoring Friedrich von Schiller, the German "poet of freedom"? ... that bees and wasps can be trained to detect explosives, illegal drugs, cancer, and pregnancy? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (pictured) and Jetsun Pema, a commoner, marry in Bhutan. The United States reports that it has foiled an allegedly Iran-backed plot to assassinate Saudi ambassador Adel al-Jubeir and bomb two embassies in Washington, D.C. Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radičová's government falls after failing a vote of no confidence over the European Financial Stability Facility. Scientists reconstruct the genome of the bacterium believed responsible for the Black Death in the 14th century. Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of abuse of office during a 2009 gas dispute with Russia. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
October 15: Teachers' Day in Brazil; Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States; National Tree Planting Day in Sri Lanka 1529 – The Siege of Vienna ended as the Austrians routed the invading Turks, turning the tide against almost a century of unchecked conquest throughout eastern and central Europe by the Ottoman Empire. 1917 – Dutch exotic dancer Mata Hari (pictured) was executed by a firing squad for spying for Germany. 1951 – Mexican chemist Luis E. Miramontes conducted the very last step of the first synthesis of norethisterone, the progestin that would later be used in one of the first two oral contraceptives. 1966 – The Black Panther Party, a Marxist/Maoist African-American organization that promoted Black Power and self-defense in the United States, was founded in Oakland, California. 2003 – Chinese space program: Shenzhou 5, China's first manned space mission, was launched, carrying astronaut Yang Liwei. More anniversaries: October 14 – October 15 – October 16 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 15, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Pied Heron (Ardea picata), also known as the Pied Egret, is a heron found in coastal and subcoastal areas of monsoonal northern Australia as well as some parts of Wallacea and New Guinea. It grows to 43–55 cm (17–22 in) long, with dark slate grey wings, body, and crested head, with a white throat and neck. The weight ranges from 225 to 280 g (8 to 10 oz), with males being heavier than females.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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