Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 September 25

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Today's featured article
Henry Edwards (1827–1891) was an English-born stage actor, writer and expert in the science of insects who gained fame in Australia, San Francisco, and New York City for his theatre work. Edwards was drawn to the theatre early in life, and he appeared in amateur productions in London. After sailing to Australia, Edwards appeared professionally in Shakespearean plays and light comedies, primarily in Melbourne and Sydney. Throughout his childhood in England and his acting career in Australia, he was greatly interested in collecting insects, and the National Museum of Victoria used the results of his Australian fieldwork as part of the genesis of their collection. After writing a series of influential studies on butterflies and moths on the West Coast of the United States, he was elected a life member of the California Academy of Sciences. Relocating eastward, a brief time spent in Boston theatre led to a connection to Wallack's Theatre and further renown in New York City. There, Edwards edited three volumes of the leading insect journal Papilio and published a major work on the life of the butterfly. His large collection of insect specimens served as the foundation of the American Museum of Natural History's butterfly and moth studies. (more...) Recently featured: Pinkerton – ARA Moreno – Zanzibar Revolution Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the European route E751 (pictured), located in Croatia and Slovenia, has three endpoints: in Koper, Pula, and Rijeka? ... that Mexican-born merchant Estevan Ochoa undertook a dangerous 250-mile (400 km) journey through Apache territory to avoid swearing loyalty to the Confederate States of America? ... that the type specimen of the extinct tortoise beetle Denaeaspis is only 6.04 millimetres (0.238 in) long? ... that New England Patriots assistant George Godsey is the most accurate quarterback in Georgia Tech history? ... that three singer-songwriters formed the supergroup Alex, Jorge y Lena? ... that bookseller Johan Dahl is immortalized through a farce by Henrik Wergeland from 1835? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Vladimir Putin (pictured) announces that he will seek the presidency of Russia, following his candidacy's proposal by incumbent Dmitry Medvedev. Michael Sata is elected President of Zambia, defeating incumbent Rupiah Banda. CERN's OPERA researchers report the observation of neutrinos appearing to travel faster than the speed of light and request independent investigation to confirm the finding. Troy Davis, convicted of a 1989 murder, is executed by the U.S. state of Georgia, following several failed appeals and high-profile calls for clemency. Valentina Matviyenko is elected Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia, the highest political position attained by a woman in the country since Catherine the Great. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
September 25 1396 – Ottoman wars in Europe: Ottoman forces under Bayezid I (pictured) defeated a Christian alliance led by Sigismund of Hungary in the Battle of Nicopolis near present-day Nikopol, Bulgaria. 1868 – The Russian frigate Alexander Nevsky wrecked off northwestern Jutland, nearly drowning Grand Duke Alexei. 1977 – About 4,200 people took part in the first running of the Chicago Marathon. 1983 – In one of the largest prison escapes in British history, 38 Provisional Irish Republican Army prisoners hijacked a prison meals lorry and smashed their way out of HM Prison Maze in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. 1996 – The last Magdalene asylum, an Irish institution to rehabilitate so-called "fallen" women, was closed. More anniversaries: September 24 – September 25 – September 26 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now September 25, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

English actress Dakota Blue Richards, playing the role of April Johnson in the film Dustbin Baby, based on Jacqueline Wilson's 2001 novel of the same name. Richards made her debut as the lead role in The Golden Compass, after being cast with almost no training, and has also appeared in The Secret of Moonacre and Skins.

Photo: Liam Daniel, Kindle Entertainment

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