Wikipedia:Main Page history/2015 January 24

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From today's featured article

Thomas Blamey (1884–1951) was an Australian general of the First and Second World Wars, and the only Australian ever to attain the rank of field marshal. He joined the Australian Army as a regular soldier in 1906, and served at Gallipoli, where he led a daring raid behind enemy lines, and on the Western Front as chief of staff of the Australian Corps under Lieutenant General Sir John Monash. During the Second World War he commanded the Second Australian Imperial Force and the I Corps in the Middle East. In 1942, he returned to Australia as Commander in Chief of the Australian Military Forces and Commander of Allied Land Forces in the South West Pacific Area under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. On the orders of MacArthur and Prime Minister John Curtin, he assumed personal command of New Guinea Force during the Kokoda Track Campaign. He won a series of victories over the Japanese, including the Battle of Wau and the landing at Nadzab, and signed on behalf of Australia at Japan's ceremonial surrender in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945. He was promoted to field marshal in June 1950. (Full article...)

Part of the Command in the South West Pacific Area series, one of Wikipedia's featured topics.

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From Wikipedia's new and recently improved content:

... that Jeong Seon (likely self-portrait pictured), one of the most famous Korean painters, introduced the "true-view" style of landscape painting?
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... that after The American Review 's owner expressed admiration for Hitler and Mussolini, a former contributor said he wouldn't write for it again "if it were the last publication left in America"?

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In the news

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah (pictured) dies and is succeeded by his half brother, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Prime Minister Khaled Bahah, and the Yemeni cabinet resign after a coup d'état in Yemen by Shia insurgents.
British spacecraft Beagle 2 is located intact on the surface of Mars after having been declared lost in 2004.
After the Swiss National Bank ends its cap on the exchange rate to the euro, the franc increases in value significantly.

Ongoing: Ebola outbreak – Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Recent deaths: Leon Brittan – Faten Hamama

On this day...

January 24

41 – Cassius Chaerea and the disgruntled Praetorian Guards murdered Roman emperor Caligula (bust pictured), replacing him with his uncle Claudius.
1458 – The 14-year-old Matthias Corvinus was unanimously proclaimed King of Hungary, after the Estates were persuaded to do so by his uncle Michael Szilágyi.
1848 – James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, leading to the California Gold Rush.
1989 – American serial killer Ted Bundy was executed via electric chair in Florida for the homicides of at least 30 women.
2011 – A suicide bomber killed at least 37 people at Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow.

More anniversaries: January 23 – January 24 – January 25

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It is now January 24, 2015 (UTC) – Reload this page

Today's featured picture

A black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) feeding on a springbok carcass in Etosha National Park, Namibia. This jackal species, found in southern and eastern Africa, is among the most basal of the canines. It is listed by the IUCN as least concern, due to its widespread range and adaptability, though it continues to be hunted.

Individuals stand 38–48 cm (15–19 in) at the shoulder and measure 67.3–81.2 cm (26.5–32.0 in) in body length and are omnivores despite being well adapted to eat meat. They live in monogamous pairs, defending their shared territory together.

Photograph: Yathin S Krishnappa

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