Wikipedia:Main Page history/2021 January 26b

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From today's featured article

1936 penny depicting George V

The history of the British penny (¹⁄₂₄₀ of a pound sterling) from 1901 to 1970 saw it remain a large bronze coin throughout that time, with the obverse depicting the monarch and the reverse Britannia. The obverse from 1902 to 1910 featured George William de Saulles's depiction of Edward VII, followed by Bertram Mackennal's portrait of George V. No pennies were produced for commerce in 1933, as there were a sufficient number in circulation. At least seven were struck for placement beneath foundation stones and in museums. Edward VIII's short reign is represented only by a single pattern coin, dated 1937. That year, a new obverse design depicting George VI by Humphrey Paget went into use. From 1953, the penny bore Mary Gillick's portrait of Elizabeth II. The officials who planned decimalisation in the 1960s did not favour keeping the large bronze penny. It quickly went out of use after Decimal Day, 15 February 1971, and was demonetised on 31 August 1971. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

Shamsa on the ceiling of the Tomb of Hafez, Iran

... that in Islamic art, the shamsa is found in places as diverse as on carpets, inside domes (example pictured), and forming the frontispiece of books?
... that American local car dealer Sigmund Strochlitz was a confidant of Elie Wiesel and a leader in the Holocaust remembrance movement?
... that the yawara is a Japanese weapon that is used for martial arts and was used by American police?
... that Walt Whitman called one of his lectures on Abraham Lincoln "the culminating hour" of his life?
... that places of worship in Elmbridge, Surrey, include the "ferocious" Weybridge United Reformed Church?
... that former New York City Ballet principal dancer Janie Taylor appeared in the film Center Stage as a background dancer, and served as a motion caption dancer for Barbie of Swan Lake?
... that Ipswich Town won the Football League First Division in their 1961–62 season having been promoted from the Second Division the previous season?
... that Bob Wells created a Burning Man for retirees?

In the news

COVID-19 pandemic: Disease; Virus; By location; Impact; Vaccines; Portal

Protests in Saint Petersburg

In Russia, protests (example pictured) against the arrest of Alexei Navalny occur in more than 120 towns and cities.
American baseball player Hank Aaron dies at the age of 86.
Faustin-Archange Touadéra is elected for a second term as President of the Central African Republic.
LauncherOne becomes the first liquid-fueled aircraft-launched rocket to reach orbit.

On this day

January 26: Australia Day (1788); Republic Day in India (1950)

William Bligh

1699 – The signing of the Treaty of Karlowitz, concluding the Great Turkish War, marked the end of Ottoman control in much of Central Europe and the rise of the Habsburg Monarchy as the region's dominant power.
1808 – William Bligh (pictured), the governor of New South Wales, was deposed by the New South Wales Corps in the only military coup in Australian history.
1918 – A group of Red Guards hung a red lantern atop the tower of the Helsinki Workers' House, symbolically marking the start of the Finnish Civil War.
1991 – Somali Rebellion: Factions led by the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and his rebel group, the United Somali Congress, ousted President Siad Barre.
2001 – An earthquake in the Indian state of Gujarat killed at least 13,000 people, injured 167,000 others and destroyed nearly 400,000 homes.

Lady Katherine Grey (d. 1568)
Bessie Coleman (b. 1892)
Lindy Delapenha (d. 2017)

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Today's featured picture

Gorky Park is a park in central Moscow, Russia, inaugurated in 1928 following the use of the site in 1923 for the First All-Russian Agricultural and Handicraft Industries Exhibition. The park was named after the writer and political activist Maxim Gorky. It underwent a major reconstruction in 2011; nearly all the amusement rides and other attractions were removed, extensive lawns and flower beds were created, and new roadways were laid. A 15,000 m² (160,000 sq ft) ice rink was installed at the same time. This picture shows the colonnaded main portal of Gorky Park.

Photograph credit: Alexander Savin

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