Wikipedia:Main Page history/2015 October 5

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Gert on 20 September

Hurricane Gert was a large tropical cyclone that caused extensive flooding throughout Central America and Mexico in September 1993. It originated over the southwestern Caribbean Sea and briefly attained tropical storm strength before crossing Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Yucatán Peninsula. Once over warm water in the Bay of Campeche, Gert grew into a Category 2 hurricane and made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The cyclone quickly weakened to a depression over the rugged terrain and eventually dissipated over the Pacific Ocean. Gert's broad wind circulation produced heavy rain across Central America, flooding property and crops. Although the highest winds occurred upon landfall in Mexico, the worst effects there were due to extreme rainfall of 31.41 inches (798 mm) over the mountains. Following the overflow of several rivers, expansive parts of the Huasteca region became submerged, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. Roads across the affected countries were severely disrupted, and thousands became homeless. The disaster killed 116 people, left 16 missing, and caused $170 million in damage. (Full article...)

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A typical exhibit at Michigan Heritage Park
A typical exhibit at Michigan Heritage Park

In the news

Sukhoi Su-30
Sukhoi Su-30

On this day...

October 5: International Day of No Prostitution

Women's March on Versailles
Women's March on Versailles
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Shivnarine Chanderpaul

International cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul has scored centuries (100 or more runs in a single innings) on 30 occasions in Test cricket and 11 times in One Day International (ODI) matches. Chanderpaul, who has played for the West Indies since 1994, is the team's second-most prolific batsman in international cricket, after Brian Lara, having accumulated almost 20,000 runs. He made his Test debut in March 1994, selected as an all-rounder who could bowl leg breaks, against England. Chanderpaul reached his first century three years later, scoring an unbeaten 137 against India at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. His highest score in Test cricket is 203 not out, a total he achieved twice, first against South Africa in 2005, and then against Bangladesh in 2012. In ODI cricket, he scored his maiden ODI century shortly after his first Test century, in May 1997 against India, scoring 109 runs. Chanderpaul reached his highest ODI score in 1999, making 150 runs during a West Indian record partnership of 226 with Carl Hooper, against South Africa. (Full list...)

Irises

Irises is a painting of irises completed by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh in 1889. The artist considered this work, which was influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, a study. However, his brother considered the painting "full of air and life" and submitted it to the annual exhibition of the Société des Artistes Indépendants. In 1987, it sold for US$53.9 million to Alan Bond, making it the most expensive painting ever sold as of then.

Painting: Vincent van Gogh

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