Main Page
Welcome to Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.2,354,506 articles in EnglishArtsBiographyGeographyHistoryMathematicsScienceSocietyTechnologyAll portalsOverview · Editing · Questions · HelpContents · Categories · Featured content · A–Z indexToday’s featured articleThe Discovery Expedition of 1901–1904 was the first official British exploration of the Antarctic regions since James Clark Ross’s voyage sixty years earlier. Organised on a large scale under a joint committee of the Royal Society and the Royal Geographical Society, the new expedition aimed to carry out scientific research and geographical exploration in what was then largely an untouched continent. It launched the Antarctic careers of many who would become leading figures in the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration including Robert Falcon Scott who led the expedition, Ernest Shackleton, Edward Wilson, Frank Wild, Tom Crean and William Lashly. Its scientific results covered extensive ground in biology, zoology, geology, meteorology and magnetism. There were important geological and zoological discoveries, including those of the snow-free McMurdo Dry Valleys and the Cape Crozier Emperor Penguin colony. In the field of geographical exploration, achievements included the discoveries of King Edward VII Land, and the Polar Plateau via the western mountains route. The expedition did not, however, make a serious attempt on the South Pole, its principal southern journey reaching a Furthest South at 82°17′S. As a trailbreaker for later ventures, the Discovery Expedition was a landmark in British Antarctic exploration history. (more…)Recently featured: Anabolic steroids – Prince’s Palace of Monaco – BAE SystemsArchive – By email – More featured articles…Did you know…From Wikipedia’s newest articles:… that the bombardment of Brussels by French troops (ruins pictured) in 1695 was later described by Napoleon Bonaparte as being “as barbarous as it was useless?”… that the Transition Towns movement inspired Totnes, England to introduce their own town-wide currency redeemable only in local shops?… that anarchist Internet archive Spunk Library was once falsely accused of collaborating with the terrorist guerrilla outfit Red Army Faction?… that in Grosvenor Park, in the city of Chester, is an archway which had been in the city’s St Michael’s Church?… that Anna Maria Garthwaite, the daughter of a Lincolnshire clergyman, became the leading designer of flowered fabrics for the Spitalfields silk-weaving trade in 18th century England?… that Wade Phillips holds the best coaching record for the Atlanta Falcons, winning two out of the three games he coached?… that Ratnakaravarni, the noted 16th century Kannada poet of the Vijayanagara times, was an expert on erotic writings?Archive – Start a new article…In the newsMaoists win a plurality of seats in the Nepalese Constituent Assembly election, the first election in Nepal in nine years.Researchers discover what is believed to be the first use of oil painting at Bamyan in Afghanistan, predating European oil painting by some six centuries.Fernando Lugo (pictured) wins the presidential election in Paraguay, ending the Colorado Party’s 61-year rule.In auto racing, Danica Patrick wins the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first female driver to win an IndyCar race.An airliner operated by Hewa Bora Airways crashes upon takeoff in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 47 people.An alliance led by Silvio Berlusconi of the People of Freedom party wins the general election in Italy.Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events…On this day…May 1: Ascension Thursday (Western Christianity, 2008); Yom HaShoah in Israel (2008); May Day; Beltane in Ireland and Scotland1707 – The Kingdoms of England and Scotland merged to form the Kingdom of Great Britain, a single kingdom encompassing the entire island of Great Britain with a single parliament and government based in Westminster.1840 – The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland first issued the Penny Black (pictured), the first official adhesive postage stamp.1893 – The World’s Columbian Exposition, a World’s Fair to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World, opened in Chicago.1898 – The American Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey defeated the Spanish Pacific Squadron under Admiral Patricio Montojo at the Battle of Manila Bay, the first engagement of the Spanish-American War.1956 – A doctor in Japan reported an “epidemic of an unknown disease of the central nervous system”, marking the official discovery of Minamata disease.More events: April 30 – May 1 – May 2Archive – By email – More anniversaries…Today’s featured pictureA 1525 engraving of trepanation, from the Handywarke of surgeri. Trepanation was the practice of drilling holes in the skull for various reasons, some justified and others not. When this engraving was made, there were no anaesthetics, so the best the unfortunate patient could hope for was passing out drunk. Nonetheless, the survival rate was quite high.Illustration: Peter TreverisRecently featured: American Black Vulture – Steam turbine – Northern Elephant SealsArchive – More featured pictures…