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Welcome to Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.2,355,668 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 Pogórzanie (pictured) are an ethnic group of Poles from the Subcarpathian Voivodeship?… that Clarence Hailey Long, a ranch foreman in the Texas Panhandle, was the inspiration for the original Marlboro Man advertising campaign by Philip Morris?… that prison contemplative programs like meditation were used in 19th century Pennsylvania as an early prison reform?… that after 12 years of legal tussling over delays and cost overruns on the Taipei Metro Muzha Line, the Taipei City Government was ordered to compensate its contractor Matra for US$50 million?… that Minneapolis businessman Robert “Fish” Jones drove Ulysses Grant and William T. Sherman down Nicollet Avenue in downtown Minneapolis on their post-war tours?… that the Doctor Who episode “The Sontaran Stratagem” is the first appearance of the eponymous aliens since the 1985 serial The Two Doctors?… that the Lynchburg Ferry in Lynchburg, Texas is the oldest operating ferry service in Texas?Archive – Start a new article…In the newsA train collision near Zibo, China, kills at least 71 people.Maoists 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.Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events…On this day…May 1: Ascension Thursday (Western Christianity, 2008); Yom HaShoah in Israel (2008); May Day; International Workers’ 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…