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Welcome to Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.2,358,389 articles in EnglishArtsBiographyGeographyHistoryMathematicsScienceSocietyTechnologyAll portalsOverview · Editing · Questions · HelpContents · Categories · Featured content · A–Z indexToday’s featured articleThe Third of May 1808 is a painting completed in 1814 by the Spanish master Francisco Goya, now in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. Along with its companion piece of the same size, The Second of May 1808 (or The Charge of the Mamelukes), it was commissioned by the provisional government of Spain at Goya’s suggestion. Goya sought to commemorate Spanish resistance to Napoleon’s armies during the occupation of 1808. The painting’s content, presentation, and emotional force secure its status as a groundbreaking, archetypal image of the horrors of war. Although it draws on many sources in high and popular art, The Third of May 1808 marks a clear break from convention. Diverging from the traditions of Christian art and traditional depictions of war, it has no distinct precedent, and is acknowledged as one of the first paintings of the modern era. According to the art historian Kenneth Clark, The Third of May 1808 is “the first great picture which can be called revolutionary in every sense of the word, in style, in subject, and in intention”. The Third of May 1808 has inspired a number of other major paintings, including a series by Édouard Manet, and Pablo Picasso’s Massacre in Korea and his masterpiece Guernica. (more…)Recently featured: Satyajit Ray – Discovery Expedition – Anabolic steroidsArchive – By email – More featured articles…Did you know…From Wikipedia’s newest articles:… that the English names for the towns of Brecon (pictured) and Cardigan derive from the names of Welsh mediaeval kingdoms, but the Welsh names for those same places refer to local rivers?… that Tamil politician E. V. K. Sampath, nephew of Periyar, co-founded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party?… that the pumpman is the person aboard an oil tanker who maintains the liquid cargo system?… that screenwriter Jamie Linden interpreted his winning of US$5,000 on game show The Price Is Right as a sign to relocate to Hollywood, California?… that the G.A.R. Monument in Covington, Kentucky is the only American Civil War monument in the Bluegrass state shaped like a sarcophagus?… that Russell B. Cummings, as a member of the Texas House of Representatives in the 1960s, was credited with procuring passage of his state’s open beach and kindergarten access laws?Archive – Start a new article…In the newsIn Zimbabwe, results of the presidential election held in March 2008 are announced with no outright winner, necessitating a run-off between Morgan Tsvangirai and incumbent Robert Mugabe.A train collision near Zibo, China, kills at least 72 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.Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events…On this day…May 3: Constitution Day in Poland and Japan, World Press Freedom Day1791 – The Polish Constitution of May 3, one of the earliest codified national constitutions in the world, was adopted by the Sejm.1808 – Finnish War: Sweden lost the fortress of Suomenlinna to Russia.1815 – Austrian troops led by Frederick Bianchi, Duke of Casalanza (pictured) defeated the forces under King Joachim Murat of Naples at the Battle of Tolentino, the decisive battle of the Neapolitan War.1945 – World War II: German ocean liner Cap Arcona, left to float defencelessly in the Bay of Lübeck with thousands of prisoners from various concentration camps on board, was attacked and sunk by RAF Typhoons.1947 – A new Constitution of Japan went into effect, providing for a parliamentary system of government, guaranteeing certain fundamental rights, and relegating the Japanese monarchy to a purely ceremonial role.More events: May 2 – May 3 – May 4Archive – By email – More anniversaries…Today’s featured pictureCaterpillar of the Spurge Hawk-moth (Hyles euphorbiae) on its primary food source the Cypress Spurge, seen in Kriegtal near Binn, Valais, Switzerland. It is often used as an agent of biological pest control against the noxious weed known as leafy spurge.Photo credit: Daniel SchwenRecently featured: Alten Strom, Warnemünde – Trepanation – American Black VultureArchive – More featured pictures…