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Welcome to Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.2,438,234 articles in EnglishArtsBiographyGeographyHistoryMathematicsScienceSocietyTechnologyAll portalsOverview · Editing · Questions · HelpContents · Categories · Featured content · A–Z indexToday’s featured articleWinfield Scott Hancock (1824 – 1886) was a career U.S. Army officer and the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1880. He served with distinction in the Army for four decades, including service in the Mexican-American War and as a Union general in the American Civil War. Known to his Army colleagues as “Hancock the Superb”, he was noted in particular for his personal leadership at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. His military service continued after the Civil War, as Hancock participated in the military Reconstruction of the South and the Army’s presence at the Western frontier. After the Civil War, Hancock’s reputation as a soldier and his dedication to conservative constitutional principles made him a quadrennial Presidential possibility. This nationwide popularity led the Democrats to nominate him for President in 1880. Although he ran a strong campaign, Hancock was defeated by Republican James Garfield by the closest popular vote margin in American history. Following the election, Hancock carried on as commander of the Division of the Atlantic, and was elected president of the National Rifle Association in 1881. (more…)Recently featured: André Kertész – Conatus – Oxidative phosphorylationArchive – By email – More featured articles…Did you know…From Wikipedia’s newest articles:… that Hygrocybe coccinea (pictured) is a bright red edible mushroom that grows in the grasslands of Europe and under Rhododendron in Nepal?… that Silas D. Alben proposed a model for more efficient turbine blades based on the bumpy flippers of humpback whales?… that age controversies in gymnastics once resulted in the North Korean women’s team being banned from the World Championships?… that the song “Shake a Fist” was almost included on the British electropop band Hot Chip’s second album, The Warning, instead of their third?… that Albert Anker is sometimes called the “national painter” of Switzerland because of his popular depictions of 19th century Swiss village life?… that the United Nations Institute for Namibia, established in 1976 in Lusaka, Zambia, sought to promote Namibian independence as well as educate Namibians for after independence was achieved?… that only a year after being established by car dealership owner Giuseppe Risi, the Risi Competizione team won their class at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans?Archive – Start a new article…In the newsÍngrid Betancourt, held captive by the FARC guerillas for six years, is rescued by the Colombian government.A Palestinian man drives a front-end loader into several vehicles in Jerusalem, killing three before being shot dead.A four-day state of emergency is declared in Mongolia after violent protests follow the legislative elections.Thousands of Chinese riot in Guizhou, targeting local government buildings and officials over an alleged police cover-up of the death of a teenage girl.Robert Mugabe (pictured) is sworn in for his sixth term as President of Zimbabwe after a controversial run-off presidential election in which opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew his candidacy due to election-related violence.Spain wins the European Football Championship, defeating Germany 1–0 in the final through a goal scored by Fernando Torres.Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events…On this day…July 3: Independence Day in Belarus987 – Hugh Capet was crowned King of France, becoming the first monarch of the Capetian dynasty, which ruled France continuously until overthrown during the French Revolution in 1792.1778 – American Revolutionary War: Loyalists and Iroquois killed or tortured over 300 Patriots at the Battle of Wyoming in Pennsylvania.1844 – The last known pair of Great Auks (illustration by John Gerrard Keulemans shown), the only species in the genus Pinguinus, were killed in Eldey off the coast of Iceland.1863 – Pickett’s Charge, a disastrous Confederate infantry assault against Union Army positions, occurred during the final and bloodiest day of fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg, marking a turning point in the American Civil War.1938 – The LNER Mallard broke the world speed record for a steam railway locomotive, reaching a speed of 126 miles per hour (203 km/h).More events: July 2 – July 3 – July 4Archive – By email – More anniversaries…It is now 01:55, July 3, 2008 (UTC) – Refresh this pageToday’s featured pictureA stonemason at work in 1909, stonecutting an angel at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York.The craft of stonemasonry—creating buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone—has existed since the dawn of civilization. These materials have been used to construct many of the long-lasting, ancient monuments, artifacts, cathedrals, and cities in a wide variety of cultures. Some famous products of stonemasonry include the Taj Mahal, Easter Island’s Moai statues, the Egyptian pyramids, Angkor Wat, Tihuanaco, Tenochtitlan, the Iranian Persepolis, the Greek Parthenon, Stonehenge, and Chartres Cathedral.Photo credit: Bain News ServiceRecently featured: Insect flight – Theodore Roosevelt – Double O ArchArchive – More featured pictures…