Main Page
Welcome to Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.2,437,493 articles in EnglishArtsBiographyGeographyHistoryMathematicsScienceSocietyTechnologyAll portalsOverview · Editing · Questions · HelpContents · Categories · Featured content · A–Z indexToday’s featured articleAndré Kertész (1894–1985) was a Hungarian-born photographer distinguished by his photographic composition and by his early efforts in developing the photo essay. In the early years of his lengthy career, his then-unorthodox camera angles, and his unwillingness to compromise his personal photographic style, prevented his work from gaining wider recognition. Even towards the end of his life, Kertész did not feel he had gained worldwide recognition. The first photographer to have an exposition devoted to his work, he is recognized as one of the seminal figures of photojournalism, if not photography as a whole. Dedicated by his family to work as a stock broker, Kertész was an autodidact and his early work was mostly published in magazines. The imminent threat of WWII pushed him to immigrate to the United States, where he had a more difficult life and needed to rebuild his reputation through commissioned work. He would take offense with several editors that he felt did not recognize his work. In the 1940s and ’50s he stopped working for magazines and began to achieve greater international success. Despite the numerous awards he collected over the years, he still felt unrecognized, a sentiment which did not change even at the time of his death. His career is generally divided into four periods – the Hungarian period, the French period, the American period and, towards the end of his life, the International period. (more…)Recently featured: Conatus – Oxidative phosphorylation – The General in His LabyrinthArchive – By email – More featured articles…Did you know…From Wikipedia’s newest articles:… that Caeca et Obdurata, promulgated by Pope Clement VIII (pictured) in 1593, ordered that Jews be expelled from the Papal States except Rome, Ancona, and the Comtat Venaissin, within three months?… that Toledo Mud Hens relief pitcher Ian Ostlund is one of only two people in Virginia high school history to strike out the side in every inning of a complete game?… that Russula nigricans is an edible fungus which turns red, then grey, and finally black on bruising or cutting?… that the Valmet Nr II tram of the Helsinki tram network was redesigned to include air conditioning in the cockpit after a driver fainted in the summer heat and killed a motorcyclist in a collision?… that The Voice of the Turtle, the ninth longest-running play in Broadway history, derives its name from a verse in the Bible’s Song of Solomon?… that philanthropist Bilquis Edhi, who helped save 16,000 babies, has been nicknamed “Mother of Pakistan”?… that International Surfing Day originated in 2004 to celebrate the sport of surfing and clean up beaches?… that the Calabasas, California facilities for the private elementary school New Village Academy is funded by actor Will Smith?Archive – Start a new article…In the newsA 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 win the European Football Championship, defeating Germany 1–0 in the final through a goal scored by Fernando Torres.Serbian President Boris Tadić names Mirko Cvetković as the new Prime Minister following the parliamentary election held in May.Pakistan holds by-elections, with the contest for one seat delayed by the Supreme Court until it can handle the appeal of disqualified candidate Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N).Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events…On this day…July 2: Feast day of Martinian and Processus (Roman Catholic Church)626 – Forces led by Li Shimin, a son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang China, ambushed and killed his rival brothers Li Jiancheng, the Crown Prince, and Li Yuanji at the imperial palace in Chang’an.1644 – The Battle of Marston Moor, one of the decisive encounters of the English Civil War, was fought near York.1839 – Over fifty African slaves mutinied on the slave ship La Amistad off the coast of Cuba.1937 – Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart (pictured) and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during an attempt to make a circumnavigational flight.1976 – More than a year after the end of the Vietnam War, North and South Vietnam officially united under communist rule to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.1997 – The Thai baht rapidly lost half of its value, marking the beginning of the Asian Financial Crisis.More events: July 1 – July 2 – July 3Archive – By email – More anniversaries…It is now 19:37, July 2, 2008 (UTC) – Refresh this pageToday’s featured pictureA Tau Emerald (Hemicordulia tau) dragonfly in flight over a creek. Insects are the only group of invertebrates to have evolved powered flight. Insects possess some remarkable flight characteristics and abilities, superior in many ways to anything created by mankind.Photo credit: Fir0002Recently featured: Theodore Roosevelt – Double O Arch – “The Two Platforms”Archive – More featured pictures…