Wikipedia:April Fools' Main Page/2011 (3)

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Today's featured article
Fanny scratching in 18th-century London's Cock Lane was so notorious that interested bystanders often blocked the street. It became the focus of a religious controversy between Methodists and orthodox Anglicans, and was reported on by celebrities of the period such as Samuel Johnson. Charles Dickens referred to the phenomenon in several of his books, including Nicholas Nickleby and A Tale of Two Cities, and other Victorian authors also alluded to it in their work. One enterprising resident diverted the crowds that gathered in Cock Lane by allowing them to converse with a ghost he claimed was haunting his home, to which he charged an entrance fee. Fanny scratching eventually resulted in several prosecutions, and the pillorying of a father. (more...) Recently featured: Sir Richard Williams – Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons – Battle of Towton Archive By email More featured articles About
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that the California Senate passed a bill making the sale of balloons (pictured) illegal in January 2011? ... that 14-metre (46 ft) tall Siberian crabs are being used in experimental breeding programs? ... that a wanderer survived both the French Revolution of 1789–99 and the Russian Revolution 127 years later? ... that in early 2010 reporters claimed that an unprecedented attack on Jordan was targeted at both terrorists from Al-Qaida and U.S. military bases? ... that the inhabitants of the Sand Ridge Site ate drums? ... that Clubfoot George was executed by vigilantes because they believed that he was innocent? ... that the U.S. military hopes to incorporate Transformers into its combat units? ... that the noble lady Sayyida al Hurra became well respected for her booty? ... that Thomas Jefferson wished to practice free love but the object of his affections became pregnant and gave birth to Frankenstein? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Moussa Koussa NASA decodes signals sent by a messenger from the vicinity of Mercury. Mayotte officially becomes France's 101st department, as approved by 95% of the population in a 2009 referendum. Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara begin to besiege Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire's former capital and largest city. Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa (pictured) resigns amid ongoing civil war. Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Otari and his cabinet resign amid anti-government protests. Earthquake in Japan · Middle East and North Africa protests Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
April 1: National Day in Iran (1979); Assyrian New Year; Edible Book Day; and April Fools' Day 1234 – An Englishman lost the Battle of the Curragh in Ireland, at the same place where an Australian would win the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge in Scotland more than 700 years later. 1789 – Frederick Muhlenberg (pictured) became the first person to qualify under the United States Constitution's strict mandate of what defines a head of the household for U.S. government purposes. 1933 – Wally was found in Eden Park having run 336 times, more than anyone else in recorded history at the time. 1969 – The British-born model Hawker Siddeley Harrier was introduced at a Royal Air Force event, becoming the only one in the 1960s to successfully perform on a short runway. More anniversaries: March 31 April 1 April 2 Archive By email List of days of the year

Today's featured picture

Picture of the day

A 1513 portrait of an unknown Duchess, possibly Margaret, Countess of Tyrol, by Flemish painter Quentin Matsys. She holds a red flower in her right hand, at the time a symbol of engagement, indicating that she is trying to attract a suitor. This portrait inspired the appearance of the Duchess in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The portrait is Matsys' best-known work, and formed half of a diptych. The painting is in the National Gallery in London.

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