Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 July 26

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Today's featured article
Albert Stanley, 1st Baron Ashfield (1874–1948) was managing director, then chairman of the Underground Electric Railways Company of London (UERL) from 1910 to 1933 and chairman of the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) from 1933 to 1947. At a young age, he held senior positions in the developing tramway systems of Detroit and New Jersey. In 1907, his management skills led to his recruitment by the UERL, which was struggling through a financial crisis. He quickly integrated the company's management and used advertising and public relations to improve profits. As managing director of the UERL from 1910, he led the take-over of competing underground railway companies and bus and tram operations to form an integrated transport operation known as the Combine. He was Member of Parliament for Ashton-under-Lyne from December 1916 to January 1920 and was President of the Board of Trade between December 1916 and May 1919. He returned to the UERL and then chaired it and its successor the LPTB during the organisation's greatest period of expansion between the two World Wars, making it a world-respected organisation considered an exemplar of the best form of public administration. (more...) Recently featured: Maximian – "Nothing to My Name" – Robert Peake the elder Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Dermotherium, discovered in 1992, was the first unambiguous fossil colugo (Sunda colugo pictured) to be found? ... that the Domestic of the Schools was the commander-in-chief of the Byzantine army from the 9th to the 11th century? ... that Orange Phelps, later mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon, opened the first movie theater in that city in 1908? ... that Jamie Sadlowski won the 2008 and 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, and has a personal-best golf drive of 445 yards (407 m)? ... that the synagogue building of Congregation Knesseth Israel (the "Junction Shul") is the oldest surviving in Toronto that is still in use? ... that the late 1890s, British philatelist Percival Loines Pemberton participated in stamp auctions in London where potential buyers were sometimes given alcoholic drinks to encourage bidding? ... that Shibuya-based video game localization company 8-4 is named after the final level of Super Mario Bros.? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Cadel Evans In cycling, Cadel Evans (pictured) becomes the first Australian to win the Tour de France. Protests against rising house prices in Israel continue, with thousands gathering in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Thousands of protesters encounter violence while marching toward the Egyptian Ministry of Defense in Cairo. Singer Amy Winehouse is found dead at her London home. Two high-speed trains collide and derail near Wenzhou, China, killing at least 39 people. Two attacks in Norway—a bombing in Oslo and a shooting on Utøya—result in at least 76 deaths. Space Shuttle Atlantis concludes its final mission, ending the 30-year Space Shuttle program. Arab Spring – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
July 26: Independence Day in Liberia and the Maldives 1581 – The Act of Abjuration, the formal declaration of independence of the Dutch Low Countries from the Spanish king, Philip II, was signed. 1759 – French and Indian War: Rather than defend Fort Carillon near present-day Ticonderoga, New York, from an approaching 11,000-man British force, French Brigadier General François-Charles de Bourlamaque withdrew his troops and attempted to blow the fort up. 1882 – Boer mercenaries declared their independence from the Transvaal Republic and established the Republic of Stellaland. 1945 – The Labour Party won the United Kingdom general election of July 5 by a landslide, replacing Winston Churchill as Prime Minister with Clement Attlee (pictured). 2008 – One day after similar bombings in Bangalore, 21 bombs exploded in Ahmedabad, India, killing 56 people and injuring over 200 others. More anniversaries: July 25 – July 26 – July 27 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now July 26, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Sarcophaga nodosa, a species of flesh-fly in the Sarcophaga genus, feeding on decaying meat. Members of the genus can be found worldwide and many of them are difficult to tell apart with the naked eye.

Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim

Recently featured: Crib Goch, Wales – Mitchell Map – Common wombat

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – Bulletin board, projects, resources and activities covering a wide range of Wikipedia areas.
Help desk – Ask questions about using Wikipedia.
Local embassy – For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Reference desk – Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects.
Site news – Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Village pump – For discussions about Wikipedia itself, including areas for technical issues and policies.