Wikipedia:Main Page history/2017 July 10

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Grace Sherwood memorial stone
Grace Sherwood memorial stone

Grace Sherwood (c. 1660 – c. 1740), called the Witch of Pungo, is the last person known to have been convicted of witchcraft in Virginia. A farmer, healer, and midwife, she was charged with witchcraft several times. In 1706, she was accused of bewitching Elizabeth Hill and causing her to miscarry. The court ordered that Sherwood's guilt or innocence be determined by dunking her in water: if she sank, she was innocent; if she did not, she was guilty. Sherwood floated to the surface, and may have spent up to eight years in jail before being released. After being freed from prison and recovering her property from Princess Anne County, she lived on her farm in Pungo from 1714 until her death at the age of about 80. On July 10, 2006, the 300th anniversary of Sherwood's conviction, Governor Tim Kaine reversed the miscarriage of justice and restored her good name. A statue depicting her was erected in Virginia Beach, close to the site of the colonial courthouse where she was tried. (Full article...)

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Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil
Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil

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Petya's ransom note displayed on a compromised system
Petya's ransom note displayed on a compromised system

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July 10

Zhengde Emperor
Zhengde Emperor

Hadrian (d. 138) · Nikola Tesla (b. 1856) · Eunice Kennedy Shriver (b. 1921)

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A standard British Monopoly board
A standard British Monopoly board

The locations on the standard British version of the board game Monopoly are set in London and were selected in 1935 by Victor Watson, managing director of John Waddington Limited. Watson became interested in the board game after his son Norman had tried the Parker Brothers original US version and recommended the company produce a board for the domestic market. He took his secretary Marjory Phillips on a day-trip from the head offices in Leeds to London and the pair looked for suitable locations to use. The London version of the game was successful, and in 1936 it was exported to Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, becoming the de facto standard board in the British Commonwealth. It became such a success in the UK that Waddingtons ran Monopoly competitions in locations depicted on the board (pictured); one such contest was held on platforms 3 and 4 of Fenchurch Street station. The resulting board has been perennially popular around the world and the chosen locations have become familiar to millions. (Full list...)

Today's featured picture

Small heath

A small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) butterfly in Kampinos National Park near Warsaw in Poland. This species belongs to the family Nymphalidae. It is widespread in Eurasia and north-western Africa, preferring drier habitats than other members of its genus.

Photograph: Charles J. Sharp

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