Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 May 7

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Today's featured article
Stanley Green (1915–1993) was a sandwich man who became a well-known figure in London, England, during the latter half of the 20th century. For 25 years Green patrolled Oxford Street, carrying a placard that advocated "Less Lust, By Less Protein: Meat Fish Bird; Egg Cheese; Peas Beans; Nuts. And Sitting"—the wording, and punctuation, changing somewhat over the years. Arguing that protein made people lustful and aggressive, his solution was "protein wisdom," a low-protein diet for "better, kinder, happier people." For a few pence, passers-by could buy his 14-page pamphlet, Eight Passion Proteins with Care, which reportedly sold 87,000 copies over 20 years. Green became one of London's much-loved eccentrics, though his campaign to suppress desire, as one commentator put it, was not invariably popular, leading to two arrests for obstruction and the need to wear green overalls to protect himself from spit. He nevertheless took great delight in his local fame. The Sunday Times interviewed him in 1985, and his "less passion, less protein" slogan was used by Red or Dead, the London fashion house. When he died in 1993 at the age of 78, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Times published his obituary, and his pamphlets, placards, and letters were passed to the Museum of London. (more...) Recently featured: Aaliyah – William Garrow – Flowing Hair dollar Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that Vincent van Gogh called his 1888 painting Langlois Bridge at Arles (pictured) "something funny ... I will not create every day"? ... that Barney Gibson became the youngest-ever English first-class cricketer when he played for Yorkshire aged 15 years and 27 days? ... that the precursors to the White House Press Secretary and White House press corps both formed during the presidency of Grover Cleveland? ... that the tomb of Robert Ingylton in St Michael and All Angels' Church in Thornton, Buckinghamshire, was re-assembled from a grotto? ... that one of the consequences of failed marriages between Taiwanese men and Vietnamese women is Vietnamese-born stateless persons? ... that Kate Middleton's wedding dress for her marriage to Prince William was designed by Sarah Burton? ... that Nude Nuns with Big Guns is a nunsploitation thriller film that is the subject of a copyright lawsuit against torrent users involving 5,865 IP addresses? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
In a referendum, the United Kingdom rejects the alternative vote system for future British parliamentary elections. Experimental data gathered by the Gravity Probe B satellite (pictured) confirm two aspects of the general theory of relativity published by Albert Einstein in 1916. Claude Choules, the last surviving combatant of World War I, dies at the age of 110. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is killed by U.S. forces at his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The Conservative Party, led by Stephen Harper, wins a majority in the Canadian federal election. John Higgins defeats Judd Trump to win the World Snooker Championship. The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from Air France Flight 447, which crashed into the Atlantic in 2009, are recovered from the ocean floor. Syrian unrest – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
May 7: Radio Day in Russia and Bulgaria 1794 – French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre (pictured) established the Cult of the Supreme Being as the new state religion of the French First Republic. 1915 – World War I: The German submarine Unterseeboot 20 torpedoed and sank the ocean liner RMS Lusitania, killing 1,198 on board. 1952 – The concept for the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, was first published by Geoffrey Dummer. 1960 – Cold War: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev announced that his country was holding American pilot Francis Gary Powers, whose U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union six days earlier. 2007 – A team of Israeli archaeologists discovered the tomb of 1st century BC ruler of Judea Herod the Great. More anniversaries: May 6 – May 7 – May 8 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now May 7, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Calvin Borel is an American jockey in thoroughbred horse racing. He has won three of the last four Kentucky Derby races (2007, 2009, and 2010). In 2009, he also won the Preakness Stakes, but lost the Belmont Stakes, the third race of the so-called Triple Crown. His 2009 Derby win with Mine That Bird was the second biggest upset in Derby history behind Donerail, and Borel's winning margin of 6³⁄₄ lengths was the greatest in Derby history since Assault won by 8 lengths in 1946.

Photo: Joe Schneid

Recently featured: Let L-410 Turbolet – Little Wattlebird – Guide at Little Norway, Wisconsin

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

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