Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 November 3

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Today's featured article
L'ange de Nisida (The Angel of Nisida) is an opera semiseria in four acts by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti (pictured), from a libretto by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaëz. Parts of the libretto are considered analogous with the libretto for Giovanni Pacini's Adelaide e Comingio, and the final scene is based on the François-Thomas-Marie de Baculard d'Arnaud play Les Amants malheureux, ou le comte de Comminges. Donizetti worked on the opera in the autumn of 1839—its final page is dated 27 December 1839. Because the subject matter involved the mistress of a Neapolitan king, and may thus have caused difficulties with the Italian censors, Donizetti decided that the opera should be presented in France. However, the theater company Donizetti contracted went bankrupt. L'ange was never performed and was reworked as La favorite in September 1840. (more...) Recently featured: Deinosuchus – 1991 Perfect Storm – The Human Centipede (First Sequence) Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that despite being located in the Orkney Islands, the sand lining of the Scar boat burial (plaque from site pictured) matches no known Scottish sand? ... that TiVo Inc. v. EchoStar Corp. created a new test to determine whether an adjudged infringer can be held in contempt for continued infringement? ... that David Lynch has been awarded two Césars, two Bodils, and a Palme d'Or, yet no Oscars? ... that equestrian Toni Leviste was the first Southeast Asian to compete in the Show Jumping World Cup? ... that the sound of the song "Here with Me" by MercyMe has been compared to the sound of alternative rock band Coldplay? ... that new information can be mistakenly incorporated into a previous memory through the misinformation effect? ... that baseball pitcher Walt Smallwood led two minor leagues in losses before he joined the New York Yankees? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Michael D. Higgins UNESCO becomes the first UN agency to admit Palestine as a full member state. Qantas resumes flights after Fair Work Australia orders the airline and trade unions to end industrial action. Labour Party candidate Michael D. Higgins (pictured) is elected President of Ireland. In baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the Texas Rangers to win the World Series. The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow reopens after a six-year renovation costing 21 billion rubles (US$680 million). Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
November 3: Independence Day in Dominica (1978), the Federated States of Micronesia (1986), and Panama (1903); Culture Day in Japan 644 – Umar, the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death, was fatally stabbed by Pirouz Nahavandi, a Persian slave. 1812 – French invasion of Russia: As Napoleon's Grande Armée began its retreat, its rear guard was defeated at the Battle of Vyazma. 1935 – Almost 98% of the reported votes in a Greek plebiscite supported the restoration of George II (pictured) as King of the Hellenes. 1979 – Five members of the U.S. Communist Workers Party were shot and killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan and the American Nazi Party while in a protest in Greensboro, North Carolina. 2007 – Pakistani President and Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency across Pakistan, suspending the Pakistani Constitution. More anniversaries: November 2 – November 3 – November 4 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now November 3, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Satellite image of thick smoke in Borneo from numerous fires, most of them likely started by the "slash-and-burn" technique of local deforestation for agriculture, though logging activities may have started the fires accidentally. The exceptionally heavy smoke is caused by the burning of the peat in the peat swamp forests of the area and it results in air pollution, disruption of air traffic, and significantly adds to greenhouse gas emissions.

Image: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team

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