Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 September 8

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Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is the first novel by British writer Susanna Clarke (pictured). An alternative history set in 19th-century England around the time of the Napoleonic Wars, it is based on the premise that magic once existed in England and has returned with two men: Gilbert Norrell and Jonathan Strange. Centering on the relationship between these two men, the novel investigates the nature of "Englishness" and the boundary between reason and madness. It has been described as a fantasy novel, an alternative history, and a historical novel. The narrative draws on various Romantic literary traditions, such as the comedy of manners, the Gothic tale, and the Byronic hero. The novel's language is a pastiche of 19th-century writing styles, such as those of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. Clarke began writing Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in 1993; ten years later she submitted the manuscript for publication. It was accepted by Bloomsbury and published in September 2004, with illustrations by Portia Rosenberg. The novel was well-received by critics and reached number three on the New York Times bestseller list. It was longlisted for the 2004 Man Booker Prize and won the 2005 Hugo Award for Best Novel. (more...) Recently featured: The Green – Chilean battleship Almirante Latorre – Metabolism Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the yellow bloodwood (bark pictured) tends to grow on the western slopes of plateaus and escarpments? ... that as a Major League Baseball rookie, Buster Hoover finished second in the league batting statistics even though his team did not complete the season? ... that the Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic is the highest award presented by the Czech Minister of Defence? ... that it is claimed that tavern sandwiches were first created in Sioux City, Iowa in 1924, at a restaurant that later became known as Ye Olde Tavern? ... that the art photographers Anna and Bernhard Blume created Kitchen Frenzy and Pure Reason? ... that the developers of Myth III: The Wolf Age turned their Fear & Loathing into Vengeance for the modding community? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Alexander Vasyunov A plane crash near Yaroslavl, Russia, kills at least 43 people, including most of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Kontinental Hockey League team (left winger Alexander Vasyunov pictured). At least 11 people are killed in a bomb blast near the High Court of Delhi, India. The Swiss National Bank introduces a minimum exchange rate with the euro, intended to combat the Swiss franc's overvaluation. The 2011 World Championships in Athletics concludes with Jamaica setting a world record in the men's 4 × 100 metres relay. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
September 8: International Literacy Day; Independence Day in the Republic of Macedonia (1991) 1504 – David (detail pictured), a marble sculpture by Michelangelo portraying the biblical King David in the nude, was unveiled in Florence, Italy. 1796 – French Revolutionary Wars: The French defeated Austrian forces in Bassano, Venetia, present-day Italy. 1860 – The paddle steamer PS Lady Elgin was rammed by a schooner on Lake Michigan and sank, resulting in the loss of about 300 lives. 1941 – World War II: German forces severed the last land connection to Leningrad, beginning the Siege of Leningrad. Over 1 million of the city's civilians died from starvation before the siege ended on January 27, 1944, becoming one of the most lethal battles in world history. 1978 – Iranian Revolution: After the government of the Shah of Iran declared martial law in response to protests, the Iranian Army shot and killed at least 88 demonstrators in Tehran on Black Friday. More anniversaries: September 7 – September 8 – September 9 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now September 8, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is the world's only species of alpine parrot, found on New Zealand's South Island. Measuring around 48 cm (19 in) in length, it is mostly olive-green with a brilliant orange under its wings and has a large narrow curved grey-brown upper beak. Its omnivorous diet includes carrion but consists mainly of roots, leaves, berries, nectar, and insects.

Photo: Mark Whatmough

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