Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 April 17

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Today's featured article
The St Cuthbert Gospel is a 7th-century pocket gospel book, written in Latin, placed in the tomb of Saint Cuthbert at Lindisfarne, probably a few years after he died in 687. Its finely decorated leather binding is the earliest known Western book-binding to survive, and the whole book is in outstanding condition for its age. It was probably made as a gift from Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey, where it was written, intended to be placed in St Cuthbert's coffin when his remains were placed behind the altar at Lindisfarne in 698. It presumably remained in the coffin through its long travels after 875, forced by Viking invasions, ending at Durham Cathedral. There the book was found inside the coffin and removed in 1104, and kept with other relics, and important visitors were able to wear the book in a leather bag around their necks until the English Reformation. It has been on long-term loan to the British Library, who today announced the purchase of the book for £9m ($14.3m) from the British Jesuits. The library describe it as "the earliest surviving intact European book and one of the world's most significant books". (more...) Recently featured: Lycoperdon echinatum – Sinking of the RMS Titanic – Galápagos tortoise Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the protein Concanavalin A (pictured) cuts itself in two and then reassembles in a circularly permuted order? ... that the naval shipworm was responsible for great damage to the Netherlands' sea defences in the 18th century? ... that prior to winning 323 games as a college football head coach, Bear Bryant's first regular season coaching position was on the staff of the 1936 Alabama Crimson Tide football team? ... that Mathew Richmond was the first Chairman of Committees of the New Zealand Legislative Council? ... that Indonesian band Netral released an album with random yet simple lyrics and a "naughty" rock style? ... that a book by William Bodiford was called in the Journal of Japanese Studies "the most important English work on Sōtō Zen to date"? ... that China had such appeal during the Ming Dynasty that even a king from Borneo insisted to have his tomb there? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
In the United Kingdom, Neptune Collonges (pictured) wins the Grand National horse race, in the event's closest-ever finish. The rocket carrying Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3, a North Korean Earth observation satellite, explodes shortly after launch. Amid an early presidential election, mutinous soldiers take control of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau's capital. The ruling Saenuri Party, led by Park Geun-hye, retains its majority in the National Assembly of South Korea. An 8.6-magnitude earthquake strikes 430 km (270 mi) off the coast of Indonesia, initially prompting tsunami warnings across the Indian Ocean. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
April 17: Evacuation Day in Syria (1946) 1080 – On the death of his brother Harald III, Canute IV, who would later be the first Dane to be canonized, became King of Denmark. 1907 – Construction started on the first ship in the Minas Geraes class (pictured), making Brazil the third country in the world to build a dreadnought battleship and sparking a South American naval arms race. 1951 – The Peak District was designated the first national park in the British Isles. 1969 – Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of the assassination of United States Senator Robert F. Kennedy. 1982 – A new patriated Constitution of Canada, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a bill of rights intended to protect certain political and civil rights of people in Canada, was signed into law by Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada. More anniversaries: April 16 – April 17 – April 18 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now April 17, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris, female shown here) is a species of honeyeater found in south-eastern Australia. It feeds on nectar from many plants, as well as small insects and other invertebrates. It is around 15 cm (5.9 in) long, and has a distinctive black, white and chestnut plumage, a red eye, and a long downcurved bill.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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