Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 July 31

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Today's featured article
Stephen Trigg (c. 1744 – August 19, 1782) was an American pioneer and soldier from Virginia. He was killed ten months after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in one of the last battles of the American Revolution while leading the Lincoln County, Virginia, militia unit at the Battle of Blue Licks in present-day Kentucky. Trigg, who mainly worked as a public servant and militia officer, was one of the wealthiest men on the frontier at the time. He was a delegate to the first Virginia Revolutionary conventions and was a member of the Fincastle Committee of Safety that drafted the Fincastle Resolutions, which was the precursor for the Declaration of Independence. He was also elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1782, Shawnee Indians led by British officers attacked Bryan Station, Kentucky, but were driven off. Kentucky militia companies joined forces to pursue the hostiles. Trigg commanded one wing, Daniel Boone the other. Despite Boone's warnings, the militiamen charged into an ambush at Blue Licks. Trigg and many others, including Boone's youngest son Israel, were among those killed. Trigg's body was later found cut into pieces. In recognition of his role in the formation of Kentucky, Trigg County, Kentucky was named in his honor. (more...) Recently featured: Aries – Jovan Vladimir – Hurricane Vince Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that extracts of pringamoza (pictured) have shown antiviral activity against herpes simplex? ... that 57-year-old Australian equestrian dressage competitor Mary Hanna has qualified to compete in her fourth Olympics? ... that Whitley Castle is the only lozenge-shaped Roman fort? ... that the precursor of the Dnestr radar, TsSO-P, took part in the Soviet Operation K tests to examine the effects of nuclear explosions on anti-ballistic missile hardware? ... that India's 2012 Olympic boxer Devendro Singh gets training support from his sister Sushila, a former national boxing champion? ... that The Teng Chun produced 31 films in a little more than a decade before becoming an English teacher? ... that 2012 Australian Olympic track cyclist Josie Tomic is engaged to fellow Olympic cyclist Jack Bobridge? ... that a restaurateur purchased a ghost town so that he could re-name it to Bikinis, Texas? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
A power grid failure leaves seven states in northern India without power, affecting 360 million people. A referendum to impeach Romanian President Traian Băsescu (pictured) fails due to low voter turnout. Fighting intensifies in Aleppo, Syria, as the Syrian Armed Forces launch an attack to regain control of the city. The Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics is held in London. At least 58 people are killed and 200,000 displaced in ethnic violence between Bodos and immigrant Muslims in Assam, India. At least 42 people are killed in clashes between rebels and Tajik government troops in Gorno-Badakhshan. Ghanaian President John Atta Mills dies at the age of 68 and is succeeded by Vice President John Dramani Mahama. Olympic summary – Wikinews – Recent deaths More current events...
On this day...
July 31: Ka Hae Hawai'i Day (Flag Day) in Hawaii; Feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola 1658 – Having defeated his brothers in a war of succession, Aurangzeb was crowned the sixth Mughal Emperor. 1777 – The Second Continental Congress passed a resolution allowing French nobleman Marquis de Lafayette to enter the American revolutionary forces as a Major General. 1954 – A team of Italian climbers led by Ardito Desio reached the summit of K2 (pictured), the world's second-highest mountain. 1972 – The Troubles: Free Derry, an autonomous self-declared area of Derry, Northern Ireland, was brought to an end by the British Army's Operation Motorman. 2002 – Hamas detonated a bomb at the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, killing nine students and injuring about 100 more. More anniversaries: July 30 – July 31 – August 1 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now July 31, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

American writer and essayist G. D. Falksen wearing steampunk attire, reflecting the genre of fiction for which he is best known. His work includes several short stories and a novel released in July 2011. His large number of articles on the genre have led him to be called "America's authority on the movement" and "the unofficial face of Steampunk".

Photo: Tyrus Flynn

Recently featured: Christmas tree worm – European bison (wisent) – St. Moritz, Switzerland

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

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