Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 November 15

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article
David Suzuki: The Autobiography is the 2006 autobiography of Canadian science writer and broadcaster David Suzuki (pictured). The book focuses mostly on his life since the 1987 publication of his first autobiography, Metamorphosis: Stages in a Life. It begins with a chronological account of his childhood, academic years, and broadcasting career. In later chapters, Suzuki adopts a memoir style, writing about themes such as his relationship with Australia, his experiences in Brazil and Papua New Guinea, the founding of the David Suzuki Foundation, and his thoughts on climate change, celebrity status, technology, and death. Throughout, Suzuki highlights the continuing impact of events from his childhood. Critics have called the book candid, sincere, and charming, with insightful commentary if occasionally flat stories. Suzuki's scientific background is reflected in the writing's rational and analytic style. Suzuki's autobiography spent four weeks atop the Maclean's list of non-fiction best-sellers and six weeks at number 6 on the Globe and Mail's list. The book won two awards in 2007: the Canadian Booksellers' Association's Libris Award for Non-Fiction Book of the Year and the British Columbia Booksellers' Choice Award. (Full article...) Recently featured: Thomas Baker – Horseshoe Curve – Edmund Sharpe Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Irish Red and White Setter (pictured) was saved from extinction in the late 1800s by a small number of breeders? ... that Marko Kraljević alone defeated General Vuča and his thousand horsemen? ... the sucrose gap, first developed by Robert Stämpfli in 1954, is used to measure the effects of drugs on the activity of nerve and muscle membranes? ... that Philip and Son was Dartmouth's last industrial shipyard? ... that Mehmet Gürs, a Turkish chef of Scandinavian descent, called his Istanbul restaurant Mikla, which is derived from Miklagard, the Viking name of the city in the 10th century? ... that British astronomer Isis Pogson was probably named after a river, and an asteroid was probably named after her? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Xi Jinping (pictured) becomes General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and a new Politburo Standing Committee is inaugurated. Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari is killed in an Israeli military operation. A total solar eclipse occurs in parts of Australia and the South Pacific. Justin Welby is announced as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. An earthquake off the Pacific coast of Guatemala kills dozens of people. Barack Obama is re-elected President of the United States. Recent deaths: Rex Hunt Syrian civil war – Wikinews – More current events...
On this day...
November 15: Republic Day in Brazil (1889); Shichi-Go-San in Japan 1688 – Prince William of Orange landed at Brixham in Devon, on his way to depose his father-in-law King James II, the last Catholic monarch of England. 1864 – American Civil War: Union Army General William T. Sherman (pictured) began his "March to the Sea", inflicting significant damage to property and infrastructure on his way from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. 1968 – Vietnam War: American forces launched Operation Commando Hunt, a large-scale bombing campaign to prevent the People's Army of (North) Vietnam from transporting personnel and supplies along the Ho Chi Minh trail. 1988 – The Soviet Buran spacecraft, a reusable vehicle built in response to NASA's Space Shuttle program, was launched, unmanned, on her first and only space flight. 1988 – PLO leader Yasser Arafat proclaimed the creation of the State of Palestine as "the state of Palestinians wherever they may be". More anniversaries: November 14 – November 15 – November 16 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now November 15, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Emperor of Brazil Pedro II was the second and last ruler of the Empire of Brazil, reigning for over 58 years. Born in Rio de Janeiro, his father Pedro I's abrupt abdication and flight to Europe in 1831 left him as Emperor at the age of five. Inheriting an Empire on the verge of disintegration, Pedro II turned Brazil into an emerging power in the international arena. On November 15, 1889, he was overthrown in a sudden coup d'état by a clique of military leaders who declared Brazil a republic. However, he had become weary of emperorship and despaired over the monarchy's future prospects, despite its overwhelming popular support, and did not support any attempt to restore the monarchy.

Photo: Mathew Brady/Levin Corbin Handy

Recently featured: Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange – Rusty chain – The Horn, Mount Buffalo National Park, Australia

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.