Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 October 17

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Today's featured article
The Mercury dime is a ten-cent coin struck by the United States Mint from 1916 to 1945. Designed by Adolph Weinman, it gained its common name as the obverse depiction of a young Liberty, identifiable by her winged Phrygian cap, was confused with the Roman god Mercury. The coin's reverse depicts a fasces, symbolizing unity and strength, and an olive branch, signifying peace. By 1916, the dime, quarter, and half dollar designed by Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber had been struck for 25 years, and could be replaced by the Treasury, of which the Mint is a part, without Congressional authorization. Mint officials were under the misapprehension that the designs had to be changed, and held a competition among three sculptors, in which Barber, who had been in his position for 36 years, also took part. Weinman's designs for the dime and half dollar were selected. Although the new coin's design was admired for its beauty, the Mint made modifications to it upon learning that vending machine manufacturers were having difficulties making the new dime work in their devices. The coin continued to be minted until 1945, when the Treasury ordered that a new design, featuring recently deceased president Franklin Roosevelt, take its place. (more...) Recently featured: Northern Pintail – SMS Friedrich der Grosse – Southern Cross Expedition Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the British Library (pictured) has records of what 46,000 people did on 17 October 2006? ... that chef Philippe Etchebest hosts the French language version of the television show Kitchen Nightmares? ... that Altes Stadthaus in Dortmund was rebuilt in a simplified form, after being damaged in World War II? ... that Millennium's "A Room With No View" features the Paul Mauriat rendition of "Love Is Blue"? ... that Flat Bastion Magazine in Gibraltar, built by the British in the 19th century to store gunpowder, is now used as a geological research facility and exhibition centre? ... that liquid nitrogen is added to cocktails to create a smoky, bubbling "cauldron effect"? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Hilary Mantel wins the Man Booker Prize for the second time in four years for her novel Bring Up the Bodies. Pakistani child activist Malala Yousafzai, shot by a Taliban gunman last week, is sent to the United Kingdom for treatment. Norodom Sihanouk, former King of Cambodia, dies at the age of 89. Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner sets records for the highest manned balloon flight, highest skydive and fastest freefall speed. The High Court of Botswana rules that women have the constitutional right to inherit property. The European Union (flag pictured) is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe". Syrian civil war – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
October 17: Dessalines Day in Haiti (1806) 1931 – American gangster Al Capone was convicted on five counts of income tax evasion. 1943 – The Holocaust: Three days after a successful revolt by inmates, Sobibor extermination camp in eastern Poland was closed. 1956 – Queen Elizabeth II opened the world's first commercial nuclear power plant at Calder Hall in Cumbria, England. 1964 – Prime Minister of Australia Robert Menzies opened the artificial Lake Burley Griffin (pictured) in the middle of the capital Canberra. 1989 – The 6.9 M_w Loma Prieta earthquake struck California's San Francisco Bay Area, killing 63 people, injuring 3,757, and leaving at least 8,000 homeless. More anniversaries: October 16 – October 17 – October 18 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 17, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Lion Tower is a small fortress located at the far eastern end of the Tripoli harbor in North Lebanon. The tower was named after the relief decorations depicting lions that used to line the facade. The structure dates to the end of the 15th century and is attributed to the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay. The tower is considered an exceptional example of Mamluk military architecture.

Photo: American Colony, Jerusalem; Restoration: Chick Bowen

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