Wikipedia:Main Page alternatives/(Classic 2006)

From today's featured article

Crypt of Worcester Cathedral

Nicholas of Worcester (died 1124) was the prior of the Benedictine priory of Worcester Cathedral (crypt pictured) from about 1115 until his death. He was born around the time of the Norman Conquest. It is not known who his parents were, but William of Malmesbury wrote that he was "of exalted descent", and it has been argued that he was a son of King Harold Godwinson. Nicholas was the favourite pupil of Wulfstan, the bishop of Worcester, who brought him up. Wulfstan was influential in transmitting Old English culture to Anglo-Norman England, and Nicholas carried on this work as prior. He was respected by the chroniclers William of Malmesbury, John of Worcester and Eadmer for his assistance with their histories. Nicholas was an English monk at a time when both Englishmen and monks rarely received promotion in the church, and when Bishop Theulf of Worcester died in October 1123, Nicholas led an unsuccessful attempt of the monks of the priory chapter to be allowed to choose the next bishop. (Full article...)

On this day

May 28: Republic Day in Armenia (1918); Independence Day in Azerbaijan (1918)

Mozaffar ad-Din

• 585 BC – According to the Greek historian Herodotus, a solar eclipse, accurately predicted by Thales of Miletus, abruptly ended the Battle of Halys between the Lydians and the Medes.
• 1644 – English Civil War: Royalist troops stormed and captured the Parliamentarian stronghold of Bolton, leading to a massacre of defenders and local residents.
• 1754 – French and Indian War: Led by 22-year-old George Washington, a company of Virginia colonial militiamen ambushed a force of 35 Canadiens at the Battle of Jumonville Glen.
• 1901 – Mozaffar ad-Din (pictured), Shah of Persia, granted exclusive rights to prospect for oil in the country to William Knox D'Arcy.
• 1937 – The rise of Neville Chamberlain culminated with his accession as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, being summoned to Buckingham Palace to "kiss hands".
• 2002 – An independent commission appointed by the Football Association voted two-to-one to allow Wimbledon F.C. to relocate from London to Milton Keynes.

In the news

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian

• A landslide in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province leaves thousands of people missing and presumed dead.
• The European Union passes the Artificial Intelligence Act, aiming to establish a regulatory and legal framework for AI.
• A helicopter crash near Varzaqan, Iran, kills eight people, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (pictured).
• In boxing, Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in twenty-four years.

Did you know...

Gyōji with a Pokémon-inspired kimono

• ... that since 2022, gyōji can be seen wearing Pokémon-inspired kimonos (example pictured) in the ring to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pokémon Red and Blue?
• ... that Marie Catharine Neal, an expert on Hawaiian plants, authored the acclaimed book In Gardens of Hawaii in 1948, which described more than 2,000 species with detailed scientific information and illustrations?
• ... that Indonesian politician Sanusi's parents discouraged him from becoming a government employee, because his salary would be paid partly from taxes on alcohol and prostitution?
• ... that Barry Sanders was the first player to play at least ten seasons in the National Football League and be selected to the Pro Bowl in each year?
• ... that Ilie Purcaru, as a contributor to Nicolae Ceaușescu's cult of personality, claimed that a young Ceaușescu had walked into the woods of Scornicești without fearing their wolves?
• ... that the Lord Chamberlain's plays are a historical archive of play scripts curated through theatrical censorship that provide a unique insight into attitudes to race and sexuality?
• ... that Elizabeth Seifert, who was denied a medical degree due to her gender, went on to achieve success as a writer, penning more than 80 novels about the very field from which she had been excluded?
• ... that Rachel Chinouriri decided to include the English flag on the cover art of What a Devastating Turn of Events to celebrate her Black British identity?
• ... that when the Oakland Athletics promoted Bill McNulty to the major leagues, they needed forest rangers to find him?