Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 February 25

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Typhoon Chataan was the deadliest natural disaster in the history of Chuuk, a state in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The typhoon formed on June 28, 2002, near the FSM, and for several days it meandered while producing heavy rainfall across the region. On Chuuk, the highest 24-hour precipitation total was 506 mm (19.9 in), greater than the average monthly total. The rain produced floods up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) deep, causing landslides that killed 47 people. There was also one death on nearby Pohnpei, and damage in the FSM totaled over $100 million. After affecting the FSM, Chataan began a northwest track as an intensifying typhoon. Its eye passed just north of Guam on July 4, though the eyewall moved across the island and dropped heavy rainfall (pictured), causing significant damage to property and some injuries. Typhoon Chataan attained its peak intensity of 175 km/h (110 mph) on July 8. It weakened while turning to the north, and after diminishing to a tropical storm Chataan struck eastern Japan on July 10, flooding more than 10,000 houses and causing damage of about $500 million. The name Chataan means "rainy day" in the Chamorro language, which is spoken on Guam. (Full article...)

Recently featured: Persoonia levis – John Jackson – Alexis Bachelot

Archive – By email – More featured articles...

Did you know...

From Wikipedia's newest content:

... that despite not intending to study at a university, Clarence Larson (pictured) went on to become a senior chemist in the Manhattan Project?

... that the Church of the Holy Ghost in Tallinn was the first church in Estonia to worship in Estonian?

... that in order to remove a rival general from the capital, the Abbasid vizier Ahmad b. al-Khasib sent him to attack the Byzantine Empire?

... that American football player Reggie Dunn set an NCAA record with four kickoff returns for touchdowns in a season?

... that Leona Lewis said that her song "My Hands" was the "perfect fit" for the Final Fantasy XIII theme song?

... that Newton Corner has at various times been a commuter rail depot, a trolley station, and now a busy bus stop?

... that the first Philippine expedition to Mount Everest was compared to "putting a Filipino on the Moon"?

Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news

Argo wins Best Picture and Daniel Day-Lewis a record third Best Actor at the 85th Academy Awards.

Nicos Anastasiades (pictured) is elected president of Cyprus.

In stock car racing, Jimmie Johnson wins the Daytona 500 and pole winner Danica Patrick becomes the first woman to achieve a top-10 finish.

Two bomb blasts in Hyderabad, India, kill at least 17 people and injure more than 100 others.

NASA announces the discovery of Kepler-37b, the smallest exoplanet detected to date.

Masked gunmen steal US$50 million in diamonds from an aircraft at Brussels Airport in Belgium.

Recent deaths: Jerry Buss

Wikinews – More current events...

On this day...

February 25: Shushan Purim in Jerusalem and Susa (Judaism, 2013); Soviet Occupation Day in Georgia (1921); National Day in Kuwait (1950); EDSA Revolution Anniversary in the Philippines (1986)

1570 – Pope Pius V issued the papal bull Regnans in Excelsis to excommunicate Queen Elizabeth I and her followers in the Church of England.

1901 – U.S. Steel, the first billion-dollar corporation and once the world's largest producer of steel, was incorporated by industrialist J. P. Morgan.

1933 – USS Ranger, the first ship of the United States Navy constructed as an aircraft carrier, was launched.

1986 – In the Philippines, the non-violent People Power Revolution culminated with the removal of Ferdinand Marcos from power and the inauguration of Corazon Aquino (pictured) as the nation's first female President.

2009 – Members of the Bangladesh Rifles mutinied at its headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulting in 74 deaths.

More anniversaries: February 24 – February 25 – February 26

Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries

It is now February 25, 2013 (UTC) – Reload this page

From today's featured list

Traditionally, the highest-grossing films have been war films, musicals and historical dramas, but franchise films have been the best performers in the 21st century, especially the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean series. The only films in the top ten that do not form a franchise are the top two, Avatar and Titanic, both directed by James Cameron. Disney has enjoyed success with its Pixar brand, of which the Toy Story films have been the best performers. James Bond, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones are still among the highest-grossing franchises, despite starting over thirty years ago. Gone with the Wind (poster pictured) was the highest-grossing film for 25 years and, adjusting for inflation, would remain so. (Full list...)

Recently featured: Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year – Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture – Israel State Cup winners

Archive – More featured lists...

Today's featured picture

A pile of American bison skulls, waiting to be ground for fertilizer; a man stands atop the pile, with another in front of it. Bison hunting in the United States, by both white settlers and Plains Indian tribes, nearly led to the extinction of the species.

Photograph: Unknown; Restoration: Chick Bowen

Recently featured: Raja Shelduck – Brown fur seal – Sonia Sotomayor

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.