Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 April 29

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Today's featured article
Rainilaiarivony (1828–1896) was the Prime Minister of Madagascar from 1864 to 1895. Named Commander-in-Chief of the Army by King Radama II upon the death of Queen Ranavalona I in 1861, Rainilaiarivony played a key role in transforming Madagascar's government from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. He was promoted to Prime Minister in 1864 and remained in power for the next 31 years by marrying three queens in succession: Rasoherina, Ranavalona II and Ranavalona III. As Prime Minister, Rainilaiarivony modernized state administration and legislated the Christianization of the monarchy. His diplomatic and military acumen preserved Madagascar's sovereignty from colonial interests until the French capture of the royal palace in September 1895. Although holding him in high esteem, the French colonial authority deposed the prime minister and exiled him to French Algeria, where he died less than a year later in August 1896. (more...) Recently featured: SMS König – Rogers Hornsby – Richard Hakluyt Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that extra Hen Houses were built at the Balkhash (pictured) and Mishelevka Radar Stations in the late 1960s, while another was located at Olenegorsk? ... that the mangrove jingle shell has two different colour varieties, but pale specimens normally found on mangrove leaves can darken when moved to the tree's bark? ... that the popularity of Canadian author David Gilmour's memoir The Film Club helped him become Pelham Edgar Visiting Professor of Literary Studies at the University of Toronto? ... that the Indonesian film Get Married was described as contrasting the rich and poor, with the rich being prone to violence? ... that between the start of the competition in 1947 and 1995, the Victorian women's softball team won the Gilleys Shield 22 times? ... that the freeway sections of M-5, a state highway in Michigan, were originally planned as parts of two different Interstate Highways? ... that in the 1714 Bach cantata Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12, the first choral section was described as a "tombeau ... most impressive and deeply affecting"? ... that navigational instrument maker William Spencer signed a contract in which he agreed not to fornicate for seven years? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Saudi Arabia closes its embassy and consulates in Egypt following protests (pictured) over the Saudi detention of Egyptian lawyer Ahmed al-Gizawi. Former Liberian President Charles Taylor is found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Connecticut becomes the fifth U.S. state in five years to abolish the death penalty. Chinese civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng escapes house arrest and flees to Beijing. Bahraini police clash with demonstrators calling for the cancellation of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix due to ongoing political protests. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
April 29: Shōwa Day in Japan 1770 – British explorer James Cook and the crew of HMS Endeavour (replica pictured), the first European ship to land in eastern Australia, reached the coast of Botany Bay near present-day Sydney. 1862 – American Civil War: Union forces under David Farragut captured New Orleans, securing access into the Mississippi River. 1968 – The controversial musical Hair, a product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960s, opened at the Biltmore Theatre on Broadway, with its songs becoming anthems of the anti-Vietnam War movement. 1970 – Vietnam War: The South Vietnamese Army launched incursions into Cambodia to attack communist jungle bases. 2011 – A worldwide television audience of 300 million people watched the wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London. More anniversaries: April 28 – April 29 – April 30 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now April 29, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is a wild member of the pig family that lives in grassland, savanna, and woodland in Sub-Saharan Africa. The common name comes from the four large wart-like protrusions found on the head of the warthog, which serve as a fat reserve and are used for defence when males fight.

Photo: Ikiwaner

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