Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 August 27

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Today's featured article
The 2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake occurred on June 22, 2002, in a region of northwestern Iran which is crossed by several major fault lines. The earthquake's epicenter was near the settlement of Bou'in-Zahra in Qazvin Province, an area known for destructive earthquakes. Measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale and 6.3 on the moment magnitude scale, the earthquake killed at least 261 people and injured 1,500 more. Over 20 aftershocks followed the earthquake. According to the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), the earthquake was felt as far away as the capital city of Tehran, approximately 290 kilometres (180 mi) east of the epicenter, although no damage was reported there. Most houses in the region were single-story masonry buildings, and virtually all of these collapsed. The public became angry due to the slow official response to victims who needed supplies. (more...) Recently featured: Albert, Prince Consort – Thomas Beecham – Farthest South Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Lisa Stublić's (pictured) debut marathon was the fastest marathon run by any Croatian athlete in 2010, including men? ... that the modern Warlander, a new Baroque horse breed derived from the Andalusian and Friesian breeds, was inspired by a historic war horse cross that has been bred since at least the 16th century? ... that Nano Riantiarno's works include the Cockroach, White Snake, and Constipation "operas"? ... that, though cancer pain can usually be eliminated or controlled, nearly half of all patients receive inadequate treatment and suffer pain needlessly? ... that despite saving hundreds of wounded soldiers during World War II, Ekaterina Mikhailova-Demina had to wait until 1990 to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union? ... that the male Cook Strait giant weta attracts mates using the aroma of its feces? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Steve Jobs Hurricane Irene threatens the East Coast of the United States after causing damage on several Caribbean islands. Steve Jobs (pictured) steps down as chief executive officer of Apple and is succeeded by Tim Cook. Hundreds of thousands of people protest across Chile in support of education reform in the country. The unmanned Progress M-12M spacecraft fails to achieve orbit on a mission to resupply the International Space Station, after a malfunction of its Soyuz-U carrier rocket. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
August 27: Independence Day in Moldova (1991) 1689 – The Tsardom of Russia and Qing Dynasty China signed the Treaty of Nerchinsk, the first treaty between the two nations. 1810 – Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy defeated the British Royal Navy (pictured), preventing them from taking the harbour of Grand Port on Île de France. 1928 – Over sixty nations signed the Kellogg–Briand Pact, renouncing war as an instrument of national policy. 1985 – The Nigerian government of Muhammadu Buhari was overthrown by Ibrahim Babangida. 2009 – The Burmese military junta and ethnic armies began three days of violent clashes in the Kokang Special Region. More anniversaries: August 26 – August 27 – August 28 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now August 27, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

A time-lapse photomontage showing multiple stages of a Monarch Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft taking off (moving right-to-left) from Gibraltar Airport, located at the northern end of Gibraltar in disputed territory. Also visible in the center is Winston Churchill Avenue, the only street joining Gibraltar to Spain. As can be seen, the road intersects the airport runway, so consequently it has to be closed every time a plane lands or departs.

Photo: Michael F. Mehnert

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