Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 February 28

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Today's featured article
Frederick III (1831–1888) was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days in 1888, the Year of the Three Emperors. Following the unification of Germany in 1871 his father, William I, then King of Prussia, became the German Emperor, and on William's death at the age of 90 on 9 March 1888, the throne passed to Frederick, having by then been the Crown Prince for 27 years. Frederick was suffering from cancer of the larynx and died on 15 June 1888, aged 56, following unsuccessful medical treatments for his condition. The timing of Frederick's death, and the length of his reign, are important topics among historians. The reign of Frederick III is considered a potential turning point in German history; many historians believe that if Frederick had succeeded to the throne sooner, he would have transformed Germany into a liberal state. They argue this would have averted the events preceding World War I. Other historians contend that Frederick's influence and political leanings were greatly exaggerated, noting that he tended to defer to his father and Bismarck when confronted, and would not have dared to challenge their conservatism even as ruler. (more...) Recently featured: Mount Cayley volcanic field – Dustbin Baby – Rinaldo Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that the mutualism between hermit crabs and the sea anemone Calliactis parasitica (pictured) may require the presence of an octopus? ... that a prehistoric chamber tomb is located in Avielochan in Highland, Scotland? ... that Kararname was the name of the book of decisions of the first assembly of the Prizren League held on June 10, 1878? ... that British Lieutenant General James Bucknall is currently deputy commander of 130,000 troops from 48 countries in his role with ISAF in Afghanistan? ... that Letran Knights captain Fernando Libed scored the title-clinching shot in the 1987 Philippine NCAA basketball championship despite being on medication for hepatitis days before Game 3? ... that Gross Barmen, the first Rhenish mission station to the Herero in South-West Africa, was established in 1844 by Carl Hugo Hahn and Franz Heinrich Kleinschmidt? ... that, according to Bede, Dryhthelm the monk died, was given a tour of hell and heaven, and came back to tell the tale? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Tom Hooper The King's Speech wins four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Tom Hooper (pictured), at the 83rd Academy Awards. Beji Caid el Sebsi becomes Prime Minister of Tunisia after Mohamed Ghannouchi resigns amid ongoing protests. Fine Gael, led by Enda Kenny, win a plurality in the Irish general election. Amid crackdowns on protesters, the UN Security Council refers the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court and imposes sanctions on Muammar Gaddafi. Russia launches the first GLONASS-K satellite, intended as part of the GLONASS global navigation satellite system. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
February 28: Peace Memorial Day in Taiwan (1947); Kalevala Day in Finland; Teachers' Day in Arab countries 1893 – The USS Indiana (pictured), the lead ship of her class and the first battleship in the United States Navy comparable to foreign battleships of the time, was launched. 1914 – In the aftermath of the Balkan Wars, Greeks living in southern Albania proclaimed the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus. 1972 – Japanese police stormed a mountain lodge near Karuizawa, Nagano prefecture, to end a ten-day siege by members of the paramilitary group United Red Army. 1997 – Two heavily armed bank robbers exchange gunfire with officers of the Los Angeles Police Department in North Hollywood, California, the longest and bloodiest shootout in United States police history. 1997 – GRB 970228, a highly luminous flash of gamma rays, struck the Earth for 80 seconds, providing early evidence that gamma-ray bursts occur well beyond the Milky Way. More anniversaries: February 27 – February 28 – March 1 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now February 28 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Sharpshooters (Oncometopia orbona pictured) are leafhoppers that belong to the tribe Proconiini. Both nymphs and adults feed on a variety of plant species by filtering a huge volume of dilute liquid through their digestive system to extract the trace nutrients. Much of the water and carbohydrates are then squirted forcibly away from the body in a fine stream of droplets, thus earning them their common name.

Photo: Kaldari

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