Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 April 6

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Today's featured article
Offa was the King of Mercia from 757 until his death in July 796. The son of Thingfrith and a descendant of Eowa, Offa came to the throne after a period of civil war. In the early years of Offa's reign it is likely that he consolidated his control of midland peoples such as the Hwicce and the Magonsæte. Taking advantage of instability in the kingdom of Kent to establish himself as overlord, Offa was also in control of Sussex by 771, though his authority did not remain unchallenged in either territory. He extended Mercian supremacy over most of southern England and regained complete control of the southeast. Offa was a Christian king but came into conflict with the Church, and had long-running disputes with both the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Worcester. Many historians regard Offa as the most powerful Anglo-Saxon king before Alfred the Great. His reign was once seen by historians as part of a process leading to a unified England, but this is no longer the majority view. Offa died in 796 and was succeeded by his son, Ecgfrith, who reigned for less than five months before Coenwulf of Mercia took the throne. (more...) Recently featured: Zodiac - Tryon Creek – Tiananmen Square self-immolation incident Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Bach's St Matthew Passion is structured in 67 movements, according to the NBA, and tells the Passion (pictured) based on the Gospel of Matthew, Picander's contemporary poetry, and chorales? ... that the role of the Rhodesian head of government gradually evolved, between 1890 and 1970, from that of a company-appointed administrator to the prime ministerial office of a republic? ... that Nicholas Dukagjini is mentioned in a song about an Albanian Romeo and Juliet written by Girolamo de Rada? ... that in 1956 Cricket Records were promoted simultaneously with all Betsy Wetsy television advertisements? ... that Jean Clédat uncovered the monastery of Apa Apollo, founded in the fourth century, whilst excavating at Bawit in the winter of 1903? ... that a young spider crab, Libinia ferreirae, often lives inside the bell of the jellyfish Lychnorhiza lucerna? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Following an allegation of academic misconduct, Pál Schmitt (pictured) resigns as President of Hungary. UTair Flight 120 crashes shortly after take-off from Roshchino International Airport, Tyumen, Russia, killing 32 people. The National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, wins a majority of contested seats in the Burmese by-elections. The Malian towns of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu fall to rebel control. In the Gambian parliamentary election, the incumbent APRC party wins an absolute majority of seats in the National Assembly. Tribal clashes kill at least 147 people in Sabha, Libya. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
April 6: Good Friday (Western Christianity, 2012); Fast of the Firstborn begins at dawn and Passover begins at sunset (Judaism, 2012) 1250 – Seventh Crusade: Egyptian Ayyubids annihilated the crusader army and captured King Louis IX of France as a hostage. 1320 – The Declaration of Arbroath, a declaration of Scottish independence, was adopted. 1812 – Peninsular War: After a three-week siege, the Anglo-Portuguese Army, under the Earl of Wellington (pictured), captured Badajoz, Spain and forced the surrender of the French garrison. 1947 – The first Tony Awards, recognizing achievement in live American theatre, were handed out at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. 2008 – Egyptian workers staged an illegal general strike, two days before key municipal elections. More anniversaries: April 5 – April 6 – April 7 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now April 6, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The elegant sunburst lichen (Xanthoria elegans) is a lichen recognizable by its bright orange or red pigmentation. This species grows on rocks, often near bird or rodent perches. It has a circumpolar and alpine distribution. It was one of the first lichens to be used for the rock-face dating method known as lichenometry.

Photo: Jason Hollinger

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