Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 January 16

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Press Gang is a British children's television comedy-drama consisting of forty-three episodes across five series that were broadcast from 1989 to 1993. It was produced by Richmond Film & Television for Central, and screened on the ITV network in its regular weekday afternoon children's strand, CITV, typically in a 4:45 pm slot (days varied over the course of the run). The programme was aimed at older children and teenagers. It was based on the activities of a children's newspaper, the Junior Gazette, produced by pupils from a comprehensive school. In later series it was depicted as a commercial venture. The show interspersed comedic elements with the dramatic. As well as addressing interpersonal relationships, the show tackled issues such as solvent abuse, child abuse and firearms control. All episodes were written by ex-teacher Steven Moffat (pictured), and more than half were directed by noted British comedy director Bob Spiers, who had previously worked on Fawlty Towers. Critical reception was very positive, particularly for the quality of the writing, and the series attracted a cult following with a wide age range. (more...) Recently featured: Diffuse panbronchiolitis – Privy Council of the United Kingdom – Art Ross Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the scallop Annachlamys flabellata (shell pictured) often exhibits protandric sex reversal, changing sex as it grows? ... that the light aircraft carrier *Shōhō, sunk on 7 May 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea, was the first Japanese aircraft carrier to be sunk during World War II? ... that although the American Racing Manual* now only covers Thoroughbred horse racing, its earlier precursors also covered harness racing and other sports? ... that The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery won the Pulitzer Prize for History, the Bancroft Prize, and the Lincoln Prize in 2011? ... that a female taekwondo fighter, who wore a headscarf under her helmet, won the sole medal for Afghanistan at the 2002 Asian Games after the fall of the Taliban? ... that Saint Benedict wanted his monks to prefer nothing to the love of Christ? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
In the Republic of China (Taiwan), Ma Ying-jeou (pictured) is re-elected as president and the Kuomintang retains its majority in the Legislative Yuan. The cruise ship Costa Concordia runs aground and capsizes off the coast of Tuscany, with at least six fatalities. In Burma, government officials and the Karen National Union agree on a ceasefire to end an internal conflict that began in 1948. Scientists describe a new species of frog, Paedophryne amauensis, the smallest known vertebrate. Malam Bacai Sanhá, President of Guinea-Bissau, dies in office at the age of 64. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
January 16: Mattu Pongal (Tamils, 2012); Magen David Day in Israel; Teachers' Day in Thailand; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States (2012) Emperor Augustus 27 BC – Gaius Octavianus (bust pictured) was given the title Augustus by the Roman Senate when he became the first Roman emperor. 1780 – American Revolutionary War: The British Royal Navy gained their first major naval victory over their European enemies in the war when they defeated a Spanish squadron in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. 1938 – Benny Goodman performed a concert at New York City's Carnegie Hall which has been considered instrumental in establishing jazz as a legitimate form of music. 1969 – Student Jan Palach set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square in Prague as a protest against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia one year earlier. 2008 – Five days after proposing lyrics for the wordless Marcha Real, the Spanish national anthem, the Spanish Olympic Committee withdrew the proposal due to widespread criticism. More anniversaries: January 15 – January 16 – January 17 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now January 16, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

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An outcropping of land protruding from the left surrounded by water reflecting the land with a blue sky above fading through yellow to red at the horizon.

Nearly 50 of Croatia's islands are inhabited in the sense that at least one person resides on that island. In the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea, there are 718 islands, 389 islets and 78 reefs, which make the Croatian archipelago the largest in the Adriatic Sea and second largest in the Mediterranean Sea. Some sources indicate that Croatia has 67 inhabited islands, which is the number of islands that have a settlement on them, but 19 of these islands have lost all of their permanent population as a result of population decline. The islands of Croatia have been populated since the times of Ancient Greece. The main industries on the islands are agriculture, fishing and tourism. The local economy is relatively underdeveloped while the cost of living is 10 to 30% higher than on the mainland, so the Croatian government provides various kinds of support and protection through its Islands Act to stimulate the economy of the islands, including charging no tolls on bridges, and providing cheaper or free ferry tickets for islanders. (more...)

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A single crystalline 1 cm³ cube and a crystalline fragment of molybdenum, the latter created by electron beam melting. Molybdenum is a silvery metal that has the sixth-highest melting point of any element. It readily forms hard, stable carbides, and for this reason it is often used in high-strength steel alloys.

Photo: Alchemist-hp

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