Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 October 27

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Today's featured article
Louis Riel is a 2003 historical biography in comics by Canadian cartoonist Chester Brown. It deals with the relationship of Métis rebel leader Louis Riel (pictured) with the newly established Canadian government. It begins shortly before the 1869 Red River Rebellion, and ends with Riel's 1885 hanging for high treason. The book explores the possibly schizophrenic aspect of Riel's personality—he believed God had named him Prophet of the New World, destined to lead the Métis people to freedom. The work is noted for its emotional disengagement, its intentionally flat dialogue, and a minimalist drawing style inspired by Harold Gray's comic strip Little Orphan Annie. The lengthy, hand-lettered appendix provides insight on Brown's creative process and biases, and highlights where he changed historical facts to create a more engaging story. It was the first comic book to receive a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. It was critically well received, and won three Harvey Awards. The original serialization (1999–2003) sold poorly, but the book version was a surprise bestseller. Its success played a major part in gaining shelf space for serious graphic novels in mainstream North American bookstores. (more...) Recently featured: Charles Carroll the Settler – George II of Great Britain – Hadji Ali Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Cnapan Hotel (pictured) in Newport, Pembrokeshire, takes its name from the medieval Celtic sport of cnapan? ... that suffragist Margaret Cousins went on a hunger strike seeking to be classed as a political prisoner? ... that the third season of Millennium sought to reduce its central conflicts to a struggle between two friends? ... that Robert Burnell, founder of St Mary's Church, Acton Burnell, Shropshire, became Lord Chancellor of England, and then Bishop of Bath and Wells? ... that Poland and Spain had no diplomatic relations following the end of World War II, until two years after general Francisco Franco's death? ... that consuming the cinnamon bracket fungus can cause symptoms of neurotoxicity, and violet urine? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
At least 41 people are killed after Hurricane Sandy passes through the Caribbean. Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (pictured) is convicted of tax fraud. Iranian dissidents Nasrin Sotoudeh and Jafar Panahi are awarded the Sakharov Prize. Six scientists and a former government official, accused of "falsely reassuring" the public of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake's unlikelihood, are convicted of manslaughter. Recent deaths: Russell Means – Yash Chopra – George McGovern Syrian civil war – Wikinews – More current events...
On this day...
October 27 1553 – Condemned as a heretic for preaching nontrinitarianism and anti-infant baptism, Michael Servetus was burned at the stake outside Geneva. 1644 – English Civil War: The combined armies of Parliament inflicted a tactical defeat on the Royalists, but failed to gain any strategic advantage in the Second Battle of Newbury. 1810 – The United States annexed West Florida, the western portion of the Spanish colony of Florida. 1992 – U.S. Navy Petty Officer Allen R. Schindler, Jr. (pictured) was killed in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan, a victim of a hate crime for being gay, sparking a national debate that led to the establishment of the U.S. armed forces' "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. 2005 – The deaths of three Muslim youths in the Clichy-sous-Bois suburb of Paris triggered four months of rioting by mostly youths of North African origins in various parts of France. More anniversaries: October 26 – October 27 – October 28 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 27, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) is a triggerfish of the tropical Indo-Pacific area. It grows up to 30 cm (12 in) in length and feeds on coral, crabs and invertebrates.

Photo: Hans Hillewaert/PLW

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