Wikipedia:Main Page history/2016 November 12

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Mughal-e-Azam (The Emperor of the Mughals) is a 1960 Indian epic historical drama film directed by K. Asif and produced by Shapoorji Pallonji, re-released in colour on 12 November 2004. Starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Durga Khote, it follows the love affair between Mughal Prince Salim (who went on to become Emperor Jahangir) and Anarkali, a court dancer. Salim's father, Emperor Akbar, disapproves, and war ensues. Sixteen years in development, the film cost more to produce than any previous Indian motion picture, and had the widest release. The soundtrack, inspired by Indian classical and folk music, is often cited as one of the finest soundtracks in Bollywood cinematic history. It became the highest-grossing Bollywood film at the time, and won one National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. Mughal-e-Azam was the first black-and-white Hindi film to be digitally coloured and re-released theatrically. Considered a milestone of its genre, it earned praise from critics for its grandeur and attention to detail. Film scholars have welcomed its portrayal of enduring themes, but question its historical accuracy. (Full article...)

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In the news

Leonard Cohen

Canadian singer, songwriter, and poet Leonard Cohen (pictured) dies at the age of 82.
A tram derails on the Tramlink in Croydon, London, killing seven people and injuring more than fifty others.
Donald Trump wins the United States presidential election, while Republicans retain control of the House and the Senate.
India demonetises 500 and 1000 rupee bank notes to fight black money issues.
In baseball, the Chicago Cubs defeat the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series for the first time since 1908.

On this day...

November 12

Zoë Porphyrogenita

1028 – Future Byzantine empress Zoë (pictured) first took the throne as empress consort to Romanos III Argyros.
1892 – William Heffelfinger was paid $525 by the Allegheny Athletic Association, becoming the first professional American football player on record.
1912 – The bodies of Robert Falcon Scott and his companions were discovered, roughly eight months after their deaths during the ill-fated British Antarctic Expedition 1910.
1991 – In Dili, East Timor, Indonesian forces opened fire on student demonstrators protesting the occupation of East Timor, killing at least 250 people.
2006 – Although the Georgian government declared it illegal, South Ossetia held a referendum on independence, with about 99 percent of voters supporting, to preserve the region's status as a de facto independent state.

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Today's featured picture

A photograph of an Iñupiat woman named Nowadluk (Nora) Ootenna. Ootenna was a popular subject for Alaskan photographers in the early 20th century. Her husband, George Ootenna, worked as a reindeer herder.

Traditionally, in Inuit communities, women played a crucial role in group survival, and their responsibilities were considered equally important to the men's. Consequently, women were given due respect, albeit not an equal share of influence or power. Recent modernization and urbanization has transformed traditional Inuit culture and influenced the role of women within the culture, having both positive and negative impacts on the overall well-being of Inuit women.

Photograph: Lomen Bros; restoration: Chris Woodrich; Papa Lima Whiskey 2

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