Welcome to Wikipedia

,

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From the day after tomorrow's featured article

The national flag of Japan is a white rectangular flag with a large red disc (representing the Sun) in the center. It is officially called Nisshōki in Japanese, but more commonly known as the Hinomaru. Although considered the de facto flag, it was designated as Japan's national flag on 13 August 1999. In early Japanese history, the Hinomaru motif was used on flags of daimyos and samurai. During the Meiji Restoration both the Sun disc and the Rising Sun Ensign were symbols in the Japanese Empire. Use of the Hinomaru was restricted during the American occupation after World War II, but this was later relaxed. The flag is not frequently displayed due to its association with extreme nationalism. For nations occupied by Japan, the flag is considered to be a symbol of aggression and imperialism. Despite negative connotations, Western and Japanese sources claim that the flag is an enduring symbol to the Japanese. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know ...

In the news (For today)

The ATR 72 involved in the crash

Voepass Linhas Aéreas Flight 2283 (aircraft pictured) crashes in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, killing all 62 people on board.
Sheikh Hasina resigns as the prime minister of Bangladesh following anti-government protests, and Muhammad Yunus is appointed leader of an interim government.
Following a mass stabbing in Southport, far-right protesters riot in England and Northern Ireland.
The United States, Russia, and their respective allies agree to a prisoner exchange of 26 people.

In two days

August 13

Damage caused by Hurricane Charley

1704 – War of the Spanish Succession: The Duke of Marlborough led Allied forces to a crucial victory at the Battle of Blenheim.
1724 – Bach led the Thomanerchor in Leipzig in the first performance of the chorale cantata, Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 101.
1898 – Spanish–American War: After a mock battle for Manila, the Spanish commander surrendered to the United States to keep the city out of the Philippine Revolutionary Army's hands.
1999 – The Act on National Flag and Anthem was adopted, formally establishing the Hinomaru and "Kimigayo" as the Japanese national flag and anthem, respectively.
2004 – Merely 22 hours after Tropical Storm Bonnie struck the U.S. state of Florida, Hurricane Charley inflicted further damage to the region (example pictured).

Jules Massenet (d. 1912)
Bobby Clarke (b. 1949)
Ida McNeil (d. 1974)
Tigran Petrosian (d. 1984)

More anniversaries:

Featured picture (Check back later for the day after tomorrow's.)

Ages Ago is a musical entertainment with an English-language libretto by W. S. Gilbert and music by Frederic Clay that premiered in 1869 at the Royal Gallery of Illustration in London. It marked the beginning of a seven-year collaboration between Gilbert and Clay. The piece features a haunted Scottish castle inhabited by Sir Ebenezer Tare, with other characters including his niece, her poor suitor and a housekeeper with second sight. The paintings of the castle's former owners come to life and step out of their frames. Gilbert re-used the device of paintings coming to life in his 1887 opera with Arthur Sullivan, Ruddigore. Ages Ago was a critical and popular success and was revived many times, including at St. George's Hall, London, in 1870 and 1874, and in New York in 1880. This chromolithograph theatre poster was created to advertise the original production of Ages Ago and is now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Poster credit: Stannard & Son; restored by Adam Cuerden

Recently featured:

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – The central hub for editors, with resources, links, tasks, and announcements.
Village pump – Forum for discussions about Wikipedia itself, including policies and technical issues.
Site news – Sources of news about Wikipedia and the broader Wikimedia movement.
Teahouse – Ask basic questions about using or editing Wikipedia.
Help desk – Ask questions about using or editing Wikipedia.
Reference desk – Ask research questions about encyclopedic topics.
Content portals – A unique way to navigate the encyclopedia.

Wikipedia's sister projects

Wikipedia is written by volunteer editors and hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that also hosts a range of other volunteer projects: