Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 June 15

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Today's featured article
Hòa thượng Thích Quảng Đức (1897–1963) was a Vietnamese Mahayana Buddhist monk who burned himself to death on 11 June 1963. Thích Quảng Đức was protesting against the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam's Ngô Đình Diệm administration. Photos of his self-immolation were circulated widely across the world and brought attention to the policies of the Diệm regime. After his death, his body was re-cremated, but his heart remained intact. This was interpreted as a symbol of compassion and led Buddhists to revere him as a bodhisattva, heightening the impact of his death on the public psyche. Thích Quảng Đức's act increased international pressure on Diệm and led him to announce reforms. However, the promised reforms were implemented either slowly or not at all, leading to a deterioration in the dispute. With protests continuing, the Special Forces launched nationwide raids on Buddhist pagodas, seizing Thích Quảng Đức's heart and causing deaths and widespread damage. Several Buddhist monks followed Thích Quảng Đức's example and burned themselves to death. Eventually, an Army coup toppled and killed Diệm in November. The self-immolation is widely seen as the turning point of the Vietnamese Buddhist crisis, which led to the change in regime. (more...) Recently featured: Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall – Norte Chico civilization – Makinti Napanangka Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Kölnbrein Dam (pictured) is the tallest dam in Austria? ... that Samuel Ward was given a diamond ring as reward for being Bonnie Prince Charlie's food taster? ... that Saint John Sea Dogs defenceman Nathan Beaulieu continued to play for the ice hockey team even after they fired his father as head coach? ... that in 1933, Harmon Caldwell Drew, a Louisiana circuit court judge, got into a confrontation with then U.S. Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr., after Long had sullied Drew's reputation? ... that the Rhesus macaque Tetra is the first cloned primate? ... that retreating Ottoman forces burned all villages between Niš and Sofia after their defeat in the Battle of Niš of 1443? ... that many Buddhist temples in Japan have a hidden roof? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
In basketball, the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Miami Heat to win their first NBA championship (Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki pictured). Bahrain commences the trials of medical professionals who treated injured protesters during the popular uprising. A Gay Girl In Damascus, a popular opposition blog about the 2011 Syrian uprising, is revealed to be a hoax. The Book of Mormon wins Best Musical and War Horse wins Best Play at the 65th Tony Awards. In the Turkish general election, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is elected for a third term and the AK Party retains its majority in parliament. In sports car racing, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Audi. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
June 15: Flag Day in Denmark 763 BC – The Eclipse of Bur-Sagale was observed in Assyria, the earliest solar eclipse mentioned in historical sources that has been successfully identified. 1667 – French physician Jean-Baptiste Denys administered the first fully documented human blood transfusion, giving the blood of a sheep to a 15-year old boy. 1896 – A 7.2 M_s earthquake and a subsequent tsunami struck Japan, destroying about 9,000 homes and causing at least 22,000 deaths. 1904 – The steamship General Slocum caught fire (pictured) in New York's East River and burned uncontrollably, killing over 1,000 people. 1944 – In the Saskatchewan general election, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation led by Tommy Douglas won enough seats in the Legislative Assembly to form the first socialist government in North America. More anniversaries: June 14 – June 15 – June 16 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now June 15, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris) is a relatively small bird of prey. Specimens normally range from 31 to 41 centimetres (12 to 16 in) in length and weigh 250–300 grams (8.8–11 oz). The Roadside Hawk is common throughout its range: from Mexico through Central America to most of South America east of the Andes. It is well adapted to most ecosystems in its range, and can also be found in urban areas. Its diet consists mainly of insects, squamates, and smallish mammals, such as young Common Marmosets and similar small monkeys.

Photo: Wagner Machado Carlos Lemes

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