Wikipedia:Main Page history/2014 December 27

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

The Fifth Test of the 1948 Ashes series, held at The Oval in London from 14–18 August, was the final Test match in a cricket series between Australia and England. Australia won the match by an innings and 149 runs to complete a 4–0 series win. It was the last Test in the career of Australian captain Donald Bradman (pictured), generally regarded as the best batsman in the history of the sport. After a delayed start due to inclement weather, the Australian fast bowlers, led by Ray Lindwall, took all of England's wickets within the first day of the match, England scoring only 52 runs. When Bradman came out to bat, he received a standing ovation from the crowd and three cheers from his opponents. He needed only four runs from his final innings to have a Test batting average of exactly 100, but he failed to score and was out to the second ball he faced (bowled by leg spinner Eric Hollies). The match was followed by speeches from both captains, after which the crowd sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" in Bradman's honour. Having been undefeated in their matches up to this point, the Australians maintained their streak in the remaining matches, gaining them the sobriquet of The Invincibles. (Full article...)

Part of the Australian cricket team in England in 1948 series, one of Wikipedia's featured topics.

Recently featured: Turkey vulture – Nativity (Christus) – American paddlefish

Archive – By email – More featured articles...

Did you know...

From Wikipedia's new and recently improved content:

... that The Doctor (pictured) sent a heartwarming video to console an autistic boy on the death of his grandmother?
... that CNN Philippines is set to launch in time for Pope Francis's visit to the Philippines?
... that José Villegas Cordero suffered from depression after his brother fell off a boat and drowned?
... that the Ohio State Buckeyes field hockey team has won three Big Ten Conference championships and one conference tournament title?
... that with her song "Royals", Lorde became the youngest artist to chart at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 26 years?
... that Bruckner's elegy Vor Arneths Grab was performed at graveside by men's voices and trombones for the funeral of Michael Arneth, prior of St. Florian Abbey?
... that early in World War II, Winston Churchill took refuge in the Barn?

Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news

Beji Caid Essebsi (pictured) wins the Tunisian presidential election.
India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III successfully completes its first flight, carrying the crew vehicle demonstrator CARE.
U.S. aid worker Alan Gross and three members of the Cuban Five are released by Cuba and the United States, respectively, as both nations move to resume diplomatic relations.
In an effort to curtail the rapid decline of the ruble, the Central Bank of Russia raises interest rates to 17%.
At least 141 people are killed as Taliban gunmen storm a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Ongoing: Ebola outbreak – Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Recent deaths: K. Balachander – Joe Cocker

On this day...

December 27

537 – The current Hagia Sophia building (pictured) in Istanbul, originally built as a church before it later became a mosque in 1453 and then a museum in 1935, was inaugurated.
1831 – Aboard HMS Beagle, Charles Darwin left Plymouth, England, on what became a historic expedition to South America that made his name as a naturalist.
1911 – "Jana Gana Mana", the national anthem of India, was first sung in the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.
1979 – Soviet war in Afghanistan: Soviet troops stormed Tajbeg Palace outside of Kabul and killed Afghan President Hafizullah Amin and his 300 elite guards.
2002 – The company Clonaid announced the birth of a cloned human baby, although it has yet to present any verifiable evidence.

More anniversaries: December 26 – December 27 – December 28

Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries

It is now December 27, 2014 (UTC) – Reload this page

Today's featured picture

The lesser sand plover (Charadrius mongolus) is a small, highly migratory wader in the plover family of birds. It feeds predominantly on insects, crustaceans and annelid worms.

Photograph: JJ Harrison

Recently featured: Blackness Castle – Christmas truce – Yule log

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – Bulletin board, projects, resources and activities covering a wide range of Wikipedia areas.
Help desk – Ask questions about using Wikipedia.
Local embassy – For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Reference desk – Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects.
Site news – Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Village pump – For discussions about Wikipedia itself, including areas for technical issues and policies.