Wikipedia:Main Page history/2015 October 5

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From today's featured article

Hurricane Gert was a large tropical cyclone that caused extensive flooding throughout Central America and Mexico in September 1993. It originated over the southwestern Caribbean Sea and briefly attained tropical storm strength before crossing Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Yucatán Peninsula. Once over warm water in the Bay of Campeche, Gert grew into a Category 2 hurricane and made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. The cyclone quickly weakened to a depression over the rugged terrain and eventually dissipated over the Pacific Ocean. Gert's broad wind circulation produced heavy rain across Central America, flooding property and crops. Although the highest winds occurred upon landfall in Mexico, the worst effects there were due to extreme rainfall of 31.41 inches (798 mm) over the mountains. Following the overflow of several rivers, expansive parts of the Huasteca region became submerged, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. Roads across the affected countries were severely disrupted, and thousands became homeless. The disaster killed 116 people, left 16 missing, and caused $170 million in damage. (Full article...)

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Did you know...

A typical exhibit at Michigan Heritage Park

... that the Michigan Heritage Park (typical exhibit pictured) is an outdoor attraction that spans 10,000 years of Michigan history?
... that organised crime is alleged to take place in the Italian provinces of Catanzaro and Crotone?
... that Laura Jordan Bambach has been called a "digital female icon" by The Guardian?
... that Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz features guest vocals from Big Sean, Sarah Barthel from Phantogram, and Ariel Pink?
... that the male orchid bee Euglossa hyacinthina collects fragrances as a method of courtship?
... that Ali al-Nimr used a BlackBerry to encourage protests, underwent an unfair trial, and may soon be crucified and beheaded?
... that bienmesabe has been described as the most famous dessert in Canarian cuisine?
... that teams and drivers boycotted the 2009 IFMAR 1:10 Electric Off-Road World Championship to such an extent that only three international drivers competed?

In the news

Sukhoi Su-30

A landslide near Guatemala City kills at least 70 people.
Russia begins air strikes (Sukhoi Su-30 pictured) against Islamic State and anti-government forces in Syria in support of the Syrian government.
The Indian Space Research Organisation launches Astrosat, India's first space telescope.
Taliban forces seize control of the provincial capital of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan.
A stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, kills hundreds of people.

Ongoing events:
- Southeast Asian haze
- European migrant crisis
Recent deaths:
- Denis Healey

On this day...

October 5: International Day of No Prostitution

Women's March on Versailles

1789 – French Revolution: Upset about the high price and scarcity of bread, thousands of Parisian women and their various allies marched (pictured) on the royal palace at Versailles.
1910 – The Portuguese Republican Party organised a coup d'etat, deposed the constitutional monarchy and implanted a republican regime in Portugal.
1930 – The British airship R101 crashed in France en route to India on its maiden voyage, killing 48 passengers and crew.
1975 – Dirty War: The guerrilla group Montoneros carried out Operation Primicia, a terrorist attack in which they hijacked an Aerolíneas Argentinas flight, captured the Formosa International Airport, and attacked a military regiment.
2000 – Serbian engineering vehicle operator Ljubisav Đokić rammed the Radio Television of Serbia building with a wheel loader in a protest known as the Bulldozer Revolution, causing Slobodan Milošević to resign two days later.

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From today's featured list

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

International cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul has scored centuries (100 or more runs in a single innings) on 30 occasions in Test cricket and 11 times in One Day International (ODI) matches. Chanderpaul, who has played for the West Indies since 1994, is the team's second-most prolific batsman in international cricket, after Brian Lara, having accumulated almost 20,000 runs. He made his Test debut in March 1994, selected as an all-rounder who could bowl leg breaks, against England. Chanderpaul reached his first century three years later, scoring an unbeaten 137 against India at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. His highest score in Test cricket is 203 not out, a total he achieved twice, first against South Africa in 2005, and then against Bangladesh in 2012. In ODI cricket, he scored his maiden ODI century shortly after his first Test century, in May 1997 against India, scoring 109 runs. Chanderpaul reached his highest ODI score in 1999, making 150 runs during a West Indian record partnership of 226 with Carl Hooper, against South Africa. (Full list...)

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Today's featured picture

Irises is a painting of irises completed by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh in 1889. The artist considered this work, which was influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, a study. However, his brother considered the painting "full of air and life" and submitted it to the annual exhibition of the Société des Artistes Indépendants. In 1987, it sold for US$53.9 million to Alan Bond, making it the most expensive painting ever sold as of then.

Painting: Vincent van Gogh

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