Wikipedia:Main Page history/2017 June 4

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From today's featured article

Jean Sibelius

The Oceanides (Aallottaret), Op. 73, is a single-movement tone poem for orchestra by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (pictured). The piece, which refers to the nymphs in Greek mythology who inhabited the Mediterranean Sea, premiered on 4 June 1914 at the Norfolk Music Festival in Connecticut with Sibelius conducting. Praised upon its premiere as "the finest evocation of the sea ... ever ... produced in music", the tone poem, in D major, consists of two subjects, said to represent the playful activity of the nymphs and the majesty of the ocean. Sibelius gradually develops this material over three informal stages: a placid ocean, then a gathering storm, and finally a thunderous wave-crash. As the tempest subsides, a final chord sounds, symbolizing the mighty power and limitless expanse of the sea. Stylistically, many commentators have described The Oceanides as impressionistic. It is one of Sibelius's most revised works. A derived suite and an early version of the piece were performed for the first time in 2002, by Osmo Vänskä and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra. (Full article...)

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J. R. Watkins with horse and buggy sales wagon

... that J. R. Watkins (pictured with sales wagon) offered America's first money back guarantee for his products?
... that "Der Geist des Herrn erfüllt das All", a hymn for Pentecost, was written by Maria Luise Thurmair in 1941, the year of her marriage to the hymn writer Georg Thurmair?
... that in the rubber tree genus Hevea, H. benthamiana, H. microphylla, and H. brasiliensis are deciduous, while H. guianensis, H. nitida, H. rigidifolia, and H. spruceana are evergreen?
... that Paul M. Nakasone commanded the Second United States Army until it was inactivated for the fourth time in its history in 2017?
... that Green Day's 2016 song "Bang Bang" was inspired by the events of mass shootings in the United States and is written from the viewpoint of a mass shooter?
... that H. J. de Graaf was called the "father of the study of Javanese history" by historian M. C. Ricklefs?
... that Russia has denied claims that it has attacked hospitals in Syria?
... that Taufa Vakatale was the first indigenous Fijian woman to serve as a secondary school principal, to be elected as a cabinet minister, and to be president of her political party?
... that fans of the Atlanta Braves were asked to stop doing the tomahawk chop with foam tomahawks, as it was viewed as a mockery of Native Americans?

In the news

Resorts World Manila

At least 7 people are killed and 48 injured in an attack in London through a hit-and-run vehicle on London Bridge followed by knife attacks at Borough Market.
In association football, the UEFA Champions League concludes with Real Madrid defeating Juventus in the final.
A suspected robbery and arson at the Resorts World Manila complex (pictured) in the Philippines kills at least 34 people and injures 54 others.
United States President Donald Trump announces that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation.
The diplomatic quarter in Kabul is attacked in a truck bombing, killing at least 80 people and injuring more than 350 others.

On this day...

June 4: Pentecost (Christianity, 2017); Anniversary of Ayatollah Khomeini's death in Iran (1989)

U.S. dive bombers at Midway

1561 –The spire of Old St Paul's Cathedral in London was destroyed by fire, probably caused by lightning.
1792 – Royal Navy Captain George Vancouver claimed Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest for Great Britain.
1942 – The Battle of Midway (Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers pictured), a major battle in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, began with a massive Imperial Japanese strike on Midway Atoll.
1977 – The Humboldt Park riot began in Chicago, resulting in three deaths, three cars in the Humboldt Park lagoon, and increased tension between the Chicago Police Department and the Puerto Rican community.
1989 – The People's Liberation Army violently cracked down on the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing, leaving at least 241 dead and 7,000 wounded, and causing widespread international condemnation of the Chinese government.

Philippa of England (b. 1394) · Angelina Jolie (b. 1975)

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Today's featured picture

Venetia James (1861–1948) was a London society hostess and racehorse breeder. Born into the Cavendish-Bentinck family, she married the racehorse owner and breeder Arthur James in 1885. After her husband's death in 1917, James continued to breed horses and participate in races, winning the Victoria Cup and 1932 Coronation Cup. She had close relations to the Royal Family, being godmother to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Painting: Samuel Luke Fildes

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