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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Sukh (talk | contribs) at 23:26, 4 July 2006 (→‎[[Sikhism]]: m). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Sikhism

Sikhism is a religion that began in sixteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive human Gurus. This system of religious philosophy and expression has been traditionally known as the Gurmat (literally the teachings of the Gurus) or the Sikh Dharma. Sikhism is the fifth-largest organised religion in the world. Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs (students or disciples) and globally number over 23 million.

The principal belief in Sikhism is faith in one God — Vahigurū — represented using the sacred symbol of ik ōaṅkār. Sikhism advocates the pursual of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. The followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture Gurū Granth Sāhib, which includes the selected works of many authors from diverse socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by Gobind Singh as the final guru of the Khalsa Panth. Sikhism's traditions and teachings are distinctly associated with the history, society and culture of the Punjab. (More...)

The first and only-Sikhism related featured article. A good date would be 1st September which was the date (according to the Nanakshahi calendar) that the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib was first 'installed'. Sukh | ਸੁਖ | Talk 23:21, 4 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Half-Life 2

Half-Life 2 is a science fiction first-person shooter computer game and the sequel to Half-Life, developed by Valve Corporation. It was released on November 16, 2004 following a protracted five-year development cycle during which the game's source code was leaked to the Internet. The game garnered very positive reviews and received critical acclaim, earning over 35 Game of the Year (2005) awards.

Taking place in and around the fictional City 17 sometime in the near future, Half-Life 2 follows the scientist Gordon Freeman. Dr. Freeman is thrust into a dystopian environment in which the fallout (so to speak) of the Black Mesa Incident has fully come to bear upon human society. Freeman is forced to fight against increasingly unfavorable odds in order to survive. In his struggle, he is joined by various allies, including fellow Black Mesa colleagues, oppressed citizens of City 17, and the vortigaunts.

(More...)

I'd like to see this get on the front page. It is a well-written article that is still worthy of FA status. Userpie 15:16, 4 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Rush

Rush is a Canadian progressive rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist and vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, formed in 1968. Rush has been awarded the Juno Award several times and were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994. They have also been nominated four times for a Grammy Award. Additionally, Lee, Lifeson, and Peart are all Officers of the Order of Canada, the first rock musicians so honored. Over the course of their career, the individual members of Rush have been recognized as some of the most proficient players on their respective instruments. Each member has won several awards in magazine reader's polls. As a whole, the band boasts 23 gold records and 14 platinum (3 multi-platinum) records making them one of the best selling rock artists in history. Rush currently place fifth behind The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, KISS, and Aerosmith for the most consecutive gold and platinum albums by a rock band. Rush's three decades of continued success under their current lineup of Lee, Lifeson, and Peart has earned the band the respect of their musical peers, and their supporters are often cited as one of the most intensely loyal fanbases in the history of rock. (More...)

I also suggest that this article be featured on July 25, if only because it's my birthday. :) —BorgHunter (talk) 18:53, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Gremlins 2: The New Batch is an American film released in 1990 and a sequel to the original Gremlins (1984). Gremlins 2 is directed by Joe Dante and written by Charles S. Haas, with creature designs by Rick Baker. It stars Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert Prosky, Haviland Morris, Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Robert Picardo, and Christopher Lee. The story continues the adventures of the creature Gizmo, who spawns numerous small monsters when wet. In the first film Gizmo's offspring had rampaged through a fictional small town. In Gremlins 2, Gizmo multiples within a building in New York City. The new creatures thus pose a serious threat to the city should they be able to leave the building. Much of the story involves the human characters' efforts to prevent this disaster. Like the first film, Gremlins 2 is a live action comedy-horror film. However, Dante put effort into taking the sequel in new anarchic directions. In general, the film is meant to be more cartoon-like than the darker original. The violence is fairly slapstick. There are also a number of parodies of other films and stories, most notably Gremlins itself, as well as the Rambo films, The Wizard of Oz and Phantom of the Opera. (More...)

Nomination by CanadianCaesar Et tu, Brute? 20:23, 1 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is a 2002 science fantasy film directed and co-written by George Lucas. It was the fifth film to be released in the Star Wars saga, and the second in terms of chronology. Ten years after the Battle of Naboo, the galaxy is on the brink of civil war. When an assassination attempt is made on Senator Padmé Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo, nineteen-year-old Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker is assigned to protect her, while his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi is assigned to investigate the assassination attempt. Soon, Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan are drawn into the heart of the Separatist territories, and the beginning of a new threat to the galaxy. Released on May 16, 2002, Attack of the Clones was generally received as an improvement over it's predecessor. It was the first motion picture to be shot completely on a high definition digital 24-frame system, and the first Star Wars film to be internationally out-grossed in the year of its original release. (More…)

nomination by The Filmaker 14:39, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • Requesting that this article be featured directly behind the Revenge of the Sith article, in other words if Attack of the Clones is featured on August 5 than Revenge of the Sith would be featured on August 6 to present a flow of continuity. :) Also, there could be a presence of featuring on days that coincide with their numbers like Episode II is featured on August 2 and the same going for Episode III.
  • I could be wrong, but I don't think Raul generally likes featuring articles on related articles close together. For example, while Phil Collins and Genesis (band) were both listed here at almost the exact same time and Phil Collins has been featured, Genesis (band) is still here. Staxringold talkcontribs 15:33, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
      • Correct. I try to have the FA jump around by genre/topic and by region of the world (if applicable). Featuring two sci-fi movies back to back would run counter to this. Raul654 16:10, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Battle of Cannae

The Battle of Cannae was a major battle of the Second Punic War, taking place on August 2, 216 BC near the town of Cannae in Apulia in southeast Italy. The Carthaginian army under Hannibal destroyed a numerically superior Roman army under command of the consuls Lucius Aemilius Paullus and Gaius Terentius Varro. Following the Battle of Cannae, Capua and several other Italian city-states defected from the Roman Republic. Although the battle failed to decide the outcome of the war in favour of Carthage, it is today regarded as one of the greatest tactical feats in military history.

Having recovered from their previous losses at Trebia (218 BC) and Trasimene (217 BC), the Romans decided to confront Hannibal at Cannae, with roughly 87,000 Roman and Allied troops. With their right wing positioned near the Aufidus river, the Romans placed their cavalry on their flanks and massed their heavy infantry in an exceptionally deep formation in the centre. To counter this, Hannibal utilized the double-envelopment tactic. He drew up his least reliable infantry in the centre, with the flanks composed of Carthaginian cavalry. Before engaging the Romans, however, his lines adopted a crescent shape —advancing his centre with his veteran troops placed at the wings in echelon formation. Upon the onset of the battle, the Carthaginian centre withdrew before the advance of the numerically superior Romans. While Hannibal's centre line yielded, the Romans had unknowingly driven themselves into a large arc —whereupon the Carthaginian infantry and cavalry (positioned on the flanks) encircled the main body of Roman infantry. Surrounded and attacked on all sides with no means of escape, the Roman army was subsequently cut to pieces. An estimated 60,000 —70,000 Romans were killed or captured at Cannae (including the consul Lucius Aemilius Paullus and eighty Roman senators). In terms of the number of lives lost within a single day, Cannae is among the costliest battles in all of recorded human history. (More…)

This article is clear, comprehensive, and interesting. No specific date specified Chubdub 17:45, 27 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Sounds good, but a little on the long side. savidan(talk) (e@) 23:46, 27 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • I agree it's a bit long. Also, the image is quite dull for the subject (it covers almost all of Europe for a single Battle). Maybe use other free images like this or this? Staxringold talkcontribs 00:06, 28 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I wholeheartedly believe this article should be TFA. However, the image that appears in the above template could be changed a little, it's too small of an image to be shown on the mainpage. What about an image of Hannibal or a dramatization of the battle? An image is only as good as the article it graces, and vice-versa. But one thing I don't believe is that the article is too small. No article is too small. Aaрон Кинни (t) 18:09, 1 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Illmatic

Illmatic is the debut album by rapper Nas, released on April 19, 1994 through Columbia Records. Featuring production from Large Professor (of The Main Source), Pete Rock (of Pete Rock & CL Smooth), Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest) and DJ Premier (of Gang Starr), as well as a guest appearance from AZ, Illmatic was immediately hailed as a masterpiece by critics, and is today one of the most celebrated and most influential albums in hip hop history. The release of Illmatic redefined the musical milieu of East Coast hip hop in the mid-1990s; resulting in a renewed focus on lyricism and in the revival of the Queensbridge rap scene, which had been latent after a period of prominence during the 1980s. Upon its release, Illmatic attracted a significant amount of attention within the hip hop community and caused an instant sensation within hip hop's underground circuit. In spite of this, the modest record sales of Illmatic fell well below expectations, partially due to bootlegging. In addition to its low commercial profile, the album's singles received only moderate airplay

The album cover features a picture of Nas as a child, taken just after his father, musician Olu Dara had returned home from an overseas tour. On December 11, 2001, Illmatic was certified platinum by the RIAA. A remastered commemorative edition of Illmatic was issued by Columbia for the album's tenth anniversary in 2004, with a bonus disc of four remixes and two previously unreleased tracks. (More…)

One of the greatest artistic achievements of the hip hop genre. Recently elevated to Feature Article status with the assistance of Wikipedia:WikiProject Hip hop. It is the only hip hop article to reach this designation and is currently the only album to be a Featured Article. No specific date specified P.O.N.Y. 17:32, 27 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey (born March 27 1970) is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. Carey made her debut in 1990 under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, and became the first recording act to have her first five singles top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Following her marriage to Mottola in 1993, a series of subsequent successful records consolidated her position as one of Columbia's highest-selling acts, and according to Billboard magazine she was the most successful artist of the 1990s in the United States. Carey took full creative control over her image and music following her separation from Mottola in 1997, and introduced heavy elements of hip hop into her album material. Her popularity was in decline when she left Columbia in 2001, and she was dropped by Virgin Records the following year after a highly publicized physical and emotional breakdown and the poor reception of Glitter, her film and soundtrack project. Carey later signed with Island/Def Jam, and after an unsuccessful period, she returned to the forefront of popular music in 2005. (More…)

Submitted by --Musicpvm 21:05, 26 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • Random note, Glitter was released September 21. A decent ways away, but it's the only somewhat soon-coming date I can find with a relation to Carey. Staxringold talkcontribs 22:04, 26 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Defense of Sihang Warehouse

The Defense of Sihang Warehouse took place from 26 October to 1 November 1937, and marked the beginning of the end of the three-month Battle of Shanghai in the opening phase of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The defenders of the warehouse, popularly known both as the Eight Hundred Heroes and the Lone Battalion, held out against numerous waves of Japanese forces and covered the movements of the Chinese forces retreating west during the Battle of Shanghai.

The warehouse's location just across the Suzhou River from the foreign concessions in Shanghai meant the battle took place in full view of the western powers. It was one of the tallest buildings in the area, and had been used as a division headquarters prior to the battle. It was Chiang Kai-Shek's hope that the battle would draw the international community's attention to his bid for worldwide support against Japanese aggression. (More…)

I know this is rather early, but I was wondering if this article could be booked for October 26? I asked Mib, and he concurs. Elle vécut heureuse à jamais (Be eudaimonic!) 02:23, 26 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Indeed I do! But really, October 26 is soooo far away... -- Миборовский 04:14, 2 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Vivien Leigh

Vivien Leigh (November 5, 1913 – July 8, 1967) was an English actress who achieved outstanding success in theatre and cinema. Although her film appearances were relatively few, she won two Academy Awards playing "Southern belles", Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind (1939) and Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), a role she had also played in London's West End. She was a prolific stage performer, frequently in collaboration with her husband, Laurence Olivier, who directed her in several of her roles. During her thirty-year stage career, she aimed to demonstrate her versatility as an actress, playing parts that ranged from the heroines of Noël Coward and George Bernard Shaw comedies to classic Shakespearean characters such as Ophelia, Cleopatra, Juliet and Lady Macbeth. (More…)

Famous actress, acreddited with one of the most famous performances of all time, dual oscar winning star of Highest Grossing and most popular film of all time. I think she's famous enough. ....(Complain)(Let us to it pell-mell) 06:38, 23 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

New Radicals

The New Radicals were an American rock band in the late 1990s, centered around front man Gregg Alexander, who wrote and produced all of their songs and was the sole constant member. They released only one album, 1998's Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too, a pop rock album heavily influenced by the funk, rock and soul of the 1970s, containing—amongst radio-friendly modern rock tracks and love songs—strong criticism of Corporate America. The band is best known for their debut single "You Get What You Give", which became a top 5 hit in the United Kingdom and whose celebrity-dissing lyrics at the end of the song provided a minor media spectacle. Tired of touring and promotional interviews, Alexander disbanded the group in mid 1999 before the release of their second single, "Someday We'll Know", to focus on writing and producing songs for other artists. As a result, "Someday We'll Know" received little attention in most countries and the band is widely considered a one-hit wonder. (More…)

One of my favorite bands, a featured article, and an interesting story in the history of pop. Any day would be good for them to appear on the front page. R'son-W 23:25, 22 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Roman Vishniac

Roman Vishniac ['vɪʃniæk] (Russian: Роман Вишняк; August 19, 1897 – January 22, 1990) was a renowned Russian-American photographer, best known for capturing on film the culture of Jews in Eastern Europe before the Holocaust. He was, however, an extremely diverse photographer, an accomplished biologist and a knowledgeable student and teacher of art history. Throughout his life, he made significant scientific contributions to the fields of photomicroscopy and time-lapse photography. He later became a teacher and collector of historic art and artifacts. Vishniac was very interested in history, especially that of his ancestors. In turn, he was strongly tied to his Jewish roots and was an avid Zionist later in life. Roman Vishniac won international acclaim for his photography; his pictures from the shtetlach and Jewish ghettos, celebrity portraits, and images of microscopic biology. He is known for his book A Vanished World, published in 1947, which was one of the first such pictorial documentations of Jewish culture in Eastern Europe from that period. He is known also for his extreme humanism and respect and awe for life; his photomicroscopy centered almost exclusively upon living subjects.

Would it be possible to get this on the mainpage on August 19? It is Vishniac's birthday.--Briangotts (Talk) (Contrib) 01:59, 22 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The slot looks open... I think it'd be great for this article to go up on that day. -- Rmrfstar 09:44, 22 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
It should be noted that the image used above was incorrectly labeled as being in the public domain and is really fair-use. If this is not acceptable for the Main Page, we'll need to use a different picture (I guess the headshot). -- Rmrfstar 07:55, 23 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Final Fantasy X

Final Fantasy X is the tenth installment in the Final Fantasy role-playing game series and the first game of the series to be released on the PlayStation 2. Introduced in 2001, it was once among the top twenty best-selling console games of all time, and has sold in excess of 7.93 million copies worldwide. Set in the fantasy world of Spira, the game's story centers around a group of adventurers and their quest to defeat a rampaging force known as "Sin."

The game is significant in the Final Fantasy series in that it marks the transition from entirely pre-rendered backdrops to fully three-dimensional areas with the PlayStation 2’s robust graphical capabilities (although two-dimensional backdrops are present in certain building interiors). It is also the first in the series to feature a wide range of realistic facial expressions, as well as other technological developments in graphical effects, such as variance in lighting and shadow from one section of a character's clothing to the next. Final Fantasy X is also the first in the series to feature voice-over actors, as well as the first to spawn a direct sequel, Final Fantasy X-2. (More...)

I've personally seen to it that this video game article is informative even to the uninitiated and that it holds to a high-standard of quality. Given the depth of the subject, I believe many would find it interesting, and that it would be a wonderful article to adorn the front page. Any time that could be found for it would be great. Please consider it. Thanks for your time. Ryu Kaze 12:46, 19 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • I know I previously requested that any time you could find room for it would be great (and it still is), but if I may request a specific day, can I ask for July 19 (which currently doesn't have an entry slated)? That will be the fifth anniversary of the day the game was originally released (in Japan; it wasn't released in the US for another five months). Thanks again for your time. Ryu Kaze 13:31, 4 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

V for Vendetta (film)

V for Vendetta is a 2006 action-thriller film set in London in a not-too-distant future. The film follows V, a freedom fighter who uses terrorist tactics in pursuit of a personal vendetta and to force sociopolitical change in a dystopian Britain. The film is an adaptation of the graphic novel V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. V for Vendetta was directed by James McTeigue and produced by Joel Silver and the Wachowski brothers, who also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Natalie Portman as Evey Hammond, Hugo Weaving as V, Stephen Rea as Inspector Finch and John Hurt as Chancellor Sutler. The film's release was originally scheduled for November 5 2005, but was delayed; the film opened on March 17 2006, and has been generally well received by critics. Due to ongoing conflicts with the film industry, Alan Moore did not endorse the film. The filmmakers removed some of the anarchist themes that were present in the original story and added a current political context to the film. Due to the politically sensitive content of the film, V for Vendetta has been the target of both criticism and praise from different sociopolitical groups. (More...)

Set for November 5th 2006. The text may need some editing, and is being examined on the film's article talk. --P-Chan 07:38, 14 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Comment: The movie poster is used under "Fair-use", and I wonder if such images can be used in the main page. To the best of my knowledge, fair use images are not allowed in the main page. So, you might think of replacing the poster with a properly licensed one. --Ragib 07:46, 14 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Invasion

An invasion is a military action consisting of armed forces of one geopolitical entity entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of conquering territory or altering the established government. An invasion can be the cause of a war, it can be used as a part of a larger strategy to end a war, or it can constitute an entire war in and of itself. The term connotes a strategic endeavor of substantial magnitude; because the goals of an invasion are usually large-scale and long-term, large forces are needed to hold territory and protect the interests of the invading entity. Smaller and lighter tactical infiltrations are not generally considered invasions, being more often classified as skirmishes, sorties, targeted killings, assassinations or reconnaissance in force. By definition, an invasion is an attack from outside forces. As such, rebellions, civil wars, coups d'etat, and internal acts of democide or other acts of oppression are generally not considered invasions. (More...)
  • May I suggest that this image may better illustrate invading forces, rather than just a battle? It's a personal opinion, but the current image just looks like guys fighting and doesn't portray the invasion part so much to me. Staxringold talkcontribs 22:55, 12 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Good suggestion. RENTASTRAWBERRY FOR LET? röck 01:35, 13 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Dog Day Afternoon

Dog Day Afternoon is a 1975 film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Frank Pierson. The film stars Al Pacino, John Cazale, Chris Sarandon, and Charles Durning. Based on the events of an attempted bank robbery in 1972, Dog Day Afternoon tells the story of Sonny Wortzik, who holds employees of a bank hostage with his partner Salvatore Naturile in Brooklyn, New York. The film was inspired by the article The Boys in the Bank, which tells a similar story of the robbery of a Brooklyn bank by John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturile; this article was first published in Life in 1972. The film received generally positive reviews, some of which referred to its anti-establishment tones. Although it was nominated for major awards, Dog Day Afternoon won just a sole Academy Award and failed to win a Golden Globe. Pacino's memorable "ATTICA!" line from the film has become widely quoted, and was #86 on American Film Institute's "100 Years...100 Movie Quotes" list. (More...)
  • Whenever it fits in is fine. August 22 was the day of the actual robbery, but that's a ways away. Staxringold talkcontribs 13:06, 10 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Torchic

The Torchic (アチャモ, Achamo) is one of the Template:Pokenum fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar Pokémon media franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. Torchic are famous for being one of the three species of Pokémon players can choose from at the beginning of their adventure in the Pokémon Ruby, Pokémon Sapphire and Pokémon Emerald versions of the Pokémon series.

In all games, Torchic are described as small, clumsy chickens, with yellowish feathers and orange bodies. They are often seen hopping randomly behind their trainers, characters in the Pokémon world who collect and battle Pokémon. Although their appearance gives an innocent and harmless impression, Torchic are noted to fight by spitting flames from the pits of their stomachs.

Submitted by User:HighwayCello, no specific date. Cheers, Highway Rainbow Sneakers 08:44, 10 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Watchmen

Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Originally published by DC Comics as a monthly limited series from 1986 to 1987, it was later republished as a graphic novel. It was one of the first superhero comic books to present itself as serious literature, and also popularized the more adult-oriented "graphic novel" format. Watchmen is the only graphic novel to have won a Hugo Award, and is also the only graphic novel to appear on Time magazine's list of "100 best novels from 1923 to present."

Watchmen is set in 1985 in an alternative history United States where costumed adventurers are real and the country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union. It follows the story of the last remaining superheroes and the events surrounding the mysterious murder of one of their own. Superheroes are presented in Watchmen as real people who must confront ethical and personal issues, who have neuroses and failings, and who are largely lacking in superpowers. Watchmen's deconstruction of the conventional superhero archetype, combined with its innovative adaptation of cinematic techniques and heavy use of symbolism and multi-layered dialogue, have had a profound effect on later comics. (More...)

Nominated by DCAnderson 04:43, 9 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Operation Ten-Go

Operation Ten-Go was the last major Japanese naval operation in the Pacific campaign of World War II. The Japanese battleship Yamato, the largest battleship in the world, along with nine other Japanese warships, sortied from Japan on an intentional one-way mission to attack the Allied forces that were invading Okinawa. The Japanese force was attacked, stopped, and almost completely destroyed before reaching Okinawa by U.S. carrier aircraft which sank Yamato and five other Japanese warships.

The battle emphasized the aerial control that the U.S. had attained in the Pacific theater as well as the vulnerability of surface ships to aerial attack. The battle also apparently exhibited Japan's willingness to sacrifice large numbers of its people in desperate and suicidal tactics in an attempt to slow or stop the Allied advance on the Japanese homeland.(More...)

Nomination by Cla68 18:14, 8 June 2006 (UTC). Since the anniversary of this battle is April 7, perhaps might consider putting this on the main page on that date, if the "queue" can extend that far.[reply]

Sounds good to me. Cla68 22:03, 14 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Arthur Ernest Percival

Lieutenant-General Arthur Ernest Percival, CB, DSO and Bar, OBE, MC, DL, OStJ (December 26, 1887 - January 31, 1966) was a British Army officer and a World War I hero. He built a successful military career between the wars but is most noted for his involvement in World War II, when he commanded the British and Commonwealth army during the Battle of Malaya and the subsequent Battle of Singapore. Percival's surrender to the smaller invading Japanese Army is the largest capitulation in British military history and fatally undermined Britain's prestige as an imperial power in the Far East. However, the years of under-funding of Malaya's defences combined with the inexperienced, under-equipped nature of the British and Commonwealth army makes it possible to hold a more sympathetic view of his command. (More...)

Nomination by Nickhk 23:42, 6 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]



Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution of Canada. It forms the first part of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Charter is intended to protect certain political and civil rights of people in Canada from the policies and actions of all levels of government. It is also supposed to unify Canadians around a set of principles that embody those rights.

The Charter was preceded by the Canadian Bill of Rights, which was introduced by the government of John Diefenbaker in 1960. However, the Bill of Rights was only a federal statute, rather than a constitutional document. Therefore, it was limited in scope and was easily amendable. This motivated some within government to improve rights protections in Canada. The movement for human rights and freedoms that emerged after World War II also wanted to entrench the principles enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Hence, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's government enacted the Charter in 1982.

One of the most notable effects of the adoption of the Charter was to greatly expand the scope of judicial review, because the Charter is more explicit with respect to the guarantee of rights and the role of judges in enforcing them than was the Bill of Rights. As a result, the Charter has attracted both passionate support from liberals and criticisms by opponents of increased judicial power. (More...)

Nomination by CanadianCaesar Cæsar is turn’d to hear 17:51, 6 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Gremlins

Gremlins is an American horror-comedy film directed by Joe Dante and released in 1984. It is about a young man who receives a strange creature named Gizmo as a pet. The creature then spawns other creatures who transform into small, destructive monsters. Experienced filmmaker Steven Spielberg was the film's executive producer. Gremlins stars Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates, with Howie Mandel providing the voice of Gizmo. The actors had to work alongside numerous puppets, as puppetry was the main form of special effects used to portray Gizmo and the gremlins. Gremlins was a commercial success and received some positive feedback from critics. It was also at the centre of a large merchandising campaign. However, the film has also been heavily criticized for some of its more violent sequences. (More...)

Too late for the anniversary (which is in two days). :( Any day after that is fine. CanadianCaesar Cæsar is turn’d to hear 17:51, 6 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Stephen Colbert at the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner

On April 29, 2006, Stephen Colbert was the featured entertainer for the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, delivering a 20-minute speech and video presentation which was broadcast live on C-SPAN and MSNBC. In the same character as the one he plays on The Colbert Report, an over-the-top send-up of a conservative pundit in the likes of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity, Colbert satirized the Bush administration and the White House press corps. Colbert spoke directly to the president several times, chastising his foreign policy, energy policy, approval rating, lifestyle, and personality. While mocking President Bush has become common in various forms of political satire and has made an almost nightly appearance on American late-night talks shows, Colbert had the rare opportunity to deliver his mocking tribute while standing only a few yards from the president. Various reports give an impression that Bush did not take too kindly to the performance, as several of Bush's aides and supporters walked out during Colbert's speech, and one former aide said that the President had "that look that he's ready to blow." Reaction to the event caused it to become an Internet and media sensation, and ratings for The Colbert Report soared 37% in the week following the speech. (More...)

Don't know if that's too long, whenever you can fit it in the queue is fine with me :) --kizzle 23:35, 5 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It is a tad long, but it should definitely be on the front page. R'son-W 11:14, 23 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Agree with above. De-thumb the image also. savidan(talk) (e@) 20:56, 28 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Not sure how to do what you ask, want to make the change? --kizzle 21:57, 28 June 2006 (UTC) (the one who nominated)[reply]
Done. savidan(talk) (e@) 23:39, 28 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Its length doesn't bother me for now, but the image used here is a fair use image, and to the best of my knowledge, only free licensed images are allowed in the front page. Perhaps the nominator can get a free licensed image for this? --Ragib 21:08, 28 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • You are incorrect. As has been discussed above Image:Cheers intro logo.jpg was used when Cheers was on the Main Page. Free images should be used WHENEVER POSSIBLE, but things like television shows and movies (or in this case an almost exclusively televised appeareance) often have no free images. Staxringold talkcontribs 21:15, 28 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
To reduce the length, I suggest that the "plot summary" be trimmed almost entirely, but I think the Time quote about Freedom fries and hybrid cars should be in there. savidan(talk) (e@) 23:41, 28 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Removed description of the Helen Thomas bit, looks like its about the same length as others now. --kizzle 17:12, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Operation Auca

"Operation Auca" was an attempt by five Evangelical Christian missionaries from the United States to make contact with the Huaorani people of the rainforest of Ecuador. The Huaorani, also known as the Aucas (the Quechua word for "savage"), were an isolated tribe known for their violence, both against their own people and outsiders who entered their territory. The missionaries intended to be the first Protestants to evangelize the Huaorani, but on January 8, 1956, all five—Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian—were attacked and speared by a group of Huaorani warriors.

The deaths of the men galvanized the missionary effort in the United States, sparking an outpouring of funding for evangelization efforts around the world. Other missionaries continued their work with the Huaorani, eventually leading to the conversion of many, including some of the killers of the men. While largely eliminating tribal violence, their efforts exposed the tribe to exploitation and increased influence from the outside. This has caused Huaorani culture to begin to disappear, but anthropologists argue over the ultimate effect—some negatively view the missionary work as cultural imperialism, while others contend that the influence has been beneficial for the tribe.

(More...)

Requesting January 8, 2007, the 51st anniversary of the attack. Selfnom. --Spangineer[es] (háblame) 13:16, 5 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Enceladus (moon)

Enceladus is the sixth-largest moon of Saturn, and was discovered in 1789 by William Herschel. Until the two Voyager spacecraft and Pioneer 11 passed near it in the early 1980s, very little was known about this small moon. The Voyagers revealed a young, reflective surface, in contrast to the more ancient surface of nearby Mimas. The Cassini spacecraft, during several close flybys in 2005, revealed the moon's geologically-complex surface in greater detail. The probe also discovered a water-rich plume venting from the moon's south polar region, a tectonically-deformed area with very few impact craters. Enceladus is one of only three outer solar system bodies (along with Jupiter's moon Io (moon) and Neptune's moon Triton) where active eruptions have been observed. Analysis of the outgassing suggests that it originates from a body of sub-surface liquid water, which along with the unique chemistry found in the plume, has fueled speculations that Enceladus may be important in the study of astrobiology. Material from this plume has also been found to be the primary source of Saturn's diffuse E ring. (More...)

Self-nom: Recently elevated to FA status. No specific date requested. --Volcanopele 22:14, 2 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Battle of Smolensk (1943)

The second Battle of Smolensk (7 August, 1943 – 2 October, 1943), also known as the Smolensk Operation and Operation Suvorov, was a major World War II Red Army offensive in western Russia, staged almost simultaneously with the Battle of Dnieper. The two-month offensive led by Generals Andrei Yeremenko and Vasily Sokolovsky was aimed at clearing the German presence from the Smolensk and Bryansk regions. Smolensk had been under German occupation since the first Battle of Smolensk in 1941. Despite an impressive German defense setup, the Red Army was able to stage several breakthroughs, liberating several major cities including Smolensk and Roslavl, and moving into occupied Belorussia. The battle was also important for its effect on the Battle of Dnieper. It has been estimated that as many as 55 German divisions were committed to counter the Smolensk Operation — divisions that were critical for preventing Soviet troops from crossing the Dnieper in the south. Additionally, the operation allowed the Red Army to repulse German forces definitively from the Smolensk landbridge, historically the most important approach for an attack on Moscow from the west. (More...)

No specific date requested. -- Grafikm (AutoGRAF) 16:04, 1 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, Michigan is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat for Wayne County. The city is located on the Detroit River, north of Windsor, Ontario. Established in 1701 by French fur traders, it is the center of an industrial area in the American Rust Belt. Today it is known as the world's traditional automotive center and an important source of popular music—legacies celebrated by the city's two familiar nicknames, Motor City and Motown. As of 2004, Detroit ranked as the United States' 11th most populous city with 900,198 residents; this is half of the peak population it boasted in the 1950s, and Detroit leads the nation in terms of declining urban population. Detroit's crime rate has created international notoriety and a tarnished reputation. The city continues to struggle with the burdens of racial disharmony between itself and its suburban neighbors, and an antiquated economy. In the 1990s and 2000s the city experienced a moderate revival with the construction of the Compuware headquarters and three gambling casinos, amid budget shortfalls and cuts in city services.

Recently elevated, no specific date requested. This is a product of Wikipedia:WikiProject Michigan. Jtmichcock 11:47, 31 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Chew Valley

The Chew Valley is an area in North Somerset, England, named after the River Chew. Technically, the area of the valley is bounded by the water catchment area of the Chew and its tributaries; however, the name Chew Valley is often used less formally to cover other nearby areas, for example, Blagdon Lake and its environs, which by a stricter definition are part of the Yeo Valley. The valley is an area of rich arable and dairy farmland, interspersed with a number of villages.

The landscape consists of the valley of the River Chew and is generally low-lying and undulating. The valley's boundary generally follows the top of scarp slopes except at the southwestern and southeastern boundaries where flat upper areas of the Chew Valley grade gently into the Yeo Valley and eastern Mendip Hills respectively. The River Chew was dammed in the 1950s to create Chew Valley Lake, which provides drinking water for the nearby city of Bristol and surrounding areas. The lake is a prominent landscape feature of the valley, a focus for recreation, and is internationally recognised for its nature conservation interest, because of the bird species, plants and insects.

The area falls into the domains of several councils including: Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and Mendip. Some of the area falls within the Mendip Hills AONB. Most of the undeveloped area is within the Bristol/Bath Green Belt. Many of the villages date back to the time of the Domesday Book and there is evidence of human occupation since the Stone age. There are hundreds of listed buildings with many of the churches being Grade I listed.More

nomination Rod 07:59, 31 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Indian Institutes of Technology

The Indian Institutes of Technology or IITs, are a group of seven autonomous engineering and technology-oriented institutes of higher education established and declared as Institutes of National Importance by the Government of India. These institutes were created to train scientists and engineers to develop a skilled workforce with the aim of bolstering India's economic and social development after independence in 1947. The students and alumni of IITs are colloquially referred to as IITians. The first IIT was established at Kharagpur in 1951, followed by similar establishments at Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur, Delhi, Guwahati and Roorkee. Although each IIT is an autonomous university, they are linked through a common IIT Council to oversee their administration. They have a common admission process, using the Joint Entrance Examination (popularly known as IIT-JEE) to select around 4,000 candidates. About 15,500 undergraduate and 12,000 graduate students study in the seven IITs in addition to research scholars. Many IITians have achieved success in a variety of professions, resulting in the establishment of the widely recognised IIT Brand. (more...)

nomination Rama's Arrow 04:58, 31 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a political and social leader of India and its struggle for independence, and guided its political integration to a united, independent nation. Raised in the countryside of Gujarat, Patel was a self-educated and successful Gujarati lawyer when he was inspired by the work and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. Patel organized the peasants of Kheda, Borsad, and Bardoli in Gujarat in non-violent civil disobedience against oppressive policies imposed by the British Raj, and organized the Quit India struggle in 1942 on an all-India scale. As the first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of India, Patel organized relief efforts for refugees in Punjab and Delhi, and took charge of the task to forge a united India from the 565 semi-autonomous princely states and colonial-era provinces and possessions. Using frank diplomacy backed with the option (and the use) of military action, Patel's leadership enabled the accession of almost every princely state. He is hailed for his strategic use of military force to bring Junagadh and Hyderabad into the union, and for swiftly organizing the Indian intervention in Jammu and Kashmir. Patel is widely revered in India, bearing the popular mantle of being the Iron Man of India. (more...)

self-nomination Dates like August 15, October 31 (Sardar Jayanti: Patel's B-Day) or January 26 are cool. Rama's Arrow 04:58, 31 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Thrasybulus

Thrasybulus (Greek: Θρασύβουλος; d. 388 BC) was an Athenian general and democratic leader. In 411 BC, in the wake of an oligarchic coup at Athens, the pro-democracy sailors at Samos elected him as a general, making him a primary leader of the successful democratic resistance to that coup. As general, he was responsible for recalling the controversial nobleman Alcibiades from exile, and the two worked together extensively over the next several years. In 411 and 410, Thrasybulus commanded along with Alcibiades and others at several critical Athenian naval victories.

After Athens' defeat in the Peloponnesian War, Thrasybulus led the democratic resistance to the new oligarchic government, known as the Thirty Tyrants, that the victorious Spartans imposed on Athens. In 404 BC, he commanded a small force of exiles that invaded Attica and, in successive battles, defeated first a Spartan garrison and then the forces of the oligarchics. In the wake of these victories, democracy was reestablished at Athens. As a leader of this revived democracy in the 4th century BC, Thrasybulus advocated a policy of resistance to Sparta and sought to restore Athens' imperial power. He was killed in 388 BC while leading an Athenian naval force in the Corinthian War.

Made FA a few months ago. Whenever is convenient to put it on the front page works. Self nomination--RobthTalk 01:19, 28 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Corinthian War

The Corinthian War (395 BC–387 BC) was an ancient Greek military conflict between Sparta and four allied states, Thebes, Athens, Corinth, and Argos, which were initially backed by Persia. The immediate cause of the war was a local conflict in northwest Greece in which both Thebes and Sparta intervened. The deeper cause, however, was hostility towards Sparta provoked by that city's unilateral domination of Greek politics in the nine years after the end Peloponnesian War.

The war was fought on two fronts, on land near Corinth and Thebes and at sea in the Aegean. On land, the Spartans achieved several early successes in major battles, but were unable to capitalize on their advantage, and the fighting soon became stalemated. At sea, the Spartan fleet was decisively defeated by a Persian fleet early in the war, an event which effectively ended Sparta's attempts to become a naval power. Taking advantage of this fact, Athens launched several naval campaigns in the later years of the war, recapturing a number of islands that had been part of the original Athenian Empire during the 5th century.

Alarmed by these Athenian successes, the Persians stopped backing the allies and began supporting Sparta. This defection forced the allies to seek peace. The Peace of Antalcidas, commonly known as the King's Peace, was signed in 387 BC, ending the war. This treaty declared that Persia would control all of Ionia, and that all other Greek cities would be independent. Sparta was to be the guardian of the peace, with the power to enforce its clauses. The effects of the war, therefore, were to establish Persia's ability to interfere successfully in Greek politics and to affirm Sparta's hegemonic position in the Greek political system.

Another self nomination, from slightly more recently. Again, whenever it fits in is good (although it obviously needs separation from the one above to prevent people from getting sick and tired of Ancient Greece). --RobthTalk 01:19, 28 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Hmm, a good article for the main page, namely for the dramatic picture. Elle vécut heureuse à jamais (Be eudaimonic!) 20:24, 28 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Ina Garten

Ina Garten (born February 2, 1948) is a chef, former caterer, cookbook author, columnist, and hostess of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa. Known for demystifying fine cuisine with an emphasis on quality ingredients and timesaving tips, she has been championed by the likes of Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, and Patricia Wells as a top authority on cooking and home entertaining.

Garten had no formal training, and instead taught herself culinary techniques with the aid of French and New England cookbooks. Later, she relied on intuition and feedback from customers and friends to refine her recipes. She was mentored chiefly by Eli Zabar, of Eli's Manhattan and Eli's Breads fame, and domestic maven Stewart. Among her hallmark dishes are cœur à la crème, celery root remoulade, pear clafouti, and a simplified version of bœuf bourguignon. Her culinary fame began with her gourmet food store, Barefoot Contessa; Garten parlayed this success into a string of bestselling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded convenience foods, and a popular Food Network television show. (More...)

Semi-recent FA, no specific date requested. Fun topic, don't think we've had a chef/cuisine personality FP'd before. Thanks for consideration. :) Air.dance 20:15, 25 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Some older FAs...

...are still holding up reasonably well. Please can I request:

  • Hereditary peer (interior image of the House of Lords should do)
  • ASCII (the image of the 95 characters is quite striking)
  • Olympic Games
  • Igor Stravinsky (29 May would be great, as that is the anniversary of the first performance of the Rite of Spring, but I appreciate that it is very close and we would have to bumb Pakistan a few days - perhaps we should use it to replace Muhammad Ali Jinnah on 7 June?)
    • I'm going to reject this request. Changing things once scheduled is a big pain in the ass so I avoid doing it unless there's a more substantive reason. Raul654 22:05, 25 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
      • Is there paperwork we don't know about? ; ) Highway Rainbow Sneakers 22:13, 25 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
        • Changing an article means that all three subsequent days have to be changed as well; swapping two that are already scheduled is harder (especially if they are within 4 days of each other). The whole thing is time consuming and *very* easy to screw up. Raul654 22:15, 25 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • Quatermass and the Pit

I would request Privy Council of the United Kingdom too, but it has no images.

Some others have been languishing below for a few months, so can I request them too:

Other than Stravinsky, no specific dates. -- ALoan (Talk) 13:19, 24 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The queue is backed up til June 9 (grumbles that Bulbasaur will languish forever), so Igor can't make it then. I do like Stravinsky (I like The Firebird I should say), he definitely deserves a spot in the limelight. Concerning Privy Council of the United Kingdom, could we use the Queen Victoria image or the coat of arms? If you want me to convert these into boxes, I'd be happy. (I also linked your second list to their respective requests). Cheers, Highway Rainbow Sneakers 17:21, 25 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
And #Three Laws of Robotics is being red-flagged for referencing issues, and may be up for FARC, so it probably won't be on the front page soon. Highway Rainbow Sneakers 17:22, 25 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]
As per Talk:Three Laws of Robotics, these issues seem to be pretty well wrapped up. Anville 02:50, 6 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Chola dynasty

The Chola dynasty (Tamil: சோழர் குலம் was a Tamil dynasty that ruled primarily in southern India until the 13th century CE. The dynasty originated in the fertile valley of the Kaveri River. Territories under their domain stretched from the islands of Maldives in the south to as far north as the banks of the river Ganges in Bengal. The dynasty was at the height of its power during the tenth and the eleventh centuries. Under Rajaraja Chola I (Rajaraja the Great) and his son Rajendra Chola, the dynasty rose as a military, economic and cultural power in Asia. The legacy of Chola rule has lasted in the region through modern times. Their patronage of Tamil literature and their zeal in building temples have resulted in some great works of Tamil architecture and poetry. The Chola kings were avid builders and envisioned the temples in their kingdoms not only as places of worship, but also as centres of economic activity, benefiting their entire community. They pioneered a centralised form of government and established a disciplined bureaucracy. (More...)

nominated by Rama's Arrow 04:53, 21 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Alpha Phi Alpha

ΑΦΑ Pledge Line
ΑΦΑ Pledge Line

Alpha Phi Alpha (ΑΦΑ) Fraternity is generally recognized as the first intercollegiate Greek letter fraternity established by African Americans. Founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, the fraternity has initiated over 125,000 men into the organization. Alpha has declared 2006 the beginning of its "Centennial Era" to celebrate its first 100 years. The student founders are collectively known as the Seven Jewels and they swiftly expanded the fraternity. Today there are over 700 Alpha chapters in the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the West Indies.

The national organization has established a number of community programs and combined its resources with other organizations on philanthropic projects. Some fraternity initiatives include the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. The memorial, which Congress authorized in 1996 with Public Law 104-333, has been beset by problems, including a request from the King Family in 2001 for licensing fees. Other Alpha sponsored programs are "Go To High School, Go To College" and "A Voteless People Is a Hopeless People" programs. Alpha members have included former Jamaican Prime Minister and Rhodes Scholar Norman Manley, Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King, Jr., former U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Olympian Jesse Owens, Justice Thurgood Marshall, Atlanta, Georgia Mayors Andrew Young and Maynard Jackson.

Recently promoted to FA status. I believe an appropriate date would coincide with the 100th anniversary celebrations happening July 25-30, 2006. Jtmichcock 04:26, 13 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Genesis (band)

Genesis is a Grammy Award winning English progressive rock band formed in 1967. The band's notable former members include Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, both of whom achieved additional success as solo artists and in other ventures. With approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide, Genesis is one of the top 30 highest selling recording artists of all time. Hallmarks of the band's music during this period included the 23-minute long "Supper's Ready" and the 1974 concept album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. In the 1980s and beyond, their music took a distinct turn towards pop, becoming considerably more hook-oriented and more accessible to the musical mainstream. This change of musical direction gave them their first UK #1 album, Duke, as well as their only US #1 single, "Invisible Touch".

Initially led by Peter Gabriel, Genesis has experienced several personnel changes over the years. Collins took over from Gabriel after the latter's departure from the group in 1975. After nearly two decades of being the band's frontman, Collins left the group in 1996 and was replaced by former Stiltskin singer Ray Wilson for the 1997 album Calling All Stations. Wilson was released from the group in 1998 following the disappointing sales of the new album. After three decades of activity, the band announced that it was on an indefinite hiatus.(More...)

This is a self nom for Genesis (FA as of 4/30). No specific date requested. Thanks AreJay 03:31, 1 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]


The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask game cover

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Japanese: ゼルダの伝説: ムジュラの仮面, Zeruda no Densetsu: Mujura [Mujula] no Kamen) is a video game for the Nintendo 64. It debuted in Japan on April 27 2000, in Canada and the United States on October 24 2000, and in Europe on November 17 2000. The game sold 314,000 copies during its first week of sales in Japan and went on to sell approximately three million copies worldwide.

Majora's Mask is the sixth release in The Legend of Zelda series and the second 3D release in the series. Although it failed to match the sales success of its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask features a broader storyline. The protagonist Link is placed in the land of Termina, rather than the usual Hyrule. A mysterious mask-wearing imp, known as the Skull Kid, has been persuading the moon to abandon its orbit and crash into Termina. The player repeatedly lives three days through time travel in order to prevent this catastrophe. Majora's Mask has been cited as the darkest game in the Zelda series to date, largely due to its plot leading up to an impending apocalypse. (More...)

Article was nominated by Cuivienen back on January 4. Been bothering me since I have seen FA's on the main page that were nominated in March (to me it seems it has been ages since I saw this on FAC) If possible, would like this to appear in mid-May. Thunderbrand 03:02, 30 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]



Virtuti Militari

Virtuti Militari
Virtuti Militari

The Virtuti Militari (Latin: "For Military Virtue") is Poland's highest military decoration for valor in the face of the enemy. Foreign decorations equivalent to the Virtuti Militari include United Kindgdom's Victoria Cross and the United States' Medal of Honor. It is awarded either for personal heroisim or sometimes to commanders representing their units.

Awarded in five classes, the order was created in 1792 by Poland's King Stanisław August Poniatowski. Soon after its introduction, however, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was destroyed (1795) in the partitions of Poland, and the partitioning powers abolished the decoration and prohibited its wearing. Since then, it has been reintroduced, renamed and banned several times, with its fate closely reflecting the vicissitudes of the Polish people. Throughout the decoration's existence, thousands of soldiers and officers, Polish and foreign, several cities and one ship have been awarded the Virtuti Militari for valor or outstanding leadership in war. There have been no new awards since 1989. (More...)

The date of showcasing does not matter. Brisvegas 11:05, 26 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Manchester City F.C.

Manchester City Football Club is a football club based in Manchester, United Kingdom. Formed in 1880 as West Gorton (St. Marks), they went on to become Ardwick A.F.C. in 1887 before finally becoming Manchester City F.C. in 1894. The club have won the League Championship twice, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice and the European Cup Winners Cup once. Manchester City's most successful period came in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when they acquired several trophies under the management team of Joe Mercer and assistant Malcolm Allison.

In more recent years, the club have fallen on harder times, and have not won a major honour since 1976. The club's decline culminated in getting relegated twice in three years in the 1990s, meaning City spent one year in the third tier of English football. However, they have since regained their FA Premier League status, putting them back in the top flight, the division in which they have spent most of their history. Despite being often overshadowed by the success of local rivals Manchester United, City enjoy a large fanbase, regularly attracting more than 40,000 fans to their home ground, the City of Manchester Stadium.


Kargil War

Kargil Bofors
Kargil Bofors

The Kargil War also known as the Kargil conflict, was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between April and June 1999 in Kashmir. The cause of the war was the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants into positions on the Indian side of the Line of Control, which serves as the de facto border between the two nations. Pakistan blamed the fighting entirely on independent Kashmiri insurgents; however, documents left behind by casualties and later statements by Pakistan's Prime Minister and Army Chief showed involvement of Pakistani paramilitary forces. The Indian Army, supported by the air force, attacked the Pakistani positions and, with international diplomatic support, eventually forced a Pakistani withdrawal across the Line of Control (LoC).

The war is one of the most recent examples of high altitude warfare, in mountainous terrain, and posed significant logistics problems for the combating sides. This was the first ground war between the two nuclear armed countries. (More...)

This article became FA 2 months ago and has been a selected article on the India Portal. It's a pretty informative article too. Anytime soon would be good, as the war begun early May. So it would be around this time of year. Nobleeagle (Talk) 05:26, 17 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Eric A. Havelock

Detail of a vase painted with the Greek alphabet
Detail of a vase painted with the Greek alphabet

Eric Alfred Havelock (June 3, 1903 – April 4, 1988) was a British classicist. Most of his life was spent in Canada and the United States. He was a professor at the University of Toronto and was active in the academic wing of the Canadian socialist movement during the 1930s. In the 1960s and '70s, he served as chair of the classics departments at both Harvard and Yale. Although he was trained in the turn-of-the-century Oxbridge tradition of classical studies, which saw Greek intellectual history as an unbroken chain of related ideas, Havelock broke radically with his own teachers and proposed an entirely new model for understanding the classical world, based on a sharp division between literature of the 6th and 5th centuries BC on the one hand, and the 4th on the other.

Much of Havelock's work was devoted to a single thesis: that all of Western thought is informed by a profound shift in the kinds of ideas available to the human mind at the point that Greek philosophy converted from an oral to a literate form. He and Walter J. Ong essentially founded the amorphous field that studies transitions from orality to literacy, and Havelock has been one of the most frequently cited theorists in that field. His influence has spread beyond the study of the classical world to that of analogous transitions in other times and places. (More...)

This image is a detail of the one that leads the article, and seems better for this purpose. The book cover might be more expected but of course is fair use. For discussion of why there is no photograph of the subject, see Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Eric A. Havelock. Chick Bowen 04:01, 17 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Denis Law

Denis Law (seated) signing for Manchester United in 1962.
Denis Law (seated) signing for Manchester United in 1962.

Denis Law (seated, born February 24 1940, in Aberdeen, Scotland) is a retired Scottish football player, who enjoyed a long and successful career as a striker from the 1950s to the 1970s.

After four years at Huddersfield Town, Manchester City signed him for a transfer fee of £55,000, setting a new British record. Law spent one year there before Torino bought him for £110,000, this time setting a new record fee for a transfer between an English and an Italian club. Although he played well in Italy, he found it difficult to settle there and signed for Manchester United in 1962, setting another British record transfer fee of £115,000.

Law is best known for the eleven years that he spent at Manchester United, where he won the prestigious European Footballer of the Year award and helped his club win the First Division in 1965 and 1967. Law left Manchester United in 1973 and returned to Manchester City for a season, then represented Scotland in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Law played for Scotland a total of 55 times and jointly holds the Scottish international record goal tally with 30 goals. (More...)

This was promoted months ago, but I've only just got around to listing it on here. Would love to see it on the front page and it's been a while since we had a football article there. CTOAGN (talk) 18:26, 16 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]


History of Michigan State University

The history of Michigan State University (MSU) dates back to 1855, when the Michigan Legislature established the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan. As the first agricultural college in the United States, the school served as a prototype for future Land Grant institutions under the Morrill Act enacted during Abraham Lincoln's presidential administration. The school's first class graduated in 1861 right after the onset of the American Civil War. In 1870, the College became co-educational with home economics for women students. The school admitted its first African American student in 1899. During this period, the school established "Farmers' Institutes" as a means of reaching out to the state's agricultural community and informing the membership of developments in agricultural science; the program gradually became the MSU Extension Services.

After World War II, the college gained admission to the Big Ten Conference, joining the rival University of Michigan, and grew to become one of the largest educational institutions in the United States. During the Vietnam War, the school was a hotbed of anti-war protests. In more recent years, MSU has worked on improving its academic reputation, though a series of student riots in the late 1990s has made this task more difficult. Nevertheless, MSU's current president has stated that a renewed focus on biotechnology research and residential college learning would make the university a new model for America's Land Grant institutions.

Recently promoted to Feature Article status, the article is a production of Wikipedia:WikiProject Michigan. No specific date is requested. Jtmichcock 12:45, 27 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur is one of the 395 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the $15 billion Pokémon franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. CNN refers to Bulbasaur and its later evolutions as “the Carmen Miranda of Pokémon figures” due to the “increasingly exotic foliage on its head” as it evolves and, according to Time magazine, Bulbasaur was considered one of the “lead critters” in the original series. Bulbasaur is one of the first Pokémon a player can obtain in the first of the series’s video games, Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue. Bulbasaur also appears often in the Pokémon anime.

In every version of the Pokémon series, Bulbasaur is a vaguely reptilian-looking creature that moves on all fours. It is small and squat, and has a light blue-green body coloration with darker blue-green spots. The artwork design of Bulbasaur was created by Ken Sugimori for its 1996 debut in the Pokémon video games, and has since remained unchanged. (More...)
Submitted by --Celestianpower háblame 13:33, 12 March 2006 (UTC). This was recently promoted and I feel the only day it could be featured on the Main Page is April Fools (April 1st). A lot of work was put into it and I'd like to see it on the Main Page. What do others think? --Celestianpower háblame 13:33, 12 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
It can be featured on any day, not just April 1st. Why should Bulbasaur have to be featured on April Fool's Day when Wario was fine on October 11th, Holy Prepuce on September 14th, Japanese toilet on November 10th, and Joshua A. Norton on April 3rd? Picking a deliberately unusual article for April 1st will do nothing but demonstrate and highlight one of Wikipedia's many systemic biases (that it considers certain topics "absurd" or "pranks" despite considering them some of Wikipedia's best work and worthy of in-depth articles) and confuse or annoy users who (rightly) don't understand why "Bulbasaur" necessitates an April Fool's Day appearance. It's "April Fool's Day", not "April Cruft's Day", and there's nothing about the creature itself or its contents that has anything whatsoever to do with jokes, humor, or pranks, so to qualify it as such is to violate Wikipedia's NPOV and NOR rules (in saying "this article is a funny joke" without citing sources to support this claim) in terms of mainpage-placement. -Silence 15:31, 12 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I agree. Johnleemk | Talk 15:55, 12 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Okay, I just thought that that was the only day that it would be allowed to be Main Paged - I don't mind in the least it being another day. --Celestianpower háblame 17:13, 12 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Nah, any day of the year will be fine. If Mario characters can be main-paged anyday, why not Pokemon ones? However, putting Bulbasaur on the main page should certainly wait until after its FARCship is resolved. -Silence 21:21, 12 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Tensions are running high over this article, so I'm going to let this one sit fallow for a while. Raul654 22:32, 12 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
If you put it on April 1st, a lot of people will think this article is not FA, and it's indeed a fake. That's counterintuitive to your goals, isn't it. Same for spoo. Give me a break. Temporary account 21:15, 15 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
..*laughs at cel* I just came here to ask about this : P. I see where you're coming from, Bulbasaur as an FA is incredibly controversial for some, and I believe someone actually used the line in the FA dispute "The day Bulbasaur is on the main page is the day I leave Wikipedia". I support Bulby being on the main page! Highway 19:57, 19 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I was less than optimistic about this article being featured, but now that its featured I see no problem with it being on the main page. May I suggest that the two paragraphs above be combined into one to reduce the whitespace. savidan(talk) (e@) 23:52, 27 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The Illuminatus! Trilogy

The Illuminatus! Trilogy is a series of three novels written by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson primarily between 1969 and 1971. The trilogy is a satirical, postmodern, science fiction-influenced adventure story; a drug- and sex-laden trek through a number of conspiracy theories, both historical and imaginary, which hinge around the authors' version of the Illuminati. They were first published starting in September 1975, as three separate volumes, and in 1984 as an omnibus; they are now more commonly reprinted in the latter form. The trilogy won the Prometheus Hall of Fame Award, designed to honor classic libertarian fiction, in 1986. Illuminatus! has been adapted for the stage, and has influenced several modern writers, musicians and games-makers. The popularity of the word "fnord" and the 23 enigma can both be attributed to the trilogy. It remains a seminal work of conspiracy fiction, predating Foucault's Pendulum and The Da Vinci Code by decades. (More...)

Submitted by Zzzzz 11:25, 12 March 2006 (UTC). The importance of the numbers '5' and '23' to the trilogy suggest 5 June or 23 June would be the best dates.[reply]

Er, why June? Rich Farmbrough 10:56 26 May 2006 (UTC).
2x3=6, 6=June. Isn't numerology great ;) DCAnderson 04:29, 9 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Malwa

main
Malwa (Malvi:माळवा) is a region in western India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin in the western part of Madhya Pradesh state and the south-eastern part of Rajasthan. The region had been a separate political unit from the time of the Aryan tribe of Malavas until 1947. The plateau that forms a large part of the region is named the Malwa Plateau, after the region. Most of the region is drained by the Chambal River and its tributaries; the western part is drained by the Mahi River. Ujjain was the capital in ancient times, and Indore is presently the largest city. The culture of the region has had influences from Gujarati, Rajasthani and Marathi cultures. Malvi is the most commonly used language, especially in rural areas, while Hindi is widely understood in cities. The first significant kingdom in the region was Avanti, an important power in western India by around 500 BCE, when it was annexed by the Maurya empire. The fifth-century Gupta period was a golden age in the history of Malwa. The region has given the world prominent leaders in the arts and sciences, including the poet Kalidasa and the polymath king Bhoj.(More...)

- nominated by Rama's Arrow 16:48, 10 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Memory Alpha

Memory Alpha is a collaborative project to create the most definitive, accurate and accessible encyclopedic reference for topics related to the Star Trek fictional universe. Conceived by Harry Doddema and Dan Carlson in September 2003 and officially launched on December 5 of that year, it uses the wiki model and is hosted by Wikia on the MediaWiki software. As of 2006, Memory Alpha contains over 17,000 articles in its English edition alone, making it one of the largest wiki projects [1]. Other editions include Dutch, Esperanto, French, German, Polish and Swedish. However, the project uses the Creative Commons non-commercial license, which forbids commercial reuse, making it incompatible with the most common wiki license, the GFDL. This distinction makes Memory Alpha a "sister project" of the GFDL-based Wikicities, the Wikia project which hosts the site. (More...)

No special requests for a date, but when/if this is slated for a future date, perhaps someone could notify me on my MA talk page. I neglect Wikipedia sometimes and would like to know ahead of time so I can 'rally the troops' in case of increased vandal attacks on that day. I also have a particularly comprehensive article in mind for the Article of the Week when that day comes around. --Vedek Dukat Talk 21:47, 26 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Should this ever be on the front page? This sounds like Wikipedia endorsing another Wiki, and it seems like it would do nothing but lower Wikipedia's credibility for 24 hours. rspeer / ɹəədsɹ 17:10, 6 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
I'd be lying if I said free publicity didn't affect my decision to make this request, but I don't think there's that much of a difference between an article about MA and one about another product or website. The fact that it's a wiki seems like a good thing since it shows the format can be used for a variety of purposes, and this submission certainly reads a lot less like an advertisement than this request did. However, I'm glad your objection was based on the fact that it's a wiki rather than the content of the article/lead-in or subject; if being a wiki disqualifies Memory Alpha, so be it (though I disagree), as long as we maintain that standard for other articles. --Vedek Dukat Talk 17:13, 10 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Being a Wiki is a reason we should put this on the main page, even though you might say it's not the most encyclopedic topic. Rondack 22:42, 17 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

  • No, being a Wiki is a reason we shouldn't put this on the main page (at least not for a very long time), because it demonstrates Wikipedia's deep and pervasive biases towards topics directly related to Wikipedia! It would be like the Encyclopedia Britannica article saying its "Encyclopedia Britannica" article is one of the best it has (or even worse, that a marginally-noteworthy derivative work of Britannica is one of its best, which is a better analogy for this situation): it would show that Britannica is deeply distorted by its editors' biases and that it's not reliable as a reference tool for all encyclopedic topics, just for topics that are already important to Britannica.
  • I'm not disputing that it's a very good article, but Wikipedia shouldn't go out of its way to highlight its systemic biases, much less encourage them! This is exactly the reason that Wikipedia itself, despite having been a Featured Articlee for a very, very long time, has never appeared on the main page—and Wikipedia is hundreds of times more noteworthy than Memory Alpha! (For the same reason, we wouldn't put Jimmy Wales on the main page even if that article was featured.) There's absolutely no reason we shouldn't FA high-quality articles that are noteworthy enough to have distinct articles, but only barely so, but to put such a Featured Article on the main page is a very different matter. Featuring an article is a matter of recognizing exceptional content completely regardless of the subject matter, whereas main-page featuring is a matter of picking articles that will make Wikipedia look good, and subject matter is very important to consider (which, for example, is why we don't feature articles on a very similar subject matter in succession, like a whole week of mathematics articles). Consequently, I oppose having this featured on the main page. -Silence 06:12, 18 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
  • When you put it that way, you're absolutely right. I hadn't considered the "big picture" I suppose. You're also right about the cycling, which reminds me of the way Memory Alpha has been cycling the Article of the Week so as to avoid focusing on a particular series. In any case, at least our article does us justice (although we're not a derivative work - or at least try not to be :P). Request withdrawn. --Vedek Dukat Talk 03:22, 20 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Well, that's extremely reasonable of you. You just brightened up my day; thanks! Usually I'm reluctant to go back and read responses after I disagree with someone, because often it leads to a fight. :) I'm very glad you agree, and I hope that someday this article is a good idea to put on the main page (preferably when Memory Alpha has appeared in more high-profile, reputable sources such as news organizations, so there's relatively little chance of Wikipedia being accused of bias or advertising by putting such an article on the main page) so that the hard work that went into it can be fully highlighted. And I apologize for the "derivative work" comment; no offense was meant! :) Good luck to you in your work on both Wikipedia and Memory Alpha! Ta. -Silence 05:43, 21 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
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