Wikipedia:Main Page history/2014 January 27

Crocodilia is an order of large, predatory, semi-aquatic reptiles. They appeared in the Late Cretaceous, and include true crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. Solidly built animals, they have long flattened snouts, eyes, ears, and nostrils at the top of the head and laterally compressed tails. Their skin is thick and covered in scales; they have conical teeth and a powerful bite. They swim well and can move quite rapidly on land. They are found mainly in lowlands in the tropics, but alligators are also found in the United States (American alligator pictured) and China. They are largely carnivorous; some specialise on fish while others have generalised diets. They are typically solitary and territorial. In some species, females care for their young. Eight species have attacked humans, the largest number of attacks being by the Nile crocodile. Crocodilian populations are threatened by habitat destruction and being hunted by humans, but farming the reptiles has reduced the unlawful trade in wild skins. They have appeared in art since at least Ancient Egypt. Tales of crocodile tears date to the 9th century, repeated by Sir John Mandeville in 1400 and William Shakespeare. (Full article...)

Recently featured: Douglas MacArthur – Elgin, Illinois, Centennial half dollar – Sudirman

From Wikipedia's new and recently improved content:

• ... that Albert Dubois-Pillet added the "Pillet" to his name when signing his paintings (example pictured) in an attempt to hide his art-related activities from the military?
• ... that the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, the oldest Protestant seminary in the United States, started in the New York City home of the Rev. John Henry Livingston in 1784?
• ... that the first four-part vocal work printed in the Americas was "Hanacpachap cussicuinin", published by Juan Pérez Bocanegra in the Quechua language?
• ... that Huna Totem Corporation is an Alaskan village corporation that has helped develop facilities for tourism in southeastern Alaska?
• ... that the Jammu–Sialkot railway line was permanently closed after the Partition of India?
• ... that Rufus P. Turner, who created some of the first transistor radios, became an English professor at age 52?
• ... that the star BX Circini is thought to have formed from the merger of two white dwarfs?

• The dwarf planet Ceres is observed to be releasing water vapour.
• Scientists in Brazil identify a new species of river dolphin.
• Amidst civil unrest, Catherine Samba-Panza is chosen as interim president of the Central African Republic.
• Ukrainian police clash with rioters (aftermath pictured) protesting against new anti-protest laws.
• Scientists measure the optical spectrum of ball lightning for the first time.
• Egypt approves a new constitution.
• Archaeologists discover the tombs of Sobekhotep I and the previously unknown Abydos Dynasty pharaoh, Seneb Kay.

Recent deaths: Claudio Abbado – Suchitra Sen – Hiroo Onoda

January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day; Holocaust Memorial Day in the United Kingdom

• 1343 – Pope Clement VI (cameo pictured) issued the papal bull Unigenitus to justify the power of the pope and the use of indulgences.
• 1785 – The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, one of the oldest public universities in the United States, was founded.
• 1944 – World War II: The Soviet Leningrad–Novgorod Offensive successfully lifted the Siege of Leningrad, 872 days after it began.
• 1967 – The Apollo 1 spacecraft was destroyed by fire at the Kennedy Space Center, killing astronauts Gus Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee.
• 1974 – The Brisbane River, which runs through the heart of Brisbane, broke its banks and flooded the surrounding areas.
• 2011 – Arab Spring: The Yemeni Revolution began as over 16,000 protestors demonstrated in Sana'a to demand governmental changes.

More anniversaries: January 26 – January 27 – January 28

{| style="margin:0 3px 3px; width:100%; text-align:center; background-color:transparent; border-collapse: collapse; padding:0.9em"

Recently featured: Australian House of Representatives – [[Template:POTD/2014-01-25|Taj Mahal at sunset

]] – [[Template:POTD/2014-01-24|Catopsilia pyranthe

]]