Wikipedia:Main Page history/2016 March 31

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Tank Girl is a 1995 American science-fiction action-comedy film directed by Rachel Talalay. Based on the British post-apocalyptic comic series of the same name by Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett that was originally published in Deadline magazine, the film stars Lori Petty, Naomi Watts, Ice-T and Malcolm McDowell. Set in a drought-ravaged Australia after a catastrophic impact event, the story follows the antihero Tank Girl (Petty) as she, Jet Girl (Watts), and genetically modified supersoldiers called the Rippers fight "Water & Power", an oppressive corporation led by Kesslee (McDowell). Tank Girl was filmed primarily in White Sands, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona. The critically praised soundtrack was assembled by Courtney Love, and the Rippers' makeup and prosthetics team was headed by Stan Winston. The film recouped only about $6 million of its $25 million budget at the box office. Talalay blamed some of the film's negative reception on studio edits over which she had no control. Despite mixed to negative reviews, it has drawn a cult following, in part for its feminist themes. (Full article...)

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March 31: King Nangklao Memorial Day in Thailand; Cesar Chavez Day in various US states

• 627 – Muslim–Quraish Wars: A confederation of tribes began an ultimately unsuccessful siege of Yathrib (now Medina) against Muhammad and his army.
• 1146 – French abbot Bernard of Clairvaux preached a sermon to a crowd at Vézelay, with King Louis VII in attendance, urging the necessity of a Second Crusade.
• 1822 – Greek War of Independence: Ottoman troops began the massacre of over 20,000 Greeks on the island of Chios.
• 1942 – Second World War: Because of a mutiny by Indian soldiers against their British officers, Japanese troops captured Christmas Island without any resistance.
• 1964 – Brazilian Armed Forces led an overthrow of Brazilian President João Goulart (pictured) and established a military government that lasted for 21 years.

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Paysandisia archon is a large moth of the family Castniidae. Native to Uruguay and central Argentina, it has been accidentally introduced to Europe. Females are generally larger than males, and moths of both sexes fly by day. As with other members of their family, these moths are easily mistaken for butterflies.

Photograph: Didier Descouens

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