Wikipedia:Main Page history/2019 April 1

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From today's featured article

A medieval town under assault

The Siege of Aiguillon commenced on 1 April 1346 during the Hundred Years' War, when a French army commanded by John, Duke of Normandy, laid siege to the Gascon town of Aiguillon. The town, with strategic command of the rivers Garonne and Lot, was defended by Anglo-Gascon forces under Ralph, Earl of Stafford. The garrison, some 900 men, sortied repeatedly to interrupt the French operations, while Henry, Earl of Lancaster, concentrated the main Anglo-Gascon force at La Réole as a threat. Duke John, the son and heir of Philip VI, was never able to fully blockade the town. By August, the seriously harassed French supply lines had broken down, there was a dysentery epidemic in their camp, desertion was rife, and Philip was demanding that John's force join up with the main French army. On 20 August the French abandoned the siege and marched away. Six days later Philip's army was decisively beaten by the main English army in the Battle of Crécy, two weeks before John's force arrived in the north. (Full article...)

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Did you know...

The pedestal

... that a bronze statue co-created by Fiona Peever apparently stepped off its pedestal (pictured) and sat down on some nearby steps?
... that zombies can be arrested before they've even committed a crime?
... that not enough people entered Crinkley Bottom to keep it open?
... that Jesse James eliminated Warren G. Harding?
... that mobile mechanics were needed for the stationery service?
... that you're onto a winner if you can catch four sows with the Jaggl, Zanggl, and Buggl?
... that Bizzarro serves in the Connecticut senate?
... that a Genie and three Beavers recognized Young People Fucking?
... that the United States once sued 422 casks of wine, and the wine won?

In the news

Zuzana Čaputová

Zuzana Čaputová (pictured) is elected president of Slovakia, becoming the country's first female president and its youngest.
A Special Counsel investigation, headed by Robert Mueller, concludes and reports its findings to the United States Attorney General.
At least 160 people are killed in attacks against Fulani herdsmen in central Mali.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant loses its last territory in Syria following a defeat by the Syrian Democratic Forces and the U.S.-led coalition.

On this day

April 1: Iranian Islamic Republic Day

Hawker Siddeley Harrier taking off

1293 – Robert Winchelsey left England for Rome to be consecrated by the Pope, but the ceremony was delayed due to a papal vacancy.
1865 – American Civil War: The Union Army inflicted over 1,000 casualties on the Confederates in the Battle of Five Forks.
1947 – The main mutiny in a series of mutinies of the Royal New Zealand Navy began.
1969 – The Hawker Siddeley Harrier (pictured), the first operational fighter aircraft with V/STOL capabilities, entered service with the Royal Air Force.

Aimery of Cyprus (d. 1205) · Giuditta Pasta (d. 1865) · Henri Cochet (d. 1987)

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From today's featured list

1926 New York Yankees

Each season, one American League (AL) team wins the pennant, signifying that they are the league's champion and have the right to play in the World Series against the champion of the National League. The pennant was presented to the team with the best win–loss record each year through the 1968 season, after which the American League Championship Series (ALCS) was introduced to decide the pennant winner. In 1969, the league split into two divisions, and the teams with the best records in each division played one another in the five-game ALCS to determine the pennant winner, who received (and continues to receive) the William Harridge Trophy. The New York Yankees (1926 team pictured) have won 40 AL pennants. This total is more than twice that of the next-closest team, the Oakland Athletics, who have won 15. They are followed by the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers, with 14 and 11 pennants won respectively. (Full list...)

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Today's featured picture

Sir Nils Olav, colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian Army's King's Guard, inspects his troops in 2008. Olav was inducted into the army in 1972 with the rank of lance corporal, and has received a series of promotions since then as well as a knighthood. As of 2019 he holds the rank of brigadier. The name Nils Olav, and its associated ranks, have been used by three king penguins over the years, all resident at Edinburgh Zoo. The animal pictured is the second. His military insignia is attached to his flipper.

Photograph: Mark Owens

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