Wikipedia:Main Page history/2021 May 28b

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From today's featured article

An ovary about to release an egg

The menstrual cycle is a series of natural changes in hormone production and the structures of the uterus and ovaries of the human female reproductive system that make pregnancy possible. Naturally occurring hormones drive two concurrent and coordinated cycles that last about 28 days. The ovarian cycle controls the production and release of eggs and the release of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The uterine cycle governs the preparation and maintenance of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to receive a fertilized egg. Menstruation, a "period" in common parlance, begins on day one of the cycle, and lasts for about five days. Around day fourteen, an egg is usually released from the ovary. Estrogen stimulates the uterus lining to thicken to accommodate an embryo should fertilization occur. If implantation does not occur, the lining is released during menstruation. Menarche (the first period) usually occurs around age twelve, and menstrual cycles usually continue for 30–45 years until menopause. (Full article...)

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USS LST-1081

... that the World War II tank landing ship USS LST-1081 (pictured) was brought back into service with the US Navy because of the Korean War?
... that Finnish politician Maija Perho encouraged future president Sauli Niinistö to join the National Coalition Party in the 1960s?
... that the main menu for the 2006 video game Curious George looked so simple that a reviewer thought he had an unfinished version of the game?
... that Luke Bond, the organist for a royal wedding and a royal funeral at Windsor Castle, played Poulenc's Organ Concerto in Cape Town?
... that modern art in Sudan was suppressed from the 1980s until its revival in the Sudanese Revolution?
... that Charles Strum, the obituaries editor of The New York Times, seldom employed the terms "first" or "last" in an obituary to avoid issues with contradictory stories?
... that, on arriving at Mecca with a pilgrim caravan, the mahmal was given an elaborate fabric covering?
... that camping is prohibited at Reynolds Wayside Campground?

In the news

Naomi Mataʻafa

The district court of The Hague orders Royal Dutch Shell to cut its global carbon emissions by 45 per cent by the end of 2030.
In Mali, President Bah Ndaw, his prime minister and his defence minister are arrested by the army in a coup d'état.
A makeshift ceremony is held to swear in Naomi Mataʻafa (pictured) as Prime Minister of Samoa after she and her party are locked out of parliament.
At least fourteen people are killed in a mass shooting by the Militarized Communist Party of Peru in San Miguel del Ene.

On this day

May 28: Republic Day in Armenia (1918); Republic Day in Azerbaijan (1918)

The Last Supper

621 – Tang forces led by Li Shimin defeated and captured Dou Jiande at the Battle of Hulao in the civil war that followed the collapse of the Sui dynasty.
1644 – English Civil War: Royalist troops stormed and captured the Parliamentarian stronghold of Bolton, leading to a massacre of defenders and local residents.
1901 – Mozaffar ad-Din, Shah of Persia, granted exclusive rights to prospect for oil in the country to William Knox D'Arcy.
1937 – The rise of Neville Chamberlain culminated with his accession as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
1999 – After 21 years of restoration work, Leonardo da Vinci's mural painting The Last Supper (pictured), in Milan, Italy, was returned to display.

Joseph-Ignace Guillotin (b. 1738)
Carroll Baker (b. 1931)
Ekaterina Gordeeva (b. 1971)

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Map of countries and territories with current and former Taiwanese diplomatic missions

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, has 112 diplomatic missions across the world as of December 2020. Due to the One-China policy, other countries are only allowed to maintain relations with either Taiwan or the mainland-based People's Republic of China. As most countries have changed their recognition to the latter over time, only 17 of Taiwan's diplomatic missions have official status, consisting of fifteen embassies and two consulate-generals. Despite these barriers, 57 United Nations members maintain relations with Taiwan on an unofficial basis. To serve these locations and other places throughout the world, 92 semi-official representative offices are utilized for matters that would otherwise be handled by embassies or consulates. Taiwan has established informal representation in China's two special administrative regions as well. In Hong Kong, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong provides services similar to a consulate, while relations to Macau are handled by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macau. (Full list...)

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William Birney (May 28, 1819 – August 14, 1907) was a professor, Union Army general during the American Civil War, attorney, and author. An ardent abolitionist, he was one of three superintendents in charge of enlisting colored troops into the Union Army, and in that capacity organized seven regiments. After the war, he established a law practice in Washington, D.C., and after retiring, wrote profusely on religion and history, and authored a biography of his father, James G. Birney.

Photograph credit: unknown; restored by Adam Cuerden

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