African River Martin (nom) by Jimfbleak. The African River Martin is a large swallow, mainly black with a blue-green gloss to the head and a greener tint to the back and wings. The main breeding areas are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo along the Congo River and its tributary, the Ubangi, in habitats characterised by mixed tropical forest types including swampy or seasonally flooded woodland in a part of Africa that is poorly known.
Siege of Constantinople (717–718) (nom) by Cplakidas. The Second Arab Siege of Constantinople was the Arab offensive against the Byzantine Empire's capital city after twenty years of attacks and progressive Arab occupation of Byzantine borderlands. The Arabs invaded Byzantine Asia Minor, crossing into Thrace in 717, and built siege lines to blockade Constantinople. Attacked by the Byzantines and Bulgars, the Arabs were forced to lift the siege in 718 and the city was rescued. The siege's failure had wide repercussions; the Arab attempt to conquer Byzantine territories was abandoned, and historians credit the siege with halting the Muslim advance into Europe.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah (nom) by TopGun, Inlandmamba, and Wehwalt. Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876–1948) was a lawyer, politician and statesman, known as the founder of Pakistan. He served as leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan's independence in 1947, and as Pakistan's first Governor-General from independence until his death. He is revered in Pakistan as the Father of the Nation; his birthday is observed as a national holiday.
Harry S. Truman (nom) by PumpkinSky, and Wehwalt. Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) was the 33rd President of the United States (1945–1953). The running mate of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, Truman succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when Roosevelt died. Under Truman, the US successfully concluded World War II; in its aftermath, tensions with the Soviet Union increased, marking the start of the Cold War.
Leo Minor (nom) by Casliber. Leo Minor is a small, faint constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere. Its name is Latin for "the smaller lion", in contrast to Leo, the larger lion. It lies between the larger Ursa Major to the north and Leo to the south. There are 37 stars brighter than apparent magnitude 6.5 in the constellation; three are brighter than magnitude 4.5. It also includes two stars with planetary systems, two pairs of interacting galaxies, and the unique deep-sky object Hanny's Voorwerp.
John Adair (nom) by Acdixon. John Adair (1757–1840) was an American pioneer, soldier, statesman and the eighth Governor of Kentucky. He served in the Revolutionary War and was twice held prisoner by the British. He served eight terms in Kentucky's House of Representatives but failed to win a full term in the Senate after his implication in the Burr conspiracy. His role in the War of 1812, and his defense of Kentucky's soldiers against charges of cowardice at the Battle of New Orleans restored his reputation.
Featured lists
One featured list was promoted this week:
Latin Grammy Award for Best Singer-Songwriter Album (nom) by Hahc21 and Status. The Latin Grammy Award for Best Singer-Songwriter Album is an honor presented annually at the Latin Grammy Awards to recognize excellence and increase awareness of the diverse contributions of Latin recording artists in the United States and internationally.
Northwest façade of Chambord castle (nom; related article), created by Benh and nominated by Blieusong. The royal Château de Chambord at Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France; its French Renaissance architecture blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures.
Centaurus A (nom; related article), created by ESO/WFI, MPIfR/ESO/APEX/A.Weiss et al., NASA/CXC/CfA/R.Kraft et al. and nominated by Pine. Centaurus A is a prominent galaxy in the constellation of Centaurus and one of the closest radio galaxies to Earth.
Naqsh-e Rustam (nom; related article), created by Ggia and nominated by Alborzagros. Naqsh-e Rustam, an archaeological site in Fars province, Iran. Pictured are four tombs belonging to Achaemenid kings carved out of the rock face.
Featured topics
One featured topic was promoted this week:
River martin (nom) by Jimfbleak. A small swallow subfamily with just two species: one from Thailand is probably extinct, and the other in west Africa is little-studied.
Panoramic view of Naqsh-e Rustam, the tombs of Achaemenid kings and a current archaeological site in Iran: a new featured picture.
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