Template talk:Did you know

Did you know?
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Arch of the Philaeni

... that the Arch of the Philaeni (pictured) drew parallels between the dictator Benito Mussolini and the Roman emperor Augustus?
... that George Lincoln helped draft the document which ended World War II 80 years ago today?
... that a music publication apologized after reporting that Ghostholding was the work of a fictional indie rock band?
... that Bosnian Olympic runners Islam Ðugum and Kada Delić were both nearly killed by snipers during their training?
... that brothers Craig and Scott Hendrickson played gridiron football together in college and professionally?
... that Andrea Enisuoh campaigned to retain the name of her local library, honouring Trinidadian writer C. L. R. James?
... that Somalia bans abortion in its constitution, one of only three countries to do so?
... that Amrom Harry Katz, using aerial photographs of tides, helped to capture Seoul during the Korean War?
... that the restaurant Megatron was reported to police as a UFO when it first opened?

This page is for nominations to appear in the "Did you know" section on the Main Page. Eligible articles may only be up to 5 days old, or significantly expanded beyond 1000 characters in the last 5 days.

Suggestions:

To propose a new fact, go down to the Suggestions section.
See Special:Newpages to look for recently created pages that could be included.
Please include suggested images if possible, but only free-licensed images can appear on the Main Page.
Proposed articles should be over 1000 bytes, or about 1000 characters.
Proposed articles should cite sources.
Suggestions should be interesting to draw in a variety of readers.
Please keep suggestions short and pithy.
Please keep suggestions unbiased and neutral.
The rules are at Wikipedia:Did you know. General discussion is at Wikipedia talk:Did you know.

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These items must be no more than 5 days old

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Announcements

Latest comment: 19 years ago1 comment1 person in discussion

Some announcements and modifications regarding DYK process are here. --Gurubrahma 18:23, 12 March 2006 (UTC)Reply

Suggestions

Latest comment: 19 years ago59 comments30 people in discussion

List new suggestions here, at the bottom of the date the article was created (not the date you submit it here), with the newest dates at the top. If there's a suitable image, place it after the suggestion.

Remember:

Proposed articles should be over 1000 characters, cite sources, and be no more than 5 days old (unless it was under 1000 characters, marked a stub, and has been expanded by at least an additional 1000 characters), and should not be marked as stubs. Articles with good references and cites are preferred to those that are not
Suggested facts should be:
- Interesting to draw in a variety of readers around the world.
- Short and pithy (under about 200 characters).
- Neutral.
- Definite facts, mentioned in the article.
Suggested pictures should be:
- Suitably freely (PD, GFDL, CC etc) licensed (NOT fair use) as the main page by policy can only have freely licensed pictures.
- Attractive and interesting, even at a very small (100px wide) resolution
- In the article already
- Relevant to the article
Please check back for comments on your nomination. Your entry may miss out on the front page if you don't respond to reasonable objections.

July 13

...that on arrival at Buckingham Palace, all 3,000 guests to the Children's Party at the Palace received a hamper with snacks put together by Jamie Oliver? (self-nom) - Mgm|^(talk) 12:10, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

...that the Banksia series Spicigerae is a taxonomic series of Banksia genus in Banksia sect. Oncostylis, it contians seven species all with cylindrical inflorescences. self nom Gnangarra 09:17, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- Too technical, and repeats "banksia" thrice, how about
- ...that the Banksia series Spicigerae is a taxonomic series of Banksia characterized by cylindrical inflorescences? Circeus 14:53, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
  - I like Circeus' rewrite please use that thank you Gnangarra 15:27, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that Onesimos Nesib, who translated the Bible into Oromiffa, was accused of blasphemy because he delivered his sermons in his native language and not Amharic, which the local Ethiopian priests did not understand? (selfnom) -- llywrch 03:55, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

...that Lake Washington, the main reservoir for Newburgh, New York, holds enough water to supply the city for a year? (selfnom) Daniel Case 04:28, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

...that South African trade union legislation uses the term "conscientious objector" to refer to workers who do not want to join unions on the basis of personal beliefs? (selfnom) --Bookandcoffee 05:27, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

July 12

...that during the Beslan school hostage crisis 74-year-old school teacher Yanis Kanidis refused to leave his students and ultimately died to save their lives? -- User:Rune X2, 22:52 -- nominated by abakharev
...that Olympic pair skating champions Andrée Brunet and Pierre Brunet refused to defend their title at the 1936 Winter Olympics because Nazi Germany was hosting the Games? (selfnom) --Fang Aili ^talk 17:16, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that Cherimu is a fictional character that looks different during the day and during the night? (self nominated) Highway ^Batman! 16:27, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that Dorapion is a fictional character that has sharp fangs that excrete poison into its enemies when attacked? (self nominated) Highway ^Batman! 16:27, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that Pachirisu is a fictitious Electric Squirrel Pokémon that can shock opponents? (self nominated) Highway ^Batman! 16:27, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- I don't think we can feature three pokemon items before they become too old. I think using one of them is best. - Mgm|^(talk) 08:06, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
  - I'm not happy about any of them, personally. I don't think 'Did you know' should contain articles which contain "Although not much is known about x" (as all three articles currently do). Cherimu also violates WP:CITE quite badly by citing a forum post as "speculation" (see WP:RS). --Sam Blanning^(talk) 11:12, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that Other Songs, an award winning novel by Jacek Dukaj, a Polish science fiction writer, describes a unique world in which Aristotle and Hegelian ideas replaced our laws of physics? --self-nom by Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus ^Talk 02:44, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that Hispanics have participated in every conflict in which the United States has been involved, and over forty Hispanics have been awarded the Medal of Honor? --Murcielago 04:29, 13 July 2006 (UTC).Reply
- Ineligible list. - Mgm|^(talk) 08:06, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
  - Why? --Fang Aili ^talk 14:44, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

July 11

...that the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings were a series of seven bomb blasts that took place on the Suburban Railway in Mumbai, claiming at least 200 lives, and causing more than 700 injuries? (created by Bhadani - currently In the News) --May the Force be with you! Shr e shth91 ($ |-| ŗ 3 $ |-| ţ |-|) 15:51, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- Although it's an important story and a great article, recent news somehow seems a bad fit for DYK. Neither the fact nor the existence of the article will come as a great surprise to most people. Melchoir 17:20, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- I don't think it belongs here. It has been on ITN, so it's had its time on the main page. I know it's fun to have something here, but I prefer to give other people a chance. - - Mgm|^(talk) 21:29, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that SS Rajputana, a P&O ocean liner traveling between Plymouth, England and Lahore, British India, was converted into a cruiser and eventually sunk by an German U-boat west of Iceland? (self-nom) --Petri Krohn 08:18, 11 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that at the end of his 13 match first class cricket career, John Howarth's batting average of 0.00 set a new world record, and has led to him being dubbed one of cricket's worst batsmen? (self-nom) TheGrappler 04:58, 11 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that Nicole Manske of Speed Channel and auto racer Danica Patrick were on the same cheerleading squad at their high school in Rockton, Illinois? selfnom Chris 11:49, 11 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that "Future Legend", the opening number of David Bowie's Diamond Dogs (1974), uses the Richard Rodgers' tune "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", yet the song and its composer do not appear in the track list of any of the album's CD releases? Ian Rose 13:22, 11 July 2006 (UTC) (self-nom, considerable update to original entry)Reply

July 10

Timothy McVeigh Mug Shot

... within a few hours of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing they had a prime suspect, but he never made it to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list? (Self Nom, -- Shane ^{(talk/contrib)} 02:07, 10 July 2006 (UTC))Reply
- Sounds a bit ungrammatical with different subjects in each of the clauses. How about:

...that despite being suspected of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma hours after it happened, Timothy McVeigh never made it to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list? - Mgm|^(talk) 08:32, 10 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

That works... -- Shane ^{(talk/contrib)} 16:17, 10 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

It's an improperly named list,and is ineligible for that reason. Probably OR too. Circeus 04:38, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

Someone renamed the link. It wasn't a list. It was an article about the FBI ten most wanted list. - Mgm|^(talk) 21:20, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

Hmmm, I can't find evidence it did ever have another name even when I made the rewrite suggestion for the item. I'll need to check my eyes. - Mgm|^(talk) 21:27, 12 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

Still a list, still OR. "May often be mistaken to have been listed among the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" - mistaken by whom? --Sam Blanning^(talk) 11:02, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

...that the Cross Spikes Club was an improvised bar set up by servicemen on Bikini Island during the 1946 atomic bomb test Operation Crossroads?--Primalchaos 14:37, 10 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- Stubby. - Mgm|^(talk) 08:26, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that although the presence of Armenians in Bulgaria dates to the Early Middle Ages, their large-scale emigration to the country only began in the 19th century? Self-nomination, Todor →Bozhinov 20:29, 10 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- I don't seem to be able to find a references to the middle ages, nor to relevant years. Article doesn't appear to support the suggested item. - Mgm|^(talk) 08:39, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
  - Err, there are relevant centuries of settlement (5th century; 7th and 11th century), and there are years of active settlement in the 19th century (1890s, 1922). If you'd like to see Early Middle Ages and 19th century somewhere in the article as a summary, then I'll add it. Todor →Bozhinov 10:53, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that the 13th-century French poem Battle of the Wines tells of a great wine tasting in which some wines were "celebrated" and others "excommunicated"? non-self-nom —Keenan Pepper 02:10, 11 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- List-heavy. Not too much non-list content. - Mgm|^(talk) 08:23, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that P57, a steroidal glycoside isolated from the African cactiform Hoodia gordonii, is believed to be the active chemical constituent responsible for the appetite suppressant activity of Hoodia extracts? (self-nomination) --Ed (Edgar181) 17:52, 11 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- Good article. I'd like to see the references tied to specific things but other than that very well done, and amazing for only 3 edits. ++Lar: t/c 01:05, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- I think it's a bit stubby. - Mgm|^(talk) 08:03, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

Unused suggestions

The following suggestions went unused in the 5-day window of opportunity, for the reasons provided. Entries may be deleted from this section after the nominator is satisfied with the replies, or after 5 days.

July 9

...that some historians claim that Russian engineer Fyodor Pirotsky built the world's first electric tramway? -- 10:12 by User:Mbuk and abakharev -- nominated by abakharev
- Interesting article good references, Be aware when updating this into DYK box Update on 11 July at 1643 (GMT+8) had this ...that the Kiev tram was the first electric tramway in the Russian Empire, and the second one in Europe after the Berlin Straßenbahn? Fyodor Pirotsky wasnt associated with tramway Gnangarra 09:46, 11 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
  - The hook is good I'm only suggesting that there was a gap between DYK's so that both get a fair reading. Gnangarra 01:03, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

July 8

...that the History of Solidarity begins in 1980 with the Gdańsk Agreement, and was closely connected to all the important events in contemporary Polish history, like the martial law of 1981 and the Polish Round Table Agreement of 1989? --partial self-nom, see comment below
Comment. I admit this is mostly a split from Solidarity, but it's technically new, and I'd think much higher quality then the average DYK we get.--Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus ^Talk 02:45, 8 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
Neither points would convince me, really - it's higher quality than the average DYK precisely because the bulk of the article has been worked on for months (years?). Seems a bit like unfair competition. The lead section is new, though, so perhaps that will be enough for one admin to choose it - sorry to say it probably won't be me (I'm not the most frequent updater at the moment, though). If it's expanded with a decent amount of new material (1000 characters, --Sam Blanning^(talk) 11:39, 8 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
On the other hand... I was about to say that if more than 1000 characters of new material were added, I would have no problem, but the lead section more than meets that - it is however just a summary of what's already there. I would be happiest of all if some completely new material were added, but maybe that's a bit much to ask (the article is obviously very comprehensive already). --Sam Blanning^(talk) 11:45, 8 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
I have added a few new photos to the article after split, does it count? :) --Piotr Konieczny aka Prokonsul Piotrus ^Talk 16:14, 8 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
I have linked Solidarity in the opening paragraph. Not the usual DYK article, but guidelines aren't hard-and-fast. --Wetman 20:33, 8 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

July 7

...that as a child WWF champion Andre the Giant was driven to school by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett because he was too big to fit on the school bus? --CharlieP 02:48, 7 July 2006 (UTC)(self-nom)Reply
- This isn't a new article. Joyous! | Talk 02:56, 7 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
  - Sorry. Didn't read that bit.--CharlieP 03:06, 7 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
...that the "death penalty" refers to the NCAA's power to force academic institutions to shut down certain sport programs for up to two years following repeated violations while on NCAA probation? 146.9.169.242 17:36, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

July 6

...that the Carron Company, established in 1759 on the banks of the River Carron near Falkirk in Scotland, was one of the largest iron works in Europe through the 19th century? -- ALoan (Talk) 18:49, 11 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

...that "Meet the Beat-Alls", an episode of The Powerpuff Girls that spoofed Beatlemania, premiered 37 years to the day after The Beatles first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show? (self-nom, new entry) --Kitch 16:32, 6 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
- Hate to sound like a killjoy, but the article's only source is a fan page, which could only just barely save the 'References' section from being original thought. There are dozens of Powerpuff Girls episodes and if indisputably reliable third-party sources haven't paid much attention to this one, I don't see why it stands out enough for DYK. --Sam Blanning^(talk) 08:17, 7 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
... that the Banksia littoralis or Swamp Banksia is often mistaken for the River Banksia (Banksia seminuda), as they share many similar characteristics?

article expanded from stub, self nom. Gnangarra 05:44, 6 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

- Seeing as this is very similar to Banksia seminuda which I'm about to feature, I think using this one as well, is not entirely appropriate. - Mgm|^(talk) 08:47, 10 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
  - I agree besides the second one was worded a lot better Gnangarra 16:24, 10 July 2006 (UTC)Reply
... that Chris Bliss, an American stand up comedian and juggler, enjoyed widespread fame as a result of viral circulation of a video of his juggling finale? --Colin E. 10:18, 11 July 2006 (UTC)Reply

Staging area

Optionally, move nominations here, along with the users' signatures, for later informing. Then, individually copy each question into the template. (not all updaters use this so do not read anything into absence of items here, go by the update warning box). Remove the entries when you are finished the notification process.

Instructions to admins

Add the following templates to their respective places. Please make sure that if a template includes a date, that you change it to reflect the date the item in question was first featured on the main page.

Article talk page: {{subst:dyktalk|2 September|2025}}
Article creator's talk page: {{subst:UpdatedDYK|2 September|2025|[[Article name]]}} --~~~~
Nominator's talk page: {{subst:UpdatedDYKNom|[[Article name]]}} --~~~~
Refresh the clock above by replacing its template with: {{DYK-Refresh|2460920.9784722}}
Don't forget to UNprotect the previously used image AFTER you change the template to the new picture.