Welcome to Wikipedia

,

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

285,648 active editors
7,112,440 articles in English

From today's featured article

Trichogenes claviger, the Caetés catfish, is a critically endangered species of pencil catfish native to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. It was discovered early in 2010 and scientifically described later that year. One of three species within the genus Trichogenes, it is restricted to an area of 16 km² (6.2 sq mi) in the Caetés forest, a mountainous area in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. When discovered, the rainforest in which it occurs was unprotected and threatened by deforestation. A private nature reserve has since been established, allowing visitors to see the fish in its habitat. A small fish, T. claviger is up to 50.8 mm (2.00 in) in length. A series of black dots runs along the side of the body, distinguishing it from related species. Males have a bony protrusion from the gill area (the opercular process) that is elongated and club-like, a feature that inspired the name of the species (claviger – 'club-bearing'). (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know ...

Abeam view of Maria Rickmers in 1892

... that Maria Rickmers (pictured), one of the largest sailing ships of her day, disappeared on her maiden voyage?
... that a convent at St. John Church was used by Hassan Jeru-Ahmed's Blackman's Development Center, a Black paramilitary group?
... that in one survey, two thirds of US adults attributed some possibility of consciousness to ChatGPT?
... that one of the most significant episodes of Assyrian resistance during the Sayfo was the Defense of Azakh?
... that Dutch soldier Gerrit van der Waals escaped from a German POW camp, aided Jews and anti-Nazi resistance, then was arrested by the Soviets and died in their custody?
... that VHS copies of The Tigger Movie featured $3.00 rebates for Tigger's Honey Hunt?
... that the broadcast of MLS Cup 2025 used iPhones for some footage?
... that it is unclear whether John Marzetti is the namesake of Johnny Marzetti?

In the news

Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad

Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so.
A jet crash near Ankara, Turkey, kills all eight people on board, including Libyan Army chief of staff Mohammed al-Haddad (pictured).
A mass stabbing in Taipei, Taiwan, leaves four people dead, including the perpetrator.
Bangladeshi activist Osman Hadi is assassinated, triggering violent protests and arson.
Fatafehi Fakafānua is elected prime minister by the legislative assembly of Tonga.

On this day

December 27

Radio City Music Hall

1657 – Citizens of New Netherland presented the Flushing Remonstrance to Peter Stuyvesant, the director general of the colonial province, requesting an exemption to his ban on Quaker worship.
1932 – New York City's Radio City Music Hall (pictured) opened with the world's largest auditorium at the time.
1985 – The body of murdered American primatologist Dian Fossey was discovered inside her cabin in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
2009 – During protests in Tehran against the recent presidential election, Iranian security forces opened fire on demonstrators.
2024 – Acting president and prime minister of South Korea Han Duck-soo was impeached by the National Assembly.

Bertha of Savoy (d. 1087)
Kjell Eriksson (b. 1975)
Timothée Chalamet (b. 1995)
Zou Heng (d. 2005)

More anniversaries:

Today's featured picture

Nuptse is a mountain in the Khumbu region of the Mahalangur Himal, a part of the Nepalese Himalayas. It lies 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) to the southwest of Mount Everest. The main peak, Nuptse I, with an elevation of 7,861 metres (25,791 ft), was first climbed in 1961 by Dennis Davis and Sherpa Tashi. This photograph shows Nuptse from the west, as viewed from Kala Patthar.

Photograph credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg

Recently featured:

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – The central hub for editors, with resources, links, tasks, and announcements.
Village pump – Forum for discussions about Wikipedia itself, including policies and technical issues.
Site news – Sources of news about Wikipedia and the broader Wikimedia movement.
Teahouse – Ask basic questions about using or editing Wikipedia.
Help desk – Ask questions about using or editing Wikipedia.
Reference desk – Ask research questions about encyclopedic topics.
Content portals – A unique way to navigate the encyclopedia.

Wikipedia's sister projects

Wikipedia is written by volunteer editors and hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that also hosts a range of other volunteer projects: