Wikipedia

Every Shrove Tuesday, the town of Olney, England, upholds a unique tradition dating back to 1445: the Women's Pancake Race. Participants, clad in aprons and headscarves, race over a 415-yard course while flipping pancakes in their frying pans. 🥞 Shrove Tuesday – the day before fasting for Lent begins in many Christian practices – is traditionally a time to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter ahead of the fasting season. And what better way to do that than with a pancake race? Since 1950, Olney has competed annually with Liberal, Kansas (US), in an international pancake race, fostering a friendly transatlantic rivalry. Shrove Tuesday celebrations take many forms around the world, from Mardi Gras festivities to carnival parades. But in Olney, the spirit of the day is all about pancakes, competition, and community tradition. Read more about Shrove Tuesday celebrations ➡️ https://w.wiki/Bq8o

Have you ever wondered who is behind Wikipedia? Lots of passionate and dedicated volunteers who often go unseen. Until now. Get to know Carol M, a volunteer from Kenya. With over 2,000 edits across Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, Carol is actively working to increase the amount of reliable information about women on the free encyclopedia, while also supporting rising editors. Some of her valuable contributions, from adding citations to uploading photos, can be found in this collage. This year, Carol is one of the organizers behind Wikimania, the annual conference that celebrates free knowledge, which will be taking place this August in Nairobi, Kenya. Read more about Carol and learn how Wikipedia is celebrating women editors from Africa ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eJ_sATHK #KnowledgeIsHuman

The biodiversity of Earth is a story billions of years in the making, shaped by evolution, extinction, and the forces of nature. Biodiversity refers to the variety of life at every level, from the genes that make each species unique to the ecosystems that sustain them. It is what makes rainforests teem with life, coral reefs flourish, and even the most extreme environments home to remarkable adaptations. Life on Earth has never been static. Over time, species have emerged, evolved, and disappeared, with biodiversity expanding and contracting through mass extinctions and evolutionary breakthroughs. The distribution of life is uneven, influenced by climate, geography, and history. Some regions are hotspots of biodiversity, while others support fewer species due to environmental constraints. Beyond its natural wonder, biodiversity plays a critical role in maintaining the health of ecosystems. It supports food production, medicine, and climate stability. As environmental changes accelerate, understanding biodiversity helps us recognize the importance of preserving life’s many forms. This World Wildlife Day, read more about the wonders of biodiversity – and the threats it faces ➡️ https://w.wiki/3q8G

Long before modern computers, Ada Lovelace foresaw a future where machines could compose music and create art. Born in London, England, in 1815, Ada Lovelace was the child of the poet Lord Byron and his wife, Lady Anne Isabella Milbanke. Despite her father's literary fame, Lovelace's mother emphasized a rigorous education in mathematics and science. At 17, Lovelace met Charles Babbage, a mathematician and inventor working on the Analytical Engine, an early mechanical general-purpose computer used for calculations. Their collaboration led Lovelace to translate an article by Italian engineer Luigi Menabrea about the Analytical Engine. In her translation, Lovelace added extensive notes, including an algorithm designed for the machine. This work is now recognized by some as the first computer program. While others argue that Babbage had developed "programs" already, Lovelace's vision extended beyond numbers. She imagined that computing machines could someday create art and music, anticipating future electronic computers. She also wrote notes on the relationship between society and technology. Today, Lovelace is celebrated as a pioneer in computing, and her legacy continues to inspire generations in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Learn more about Ada Lovelace's visionary insights ➡️ https://w.wiki/3A

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. … Still with us? This pseudo-Latin gibberish has been a staple in publishing and design since the 1960s, helping creators focus on visual elements without needing the text written yet. When designing a website, advertisement, or other creative work, there are often empty spaces in a layout that does not yet have content. Inserting fake placeholder text allows professionals to focus attention on graphic elements. The words of Lorem ipsum are derived from a 1st-century BCE text by Roman philosopher and statesman Cicero, though altered to be nonsensical. Learn more about Lorem ipsum’s history and meaning – or lack of meaning ➡️ https://w.wiki/3kJi

Hattie McDaniel, best known for her supporting role in 1939’s "Gone with the Wind", was a triple-threat entertainer who, despite experiencing racism and racial segregation throughout her career, was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award. Born to formerly enslaved parents in 1893, the actress, singer-songwriter, and comedian was not only the first Black Oscar winner, but also the first Black woman to sing on the radio in the US and the first Black actor to star in a radio show, the comedy series "Beulah". Despite her success, McDaniel continuously experienced discrimination, racial segregation, and critique. She was prohibited from attending the premiere of "Gone with the Wind" in Atlanta because it was held in a whites-only theater, and at the 1940 Oscars ceremony – where she won her Academy Award for her supporting role in "Gone with the Wind" – she sat at a segregated table at the side of the room. Though McDaniel appeared in over 300 films and earned two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she, at times, had to work as a maid and laundress to make ends meet. When criticized for taking roles that reinforced racial stereotypes, she reportedly said, "Why should I complain about making $700 a week playing a maid? If I didn’t, I’d be making $7 a week being one." Learn more about Ms. McDaniel’s incredible triumphs in the face of challenges ➡️ https://w.wiki/VzF

🗺️🏛️The ancient Roman Empire and China's Han Dynasty: two of history’s great superpowers. What did they know about each other? Despite limited awareness and vast distances, they were connected by trade. Their governments even tried to make contact. The two empires were dominant forces at opposite ends of Eurasia, each expanding rapidly and reshaping the ancient world. Rome, at its height, stretched across Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East, powered by engineering and military prowess. Meanwhile, China’s Han dynasty flourished, uniting vast territories under centralized rule and making advancements in science and culture. But as powerful as they were, they were separated by more than distance. Kingdoms in between the ancient superpowers, such as the Parthians and Kushans, conspired to prevent them from interacting more. These powers wanted to maintain their role in controlling the trade routes connecting East and West. An example of this took place in 97 CE. Chinese General Ban Chao dispatched his envoy, Gan Ying, to reach Rome. However, Gan was persuaded by the Parthians to turn back before completing the journey. Later Chinese sources claimed the Parthians were concerned that they would lose their importance as a trading mediator if the empires made direct contact. Roman records mention the arrival of envoys from the East, possibly from China, during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 166 CE. Despite the limitations, trade between these empires was lucrative, with Chinese silk highly coveted in Rome, while Roman glassware and high-quality cloth found their way to China. Artifacts like Roman coins have been unearthed at Chinese archaeological sites, showing these ancient trade connections. The Wikipedia article on Sino-Roman relations is a featured article – which means it is considered to be one of the best articles Wikipedia has to offer, as determined by Wikipedia's editors based on criteria such as accuracy, neutrality, completeness, and style. Explore more about this distant historical relationship ➡️ https://w.wiki/7evx

James Baldwin's “Go Tell It on the Mountain”, published in 1953, stands as a cornerstone of Black literature in the United States. This semi-autobiographical novel delves into the life of John Grimes, a teenager in 1930s Harlem, exploring his relationships with his family and church. Through its rich narrative, the novel addresses profound themes of identity and faith. Baldwin's portrayal of religion highlights its dual role as a source of moral hypocrisy as well as a beacon of inspiration and community for Black people. The novel's exploration of personal and collective struggles offers readers a deep understanding of the quest for self-identity and spiritual awakening. Praised by critics upon release, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is regularly assigned in schools and US colleges. It is often included in lists of the top English language novels of the 20th century. Explore the book and Baldwin’s legacy ➡️ https://w.wiki/Cj66

Is this the purr-fect political figure? The Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office is an official title in the United Kingdom, referring to the resident cat of 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's residence in London. This unique role dates back centuries, with records of working cats at the residence since the reign of Henry VIII, in the 16th century. The current Chief Mouser, Larry, a brown-and-white tabby, has been in office since 2011. Larry’s duties include controlling the mouse population, although he is equally famous for his interactions with the press and his occasional standoffs with other political figures (and their pets). Serving under multiple prime ministers, Larry has become a symbol of continuity amidst political change. However, a 2004 study found that – at least in the past – voters' perceptions of the chief mouser’s job performance have not always been free from partisanship. Read more about this prestigious political role ➡️ https://w.wiki/vdq

Before blogs and vlogs, there were zines – handcrafted voices from the underground. Zines (pronounced "zeens") are self-published, small-circulation booklets or magazines, often created by individuals or small groups. Emerging in the 1930s within science fiction fandoms, zines have since become a powerful medium for Do-It-Yourself (DIY) enthusiasts and subcultures seeking authentic self-expression. From the punk rock scenes of the 1970s to the feminist riot grrrl movement of the 1990s, zines have a reputation for challenging mainstream narratives and fostering community. Their DIY ethos encourages creators to bypass traditional publishing gatekeepers, resulting in raw, unfiltered content. In today's digital age, zines continue to thrive both in print and online, preserving the intimate, tactile experience that has always defined them. Explore the world of zines in depth ➡️ https://w.wiki/8LLs