Welcome to Wikipedia! This is a special online encyclopedia that anyone can help make better. It's like a giant library of information, but it's all digital and free for everyone to use.

Right now, there are many active editors working on Wikipedia, and it has millions of articles in English! Template:SHORTDESC:Main page of the English Wikipedia

Featured article (Check back later for today's.)

{{Wikipedia:Today's featured article/July 23, 2025}}

Did you know ...

From a collection of Wikipedia's articles:

• ... that Elizabeth II (pictured) is the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom?
• ... that former United States senator and Law & Order actor Fred Thompson discovered the Watergate tapes that led to Richard Nixon's resignation?
• ... that the word Oxbridge is used to describe the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England?
• ...that Antonio Vivaldi was known as "The Red Priest" because of the color of his hair?
• ... that United States senator Rand Paul once talked on the senate floor for twelve hours and fifty-two minutes?
  
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In the news

Joseph Aoun

• Joseph Aoun (pictured) is elected president of Lebanon after a two-year vacancy.
• An attack on the presidential palace in N'Djamena, Chad, results in 20 deaths.
• A series of wildfires in Southern California, United States, leaves at least 16 people dead and forces the evacuation of nearly 180,000 others.
• A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Tingri County in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China, leaving at least 126 people dead.

Ongoing:

• Israel–Hamas war
• Russian invasion of Ukraine
  • timeline
• Sudanese civil war
  • timeline

Recent deaths:

• Mike Rinder
• Peter Yarrow
• Ayla Erduran
• Claude Allègre
• Joseph Bendounga
• Al MacNeil

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On this day

{{Wikipedia:Selected anniversaries/July 24}}

Explore Wikipedia's Best Articles

This section highlights some of the best articles on Wikipedia. These articles are chosen because they are very well-written, accurate, and cover their topics completely.

Today's Featured Article

Here you can find a different featured article every day. These are considered some of the highest-quality articles on Wikipedia. They are carefully checked by many editors to make sure they are perfect. {{Wikipedia:Today's featured article/July 23, 2025}}

Fun Facts: Did You Know?

This part of the page shares interesting and surprising facts from different articles. You might learn something new and unexpected here every day!

From a collection of Wikipedia's articles:

• ... that Elizabeth II (pictured) is the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom?
• ... that former United States senator and Law & Order actor Fred Thompson discovered the Watergate tapes that led to Richard Nixon's resignation?
• ... that the word Oxbridge is used to describe the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England?
• ...that Antonio Vivaldi was known as "The Red Priest" because of the color of his hair?
• ... that United States senator Rand Paul once talked on the senate floor for twelve hours and fifty-two minutes?
  

Stay Updated with News and History

This section helps you keep up with current events and look back at important moments in history.

What's Happening: In the News

This area tells you about important events happening around the world right now. It's a quick way to catch up on major news stories.

Joseph Aoun

• Joseph Aoun (pictured) is elected president of Lebanon after a two-year vacancy.
• An attack on the presidential palace in N'Djamena, Chad, results in 20 deaths.
• A series of wildfires in Southern California, United States, leaves at least 16 people dead and forces the evacuation of nearly 180,000 others.
• A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Tingri County in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China, leaving at least 126 people dead.

Important Dates: On This Day

Discover what significant events happened on this very day in history. You might find out about famous birthdays, big discoveries, or important historical moments. {{Wikipedia:Selected anniversaries/July 24}}

Discover More Featured Content

Wikipedia also features excellent lists and amazing pictures.

Today's Featured List

On some days, you'll find a featured list here. These lists are also very well-organized and helpful, covering topics like famous people, events, or collections.

Amazing Pictures: Featured Picture

This section showcases a stunning image each day. These pictures are chosen for their high quality and how well they represent their subject. Template:POTD protected/2025-07-23

Explore Other Parts of Wikipedia

Wikipedia is more than just articles! There are many other helpful areas and related projects.

Other Areas to Explore

Find links to different parts of Wikipedia, like help pages, community portals, and ways to contribute.

• 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 part of a larger family of free knowledge projects. These "sister projects" include things like a dictionary, a collection of quotes, and a library of free books.

Wikipedia in Different Languages

Wikipedia is available in many languages! You can find articles translated into almost every language spoken around the world.

See also

In Spanish: Swords para niños