Featured content
Watch out! A slave trader, a live mascot and a crested serpent awaits!
This Signpost "Featured content" report covers material promoted from 13 to 19 March.
Text may be adapted from the respective articles and lists; see their page histories for attribution.
Text may be adapted from the respective articles and lists; see their page histories for attribution.
Featured articles
Four featured articles were promoted this week.
- Isopogon anemonifolius (nominated by Casliber and Melburnian) is a shrub of the family Proteaceae that is found only in eastern New South Wales in Australia. It occurs naturally in woodland, open forest and heathland on sandstone soils. Its leaves are divided and narrow, and have a purplish tinge during the cooler months. The yellow flowers appear during late spring or early summer and are displayed prominently. They are followed by round grey cones, which give the plant its common name broad-leaved drumsticks.
- The Oceanides (nominated by Sgvrfjs) is a single-movement tone poem for orchestra written in 1913–14 by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The piece, which refers to the nymphs in Greek mythology who inhabited the Mediterranean Sea, premiered in 1914 at the Norfolk Music Festival in Connecticut. It consists of two subjects, said to represent the playful activity of the nymphs and the majesty of the ocean, respectively. Sibelius gradually develops this material over three informal stages: first, a placid ocean; second, a gathering storm; and third, a thunderous wave-crash climax. As the tempest subsides, a final chord sounds, symbolizing the mighty power and limitless expanse of the sea.
- Monroe Edwards (nominated by Ealdgyth) (1808–1847) was an American slave trader, forger and convicted criminal who was the subject of a well-publicized trial and conviction in 1842. Convicted partly because his distinctive good looks made him memorable and easily recognizable, and partly from making the same spelling errors in his fakes, Edwards was sentenced to 10 years in prison and died in 1847 while incarcerated.
- Thunder (nominated by Montanabw) is the stage name for the horse who is the official live animal mascot for the Denver Broncos football team. Three purebred Arabians have held this role since 1993, all gray horses whose coats lightened with age until they turned completely white. Thunder's duties as mascot typically include leading the team onto the field at the start of every home game, and a gallop down the length of the field whenever the team scores a touchdown or field goal. Thunder and his rider also interact with fans before the game; the horse is particularly popular with children, who are allowed to pet him.
Featured pictures
Four featured pictures were promoted this week.
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