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Thomas the Slav (c. 760 – 823 AD) was a 9th-century Byzantine military commander, most notable for leading a wide-scale revolt against Emperor Michael II the Amorian in 820–823. An army officer of Slavic origin from the Pontus region, Thomas rose to prominence under the protection of general Bardanes Tourkos. After Bardanes's failed rebellion in 803, Thomas fell into obscurity until Leo V's rise to the throne, when Thomas was raised to a senior military command. After the murder of Leo and usurpation of the throne by Michael the Amorian, Thomas revolted, claiming the throne for himself. Thomas quickly secured support from most of the themes (provinces) and troops in Asia Minor, and concluded an alliance with the Abbasid Caliphate. He sailed with his army to besiege Constantinople. Michael II called for help from the Bulgar ruler Omurtag, whose troops attacked Thomas's army. Although repelled, the Bulgars inflicted heavy casualties on Thomas's men, who broke and fled when Michael took to the field a few months later. Thomas sought refuge in Arcadiopolis, where he was soon seized by Michael's troops and executed. (more...) Recently featured: Bix Beiderbecke – Montague Druitt – 2nd Canadian Infantry Division Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper (pictured) is a lady's slipper orchid that resembles a sparrow's egg? ... that the scoring in Bach's cantata Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62, based on Luther's chorale for Advent, is said to be simple because Advent was a "season of abstinence"? ... that although the Cornell–Princeton lacrosse rivalry spans 73 games and dates back to 1922, the teams did not meet in the post season until the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship? ... that the Rajaji Hall in Chennai, India, was constructed to commemorate a British victory over Tipu Sultan in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War? ... that Paralympian Daniel Fitzgibbon was named Sailor of the Year with a Disability in 2008, 2009 and 2011? ... that The Who's "Mary Anne with the Shaky Hand" has been interpreted as a song about masturbation? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

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The Justice and Development Party, led by Abdelilah Benkirane (pictured), wins a plurality in the Moroccan parliamentary election. Gary Speed, manager of the Welsh national football team, is found dead in his home. NASA launches the Mars Science Laboratory on a multi-year mission to assess the habitability of Mars. The incumbent National Party, led by John Key, wins a plurality in the New Zealand general election. A NATO helicopter fires upon a Pakistani checkpoint, killing 28 soldiers. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
November 30: Independence Day in Barbados (1966); Bonifacio Day in the Philippines; Saint Andrew's Day in Scotland 1829 – The first Welland Canal opened, allowing ships to travel between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and bypass the Niagara Falls. 1947 – As the United Nations voted to terminate the British Mandate of Palestine, civil war broke out between the region's Jewish and Arab communities. 1962 – Burmese diplomat U Thant (pictured) became United Nations Secretary-General, following the death of Dag Hammarskjöld in September of that year. 1982 – Michael Jackson's Thriller, the best-selling album of all time, was released. 2005 – John Sentamu was enthroned as Archbishop of York, becoming the first member of an ethnic minority to serve as an archbishop in the Church of England. More anniversaries: November 29 – November 30 – December 1 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now November 30, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The sulphur tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare) is a common woodland mushroom. This saprophagic small-gill fungus grows prolifically in large clumps on stumps, dead roots or rotting trunks of broadleaved trees. It has a bitter taste and is poisonous; consuming it can cause vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions.

Photo: Jörg Hempel

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