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From today's featured article The Man in the Moone is a book by the English Church of England bishop Francis Godwin (1562–1633). Initially considered to be one of his early works, it is now thought to date from the late 1620s. It was first published posthumously in 1638 under the pseudonym of Domingo Gonsales. The work made a contribution to the branch of astronomy influenced by Nicolaus Copernicus, the only astronomer mentioned by name. Gonsales is a Spaniard forced to flee the country after killing a man in a duel. Having made his fortune in the East Indies he decides to return to Spain, but falls ill on the voyage home and is set off on St Helena to recover. He resumes his journey, but his ship is attacked by a British fleet off the coast of Tenerife. He uses a flying machine he has devised to escape, but once safely landed he is approached by hostile natives and is forced to take off again. This time the birds powering his machine fly higher and higher, ultimately reaching the Moon. There Gonsales encounters the Lunars, a tall Christian people inhabiting what appears to be a utopian paradise. Some critics consider The Man in the Moone to be one of the first works of science fiction. (Full article...) Recently featured: Covent Garden Robert of Jumièges George S. Patton slapping incidents Did you know... The former flag of Hong Kong ... that since its replacement on 1 July 1997, the former flag of Hong Kong (pictured) is used as a symbol of protest against perceived Chinese interference in Hong Kong? ... that Helen Fricker was a member of the first group to drill into an Antarctic subglacial lake? ... that on Christian rock band MercyMe's 2009 album 10, they re-recorded their song "I Can Only Imagine" at Abbey Road Studios with the London Session Orchestra? ... that a fort was built at al-Ukhaydir in reaction to the poisoning of its well by the Bedouin? ... that the Scotland rugby international Rowland Fraser was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 10 days after getting married? ... that Coralloidoolithus, a type of dinosaur egg from Asia, was originally thought to be a type of Paraspheroolithus? ... that Bernie Sanders' Dank Meme Stash, a Facebook group with over 400,000 members, inspired the creation of Bernie Singles, a dating website for supporters of US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders?

In the news David Cameron announcing his resignation The Constitutional Court of Austria annuls the second round of voting in the 2016 presidential election, requiring the election to be rerun. An armed attack at Istanbul Atatürk Airport leaves at least 42 people dead and 230 others injured. The conservative People's Party, led by Mariano Rajoy, gains the most seats in the Spanish repeat election but remains short of a majority. Flash flooding in West Virginia kills at least 23 people. After the United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union, British Prime Minister David Cameron (pictured) announces he will resign by October. Ongoing events Recent deaths: Gordon Murray Buddy Ryan Pat Summitt Bill Cunningham On this day... July 1: International Quds Day (2016); Canada Day; Independence Day in Rwanda (1962); 100th birthday of actress Olivia de Havilland Kim Philby 1770 – Lexell's Comet passed closer to the Earth than any other comet in recorded history, approaching to a distance of 0.015 AU. 1867 – The British North America Act came into effect, uniting the Province of Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into the Canadian Confederation. 1932 – Australia's national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, was formed. 1963 – The British government revealed that former MI6 agent Kim Philby (pictured) had engaged in espionage for the Soviet Union. 2006 – The Qinghai–Tibet Railway, the world's highest railway and the only railway line to the Tibet Autonomous Region, was inaugurated. More anniversaries: June 30 July 1 July 2

From today's featured list Frank Borzage, one of the two winners at the 1st Academy Awards The Academy Award for Best Director is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of a film director who has exhibited outstanding directing while working in the film industry. The 1st Academy Awards were held in 1929 with the award being split into "Dramatic" and "Comedy" categories; Frank Borzage (pictured) and Lewis Milestone won for Seventh Heaven and Two Arabian Knights, respectively. Nominees are determined by single transferable vote within the directors branch of AMPAS; winners are selected by a plurality vote from the entire eligible voting members of the Academy. The Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture have been very closely linked throughout their history. Of the 88 films that have been awarded Best Picture, 63 have also been awarded Best Director. Since its inception, the award has been given to 69 directors. John Ford has received the most awards in this category with four. William Wyler was nominated on twelve occasions, more than any other individual. (Full list...) Recently featured: Space Shuttle missions Awards and nominations received by Jorge Drexler Counties in New Jersey

Today's featured picture The Battle of the Somme was a battle of the First World War fought between 1 July and 18 November 1916 by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire. The largest battle of World War I on the Western Front, it was fought on both sides of upper reaches of the River Somme in France. More than one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history. This map shows the situation on the first day on the Somme, as well as Allied gains up to 19 November 1916. Map: Grandiose Recently featured: Dustforce Hip, Hip, Hurrah! The Fringes of the Fleet

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