What influenced D? - goals, ideas, concepts, language features?

[A D dev via Digitalmars-d]

Hi list,

I'm liking D as I keep using it (still new to it), and interested 
in how it evolved, hence this question.

I have seen the Wikipedia article about D:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D_(programming_language)

which mentions language influences (right sidebar). I've also 
read some other articles on dlang sites, but thought of posting 
this question, to hear interesting stuff from people who know 
more about this.

Thanks to all who reply.