Happy Birthday!

Today is the 200th birthday of both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. I think it's really cool that two incredible men both share the same birthday. Since today is both of their birthdays, it got me thinking about Darwin's and Lincoln's lives. Both were men who have had a huge impact in our world today. Both were not very popular for their beliefs at the time. They both had funny looking beards that I think they should have shaved off. Darwin and Lincoln will always be remembered, and not for their poor choices when it comes to facial hair. I would like to take a moment and reflect on these amazing men and how I feel about them...

Charles Darwin, English naturalist who came up with the theory of evolution. Nowadays, there are many people, myself included, who just take evolution as something that has always been known. I don't even remember learning about evolution (there was a Friends episode about it, further proving my own theory that t.v. will teach you everything, but that's a different story), it feels like something that you just know, like the sky is blue or that little trees grow into big trees. Or at least that's the way it is for me. I can't even imagine coming up with something like that, in the 1800's, when there wasn't nearly as much technology. I recently bought The Origin of the Species (75% of the reason being I am genuinely interested and curious, the remaining 25% being that I think it will make me look and/or sound smarter, "Oh, I don't know if I have time to read the new Twilight book... Maybe after I finish the The Origin of the Species."). I'm let you know how it is. Oh, and as a side note, I'm not trying to push the theory of evolution onto anyone who may not believe in it. This is just the way I feel about it.


Abraham Lincoln, Our....um (I had to double check this with MSN Encarta, but I was right!) 16th president, who played a major role in the ending of slavery. Yay Lincoln! Mr. Lincoln, er or should I say Mr. President, if you're somehow reading this blog from the after life, and if you are, don't you have better things to be doing?, you'll be happy to know that we now have our first African American President!!! When I was younger, I had slight obsession with Lincoln. I'm not quite sure why, (could it be the Asian couple who asked to take their picture with Carrie and I in front of the Lincoln memorial that spawned it? I don't know, but I SWEAR THEY THOUGHT WE WERE THE OLSEN TWINS! We were wearing matching outfits.), but I distinctly remember it. Our country would be such a different, and pretty awful place if it wasn't for Lincoln. And all they did to thank him was put him on the penny, the smallest, least respected piece of currency we have. Well, I guess they also built that big statue at the National Mall, but still... THE PENNY? Come on, he deserves better than that. Doesn't George Washington get his face on TWO pieces of money?

So, I guess those are my musings on today's birthday boys. May they be remembered for their groundbreaking achievements for many more years to come. And, that one day someone will be wishing me a happy 200th birthday, and talking about my fabulous life. Hey, an Almost Redhead can dream, can't she?

- Katie

The Birthday Boys!!!! Do you see what I mean about the facial hair? Was it a requirement that every male
born on February 12, 1809 had to grow a long, fuzzy beard? I'm sorry, but this isn't a good look in any century...