Fuzzy history
Abraham Lincoln was born 200 years ago today. And so was Charles Darwin. If you have one of those Darwin fish emblems on your car's rear bumper and you also have Illinois plates, you're probably thinking to yourself, "Small world."If not for Abe Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois would probably be best known as the historic home of the drive-thru restaurant and of veteran baseball pitcher Jeff Fassero, who still pitches in the Mexican Pacific League and who once pitched to Lincoln. If not for Darwin, all of the people listed below #4 on the BBC's 2002 list of the most influential Brits in history would move up one spot.
Lincoln, the 16th president in U.S. history, is widely considered to be our finest. If the former presidents were put together on a basketball team, "the Old Railsplitter's" height would likely dictate that he play at one of the power positions, and modern research (funded back east) suggests that if such a team had existed, playing in its day against other Washington-area squads of even modestly-skilled players, Lincoln would likely average a triple-double in points, rebounds, and blocked shots.
Charles Darwin became best-known in his day for a published study that formed the basis of our modern evolutionary theory, but despite a lifetime spent dealing with many species of life, mostly animals, Darwin never felt comfortable around other people's pets and didn't own one himself. He hated dogs, and in return, they sensed his discomfort and acted instinctively aggressive towards him. When Darwin married his cousin, Emma Wedgwood, in 1839, she had to give her black lab to her college roommate. Only in America.
Two titans-- Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin-- both born on this date exactly 200 years ago. Yet I still had to go to work today.
Two titans-- Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin-- both born on this date exactly 200 years ago. Yet I still had to go to work today.
posted by CM @ 10:47 AM
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