It was an auspicious Sunday that 12 February two hundred years agoas born that day were two greats
Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln.
12 February 2009 - the 200th Anniversary of Darwin's birth.
Even Google has it on their Search Engine Logo. The Royal Mail (UK) has produced some stamps in his honour as pictured above. One shows the Galapagos Islands which we visited last year.
Sadly revealing, maybe in a Freudian way, is that the British have Darwin on their ten pound note while the Americans have 'In God We Trust' on their currency. The US motto was first put on their notes 1 October 1957 at the height of the 'Cold War' - Sputnik (science) was launched just three days later. In addition the British Mint has produced a new two Pound coin in recognition of one the ages greatest thinkers.
Also born that day was Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln - 16th President of the United States of America 12 February 1809 – 15 April 1865
Again in a 2008 poll of historians rated
The greatest US President
Darwin was a fervent abolitionist and supporter of Lincoln and the North in their struggle.
The weekly quiz was last night and although only a team of three we were back to form, coming 3rd equal with a couple of other teams and (Joe) getting the Bonus again. Unfortunately there were less participants and three teams knew (educated guess in our case) that St. Mathew is the Patron Saint of Tax Collectors for the bonus. So our winnings were only $57-00. But carrying on the Religious/Science theme, the Bonus was religious and we got 10 out of 10 for the science round in the Charity Quiz the night before. Science is not usually one of our strengths - religion even less so.
I am an evolutionist and would in many places, particularly in the US, be in the minority. However, I suppose education comes into it as a 2009 Gallup Poll in the US states -
There is a strong relationship between education and belief in
Friday the 13th tomorrow - and the Super 14 starts.
