Yeah, most of ScienceBlogs is celebrating Darwin’s birthday, but I don’t have anything interesting to say about that. Actually, I don’t have anything all that interesting to say about Lincoln, either, but given that he’s unquestionably one of the two greatest Presidents (neck and neck with Washington, both ahead of FDR), I wouldn’t want his birthday to pass without comment.
So take a moment from the celebratory contemplation of finches and tortoises, and give a thought to one of the most important figures of American history. Without Lincoln, the world we live in would be a very different place, and probably not for the better.
If you want something specific to focus on, here’s a link to his Second Inaugural Address— somewhat less famous than the Gettysburg Address, but a wonderful bit of work in its own right.