February 12

- Abraham Lincoln was born on this day in 1809. In a dinky, dirt-floored, one-room cabin on Sinking Spring Farm in Hardin County, Kentucky. In 1892, the US government announced it a Federal Holiday. (Kids off school, yay!)

A dashing, if somewhat emaciated, young man. His death and, years later, the Titanic's sinking coincide, as does Tax Day.

- The new french fries came out at Burger King in 1998. And I wanted them badly. They double-coated each fry in potato starch, making them hotter and crispier. Thus started the great Potato War of 1998, where (word on the street was) people actually started preferring Burger King fries over McDonald's fries, which really turned the tables of history. However, the Great Blizzard of 1997-1998 fell upon the entire Midwest and alas, my fifteen-year-old self couldn't get anywhere through the two feet of snow. Or rather, my parents refused to endanger their lives for the sake of a small fry.

Mmmm.

- The Utah Territory granted women the right to vote in 1870. This was then revoked in 1877.

Mr. and Mrs. Geo Anderson ca. 1870-1875. Don't worry, Mrs. Anderson - your baby will get to vote.

- Lady Jane Grey, queen of England for 9 days in (1553) was executed for high treason on this day in 1554.

Paul Delaroche The Execution of Lady Jane Grey. (1833) Well. At least she got to live the high life for over a week.

- Lead by philanthropist James Edward Oglethorpe, the first English colonists arrived in Georgia, at Savannah, in 1733. I'm sure as soon as they saw that first McDonald's, and then the Burger King across the street, their hearts leapt.

Mmmm.

Happy Sunday, all! Let's make this February 12th a memorable one.