Dietmar isn't the only great man with a February 12 birthday.
Abraham Lincoln was born 200 years ago today on February 12, 1809. Lincoln was the greatest American president. While he was not the advocate for freeing slaves when he took office, he had the political skill to lead the country through the Civil War and to see as the ending of slavery as the right thing by the end. Indeed one of the things that makes Lincoln great is how he changed his mind through time.
He also created probably the 2 greatest American political speeches in the 1863 Gettysburg Address and his 1865 second inaugural address (the only 2nd inaugural speech of any importance).
So no offense to Southern Nutters (I don't mean Jose), but wishing Abe a great 200th.
It is also Charles Darwin's 200th today.