Today, October 23rd, is theoretically the birthday of the Earth, if you follow the calculations of 17th century Bishop James Ussher.
According to him, the Earth was created on October 23rd, 4004 BC..
I have to admit that, for a wrongheaded approach, he certainly put a lot of thought and reasoning into getting this figure. And it was in the ballpark, at the time, that other biblical scholars accepted.
Of course, not long thereafter, the new science of Geology soon made hay of Ussher's patient but highly incorrect diligent work.
Posted by Jvstin at October 23, 2004 8:59 AM