Abraham Lincoln kept the US united and freed black Americans from slavery.
To achieve these historic feats, he relied on a mastery of the written and spoken word. In honor of his 206th birthday, we've collected a few of his most inspiring quotes.
If you want to encourage your daughter, sister, niece, aunt, mom, grandma, BFF, girlfriend, or wife to dig into math, science, and computers and pursue the high-paying jobs in those fields, it helps to show her some role models.
In that spirit, Duke University professor Susan Rodger, author and mentor Katy Dickinson, and developer Jessica Dickinson Goodman fired up The Notable Women Cards project.
"Women have been leaders in computing from the start, but not enough of our contributions are remembered," they say. So they created this deck of playing cards that features 54 notable women in computing.
On Thursday, the winners of the World Press Photo contest were announced for the year 2014.
The top prize went to the Danish photographer Mads Nissen, who portrayed a gay couple in Russia.
The judges had to select from almost 100,000 photos from all across the world.
Surprisingly, of the 24 pictures shortlisted for an award, six were taken in Vietnam. It is the highest count for any single country. Vietnam is only slightly bigger in size than the United Kingdom but is known for its outstanding natural beauty.
The map below, from graphic designer JodySie, shows where the prize-winning entries came from.
Vietnam comes out at top:
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The nation's top boarding schools aren't just academic powerhouses. Many also control insane amounts of money as well.
To find the richest boarding schools in the country, we looked at each school's endowment, as reported on Boarding School Review, and ranked them from largest to smallest.
Here are the top 25 wealthiest boarding schools, ranked:
25. Church Farm School— Exton, Pennsylvania: $135 million
24. Northfield Mount Hermon— Gill, Massachusetts: $136 million
22. TIE: St. George's School— Newport, Rhode Island: $138 million
22. TIE: The Thacher School— Ojai, California: $138 million
21. The Hockaday School— Dallas, Texas: $145 million
20. Hill School— Pottstown, Pennsylvania: $153 million
19. St. Andrew's School— Middletown, Delaware: $170 million
18. The Loomis Chaffee School— Windsor, Connecticut: $180 million
17. Episcopal High School— Alexandria, Virginia: $203 million
16. Middlesex School— Concord, Massachusetts: $215 million
15. Cranbrook Schools— Bloomfield Hills, Michigan: $217 million
14. The Taft School— Watertown, Connecticut: $238 million
12. TIE:Mercersburg Academy— Mercersburg, Pennsylvania: $244 million
12. TIE: Milton Academy— Milton, Massachusetts: $244 million
11. Peddie School— Hightstown, New Jersey: $252 million
10. Woodberry Forest School— Woodberry Forest, Virginia: $309 million
9. Choate Rosemary Hall— Wallingford, Connecticut: $318 million
8. The Lawrenceville School— Lawrenceville, New Jersey: $320 million
7. Culver Academies— Culver, Indiana: $322 million
6. Groton School— Groton, Massachusetts: $361 million
5. The Hotchkiss School— Lakeville, Connecticut: $362 million
4. St. Paul's School— Concord, New Hampshire: $483 million
3. Deerfield Academy— Deerfield, Massachusetts: $492 million
2. Phillips Academy Andover— Andover, Massachusetts: $800 million
1. Phillips Exeter Academy— Exeter, New Hampshire: $1.15 billion
SEE ALSO: The 50 most elite boarding schools in the US
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The Mercedes-Benz 2015 S-Class Coupe has everything going for it. On top of great looks inside and out, the two-door version of the German automaker's flagship sedan is chock full of technologies that make it both luxurious and a beast on the road.
Mercedes even offers the choice to get headlights packed with 47 Swarovski crystals, but the more impressive technology can't be spotted until the coupe heads into a turn.
We give you "active curve tilting function," which makes the car lean into turns, like a motorcyclist or skier. That improves performance and keeps passengers seated more securely on hard turns — making sporty driving even more pleasurable.
The S-Class Coupe debuted at the Geneva Motor Show ion 2014. It's now priced at $119,000.
[An earlier version of this post was written by Alex Davies.]
Your computer will never feel as fast as the day you bought it.
But there are plenty of things you can do to keep it running smoothly and even improve its performance.
Macs aren't cheap, so why not spend time getting the most out of your investment?
Here's where you buy special screwdrivers and a hard drive connector. Here's a tutorial on how to install a solid state drive.
You can find out what kind of RAM you have here. Here's a tutorial for installing RAM on a MacBook Pro. You'll need a Phillips head screwdriver.
Hinge, the dating app that connects users to people in their social circles, just launched in London.
To celebrate, the company held a glitzy party in a London hotel rooftop bar and invited some people along for champagne and real-life conversation. We went along to see how excited people were about another dating app arriving on the scene.
Victoria's Secret is under pressure to feature curvier models.
An online petition, launched by Brittany Cordts, Victoria's Secret to use plus-size models in its famous annual fashion show.
Here are some plus-sized models that Victoria's Secret could consider hiring.
Source: Lizzie Miller's Wikipedia page
Source: Style.com
Source: Elle Spain
Any wine expert will tell you that as Americans, we rely far too much on the same kinds of wine.
We know what to expect from a Pinot Grigio, Merlot, or Malbec, but what about Vermentino, Nebbiolo, or Côtes du Rhône?
We spoke with Jeremy Block, owner of Some Good Wine in New York, about alternatives to the most common reds and whites that everyone should order.
Keep reading to see the nine wines that should replace your old stand-bys below.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust red that is bursting with flavor. It's a classic option that pairs especially well with meat dishes.
But if you're looking to branch out from your classic Cabernet, Block recommends trying a wine with "that same caliber of density," such as Spanish Garnacha, also known as Grenache.
These Spanish wines are medium-bodied and spicy, with "less blackberry, more chocolate; similar richness and intensity," according to Block.
The classic Merlot is an easy wine to drink and is still one of the most popular varieties out there.
Block told us that the plum taste of Merlot is what draws many people to this wine. "And not just any plums, soft ones that are velvety and succulent," Block said. "Italian Nebbiolo will have that similar velvetiness.
Nebbiolo is known as a rich wine with notes of tar, blackberry and roses. The Italian wine goes well with roasted meats as well as delicious, thick tomato sauces.
"Pinot Noir is the greatest wine in the world," Block said, "but it's also the most expensive."
A good Pinot is delicate, fruity, and not at all harsh like Cabernet can be. If you want to try a similarly light red, turn to Beaujolais.
"Beaujolais has a similar light body with silky tannins, quenching red fruit, and perky acid," Block told us. "It can also be found in the low $20s most of the time."
Shiraz and Syrah wines are spicy, earthy, and taste best with well-seasoned steak or wild game.
For an equally flavorful wine, Block recommends trying a French Mourvedre.
"Normally a blending grape but on it's own, Mourvedre can have just as much meat and tannic structure as Syrah with more wild berries and herbs," Block said.
The dark, fruity, and black pepper-y taste of Malbec makes it such a delicious dinner wine. But if you want to try something new, Block said to turn to Côtes du Rhône.
"Côtes du Rhône is a blend from southern France, that tends to be scattered parts Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre," Block explained to us.
Block described these French wines as "medium- to full-bodied with succulent fruit and chewy tannins" and said it's easy to find a good bottle for under $20.
Chardonnary may be one of America's favorite wines with a buttery, creamy texture, but this oaky wine isn't the only full-bodied white to sip.
"While not quite as large and in charge, California Viognier packs on a pretty punch and will still let you live on the big side of life," Block told us.
Expect a bright, dry white wine from Viognier. Block says it has "more flowers, less butter with a similar full body concentration."
"High acid. Zest. Citrus. Picnic in the park. This is what Sauvignon Blanc is all about," Block said.
If you're looking for that same light, citrusy taste, give the northeastern Spanish wine Albarino a try.
Block told us this wine is "a little more exotic with apricots and peaches, plus a tiny, tiny spritz that you won't even notice." Sounds delicious and refreshing.
For those who like Riesling, chances are you have a sweet tooth. To switch it up, Block said that Vouvray is a great alternative.
This usually German wine has "a little more body than your average Riesling," according to Block. Though he did say there are a few differences.
"Vouvray floats in your mouth when Riesling pops," he said. "Vouvray is more orange, nuts and marzipan. Riesling is all about the minerality, apricots and melon." But it will be just as sweet.
Most sommeliers think we all drink way too much Pinot Grigio.
"Ask any wine professional what their favorite wine is not to sell you and it will 99% be Pinot Grigio," Block said. "It's popularity is a 'travesty for the wine world.'
There are plenty of other great Italian white wines to try, such as Vermentino. It's light, fresh, and similarly acidic with ctrus notes and a slight nuttiness that's distinctly Italian.
"There is nothing quite like Gewürztraminer," Block told us, with its "succulent smells of lychees, orange peel, and bunt sugar."
Except Muscat.
This under-the-radar white wine comes from the Alsace region and is known for its ripe, rich scent. If you're looking to branch out in your white wine drinking, give Muscat a taste.
SEE ALSO: Stop hating on boxed wine — everyone should be drinking it
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The Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Sapporo, Japan and attracts about 2 million visitors every winter. The 2015 one just ended this week.
The first festival took place in 1950 when local high school students made six snow statues. Nowadays, the festival includes an international sculpture contest, ice rinks, air shows, and some of the most intricately detailed statues.
Here are some of the most creative and inspiring images from the this year's festival, courtesy of Rocket News 24.
Some couples aren't just great matches for each other — they hold major power across their industry as well.
In honor of Valentine's Day, we put together a list of the couples who are ruling the tech world.
This is an update of an earlier article by Alyson Shontell and Julie Bort.
When it comes to power, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer yields plenty. This year, she was at the forefront of a plan to spin off Yahoo's 15% stake in Alibaba into a new public company, which sets Yahoo up for major potential growth at her hand. However, it also means that all eyes are on Mayer for the foreseeable future.
Coupled with husband Zack Bogue, co-managing partner of venture capital firm Data Collective, the pair holds serious clout in the tech world.
Aaron and Karine Hirschhorn co-founded DogVacay, a network of local dog sitters that's now available in over 3,000 cities. They came up with the idea after a terrible experience with a kennel that left one of their dogs, Rocky, hiding under Aaron's desk for the next two days.
Dubbed "Airbnb for dogs," this service allows pet users to go away without worrying about the well-being of their pooches. It has raised $47 million from investors such as First Round Capital, Benchmark, and Andreessen Horowitz, most recently receiving $25 million in a Series B round of funding led by Omers Ventures.
Both alumni of powerful tech giants — him: Apple and Facebook; her: Google — Dave and Brit Morin now run their own startups.
Dave runs Path, a mobile social network, which he co-founded in 2010. He also invests in a bunch of startups through Slow Ventures. Brit started her own company, Brit+Co, a design and cooking site full of inspirational how-to posts, in 2011. Since its launch, it has since raised $7.6 million in funding.
On top of all that, the couple, who have been married since 2011, welcomed their first child last fall.
Google is known for its quirky office designs, and its new outpost in Budapest, Hungary certainly doesn't disappoint.
Graphasel, the Budapest-based design studio Google hired for the project, chose a spa theme in honor of the city's water-centric culture.
According to Graphasel's description of the office, there are nearly 500 springs in Budapest, and it's long been known as a spa destination.
The office's design includes some pretty wacky features, including a sauna, fancy tile, and a conference room packed with water polo gear.
Think back to when you were 22 years old. You were just graduating from college, entering the "real world," and embarking on your professional journey.
Maybe you wish you could rewrite your past. Or perhaps you're content with the decisions you made at that time in your life. Either way, there are probably a few things you wish you knew then that you know now.
That's exactly what LinkedIn asked its network of top minds across all fields to write about for its most recent Influencers editorial package, titled "If I Were 22."
Over 60 thought leaders shared original posts — along with pictures of themselves at 22 — filled with pearls of wisdom for new grads based on what they wish they had known at 22. Here's what 12 super-successful people had to say.
In the course of her "Thrive" book tour, the The Huffington Post president says one question has come up over and over again. It goes something like this: "It's all fine and good for people who have already succeeded to care for their well-being, but shouldn't young people pursue their dreams by burning the candle at both ends? Surely getting by on less sleep and constant multitasking are an express elevator to the top, right?"
"This couldn't be less true," Huffington says. "And for far too long, we have been operating under a collective delusion that burning out is the necessary price for achieving success."
This is what she wishes she knew at 22. "I wish I could go back and tell myself, 'Arianna, your performance will actually improve if you can commit to not only working hard but also unplugging, recharging, and renewing yourself.'"
That knowledge, Huffington says, would have saved her a lot of unnecessary stress, worry, burnout, and anxiety.
"There are lots of things I know now that I wish I had known when I was 22," says the Virgin Group founder. "I would have loved to have known that Sir Tim Berners-Lee was going to invent the internet, so that I could have invented LinkedIn — not to mention Google, Twitter, and Facebook!
"It would have been useful to have known that Steve Jobs was going to launch the iPod, and the internet was going to revolutionize the music industry — I would have sold our record shops and got out of the music business a lot earlier."
Krawcheck, the business leader of 85 Broads and a former top executive on Wall Street, wishes she had known to keep a running note of what works and what doesn't work for her; what she likes and what she doesn't like; what she's good and what she isn't good at; the work styles that suit her and what doesn't; and where her passions lie and what leaves her cold.
She'd tell her 22-year-old self that "it still won't be easy once you decide what you want to do: over the months that follow, you're going to be rejected by all of the major Wall Street firms … but you'll eventually find the right firm. … It's going to be a lot of fun. Not every day, but most days. You're going to be rejected a lot. You'll need thick skin to get through it. Oh, and work hard. That really matters. Please get that mole on your shoulder checked. And that guy you're dating? Bad idea. Seriously."
The Audi RS 7 is unlike anything on the road. It's powerful, sleek, and oddly practical. It doesn't easily fit into a particular category. Is it a supercar? Nope — it has four doors and a ton of storage space, two features that supercars typically lack. Is it a supersedan? Sort of, but it has a hatchback like an old Honda CRX. So it's a fun little hot hatchback? No! It's 16 feet long and costs 120 grand. A four-door coupe? Perhaps.
When Business Insider got the chance to spend a few days behind the wheel of a 2015 Audi RS 7 4.0T quattro Tiptronic, I was on a mission to figure out what this beast was all about.
A huge apartment on New York City's Upper West Side has just been listed for $42 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The 7,000-square-foot apartment is in one of Manhattan’s first co-op buildings from the 1930s.
On the 9th floor of the 18-story residence, the apartment is bright and airy with huge windows that look out on the city. It has five bedrooms, a library, a maid’s room, and not one but two living rooms.
According to the WSJ, the anonymous owners bought the home for $12.2 million in 2003 and renovated it with an updated layout and smart home features. The result is a light, white apartment with pops of color.
Randall Gianopulos and Serena Boardman of Sotheby’s International Realty are sharing the listing.
"Dilbert" creator Scott Adams has a chapter in his book "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big" titled "Passion is Bullshit."
"When a successful person is interviewed, and you say, 'What was the secret to your success?' what they can't say, because society won't let them, is: 'I was smarter, I worked harder, I had better connections, and I got really lucky,'"Adams tells Business Insider. "Instead, they go with a democratic trait: passion."
Adams falls into the camp, which notably includes author Cal Newport, that believes pursuing something you love is not enough. Drawing from his own career, in which he became a successful cartoonist in 1995 after a string of failures, Adams says that finding a "system" is what's necessary to get ahead.
He makes his point in a colorful presentation, which we've published here with his permission.
Valentine's Day is a chance to give our loved ones reassurance that we care — and perhaps a token or two of our affection.
Whether your Valentine is a friend, family member, new date, or treasured spouse, check out 25 gifts that will make them smile. Bonus: All of these gifts are under $50.
And remember: A heartfelt card is usually just as appreciated.
Melissa Stanger and Emmie Martin contributed to this story.
The Oscar-nominated film version of "American Sniper," the autobiography of record-making Navy Seal Chris Kyle, has captured hearts across the U.S. Now, read the book that started it all.
Price: $6
Whether you live down the block or across the country, surprise your Valentine with a sweet note. The words are pretty much covered, but it's up to you to provide the sentiment.
Price: $7
Surprise loved ones of any age with this old-school way to showcase some of your favorite times together.
Price: $12
When Robyn Davidson was 26 years old, she decided to walk 1,700 miles across the harsh terrain of wild Australia.
It was 1977, and Davidson spent nine months traveling from Alice Springs in central Australia to the Indian Ocean off the western coast.
She wanted to find meaning outside of the noise of modern society, and reached out to National Geographic to fund the trip.
The magazine agreed to give her some money to survive the trek alongside her four camels and dog, in exchange for intermittently sending 27-year-old photographer Rick Smolan to document stretches of the journey.
The National Geographic story was published in May 1978, and Davidson published her memoir, "Tracks," two years later.
It made Davidson a celebrity in Australia, and over 30 years later was adapted into a dramatic film starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver.
More recently, Smolan self-published "Inside Tracks: Robyn Davidson's Solo Journey Across the Outback," a collection of high-res prints of his original photographs alongside personal essays from him and Davidson.
Smolan shared a sampling of the photos with Business Insider. They capture Davidson's journey, as well as powerful lessons about love, death, and self-reliance.
In love and economics, words only go so far.
That's why we turn to charts... in both love and economics.
Elizabeth Fosslien, a chartsmith and analyst at Arc Worldwide, created 14 admittedly cheesy charts that communicate love through economic puns.
"Give them one of these (charts) and anything they receive next year will be a step up. It's called expectation management and is the key to a long and happy relationship," she says.
Check out these swoon-inducing charts that she created, perfect for telling your true love just exactly how much they mean to you.
Thanks to Elizabeth for giving us permission to feature these charts!
Amazon isn't exactly a complicated site.
Log-in, browse the product selection, make a purchase. That's it.
But there are some features and pro-tips that only dedicated Amazon fans know about.
Vine is Amazon's invitation-only club for a small percentage of elite reviewers. Every month, Amazon sends selected Vine reviewers a list of products. Each person can select two products to review at a time, and they can keep those items as long as they provide a review within 30 days. Amazon insists that reviews don't have to be positive.
Learn more about Amazon Vine.
Mechanical Turk basically gives users access to an on-demand workforce, and it gives people who want to make a little extra money a way to find quick-and-easy online labor. Here's some examples from the site: you can get paid $0.04 per picture to find images of specified real estate agents or $0.02 to copy text from a picture of a business card.
Here's a link to Mechanical Turk.
For people who work all day and don't want to get personal packages delivered to the office yet can never make it to the post office before it closes, Locker is a godsend.
Lockers are often in 24-hour facilities — like 7-Elevens — and when you go to pick up your package you just have to enter a code that was texted or emailed to you to get it.
Check out Amazon Locker.
