It looks like they have something in common.

A photograph of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. It is a large structure in classical Greek style with numerous columns supporting a roof decorated with carved designs.

Source: Lincoln Memorial, David Bjorgen, Wikimedia

A photograph of the Greek Parthenon in Athens. It is a classical Greek structure in that it has large columns supporting a roof. In this structure the roof has collapsed over time and all that remains is the foundation, the columns, and portions of the roof's perimeter.

Source: Parthenon, Tim Bekaert, Wikimedia

Have you or anyone you know ever been to Washington DC? One of the favorite tourist destinations is the Lincoln Memorial (pictured above on the left). The building on the right is the ruins of a temple from Ancient Greece known as the Parthenon.

Why are there so many buildings in our nation's capital that copy the style of a civilization thousands of years old? The answer: democracy! The ancient Greeks were the first people to pioneer the democratic style of government that citizens in the United States honor and cherish.

How did an ancient people come up with such a radical new idea?

A drawing of an angry man frowning and yelling, waving his arm in the air. Above him appears a dialogue box. Text: 'All of Athens must bow down before your magnificent tyrant!'

Adapted from: Angry Man, Tomia, Wikimedia

In early Greek history, control of the government was the domain of aristocrats and tyrants. Ordinary people had little say in the day to day working of the government. However, this began to change when a politician named Solon passed reforms that laid the foundation for democracy in Athens by allowing more participation in government.

Most of Solon's attempts at reform failed due to resistance from tyrants and wealthy land owners.However, it was not long before a new leader emerged that would change Athens forever.