TWINS HAVE ALWAYS AMAZED ME.I FEEL THEY ARE ''THE LIVING WONDERS OF THE WORLD''
The Biology of Twins
Identical twins (monozygotic) result when a single fertilized egg splits after conception. The resulting twins are the same sex and genetically alike, with similar foot and hand prints, but different fingerprints and teeth marks. The egg then splits into two genetically identical halves. They share 100% of their genes. Fraternal twins (dizygotic) result when two eggs are released by the mother at the same time and each egg is fertilized by a different sperm. Fraternal twins can be of the same or opposite sex. They share up to 50% of their genes, and are no more alike or different than any two siblings would be, but there bond is just as special.
Half Identical Twins (Polar Body Twinning)
These twins occur when the mother's egg splits before fertilization and then each half is then fertilized by a sperm.
Twins of Two
They have different fathers and are formed when two eggs are released by the mother and each egg is fertilized by sperm from two different fathers.
Conjoined Twins
They are products of a single egg that for unknown reasons fail to divide fully into identical twins. One child in 50,000 is born connected to another. About 500 such babies are known to have survived their first year, and fewer than a dozen are living in the United States today.
Facts about conjoined twins
• Conjoined twins occur once every 200,000 live births.
• Forty percent to 60 percent of conjoined twins arrive stillborn, and about 35 percent survive only one day.
• The overall survival rate of conjoined twins is between 5 percent and 25 percent.
• Approximately 70 percent of all conjoined twins are girls. Although more male twins conjoin in the womb than female twins, females are three times as likely to be born alive.
• Conjoined twins are genetically identical and are, therefore, always the same sex. They develop from the same fertilized egg.
• One of the earliest documented cases of conjoined twins were Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst. They were born in Biddenden , Kent , England , in the year 1100, and were joined at the hip.
• Another set of famous conjoined twins was Eng and Chang Bunker, who were born in Thailand (then called Siam ) in 1811. The term Siamese twins was coined as a reference to Eng and Chang, who achieved international fame shortly after leaving Siam as teenagers.
They were exhibited in circus shows around the world before settling in the United States , where they married two sisters and had nearly two dozen children. They were 63 years old when they died.
• The term “Siamese twins” is no longer considered appropriate.
• Conjoined twins aren't limited to any racial or ethnic group and have been born all over the world.
— Source: University of Maryland Medicine
945 A.D.
The first recorded pair of conjoined twins is born in Armenia. The twin boys are connected from the waist to the abdomen. One of the boys dies during a surgical attempt to separate them. The surviving twin dies three days later.
1100
Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst are considered one of the more famous early documented pairs of conjoined twins. The sisters become known as the Biddenden Maids of Biddenden Kent, England. Illustrations depict the twins joined at the hip and shoulders, but reports suggest they are pygopagus twins -- joined at the posterior of the buttocks. The sisters live for 34 years. After the death of one sister, the other dies hours later, declaring, "As we came together, we will also go together."
1689
German physician G. Konig performs the first recorded successful operation to separate a pair of conjoined twins.
1811
One of the best-known cases of conjoined twins is that of Eng and Chang Bunker, who are born in Siam (now Thailand) -- hence the phrase "Siamese twins." They are joined at the waist by a tubular band of tissue about 3.25 inches long and about 1.5 inches in diameter. Most of their youth is spent working to support their mother. Their work as "The Siamese Double Boys" helps them accumulate a small fortune. The Bunker boys marry two sisters, Sallie and Adelaide Yates, and father 21 children between them. In 1874, Chang awakes to find Eng dead. Several hours later, Chang dies.
1851
Millie and Christine McCoy are conjoined twins born into slavery in North Carolina. The two are separated from their family and sold several times. Their last owner reunites them with their family. Advertised as the "Two-Headed Nightingale" or "Two-Headed Lady," the twins are said to be fluent in five languages and perform all over the world as pianists, singers and dancers. In 1912, on their 61st birthday, Millie dies of tuberculosis. Christine dies the next day.
1949
Los Angeles is the birthplace of conjoined twins Yvonne and Yvette MacArthur, who are fused at the head. They have separate brains but share a circulatory system. Financial problems from numerous medical bills drive the sisters' mother to put the girls into the circus for a few years.
The MacArthur sisters grow up to become successful gospel singers. At age 38, the two enroll in college to study nursing. Five years later, in 1993, the MacArthurs die, a few months shy of their graduation.
For more fabulous information: Facts about Multiples
Twins and Multiples Statistics
The number of births in twin deliveries rose 6 percent for 1997-98 to 110,670 births- the largest single year rise in several decades. The number of Triplet Births climbed to 6919, a rise of 13 percent. Births in quadruplet deliveries increased from 510 to 627 between 1997 and 1998: the number of quintuplet and other higher order multiples was unchanged at 79. Since 1980 twin births have risen 62 perecent and other higher order muliptles births have jumped 470 percent. The Twin birth rate has risen 5 percent for the current year and the Triplet birth rate has risen 11 percent. Both Twin and Triplet birth rates have risen steadily since 1980, by 49 and 423 percent respectively, but the pace of the increase has quickened in the 1990's. There are now over 500,000 multiples 5 and under in the U.S..
Two related trends have been associated with the rise in multiple births, especially with the rise of higher order multiples; older age at childbearing (women in their thirties are more likely than younger women to have a multiple birth, even without the use of fertility therapy), and the more widespread use of fertility-enhancing therapies (fertility drugs and techniques such as in vitro fertilization). These therapies have been associated with the remarkable upswing in multiple births of the 1980's and 1990's. A recent study estimates that about 80 percent of triplet births in 1996 and 1997 were the result of fertility techniques.
***All Information is directly from National Vital Statistics Reports - Volume 48, Number 3 - from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention****
Triplet Facts
Nearly 17 per cent of all-male triplets were born prematurely at less than 28 weeks. (A full-term pregnancy is 37 weeks.) If there were two males and one female in the triplets, less than 15 per cent were born before 28 weeks. And if the triplets consisted of all females or only one male, about 14 per cent were born before 28 weeks.
Kaminsky says researchers have proposed various explanations for the association between male gender and preterm birth. One possibility is differences in sex hormones.
FUN FACTS
A peasant named Kirilow was presented to the empress of Russia in 1853 for the following reason. He had been married twice. His first wife bore fifty seven children, including four sets of quadruplets, seven sets of triplets, and two sets of twins. His second wife gave birth to fifteen children-six sets of twins and one set of triplets. At the time of his presentation to the empress, all seventy two of Kirilow's children were still alive.
Lots of Twins (Over 4 sets)
Mrs. Mary Jonas (d. 1899) had 15 sets of boy/girl twins.
A woman from Italy had 11 sets of fraternal twins in 11 years the last being in 1947 - not all of them survived.
Marcella Mills-Bigcrow of Pine Ridge, South Dakota had 8 sets of twins,
along with 8 single births. All the babies survived, and were born between the 1940's and 1960's.
The Tremblay's of Quebec, Canada had 6 sets of twins in 8 years. Raymonde (her twin died at birth),
Ronald & Ronaldo, Jacques & Jacqueline, Jules & Julien, Francine & Francois, Christien & Christiane.
Mrs. Barbara Zulu of South Africa had 6 sets of twins in 7 years (1967-73, 3 sets of girls, 3 mixed)
The Lecus family had 6 sets of twins and 19 children in total: Edna and Edward on April 3 1886,
Charles and Martha April 27 1887, Elizabeth and Irene July 15 1888, Louise and Esther on August 8 1892,
Agnes and David on January 3 1899 (Agnes died at age 7), and Emma and Viola in 1902. All were born
in the Illinois/Michigan/Wisconsin area. Another daughter, Evangeline, had quadruplets that died at birth.
Six sets of twins were born to Mrs. Harry Fifield of Connecticut.
The Bockus family of Montreal had five sets, the last being born April 4 1845, a boy/girl set.
Above Info came from: www.twinship.com
Nigeria holds the World Record in Multiple Births.
more fun info about Nigeria:
Most of the multiple births, comes from the women of the Yoruba Ethnic
group in the Western part of the Country who have the highest number of multiple births in the world.
Nigeria has more of Identical twins than Fraternal twins
The tribe of birth determines the names of twins in Nigeria. Among the Hausas Northern
tribe of Nigeria, the first is called Hassan, while the second is called Hussien. In the Yoruba
tribe of Western Nigeria, they are called Taiwo and Kehinde. While in Mid-western of
Nigeria (Edo State) It is Odion and Akhere.
There is a general belief that Yam in our diet contributes to twinning and multiple birth.
There are more triplets in Nigeria than quadruplets.
NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL TWINS DAYS FESTIVAL=THEME:
KEEPING MULTIPLE BIRTHS ALIVE Coming up in November, 2001.
The World's Oldest Twins Who Ever Lived
The oldest twins ever documented are Eli Shadrack and John Meshak Phipps (USA) born on February 14, 1803 in Affington, Virginia. Eli died on February 23, 1911 at the age of 108 years; his brother John died on December 10, 1916 at the age of 113. The chance of identical twins both reaching and surpassing the age of 100 is about 1:700,000,000 (one in 700 million).
[ Editor's Note: Recent evidence has come to light subsequent to the publication of this edition of the Guinness Book of Records that throws this "Twin Claim" into serious doubt. More details later.]
The World's Oldest Triplets Who Ever Lived
The longest-lived triplets ever recorded were Faith, Hope, and Charity Cardwell (USA) who were born on May 18, 1899. Faith died first on October 2, 1994 age 95 years 137 days.
The World's Oldest Living Triplets
Marjory Skeaping (neé Scott), Sheila Botterill (neé Scott), and David Scott (UK) have been verified as the world's oldest living triplets. They were born in Edinburgh, SCOTLAND on May 19, 1920. Curiously, their Uncle, Aunt, and their Mother's First Cousin also celebrate their birthdays on May 19th.
The World's Oldest Living Quadruplets
The oldest quadruplets were The Ottmans (GERMANY). Adolf, Ann-Marie, Emma, and Elisabeth were born on May 5, 1912. All four quads lived to the age of 79. In November 2000, there were 992 sets of quadruplets worldwide. Identical quads are quite rare - only about 20 sets worldwide.
Tallest Female Twins in The World**
Heather & Heidi Burge - 6' 4 and 3/4
They were born in 1971, Palos Verdes, Calif -
Tallest Male Twins in the World**
Michael & James Lanier
7' 4 born in Troy Michigan
Shortest Twins in the World**
John & Greg Rice
2'10 - reside in West Palm Beach, Florida
Longest time a twin has remain undiscovered**
7/97 - a fetus was discovered in the abdomen of a 16 year old - Hisham Ragab
of Egypt. A swollen sac found pressing against his kydney turned out to be
his 7 inch long, 4lb, 6oz identical twin
Longest Lived Conjoined Twins**
Chang & Eng Bunker from Siam (now Thailand). They were born 5/11/1811 and
they passed away within 3 hours of each other at the age of 63 on 1/7/1874
Ronnie & Donnie Gaylon are the oldest living male conjoined twins. They are
47 years old and live in Ohio. For 36 years they traveled in shows,
carnivals and the circus. They retired in 1991.
Heaviest Twins**
Billy and Benny Crary - Hendersonville, NC
They were normal in size until they were 6 years old. In 1978 Billy was 743
pounds and Benny was 723 pounds. Their waist measurement was 7 ft.
Largest Multiple Birth**
1971 - Dr Gennaro Montanino from Rome-Italy, claimed to have removed 15
fetuses from the uterus of a 35yr old woman after 4 months of pregnancy. A
fertility drug was responsible for these Quindecaplets.
***Above fun facts were referenced from the Guiness World Records 2000-Millennium Edition***
FAMOUS TWINS
Steve Waugh - Cricket player - Australia's inspirational captain - twin brother Mark is also a cricket player
Henry Simmons - actor (NYPD Blue) - twin sister
Chris and Peter Ferraro - hockey players - US
Daniel and Henrik Sedin - hockey players - Sweden
Lori & Gregory Singer - she is a famous cellist/actress, he is a violinist
The Doves (from England)
Seven & the Sun (from New Jersey)
Back II Back
Aaron Carter is a twin
Vin Diesel (real name: mark Vincent) DOB July 18, 1967 twin - Paul
Tim & Tom Gullikson -Tennis
Kerry & Keith Cash - Football - (Indianapolis colts & Kansas City Chiefs & Steelers)
Paul & Morgan Hamm - gymnastics
Mark & Stephen Waugh - Cricket
Frank & Ronald de Boer - Soccer A
lvin & Calvin Harrison - olympic track
Heather & Jennifer Kinley-(DOB NOV 5, 1970) "THE KINLEYS” Country Musical Group
James Taylor & Caroline Smedvig
Mark and Steve Waugh (dob 6/2/65) Fraternal twins who play Cricket for Australia
Aaron and Angel Carter fraternal twin siblings to brother Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys
Heidi and Heather Burge - Basketball Players
Kelly and Coco Miller - Basketball Players
Paul & Morgan Hamm - Olympic Gymnasts
Tim & Tom Gullikson - Tennis Players
Andy Garcia (twin died at birth)
Nicholas & Kelly Schultz
Ed Sullivan
Jim Thrope (football player)
Thornton Wilder
Isabella Rosellini
Jeremy and Jason London (Jeremy in Party of Five)
Tiki Barber & Ronde (football Players)
Matt Geiger (Basketball Player)
Alexandra Paul
Elvis (twin died at birth)
Jose Canseco(baseball player)
Kin Shriner (General Hospital)
Mathew & Mitchell Laurance
Montgomery Clift
Cynthia and Brittany Daniel
Linda Hamilton
Mike & Bob Bryan
John Lovitz
Mark & Mitch Mimbs
John Elway
Mario Andretti
Kurt & Kyle Froman
Harvey & Horace Grant
Alanis Morrisette
Steven Tylers wife
Mary-Kate & Ashley Olson
Tia & Tamara Mowry
Robin & Maurice Gibb (Bee Gees)- (DOB Dec 22, 1949)
Won 7 Grammys and were elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996
Ann B. Davis
Gloria Vanderbilt
Keith & Derek Brewer
Renee & Rosie Tenison
Mickey Mantles brothers
Peggy & Patsy Lynn - country singers
Gunnar & Mathew Nelson (Born September 20th, 1967) "LOVE & AFFECTION" went to number # 1 on the 1991 billboard award chart
Roz & Marilyn Borden-The “I Love Lucy Twins”
Deidre Hall (Days of Our Lives Soap Star & Andrea Hall-Gengler - DOB 10/31)
Liberace (twin died at birth)
Vivian & Marian Brown
Jill & Jacqueline Hennessy
Tim & Tom Gulliksen
Abby Van Buren & Ann Landers-(DOB 1918) “Dear Abby & Ann Landers” - Advice Columnists
Mark & Scott Kelly - Asronauts
FAMOUS PARENTS OF TWINS
Brendan Shanahan (Red Wings player)
Pavarotti
Ray Romano - actor
Cheryl Tiegs - model
Chuck Norris and wife Gena - actor
Dave Mathews and Ahsley - singer
James Taylor and Caroline - singer
Melvin Gora and Gisel - (Orioles baseball player)
Jane Swift - Governor of Massachusettes
Singer James Taylor and wife Caroline Smedvig
Luis Gonzales- Arizona Diamondbacks has triplets and his wife is a twin
Al Pacino & Beverly D'Angelo- boy and girl
Kathy Moriarity
Dr. Drew has triplets
Holly Robinson & Rodney Peete
Nelson Rockefeller
Margaret Thatcher
Madeline Albright
Andrew Cuomo & Kerry Kennedy
Michigan Governor John Engler and Michelle Engler
Cleopatra (ruler of Egypt - 48BC) & Mark Antony - Alexander Helios and
Cleopatra Selene
Ingrid Bergman & Roberto Rossellini
Debby Boone & Gabriel Ferrer
Beverly Cleary (author)
Nat King Cole (musician)
Joan Crawford (adopted two kids and called them twins, but they weren't really)
Susan Hayward (actress)
Joseph Kennedy
Loretta Lynn
Roy Rogers & Dale Evans
Jimmy Stewart (actor)
Andy Williams (Singer)
George Bush
Stanley Tucci
Steve Forbes
Mel Gibson
Patricia Richardson
Ray Romano
Michael Douglas
Jane Seymour
Muhammad Ali
Ron Howard - Jocelyn Carlyle and Paige Carlyle (twins, born 1985)
Robert DeNiro
Ed Asner
Corbin Bernsen
Meredith Baxter
Bing Crosby
Mia Farrow
Michael J. Fox
Lee Majors
Jane Pauley
Cybill Shepherd
William Shakespeare
Donald Sutherland
Nikki Taylor
Denzel Washington - Malcolm and Olivia
Mia Farrow
Richard Thomas (has triplets)
Malcolm X
MOVIES WITH TWINS
Ripperman -- with Timothy Bottoms & Mike Norris (1994) -- Bob & Ed Johnson
Nell - starring Jody Foster
The Prince and the Pauper
The Dark Mirror
Village of the Damned
The Parent Trap
What ever Happened to Baby Jane?
The Shining
Liquid Sky
Basket Case
Dead Ringers
Big Business
Dominic and Eugene
Twins
The Krays
Double Impact
Lies of the Twins
A kiss Before Dying
Raising Cain
Multiplicity
The Man in the Iron Mask
The Parent Trap-remake
Twins Fall Idaho
Godfather I and III
Twin
The term twin can be used to refer to a pair of any similar objects or concepts, such as the Twin Towers, twin primes, two shoes, or two scientific studies. The term twin would not usually be used for objects that have specific differences, such as a cup and a saucer. One specific instance is the 'twinning' of two towns or cities (usually in different countries) where the councils and the general population in each place become formally associated with one another: for example, exchange visits may be arranged. The term twin can also refer to a doppelganger or clone.
The term twin also specifically refers to two individuals (or one of two individuals) who have shared the same uterus (womb) and usually, but not necessarily, born on the same day. A fetus alone in the womb is called a singleton. The discussion below is limited to this usage of the term twin.
Types of twins
Identical twins
Identical twins occur when a single egg is fertilized to form one zygote (so identical twins are monozygotic) but the zygote then divides into two separate embryos. The two embryos develop into fetuses sharing the same womb. Depending on the stage at which the zygote divides, identical twins may share the same amnion (in which case they are known as monoamniotic) or not (diamniotic). Diamniotic identical twins may share the same placenta (known as monochorionic) or not (dichorionic). All monoamniotic twins are monochorionic.
Sharing the same amnion (or the same amnion and placenta) can cause complications in pregnancy. For example, the umbilical cords of monoamniotic twins can become entangled, reducing or interrupting the blood supply to the developing fetus. Monochorionic twins, sharing one placenta, usually also share the placental bood supply. In rare cases, blood passes disproportionately from one twin to the other through connecting blood vessels within their shared placenta, leading to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Monozygotic twins are genetically identical unless there has been a mutation in development, and are necessarily the same gender. When such twins grow up, they will look physically identical (barring certain variables, such as weight gain).
It is thought that identical twins do not run in families, but rather identical twins occur more or less randomly.
Fraternal twins
Fraternal twins (that is, non-identical twins) occur when two fertilized eggs are implanted in the uterine wall at about the same time, within the same menstrual cycle, or in rare cases within one menstrual cycle of each other. The two eggs form two zygotes, so these twins are also known as dizygotic.
Dizygotic twins are no more similar genetically than any siblings and develop in separate amnions, with separate placentae. They may have different genders or the same gender.
Studies show that there is a genetic basis for fraternal twinning—that is, non-identical twins do run in families.
Conjoined twins
Conjoined twins are monozygotic twins whose bodies are joined together at birth. This occurs where the single zygote of identical twins fails to separate completely. This condition occurs in about 1 in 100,000 pregnancies.
Human twins
Historically, about 1 in 80 human births (1.2%) has been the result of a twin pregnancy. The rate of twinning varies greatly among ethnic groups, ranging as high as about 6% for the Yoruba or 10% for a tiny Brazilian village (see [1]). The widespread use of fertility drugs causing hyperovulation (stimulated release of multiple eggs by the mother) has caused what some call an "epidemic of multiple births". In 2001, for the first time ever in the US, the twinning rate exceeded 3% of all births. Thus, over 6% of children born in the US in 2001 were twins.
Twin studies refers to the practice of assessing identical twins for medical, genetic, or psychological studies to try to find innate similarities and differences. Twins that have been separated early in life and raised in separate households are the most sought-after for these studies.
Sometimes multiple births may involve more than two fetuses. If there are three, they are called triplets; four, quadruplets; five, quintuplets; six, sextuplets, seven, septuplets, and so on. Before the advent of ovulation-stimulating drugs, triplets were quite rare (1 in 8000 births) and higher order births so rare as to be almost unheard of. Multiple pregnancies are usually delivered before the full term of 40 weeks gestation: the average length of pregnancy is around 37 weeks for twins, 34 weeks for triplets and 32 weeks for quadruplets.
The cause of monozygotic twinning is unknown. Fewer than 20 families have been described with an inherited tendency towards monozygotic twinning (people in these families have nearly a 50% chance of delivering monozygotic twins). Some evidence suggests that the environment of the womb causes the zygote to split in most cases.
Dizygotic twin pregnancies are slightly more likely in women of African descent, in women between 30 and 40 years old, in tall and heavy women, in women who conceive soon after stopping birth control pills, and in women who have had several previous pregnancies. Women who have been taking fertility drugs have the greatest chance of multiple births, 10-20%.
Researchers suspect that more pregnancies start out as multiples than come to term that way. Early obstetric ultrasound exams sometimes reveal an "extra" fetus, which fails to develop and instead disintegrates and vanishes. This is sometimes known as a disappearing twin.
Sometimes one twin fetus will fail to develop completely and continue to cause problems for its surviving twin and as such is known as a parasitic twin. Extremely rarely, a fetus can be trapped inside its twin creating a fetus in fetu that continues to parasitize its host outside the womb.
Twinning in animals
Multiple births are common in many animal species, such as cats, sheep, and ferrets. The incidence of twinning among cattle is about 1-4%, and research is underway to improve the odds of twinning, which can be more profitable for the breeder if complications can be sidestepped or managed
twins
This is a List of twins including multiple twins, conjoined twins, modern twin celebrities, twins in sports, mythological twins, historical twins, fictional twins, famous people who had a twin and records related to twins.
Table of contents
1 Twins in popular culture
2 Conjoined twins
3 Famous people with a twin
4 Fictional twins and multiples
5 Historical twins
6 Multiple births
7 Mythological twins
8 Twin Records
9 Twins in Sports
10 Twins in Politics
11 Twins in Science
12 Twins in speech therapy
13 See Also
14 External Link
Twins in popular culture
Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren, American advice columnists
Barbara and Jenna Bush (born 1981), daughters of President George W. Bush
Craig and Charlie Reid, Scottish alternative rockers The Proclaimers
Evan and Jaron Lowenstein, rock band ("Crazy for This Girl")
Johnny and Luther Htoo (born 1990), Burmese guerrilla warriors
Kelley and Kim Deal, musicians, members of The Breeders
Leigh and Leslie Keno, furniture experts, Antiques Roadshow appraisers, Find hosts
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (born 1986), American actors and entrepreneurs
Pier Angeli and Marisa Pavan, Italian actors
Robin (1949-) and Maurice Gibb (1949-2003), British-born Australian musicians, two of the three Bee Gees
Ross McWhirter and Norris McWhirter, compilers of the Guinness Book of Records
Shane and Sia Barbi, Playboy models
Tia and Tamara Mowry, American actors
Mark and Michael Polish, American writer-directors
Benji and Joel Madden, American rock musicians
Conjoined twins
Chang and Eng Bunker (1811-1874), from Thailand, united by the side skin; the expression Siamese twins is derived from their case
Ladan and Laleh Bijani (1974-2003), Iranian, united by the head; died during separation surgery
Mary and Eliza Chulkhurst (1100-1134) (also known as the Biddenden Maids) from England. They are the earliest known set of conjoined twins.
Famous people with a twin
Conrad Bain, (born 1923) Canadian actor, has identical twin brother
Alanis Morissette, Canadian rock singer/songwriter (twin brother Wade)
Elvis Presley, rock superstar and actor (twin brother Jesse Garon Presley died at birth)
Henry Cooper, British boxing regional champion--his brother, George, was also a boxer
Isabella Rossellini, actor (twin sister Isotta, Professor of Literature)
Jim Broadbent, actor (twin sister died at birth)
John Elway, former NFL quarterback, two-time Super Bowl winner (twin sister Janet)
Justin Timberlake, singer (twin sister Laura, died in birth)
Kiefer Sutherland, actor (twin sister Rachel)
Linda Hamilton, actor (twin sister Leslie)
Montgomery Clift, actor (twin sister Roberta)
Vin Diesel (Mark Vincent), American actor (twin brother Paul Vincent)
Andy Garcia, American actor (twin died at birth)
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General
Ann B. Davis, "Alice" in The Brady Bunch, twin was Harriet
Victor A. McKusick, professor of genetics (twin brother Vincent was chief justice of the Maine superior court)
Fictional twins and multiples
Beverly and Elliot Mantle, the twin doctor of Dead Ringers played by Jeremy Irons
Billy and Jimmy Lee (aka Hammer and Spike), twin brothers who are the protagonists of the video game and TV series Double Dragon.
Bob and Walt (Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear), conjoined twins in the Farrelly brothers' Stuck on You
Brandon and Brenda Walsh, the original central characters of the Fox Network prime-time soap opera Beverly Hills 90210
Donald Kaufman, Charlie Kaufman's fictional twin brother, a character in the movie Adaptation (movie), played by Nicolas Cage.
Fred Weasley and George Weasley, twins in the Harry Potter series
Harry, Barry, Larry, Garry and Nathan Jr., the Arizona quintuplets of Raising Arizona, a Joel and Ethan Coen film
Kyle and Lyle Hoover - Breakfast of Champions
Parvati Patil and Padma Patil, twins in the Harry Potter series
Patty and Selma Bouvier, Marge's older sisters, from The Simpsons
Phil and Lil DeVille, from Rugrats voiced by Kath Soucie.
Viola and Sebastian, twins in Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, or What You Will
The Wonder Twins, teenage alien superheroes from a Hanna-Barbera cartoon, who were eventually integrated into the DC Comics universe.
Ginger and Tommy Perry, from the comic strip Life in Eastside.
Huey, Dewey and Louie - Donald Duck's nephews
Nat Cartwright and Fletcher Davenport, heroes of Jeffrey Archer's Sons of Fortune (2001)
Historical twins
Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene (1st century BC), the twins of Marcus Antonius and Cleopatra
Faustus and Fausta Cornelius Sulla (1st century BC), twin sons of Lucius Cornelius Sulla
king Henry II of Castile and twin brother Fradique of Trastamara (killed 1358), born in 1333
king Henry III of Castile and king Ferdinand I of Aragon (born 1379)
king James II of Scotland and Alexander, duke of Rothesay (born 1430)
Jeanne and Victoire de Valois (born and died 1556), twin daughters of Henry II of France and Catherine de Medici
Ronald and Reginald Kray, (born 1933, died 1995 and 2000), British gangsters
Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica (6th century), founders of the religious Benedictine Order for monks and nuns
Multiple births
Dahm triplets
Dionne Quintuplets
Dilley Sextuplets
McCaughey Septuplets
Louis-Chukwu Octuplets
Mythological twins
Apollo and Diana/Artemis, Roman mythology/Greek mythology
Castor and Polydeuces (Castor and Pollux), Greek and Roman mythology
Jacob and Esau, biblical
Perez and Zerah, biblical
Romulus and Remus, mythological founders of Rome, raised by a she-wolf
The Man in the Iron Mask, 18th century myth, claimed to be the twin of Louis XIV of France
Twin Records
Alice and Nelly Clarke (born 1900), oldest twins in Britain
Gin Kanie and Kin Narita (born 1892), oldest twins in Japan and national icons, died 2001 and 2000 respectively
Mary Crombie, longest-lived person born a twin (1890-2003), sister died at 94
Twins in Sports
Bob and Mike Bryan, pro tennis players, doubles champions
Alvin and Calvin Harrison, American sprinters and Olympic athletes
Antonia and Ferdinand Becherer, German Olympic figure skate team
Dora and Cora Webber (born 1958), American women world champion boxers
Horace Grant, current NBA player, and Harvey Grant, former NBA player; born in 1965
Ronde and Tiki Barber, NFL players
José and Ozzie Canseco, MLB baseball players
Dick and Tom Van Arsdale, former NBA basketball players.
Phil and Steve Mahre, skiers
Coco and Kelly Miller (born 1978), WNBA players
Heather and Heidi Burge, former WNBA players
Mark and Steve Waugh (born 1965), Australian cricketersers
Jarron and Jason Collins, NBA basketball players
Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, New Zealand world champions double sculls (rowing).
Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, professional hockey players for the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks
Twins in Politics
Angela Eagle and Maria Eagle, British Members of Parliament.
Twins in Science
Mark and Scott Kelly, first astronaut twins
Twins in speech therapy
Poto and Cabenga
[THE FOLLOWING INFO IS IN THE WORDS{not mine}OF SOME TWINS]
There are many misconceptions concerning twins. One example is that a lot of people think one twin is always evil. Although I would tend to agree (my twin brother is definitely our "EVIL" one), this is not true. There are many other misconceptions about twins and following are a few I found interesting.
THE FIRST BORN IS OLDER
Identical twins are the same age, regardless of who was born first. One twin cannot be older because they were conceived at EXACTLY THE SAME TIME!
It is a common belief that twins are "Psychically Linked." We don't believe that twins have more psychic ability than anyone else may have. What many twins do share, however, is an identical environment and genetic make-up. This will cause twins to react to similar situations in similar way. Twins may say the same thing at the same time. They may think the same, react the same and appear to have some kind of unseen connection. Many non-twin kids have the same "ability." It just appears more weird when it happens to twins
Identical Twins happen when a single fertilized egg splits usually one to fourteen days after conception. Identical twins are genetically alike. They have the same chromosomes and usually have a lot of the same physical features but are not totaly the same. Each twin is an individual and has different traits of his own. Identical twins are the same sex, the same blood type and have the same hair and eye color, same nose, ear and lip shapes.
The identical birth rate is approximately 4/1000 births and is thought to be an accident of nature. Chances of having two sets of identical twins is one in 70,000.
Identical twins spend a lot of time together and are usually each other's best friend. Although they like other people, their twin is the person they usually choose to be with, especially when they are young. They do not like to be apart. Identicals usually have their own private language and have the ability to do the same in the same activities. They also enjoy each others company because they usually have the same interests.
Identical twins usually care for one another more deeply than fraternals. This is because of the special bond between them that grew while they were inside their mother. After age 9 or 10, identicals usually choose to form their own identities.
DUMB QUESTIONS
I think there are some really questions people ask twins and their parents. My parents always said that if they could have had a rupee for every time they were asked if my brother and I were identical, they would be rolling in millions. After questioning several parents of twins and researching this subject, I have uncovered several DUMB QUESTIONS. See if you agree.
Do you ever get yourselves mixed up?
Are you the same age?
Are you boy/girl twins identical?
Can your parents tell you apart?
Why aren't you dressed alike?
Do you ever switch places?
How do you know which one you are?
Do you have the same parents?
Which one is smarter?
Were you born on the same day?
How did your parents know you were Twins?
Twins Poems
Twenty tiny fingers,
Twenty tiny toes,
Two little angel faces,
Each with a turned up nose.
One looks like his mum,
With a curl on top,
The other one's going bald,
Just like his Pop, Pop, Pop !!
The Mother of Twins
A meeting convened one day
in Heavens sacred hall.
The Ideal mother must be found
for twins so sweet and small.
She must be patient, first of all,
And kind and calm and wise.
And capable of chasing tears
away from little eyes.
She'd have to put her children first
And be so very smart
Have dedication and resolve,
A sweet and loving heart.
They all agreed you were the best
No other mom would do.
Yes, Heaven found the perfect one
And sent those twins to you!
(c) Larry Howland
used with permission
Four Tiny Hands
Twenty fingers and twenty toes
Two pair of eyes and a set of cute little noses
Two hearts beating in unison
form this double bouquet of mother's roses.
Two hungry babies
Two piercing screams
Two perfect little answers
To all of our dreams.
Double the bottles
Double the toys
Double the diapers
And double the joys.
Four little legs to follow along
Four little feet to fill Daddy's shoes
Four little hands to hold in our own
Four little eyes to watch our every move.
Two little people to nurture and grow
Two little minds with their own will.
Two heads locked in love and battle
our very own little Jack and Jill.
A set of worried parents
try to fulfill the every demand
Of two little souls
and four tiny hands.
(c) Christine G. Law
Twins
There's two to wash
There's two to dry,
There's two who argue
There's two who cry.
One's in the mud
Having a ball
The other holds a crayon
Another marked wall.
Some days seem endless
My patience grows thin.
Why was I chosen
To be a Mother of Twins?
The answer comes clear
At the end of each day,
As I tuck them in bed
And to myself I say.
There's two to kiss
There's two to hug.
And best of all
There's two to love.
Twins
Listen, my friends and you will surely know
how parents survive with twins on the grow.
Day of leisure is now just a pleasant memory
when our double joy was born to us, you see!
One needs changing and the other to be fed;
the laundry to be done while they're in bed.
And a trip of any kind is a tale of it's own,
just getting them ready so we can be gone,.
Or do you remember when romance was once there?
Well, if I'm not too tired, tonight I might dare.
The grim I've told you, but please hear the other,
for such a wonder it is being a twin's Mother.
For along with the double trouble, it does so appear
comes plenty of double loving from those so dear.
And if people ask you, "how do you ever cope?"
Answer, "God sent a blessing and lots of hope."
You are You
You Are You, and I Am Me
You are you, and I am me,
and that's how it was meant to be.
Sometimes we play. Sometimes we fight.
Sometimes you're wrong. Sometimes you're right.
We hug, we read, we play our games.
Sometimes we do thing just the same.
But you are you, and I am me.
Sometimes we do things differently.
Sometimes you go. Sometimes I stay.
I miss you when you go away.
Sometimes we're rough. Sometimes we're mild.
Sometimes we like to drive mom wild.
But you are sweet, and I am kind,
and, more than not, we like to mind.
Cause you are you, and I am me,
and we are more than just a "WE."
You eat your peas. I turn away.
You like to steal things from my tray.
You like to swim. I like to run.
We like to pray when day is done.
We like to talk into the night
and stay awake without a light.
Cause you are you, and I am me,
and that's how it was meant to be.
Anita F. Bott
Twin Song
God gave me a child you see,
A child to call me mother,
But before I knew my child was born,
God gave me another.
I was proud to know that , I
was soon to be a mother,
but before I heard my baby cry,
God gave me another.
Now I have two to sing to, two to cling to,
two to have each other.
And two to give for two to live for ,
And twins to call me mother.
I have watched with pride you see,
the twins grow with each other,
and I am proud to be, so proud you see,
proud to be their mother.
Now I have two to sing to, two to cling to,
two to have each other.
And two to give for, two to live for ,
And twins to call me mother.
Twins
So many good things come in pairs,
Like ears and socks and panda bears.
But best of all are sets of twins,
with extra laughter, double grins.
There's so much fun in having two
with twice as many points of view.
So much alike, forever linked,
and yet they're also quite distinct.
They share a birthday and a name,
But moods and tempers aren't the same.
Although at times they may dispute,
their loyalty is absolute.
From days of youth till life is done,
it's one for both and both for one.
We're all quite novel and precise,
But special folks ~
God made twice.
(c) Larry Howland
used with permission
Old Noah
Old Noah thought his ark was full
and waited for the rain
but our house wasn't quite full yet
to us twas very plain
but now the happy time has come
we proudly show our grins
another pair has come on board
Please welcome our new twins
Your Twins
The heavens were excited -
(statistics were just right)
"Gather 'round," the wisest angel said,
"God's designing twins tonight."
It's quite a marvelous process,
As anybody knows -
Two separate souls begin their lives,
As His love just overflows.
Perhaps he'll make them just alike,
Or as different as can be,
But that's the way He wants it -
He's planned it that way you see.
He must then find a loving Mom,
A very special Dad -
For twins take special parents,
And the best just must be had
Special Delivery
Special delivery, special pair
two little infants left in your care.
It won't be easy this great big task
God thought you were the one He would ask.
To guide and rear two at the same time
through fights and mishaps and lots of grime.
He will give you strength for the longest day
and He will always be there to show you the way.
Though times you will feel that you are alone,
there are a lot of twins mothers
who have two that are grown,
So with this in mind that others have survived the test.
You'll thank God for your double blessing
and do your best.
Twins' Angels
When twins arrive from the Heaven's shore,
The lord sends angels, too.
For moms and dads must sometimes sleep,
but angels never do
They quickly wing their way to earth,
surrounding them with love.
for twins are special little gifts
sent from the Lord above.
If we could see with angel's eyes,
we'd see not one but two.
Yes, they are here to do their best
to help twins' dreams come true.
One plus one is two
and that's the both of you.
Twice as much to love
two blessings from above.
Two precious lives to mold
two little hands to safely hold.
God touched our hearts
so deep inside,
our special blessing
multiplied!!
Hearts EnTWINed
Twenty fingers, twenty toes,
two sweet babies with cheeks of rose.
Born on the same day, two gifts from above,
lives enTWINed, two babies to love.
Twins Forever
I love my twin the most of anyone.
Born minutes apart, our bond is so special.
Our whisperedsecrets, our special language,
our tears and laughter unite us all our lives.
We mirror and affirm eachother,
walking hand in hand, hearts in tune,
my twin is "my other half"
A Day With Twin Boys
Every morning when I rise
I look in the crib and see four eyes
Two precious babies looking at me
And two big smiles saying "Hi Mommy"
Two little boys drink their bottle
Then get in their walker and try to toddle
After they play they love to snuggle
So going to sleep is never a struggle
After they wake they want more food
Then it's off to the playcenter to brighten their mood
They laugh and play and look around
Then pretty soon after they're wearing a frown
They go on the floor and play with their toys
Then starts the hitting like most little boys
They roll around and try to crawl
Having two babies is always a ball
We feed them cereal from a spoon
And hope they learn to eat real soon
They spit their food everywhere
And yes it goes in mommy's hair
One by one we scrub them clean
They're the cutest boys you've ever seen
We wash their toes and their heads
Then get them dressed to go to bed
Once in bed they twist and wiggle
And sometimes you can hear them giggle
After a while they're fast asleep
Two little boys never looked so sweet
Being the parents of two little boys
Brings double the pleasure and double the joys
Seeing them grow is really the best
I thank God each day cause we're doubly blessed
Author: Rebecca Liebman © August 24, 1999
Twin Angels
Four tiny hands, four tiny feet
Two babies we created so discreet.
We nurtured you both and watched you grow.
From the very beginning, from just embryos.
Mom carried you snuggly, careful and close
And protected you both from your head to your toes.
We dreamed of the love, but didn't know the joys
Until we were blessed with two little boys.
Two blessings you were, two miracles indeed
Who were given to us in our time of need.
We longed to give life and create such a love,
And have been blessed with two angels from above.
Created by Eva McMillan for Rebecca Liebman © August 24, 1999
My IVF Twins
Month after month I tried for a child
The hormonal ride was anything but mild
Appointment after appointment
Was met with nothing but disappointment.
Finally we decided to try IVF
For us there was no other step
We gave it all the money we had
And prayed that the ending wouldn't be sad
My injections left a great big bruise
But after waiting and waiting I got good news
In 9 short months I'd be a mom
My lifelong dream had finally come
I had a sono to check the baby
And couldn't have been more elated
We saw a baby with a strong heartbeat
And told our happy news to all we'd meet
We had a scare and thought the baby was gone
But had a scan and saw a heartbeat strong
We tried to relax but were scared to death
That we would never feel our baby's breath
Two days later we saw my doc
He gave us the news and we were in shock
Not only was our baby okay
But we had twins that were on their way
My pregnancy went by really quick
I was lucky and only once got sick
My birth experience was something to savoir
Even though at 32 weeks I had premature labor
Infertility has left me scarred
And IVF was really hard
But now I am the mom of twins
And my face is wearing a constant grin
Author: Rebecca Liebman © October 1999
Blessings
Pink or blue - multiply by two
What excitement that news drew
Two boys? or girls? or one of each
Precious bundles - skin like peach
Downy hair and dimpled cheeks
Trusting eyes take a peek
A whole new world to explore
Love and laughter - a whole lot more
Tiny fingers - tiny toes
Adorable babies - ribbons and bows
Bunny rugs and lullabies
Lots of lows and lots of highs
So if one day you get the news
That you will need two pairs of shoes
Be glad at heart you've paid the price
You're special in that you've been blessed twice
By Lorraine Paton - 11th February 1998
Two Little Angels
The days were so special when I realized.
The feelings I had, I was hypnotized.
The coming of two little angels of love.
I knew too well, they were sent from above.
How little they were, when they first arrived.
The feelings of happiness, I'm surely surprised.
I glanced in their eyes, as they gazed into mine.
Two little angels of hope, God gave me a sign.
Now time is passing day by day.
My two little angels from God are growing up I'd say.
Soon it will come to the point of anew.
When they find them a love and bid me adieu.
I know I will dread, the day when their grown.
My two little angels will leave me to walk alone.
WRITE 2 ME
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