It can seem strange that Americans honor a British scientist who was born 207 years ago with “Darwin Day”, but Charles Darwin was no ordinary scientist. He completely changed the way most people thought about how species came to being. His contributions to evolutionary theory have created controversy in many schools and churches, but to the scientific community, Darwin is considered a hero.
Darwin’s Path
Darwin’s parents were fairly wealthy for their time, and they ran in society circles in Shropshire, England. His grandparents were noteworthy abolitionists, and the families attended church. His father was a doctor. At 16, Darwin was serving as an apprentice doctor with his father. Young Darwin entered the University of Edinburgh Medical School but neglected his studies. Still, his father did not give up, and he was sent to Christ’s College at Cambridge on the path to becoming a parson in the Anglican Church.
Although Darwin completed his degree, he studied natural history, zoology, and geology more than he did any religious courses. He was invited to join the HMS Beagle as a companion, and his father objected, thinking it was a waste of time. Darwin’s uncle persuaded his dad to allow Darwin to go on the voyage. It was on the Beagle that Darwin began his extensive collection of specimens that led to his scientific discovery of evolution. He came back to England in 1836, the voyage taking three more years than planned.
Darwin spent the next few years cataloging and identifying the items in his collection. He worked with zoologists and botanists. Again, his parents should be commended, because it was his father’s investments that allowed Darwin to work as a gentleman scientist. Many other collections from the same time frame went unsorted and unidentified because of the backlog of work. It was during this time of identification that Darwin began speculating about evolution.
Darwin forever transformed the scientific community, but as with any new scientific notions, change is never easy. It took Darwin until 1859 to publish his discourse, “On the Origin of Species,” which proved to be quite popular in England. He died in 1882, and although some were not convinced of all of his views, most scientists believed that he revolutionized ideas in natural history. It was on his 100th birthday that scientists began honoring him. His contributions have had an effect on many different branches of science, which is why it’s important to remember him.
Where to Find Celebrations
The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., usually hosts events surrounding Darwin on his birthday. When you visit darwinday.org, you’ll find an international list of events in February that commemorate his birth. Many natural history museums will have some remembrance of his day. Check with local biology teachers or the science department at a college close to your home. Some civic organizations host movies or special lectures about Darwin in February.
No Celebration Close to You?
If there’s no celebration in your hometown, create your own. Take your family to the nearest natural history museum and explore the wonders of the world. Read one of Darwin’s books, such as:
- The Voyage of the Beagle
- On the Origin of Species
- The Autobiography of Charles Darwin
- From So Simple a Beginning (an anthology of his most popular works)
- The Descent of Man
All of these books have been reprinted and may be available at your local library or bookstore, but they definitely can be found online.
Search Baba Brinkman Darwin Day. He’s a Canadian rapper who was commissioned by the National Association of Biology Teachers to create a music tribute to Darwin in 2014. He raps that Darwin Day should be a statutory holiday.
Remember Darwin’s contribution to science. Commemorate his birthday on February 12.