Darwin Day is an international celebration of the life and work of Charles Darwin, the world-renowned naturalist who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin Day is celebrated annually on February 12, which is the anniversary of his birth in 1809. The day is an occasion for people of all ages to reflect on the importance of science, reason, and free inquiry, which are vital for the advancement of humanity.
Darwin Day is a time to celebrate science, reason, and free inquiry, as well as the importance of continuing to learn about the world around us. In his life and work, Darwin embodied humanistic values like compassion, tolerance, and respect for diversity. Let’s make sure these values remain central to humanity’s advancement by celebrating Darwin Day.
About Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who became famous for his theories of evolution and natural selection. His observations and ideas provided the foundation for the theory of evolution.
Darwin was born on 12 February 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. He was the second of six children of Robert and Susannah Darwin. His father was a medical doctor who had been trained at the University of Edinburgh. Darwin continued to study plants and animals after his return to England in 1836. He read about other scientists who had developed theories about the origin of life. He also studied specimens of animals and plants that he had collected on his trip. He became convinced that life had originated from one or a few kinds of living things. He also believed that these living things had changed over time to become the many different kinds of living things that existed in his time. He published his ideas in a book called “On the Origin of Species” in 1859. In it, he explained the idea of natural selection. He said that plants and animals produce more offspring than their environment can support. Competition for food and other resources leads to the survival of the fittest. The fittest are those that are best suited to their environment.
Read More: 12 February in Indian and World History
Darwin Day: History
Three Darwin enthusiasts started Darwin Day celebrations in 1995. Dr. Robert Stephens encouraged the Humanist community in Silicon Valley to hold an annual Darwin Day celebration in 1995. Prof. Massimo Pigliucci, In 1997 organized an annual Darwin Day event at the University of Tennessee, and Amanda Chesworth partnered with Stephens to officially establish Darwin Day in New Mexico in 2000.
Darwin Day Celebration was reincorporated in California two years later to promote science and humanity worldwide. It is a nonprofit educational corporation that promotes public science education under 501 (c) (3). In the United States, it was made an official holiday due to House Resolution 67 which designated 12 February as Darwin Day in the US in 2015.
How Darwin Day is Celebrated?
Darwin Day is celebrated in numerous ways, from scientific symposia to public lectures, educational programs, and community festivals. Often, people find creative ways to honor Darwin’s life and work, such as holding a Darwin-themed costume party or hosting a Darwin-themed trivia night.
The celebration of Darwin Day has grown in recent years, as more and more people recognize the significance of Darwin’s contributions to science and the importance of promoting science-based thinking in modern society. In 2009, the United Nations officially recognized the day, and many governments, universities, schools, and other organizations now host official Darwin Day events.