Darwin Day is celebrated annually on February 12th to commemorate the birthday of the eminent scientist, Charles Darwin. This day is dedicated to honoring his remarkable contributions, particularly his "Theory of Evolution," which revolutionized the field of biology. Through his famous book, On the Origin of Species, Darwin introduced the theory of natural selection.
Why is Darwin Day Celebrated?
Celebrations of Darwin Day have taken various forms worldwide to honor Charles Darwin's contributions. Since his death, numerous events have been held to remember his life and work. Below are some key celebrations and events associated with his life and work:
* Down House Celebrations: Down House, Darwin's and his family's residence in the southern outskirts of London, became a significant center for commemorating his life.
* Cambridge Conference (1909): A large conference of 400 scientists and dignitaries was held in Cambridge to mark the 100th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 50th anniversary of his book, On the Origin of Species.
* American Museum of Natural History (1909): A bronze statue of Darwin was unveiled in New York. This event was organized by the New York Academy of Sciences.
* Chicago Celebration (1959): The University of Chicago celebrated the centennial of the publication of On the Origin of Species with a grand celebration.
* "Phylum Fest" (1972, 1974, 1989): This unique event in Canada celebrated food from various phyla (biological classification).
* Darwin Festival (since 1980): Salem State College in Massachusetts has consistently held a "Darwin Festival" since 1980, featuring scientific lectures and other activities.
* Contribution of the Humanist Community (since 1993): Dr. Robert Stephens initiated Darwin Day celebrations in Palo Alto, California. The first event was held at Stanford University.
* University of Tennessee Program (1997): Professor Massimo Pigliucci organized public lectures, activities, and workshops for educators, focusing on better understanding evolution.
History of Darwin Day
On February 9, 2011, California Representative Pete Stark introduced H. Res 81 in the U.S. Congress, designating February 12, 2011, as Darwin Day. The resolution considered Darwin a "worthy symbol of scientific advancement," and the day an opportunity to celebrate science and humanity globally. This resolution was drafted in collaboration with the American Humanist Association, which had awarded Stark the Humanist of the Year award in 2008.
The resolution aimed to honor Darwin's contributions and reflect on the crucial role of science in society. Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association, called it a significant step for the secular movement, highlighting scientific reasoning and Darwin's scientific impact.
Subsequently, on January 22, 2013, New Jersey Representative Rush D. Holt, Jr., introduced a resolution to recognize February 12th as Darwin Day, acknowledging science's role in humanity.
In 2015, Delaware Governor Jack Markell declared February 12th as "Charles Darwin Day," making Delaware the first U.S. state to formally mark the day. Additionally, on February 2, 2015, Representative Jim Himes introduced House Resolution 67, proposing the designation of February 12th as Darwin Day.
Darwin Day Programs and Celebrations
In the late 1990s, Amanda Chesworth and Robert Stephens co-founded an informal effort to promote Darwin Day. In 2001, Chesworth moved to New Mexico and formally incorporated the "Darwin Day Program." Through this program, Stephens explained the significance of Darwin Day and presented it as an international celebration.
In 2002, Chesworth compiled and edited a significant book, Darwin Day Collection One: The Single Best Idea, Ever, aiming to widely present Charles Darwin's scientific contributions. This book showcased the connection between popular culture and academic work.
In 2004, the New Mexico-based corporation was dissolved, and all its resources were transferred to the "Darwin Day Celebration," now operating as a non-profit organization in California. The Darwin Day Celebration redesigned its website, providing information on Darwin's contributions along with details about celebratory events. This website is now run by the International Darwin Day Foundation, an autonomous program of the American Humanist Association.
Furthermore, Darwin Day is also celebrated at the University of Georgia, with programs held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the publication of "Origin of Species" and the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. Similarly, the Long Island Ethical Humanist Society and Southern Illinois University also observe the day through various programs.
