The anniversary of the initial publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859, which introduced the public to the concepts of evolution and natural selection.
Evolution Day is a celebration to commemorate the anniversary of the initial publication of On the Origin of SpeciesbyCharles Darwin on 24 November 1859.[1][2][3][4] Such celebrations have been held for over a century, but the specific term "Evolution Day" for the anniversary appears to be a neologism which was coined prior to 1997.[1] By highlighting Darwin's contributions to science, the day's events are used to educate about evolutionary biology.[5] It is similar to Darwin Day, held on the anniversary of Darwin's birth (12 February 1809).
Commemorations
1909, the 50th anniversary of the publication of On The Origin of Species and the 100th anniversary of Darwin's birth, saw several major events celebrating both. At Cambridge, more than 400 scientists and dignitaries from 167 countries met in a widely reported event of public interest to honour Darwin's contributions and discuss the latest discoveries and ideas related to evolution,[6] the New York Academy of Sciences held a celebration at the American Museum of Natural History,[7]
and the Royal Society of New Zealand held an event with "a very large attendance."[8]
In 2009, the BBC aired BBC Darwin Season, a series of television and radio programs, to celebrate Darwin's bicentenary and the 150th anniversary of the publication of the Origin.
^ ab"Make a special date for assembly - 1997". TES (magazine). 6 December 1996. Retrieved 28 November 2014. "Schools trying to link religious, moral and spiritual education into the wider framework of group assemblies will find here a calendar listing the main religious festivals of the six main faiths, the United Nation's designated days of concern, profile-raising days of the main British charities, anniversaries of major figures whose lives embodied important values and days of special interest to those dealing with children [… November] 24 Evolution Day (Humanist - publication of Origin of Species)"
^"Dates to remember in 1999". TES (magazine). 1 January 1999. Retrieved 28 November 2014. "Evolution Day: anniversary of publication of "The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin (1859)"
^"Next week at school - 21-27 November 2011". TES (magazine). 18 November 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2014. "THURSDAY [24 November 2011] Evolution Day (1859) Charles Darwin published his controversial book On the Origin of the Species, which has been fiercely debated since. Teach seven and eight- year-olds about Darwin with a resource from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew."
