Darwin Day facts for kids

Charles Darwin in 1909

Darwin Day is a special day celebrated on February 12th. This date is the birthday of a very important scientist named Charles Darwin. People celebrate Darwin Day to remember his amazing ideas and his book, The Origin of Species. This book explains the theory of evolution, which is a big idea about how living things change over time.

Darwin Day: Celebrating a Great Scientist

Darwin Day is mostly celebrated in the United States. The government in the U.S. (called the US Congress) decided to recognize this day. It shows how important Darwin's work is to science and understanding life on Earth.

Who Was Charles Darwin?

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist. He lived a long time ago, from 1809 to 1882. Darwin spent many years studying plants and animals. He traveled around the world on a ship called the HMS Beagle. During his travels, he saw many different kinds of living things. He noticed how they were similar and different.

What is the Theory of Evolution?

Darwin's most famous idea is the theory of evolution by natural selection. This theory explains how living things change over many, many generations. It suggests that animals and plants with traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass those traits on. Over a very long time, these small changes add up. This can lead to new species forming. His book, The Origin of Species, published in 1859, shared these ideas with the world.

When and Where is Darwin Day Celebrated?

While Darwin Day is well-known in the United States, it is not as widely celebrated in the UK. Charles Darwin was born in the UK. However, some special events do happen there. For example, in 2009, there were big celebrations. This was because it was 200 years since Darwin was born. It was also 150 years since his book Origin of Species was first published.

How is Darwin Day Celebrated?

On Darwin Day, people often hold events to learn about science. These events might include talks, exhibits, or educational activities. Places like Darwin's birthplace in Shrewsbury have celebrated. The University of Cambridge, where he studied, also holds events. The Natural History Museum in London is another place that has marked the day. These celebrations help people understand Darwin's lasting impact on science.