And just what is Darwin Day you ask?
Darwin Day is an international celebration of science and humanity held on or around February 12, the day that Charles Darwin was born on in 1809. Specifically, it celebrates the discoveries and life of Charles Darwin—the man who first described biological evolution via natural selection with scientific rigor. More generally, Darwin Day expresses gratitude for the enormous benefits that scientific knowledge, acquired through human curiosity and ingenuity, has contributed to the advancement of humanity.
The Darwin Day Celebration website provides resources and publicity for individuals and institutions across the world to celebrate science and humanity every year, on, or near, February 12, Darwin’s birthday. In addition to information about the life and legacy of Charles Darwin, this website provides practical examples, advice and templates for organizing and publicizing Darwin Day events. It also provides a directory of events where you can find celebrations taking place near you or register your own event for others to find.
You can find a listing of various events being held in honor of Darwin Day by clicking here. I doubt I’ll be able to make it out to any of the various events happening here in Michigan, but I’ll probably raise a glass or two in honor of Darwin’s birthday just the same.
Probably everyone knows this already, but it’s worth pointing out that Abraham Lincoln was born on the same day as Charles Darwin. Lincoln freed the slaves, Darwin freed our minds.