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Darwin sets sail on the HMS Beagle
Darwin sets sail on a 5 year voyage as the vessel's naturalist. The objective of this voyage was to make naval charts for parts of South America. During this voyage Darwin wrote extensively detailed notes about geology and marine biology that he observed on each stop. -
Darwin's view of the human species changes
In 1832 Darwin experiences the native people of Tierra del Fuego, whom he describes as barbarians and savages. Despite this description Darwin realizes that all humans, regardless of their diversity are all one species. Darwin's theory was vastly different from his philosophic counterparts who thought humans were of several different species. During this timespan Darwin also experienced slavery in Brazil which he disputed with the captain of the ship. -
Darwin's theory of evolution is born
When the HMS Beagle stopped in the Galapagos Islands Darwin noticed a vast amount of species of animals that were vastly different to animals anywhere else that he had been. Darwin observed a species of finches that had different beaks dependent upon which sector of the island the bird was native to. This observation led to Darwin's theory of natural selection: species that are better physically equipped to survive, grow to maturity, and reproduce. -
Darwin returns from the 5 year voyage
In 1836 Darwin returns home to find that Captain Fitzroy of the HMS Beagle had been sending his notes of geology back to Cambridge. Darwin is welcomed home and is recognized as an independent scientist. -
Darwin publishes "On the origin of Species..."
Darwin uses his findings aboard the NMS Beagle to support his theories of evolution by natural selection, which he details in "On the origin of Species..." Darwin theorizes that the diversity of species was a direct result of evolution based on the environment of which the species lived. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRmzmYmMTKk