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HMS Beagle Voyage
Hired as the ship's Naturalist, Darwin sailed for almost five years observing and reporting plants, animals, and geology throughout South America. One of his biggest observations were finches in the Galapagos Islands. Their characteristics were similar to those on the mainland, except they had a different way of gathering food that was more beneficial to them within their habitat. Thus began his development of his theory on evolution through natural selection. -
"The Origin of Species" Is Published
Darwin presented the idea of transmutation theory, species could not mutate but changed over long periods of time into new forms. Delving into his studies, he coined the phrase "natural selection" in which species changed into what would best suit their survival in their habitats. These changes would continue to be passed down through reproduction. His published book was a radical moment in his time, challenging divine creation and opening the doors for new understandings of the natural world. -
"The Descent Of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex" Is Published
One of the most influential books in regards to human evolution, Darwin dives into the theory that humans are included in the natural order and are part of evolution just the same as all creatures are. Like other creatures that choose each other for mating purposes, so had primates. He describes the similarities between the human body and primates focusing on the anatomy such as the skeleton structure, and the embryos which are almost indistinguishable. -
"The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals" Is Published
Darwin believed that humans, including many other creatures, expressed their emotions similarly throughout different regions without the direct influence of culture. He describes how bodily movements, facial structures, and sounds towards emotions such as anger, happiness, and fear shared similarities which were to have been modified by our ancestors to help get an advantage in a competitive world. https://youtu.be/ZUukWPiG9KE