-
Charles Darwin's Birth
Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, England to parents Robert and Susanna Darwin. Robert Darwin was a respected doctor, and Susanna's father was the owner of a china company, so the family was well-off. Additionally, Charles's grandfather Erasmus, a botanist, created theories of evolution during the Enlightenment. This event is significant, as Charles Darwin later created the theory of natural selection, which became the foundation of modern biology.
Source: (Hopkinson 4) -
Napoleon Bonaparte is Exiled
On April 6, 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to Elba, an island in the Mediterranean, after his failed attack on Russia, and his loss in the Peninsular War. This event is significant, as Napoleon was the emperor of France, and when he was exiled, Louis XVIII became the king. The people of France disliked Louis, so when Napoleon escaped less than a year later, he was easily able to reconstruct an army, only to be defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.
Source: (www.history.com) -
Darwin's Mother Dies
On July 19th, 1817, Darwin's mother died when he was eight years old. This is significant, as after her death, Darwin's older siblings helped take care of Charles and his younger sister Catherine. Charles grew especially close to his older brother Erasmus. Their close bond ultimately lead Darwin to becoming a scientist, as their father let Charles and Erasmus build a science lab in the tool shed.
Source: (Hopkinson 7-9) -
Simon Bolivar Defeats the Spanish
On December 9,1824, Simon Bolivar and revolutionary soldiers defeated Spanish troops at the Battle of Ayacucho in Peru. After this win, the Spanish colonies in Latin America were free. This event is significant, as Bolivar had successfully granted the colonies freedom. His success also inspired revolts in Mexico and Brazil. Bolivar is still a popular figure in Latin and South America today, and even has a country, Bolivia, named after him.
Source: (www.biography.com) -
Darwin Studies at Cambridge University
On September 6, 1827, Charles Darwin was sent to Cambridge University, because his father wanted him to go into a respectable profession. Because Charles had quit medical school that year, Mr. Darwin sent him to become a minister. This event is significant, as Charles met Professor John Stevens Henslow here, who nurtured Charles's interest in botany, and later found him the opportunity to sail and learn on the Beagle.
Source: (Karp 25-26) -
The Voyage of the Beagle Begins
On December 27, 1831, the ship, the Beagle, set sail. Aboard it was Charles Darwin, who embarked on the voyage to study nature. Professor Henslow found this opportunity for Charles, as the captain, Captain Fitzroy, had been looking for a naturalist to study on board. This event is significant, as the Beagle voyage to South America was what allowed Darwin to come up with his Theory of Natural Selection, which is still referred to in modern-day biology.
Source: (Hopkinson 19-22) -
Darwin Finds Fossils
On September 23, 1832, Charles Darwin found the skeleton of an extinct animal on the coast of Argentina. The next day, he, along with the crew of the Beagle, dug up the bones of three creatures, none of which Charles could identify. He saw similarities between the fossils and the living animals in the area, but they didn't exactly match up. This event is significant as Darwin eventually used these fossil skeletons to understand how populations of animals change over time.
Source: (Karp 43) -
The Beagle Arrives at the Galapagos
On September 15, 1835, the Beagle landed at the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Here, Darwin observed lava fields and volcanoes. But what he studied the most were finches. He saw differences between the finches on each island, and wondered how each finch adapted to each environment. This event is significant, as the observations Darwin made here helped him create the theory that they all came from the same lineage, which later formed his theory of evolution.
Source: (Hopkinson 45-47) -
The British Factory Act is Passed
On July 1, 1847, the British Parliament passed the Factory Act, which stated that women and children under the age of 18 could not work more than 10 hours a day. This act was passed, as working conditions were terrible during the Industrial Revolution, and many people campaigned for improvements. This is significant, as it reduced injuries in workplaces, and improved working and living standards in England.
Source: (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) -
Founding of the Republican Party
On March 20, 1854, anti-slavery members of the Whig Party met in Wisconsin to establish a new party that would oppose the spread of slavery into the western territories. That party was the Republican Party, and it got support from the North and the Midwest. This event is significant, as the Republican Party still is one of the major political parties in the United States. The party's major legacy from that time is that it, along with Lincoln, abolished slavery.
Source: (www.history.com) -
Alfred Wallace Writes to Darwin
On March 16, 1858, Darwin received a letter from Alfred Wallace, a naturalist living in Malaysia, asking if Darwin could publish a book about natural selection that Wallace had written. This event is significant, as Darwin had already written a work about natural selection, but was scared to publish it. The letter from Wallace pushed Darwin to publish his ideas, and in return, both of the mens' papers were read, but it was made clear that Darwin discovered the theory first.
Source: (Karp 77) -
The Origin of Species is Published
On November 24, 1859, Charles Darwin published his book, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.This event is significant, as the book contained ideas on how animals evolve, and the logic in these ideas challenged the old teachings that God had created everything. Though at first, meetings were held and scientists argued over the book, over time, Darwin's ideas were accepted. This book is still considered one of the most important books in science ever written.
Source: (Karp 102) -
Victor Hugo Publishes Les Miserables
On May 15, 1862, Victor Hugo wrote the novel Les Miserables. Les Miserables is a French historical novel that takes place in French cities in 1832. This event is significant, as the book captured the plight of the poor. More interest and help appeared for orphans, women in poor industrial jobs, and to put the poor into education. Hugo's realistic views on society's problems were conveyed through his book, and they brought change to French society.
Source: (www.biography.com) -
Battle of Gettysburg
On July 1, 1863, General Robert E. Lee led the Confederates to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where they fought Union soldiers for three days. On July 3, Lee retreated back to Virginia with his troops. Overall, approximately 51,000 soldiers were killed. This event is significant, as it was the bloodiest battle in the Civil War, and ruined Lee's plan to successfully invade the North. Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address four months later to honor the fallen soldiers.
Source: (www.civilwar.org) -
The Descent of Man is Published
On June 12, 1871, Darwin published The Descent of Man to support his claim against Alfred Wallace that humans evolved over time, just like animals. Though they both agreed on the theory of natural selection, Wallace believed that humans came from Adam and Eve. This event is significant, as Darwin's book outraged many who read it, as it challenged the religious teachings of churches. This book and The Origin of Species made Darwin famous, and started a "revolution of thought".
Source: (Karp 89) -
Charles Darwin's Death
Charles Darwin died on April 19, 1882 at the age of seventy-three. He died from health issues and was buried in Westminster Abbey in England. This event is significant, as only those who are important are buried in Westminster Abbey. Darwin's contributions are considered a cornerstone in science. Though at the time of his life and death, much of genetics was unknown, many of his ideas and theories are correct.
Source: (Hopkinson 94-97)
