-
Charles Darwin is Born
Charles Darwin was born on February 12th, 1809 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. Darwin was born into “comfortable” circumstances, despite the size of his 8-person family. His father, Robert, gained wealth as a doctor and financier. Savannah, his mother, was also a wealthy doctor. This event is significant because Darwin would turn out to be the most influential man of natural sciences in the 1800s by greatly developing the study of life (O'Connor 2)(Stevens 113)(worldhistoryproject.org). -
U.S. Declares War on Britain, Beginning the War of 1812
On June 18th, 1812, the U.S. declared war on Great Britain, beginning the War of 1812. The cause of this declaration was British impressment in the Atlantic Ocean. The war lasted about 2 and a half years and was full of harsh fighting between the experienced British military and prideful U.S. troops. The Treaty of Ghent was signed in December 1814 to cease fighting, with no true winner. However, it was significant because it started the rise of more intense American nationalism (politico.com). -
The Adams-Onis Treaty is Signed
On February 22nd, 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty was signed between the U.S. and Spain. This treaty settled border disputes in the Great Plains and Pacific Northwest, setting a boundary between the two countries that stretched to the Pacific. The treaty also came with Spain ceding Florida to the U.S. This treaty was vital because it marked a new era in U.S. history, giving them access to a new waterfront territory and settling any previous border disputes (plainshumanities.unl.edu). -
The Missouri Compromise is Passed
On March 3rd, 1820, the U.S. Congress passed the Missouri Compromise, resolving political conflict about slavery. Slave states were ones that allowed slavery and free states prohibited it. The agreement gave Missouri statehood as a slave state, but all slavery in the Louisiana Purchase north of the 36th parallel was made illegal. Maine was also made a free state. This was significant because it kept the Union (of states) together for over 30 years and solved the political conflict (history.com). -
Darwin Attends Christ's College
In January 1828, Charles Darwin enrolled in Christ’s College, within the University of Cambridge (England). Although he was sent here to study religion, Darwin met many professors who introduced him into biology, which interested him greatly. He graduated 10th in his class, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree of Arts. Darwin's significant experience at Christ’s College introduced him to the career in which he would make life-changing discoveries (https://www.britannica.com)(O'Connor 3)(Stevens 114). -
The H.M.S. Beagle Sets Sail
On December 27th, 1831, the H.M.S. Beagle began its scientific voyage around the world. The voyage lasted five years and was full of biological discoveries. Darwin took the title of naturalist and studied all kinds of life on stops ashore. His most important observations were made at the Galapagos Islands, where he studied finches. This expedition was significant because the observations he made about living things led to his theory of evolution and other scientific breakthroughs (O'Connor 3). -
Charles Darwin Marries Emma Wedgwood
On January 29th, 1839, Charles Darwin married Emma Wedgwood at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Maer, Staffordshire, England. Surprisingly, the pair were cousins, and also had another one of their cousins, Reverend John Allen Wedgwood, officiate at their wedding. They were married for 43 years. This event is significant to Darwin because it allowed a loving wife into his life who greatly encouraged him and supported his dynamic career through the ups and downs (worldhistoryproject.org). -
Upper and Lower Canada Unite
On February 10th, 1841 Upper Canada united with Lower Canada under one government, forming the Province of Canada. This was done by the Act of Union, which was passed by the British Parliament in July 1840. After studying rebellions in the colonies, Lord Durham made a report which recommended that the two colonies unify. Despite speculation that it would cause tension, it brought significant economic prosperity and responsible government to the newly united province (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca). -
"The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs" is Published
In May 1842, "The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs" by Charles Darwin was published. This was Darwin's first monograph and contained his theory of the formations of coral reefs and atolls. Data collected during the Beagle voyage supported his theory. At the time, scientists were intrigued by coral reefs and atolls, not knowing how they were formed. This book was crucial because it solved many questions about these topics and the information was proven true (worldhistoryproject.org). -
Irish Potato Famine Begins
In September 1845, one of the most deadly famines ever occurred in Ireland. The Irish Potato Famine began when an fungus-like organism spread throughout Ireland called "Phytophthora infestans" which destroyed 88% of potato crop over eight years. Farmers relied heavily on potatoes for crops, so this crushed their food source. In the end, this malevolent event killed 1 million Irish people from disease and forced another million to leave Ireland as refugees, reducing its population (history.com). -
Darwin and Wallace Present Joint-Paper on Evolution
One day, Charles Darwin received a letter from a man named Alfred Russel Wallace from an island in the Indian Ocean. The letter presented the theory of evolution by natural selection, which Darwin had been studying and collecting evidence for for the past 20 years. Darwin decided to write a joint-paper with Wallace, which was presented before the Linnaean Society of London on July 1st, 1858. This was significant because its great accuracy forever changed evolutionary sciences (Stevens 116). -
"The Origin of Species" is Published
On November 24th, 1859, "The Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin was published. This book explained how only the creatures with the best characteristics to survive their environment would survive and reproduce, while the others would die. This would lead to beneficial adaptations in species over time. Darwin called this natural selection. This was significant because the book indicated a new way which evolution came about and led to many more vital discoveries in this topic (Stevens 117). -
American Civil War Begins
On April 12th, 1861, the American Civil War began when Confederate troops fired on Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina. This war began because of different views on slavery. The Confederacy, also known as the South, supported it. The Union, also known as the North, was against it. This tension led to a bloody war between both sides lasting four years. It was important because it led to the abolition of slavery in the U.S. and caused the death of 620,000 soldiers in total (history.com). -
Darwin Receives Royal Society's Copley Medal
On November 30th, 1864, Charles Darwin received the Royal Society's Copley Medal. The Royal Society of London awards this medal annually to outstanding achievement in research for any form of science. Many other famous and notable scientists have received this prestigious award. This event is significant because this medal is the highest honor bestowed by the Royal Society, proving that Darwin's hard work and discoveries had a meaning and impact to the natural sciences (worldhistoryproject.org). -
"The Descent of Man" is Published
On February 24, 1871, "The Descent of Man" By Charles Darwin was first published. This was his second most famous book. Darwin argued that man is related to all animal life, and that humans and animals share common ancestors from whom they evolved. However, it was criticized by religious groups who believed it went against the theory that God created everything. This book was significant because it was scientifically correct and was considered a breakthrough discovery in evolution (O'Connor 12). -
Charles Darwin Dies at 73
On April 19th, 1882, Charles Darwin died at age 73. Darwin died of heart failure. His colleagues requested for Darwin to be given a state funeral and burial at Westminster Abbey, and that is what occurred. A state funeral was held for him and Darwin was buried at Westminster Abbey, not far from the grave of Isaac Newton, another influential scientist. His death meant the loss of a man who made countless discoveries in evolution and forever changed natural sciences (worldhistoryproject.org).
