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Charles Darwin graduates from college
Charles Darwin graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge with a B.A. degree. -
Charles Darwin left England aboard The Beagle.
Employed as ship's naturalist, Charles Darwin left England aboard the HMS Beagle. -
The Beagle reaches the Galapagos
The HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin aboard, finally reaches the Galapagos Islands. -
Darwin returns to England
Darwin returned to England after a five-year voyage on the Beagle. -
Darwin receives a monograph from Alfred Russel Wallace
Charles Darwin received a monograph from Alfred Russel Wallace which essentially summarized Darwin's own theories on evolution, inspiring him to publish his work sooner than he planned. -
Charles Darwin begins writing his book
Charles Darwin began writing his book, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. -
Darwin's book is published
Charles Darwin's book, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, is first published. All 1,250 copies of the first printing were sold out on the very first day. -
Darwin's book went into it's second edition
Charles Darwin's book, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, went into its second edition. 3,000 copies were made. -
Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce debate Darwin's theory of evolution
Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce of the Church of England engaged in their famous debate on Darwin's theory of evolution. -
Charles Darwin published a book about his grandfather
Charles Darwin published a book about his grandfather, titled the Life of Erasmus Darwin. -
Austin Peay signed a law against the teaching of evolution in public schools
Tennessee Governor Austin Peay signed into law a prohibition against the teaching of evolution in public schools. -
Epperson v. Arkansas court case decided
The Supreme Court found that Arkansas' law prohibiting the teaching of evolution was unconstitutional because the motivation was based on a literal reading of Genesis, not science. -
McClean v. Arkansas court case decided
A federal judge found that Arkansas' "balanced treatment" law mandating equal treatment of creation science with evolution was unconstitutional. -
Edwards v. Aguillard court case decided
In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court invalidated Louisiana's "Creationism Act" because it violated the Establishment Clause. -
Webster v. New Lenox court case decided
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that school boards have the right to prohibit teaching creationism because such lessons would constitute religious advocacy.