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Darwin reaches the Galapagos Islands!
The HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin aboard, finally reaches Galapagos Islands. -
The five-year voyage on the Beagle
Darwin returned to England after a five-year voyage on the Beagle. -
Monograph received!
Charles Darwin received a monograph from Alfred Russel Wallace which essentially summarized Darwin's own theories on evolution, thus inspiring him to publish his work sooner than he planned. -
The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection
Charles Darwin began writing his seminal book, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. -
Published!
Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was first published. All 1,250 copies of the first printing were sold out on the very first day. -
Second Edition
Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection went into its second edition, 3,000 copies. -
Thomas Henry Huxley v. Bishop Samuel Wilberforce
Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce of the Church of England engaged in their famous debate on Darwin's theory of evolution. -
Life of Erasmus Darwin
Charles Darwin published a book about his grandfather, entitled Life of Erasmus Darwin. -
Tennessee v. John Scopes
Tennessee Governor Austin Peay signed into law a prohibition against the teaching of evolution in public schools. Later that year John Scopes would violate the law, leading to the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial. -
Scopes Monkey Trial
The infamous Scopes Monkey Trial began in Dayton, Tennessee. -
Evolution v. Christianity
Pope Pius XII issued the encyclical Humani Generis, condemning ideologies which threatened Roman Catholic faith but allowing that evolution did not necessarily conflict with Christianity. -
Epperson v. Arkansas
Decided: Epperson v. Arkansas
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
Decided: McClean v. Arkansas
A federal judge found that Arkansas' "balanced treatment" law mandating equal treatment of creation science with evolution was unconstitutional. -
Edwards v. Aguillard
Decided: Edwards v. Aguillard
In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court invalidated Louisiana's "Creationism Act" because it violated the Establishment Clause. -
Webster v. New Lenox
Decided: Webster v. New Lenox
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that school boards have the right to prohibit teaching creationism because such lessons would constitute religious advocacy.