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Charles Darwin is Born
Charles Darwin was born to Robert and Susannah Darwin, a higher-middle class family. Born in Shrewsbury, England, Charles was born into a family with high expectations to live up to. Both his father and grandfather were well-known physicians. -
Abraham Lincoln is Born
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, and was also born on the same day as Charles Darwin. Lincoln is best known for his fight against slavery during the American Civil War. -
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Life of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was a naturalist and a geologist, best known for his contributions to the modern theory of evolution. Darwin came from a family of well-known doctors and scientists, who had already put thoughts out on evolution, however it was Charles who had the break through with the theory. After also writing several books on the matter, Darwin is the one to thank for our knowledge on the evolution of species. -
Charles Darwin Attends Boarding School
At age 9, Charles was sent to boarding school by his father in hopes to get him to do better in school. Still uninterested, Darwin found other things to do such as perform chemistry experiments in the tool shed. Shortly after, Charles was taken out of boarding school (Karp). -
Illinois Becomes a State
Illinois was admitted into the Union as the 21st state on December 3, 1818. Located in the Midwestern United States, It's the 5th most populous state. Before becoming a state, It was known as the "Illinois Territory", and previously known as "Illinois Country", when under French Control. -
Missouri Becomes a State
Missouri was Admitted into the Union on August 21, 1821 as the 24th state. Known as, "The Show Me State," Missouri is the 18th most populous state and was obtained from France in the Lousiana Purchase. -
Charles Darwin Attends the University of Cambridge
After attending Christ's College in 1827 and paying his fees for the University, he came into residence on January 26 1828 (Charles Darwin & Evolution). He studied to be a clergyman since his father knew he didn't have a future as a physician. -
Voyage of the HMS Beagle
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Voyage on the HMS Beagle
Lasting for five years, the Voyage of the Beagle's main purpose was to conduct a hydrographic survey of the coasts of the southern part of South America (Barlow). While on board, Darwin spent three years on land and eighteen months at sea, all while collecting sample and evidence which later helped him realize the extent of evoution of species (Clark). -
Changing in Women's Attire
In 1836, a significant change in women's clothing started to occur. Ladie's skirts were becoming shorter, and started showing ankles and occasionllly even knees. Also, sleeves started to become wider and puffier (Magill). -
Awarded The Royal Medal/Queen's Medal
"... the Royal Medals in each year should be awarded for the two most important contributions to the advancement of Natural Knowledge, published originally in Her Majesty's dominions within a period of not more than ten years and not less than one year of the date of the award, subject, of course, to Her Majesty's approval. ... in the award of the Royal Medals, one should be given in each of the two great divisions of Natural Knowledge" (The Royal Society). Darwin was awarded for Natural History -
"The Origin of Species..." is Published
Published by John Murray, "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection for the Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life," was Charles Darwin's most important and well-known book. Sold for 15 shillings, it is considered the foundation for modern biology. Included in it is evidence from Darwin's trip on the HMS Beagle and his findings from research and experiments (Clark). -
Fertilisation of Orchids; Botany
"After Darwin published The Origin one of the most widely used counter-arguments against natural selection was that it could not explain the finer details of life, like the delicate, complex flowers of orchids" (Charles Darwin & Evolution). Darwin tested the shape of the flower and pollinia to see if it would effect the selection process, and it did. -
"In God We Trust"
"IN GOD WE TRUST" first appeared on the two-cent coin in 1864 (Mangill). It was placed on currency due to the incresing number of religious sentiment during the Civil War (U.S Treasury). -
Darwin Receives Copley Medal
Awarded the Copley Medal from the Royal Society of Londom, Darwin was also inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society "for his important researches in geology, zoology, and botanical physiology" (Clark), The Copley Medal is stil awarded today, and only the best scientists qualify for it, and only one person each year is awarded it. -
"The Descent of Man" is Published
One of Darwin's other well-known books, "The Descent of Man," played an important part in sorting out the controvery after Darwin's publication of "The Origin of Species." Dealing with difference in race, gender, and choosing a mate, the book goes deeper into the theory of natural selection. -
The First Phone Call
In a notebook entry written by, Alexander Graham Bell, on March 10, 1876, Bell writes of his first successful experiment with his invention-the telephone. Made from the adjacent room by Thomas Watson, these famous words were spoken, "Mr. Watson -- come here -- I want to see you" (Magill). -
Charles Darwin Dies
At age 73, Darwin died of a heart attack and was buried in Westminister Abbey. Diagnosed with "pectoral angina", or chest pain, doctors had originally labeled it as simply, heart failure. When Charles died, there was a gap in his theory, which was filled in by Gregor Mendel.
