…and this is a 
It was on 1 July 1858, 150 years ago today, that the idea of natural selection was first presented to the public in a joint reading of Darwin's and Wallace's papers at the Linnean Society of London (an event which they did not recognize as important at the time), which makes today analogous to the Fourth of July for the biology revolution. Celebrate! If you've got a some fireworks you were saving for the holiday in a few days time, set off a few early.
The Beagle Project has a summary of the significance of this day in scientific history. If you want an anchor point for the Darwin Year, this is a good candidate — let the science flow forth.
Comments
Posted by: John Mark | July 1, 2008 9:07 AM
Hooray! Partake of the warm fuzzies!
Posted by: alex | July 1, 2008 9:09 AM
hoorah!
Posted by: Barry Pearson | July 1, 2008 9:12 AM
If you start now, it needs more than a year. "Origin ..." was (I think) November 1859.
So let's have a year and a half - which I think some are doing.
Posted by: katie | July 1, 2008 9:12 AM
I'll be firing off fireworks anyway... Happy Canada Day!
Posted by: PZ Myers | July 1, 2008 9:12 AM
A year and a half? I hereby declare a Darwin century.
Posted by: alex | July 1, 2008 9:59 AM
that's certainly going to overrun the deadline Billy "Nostradamus" Dembski gives us.Posted by: Dahan | July 1, 2008 10:02 AM
A damn site better reason to celebrate than most. Cheers all!
Posted by: Henry Gee | July 1, 2008 10:09 AM
For a moment, it looked like you'd written "1 July, 1,858,150 years ago today". Now, I knew the Linnean Society went back a long way ...
Posted by: Holbach | July 1, 2008 10:11 AM
To our hero, Charles Darwin! And not to disregard Alfred Russell Wallace! I have the painting of the younger Darwin on a wall, next to the older Darwin with full beard and cape, representing a lifetime of science!
I fantasize Ben Stein standing again in front of the great man's statue, and all of a sudden Darwin's marble foot shoots out and gives that moron Stein a swift kick to his groin!
Posted by: craig | July 1, 2008 10:23 AM
Off topic, but oh fuck:
Obama to Expand Bush's Faith-Based Initiatives
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/
Posted by: Roger Stanyard | July 1, 2008 10:28 AM
Tut, tut, PZ. Darwin was British and the British, for obvious reasons, do not celebrate the 4th July,
Posted by: kermit | July 1, 2008 10:36 AM
@11: "Tut, tut, PZ. Darwin was British and the British, for obvious reasons, do not celebrate the 4th July,"
I've heard that lately some of them have taken to doing so...
Posted by: Graculus | July 1, 2008 10:38 AM
Yes, but the British need more holidays involving explosives.
Posted by: Dennis | July 1, 2008 10:39 AM
Actually, I think it would make it the Canada Day for the biology revolution.
Posted by: JScarry | July 1, 2008 10:43 AM
Is there an annotated version of Origin available?
I understand that the original was intended for popular audiences, much like Dawkins and Gould, and it sounds like it would be a fascinating read. But, I'm sure the science has changed in the mean time. I'd like to read it with comments so that the parts that are outdated are updated and the parts that need background are explained.
Posted by: Lord Zero | July 1, 2008 10:44 AM
Man, Evolution its the key for understanding
of life and Darwin its prophet!!!
I feel like doing some ritualistic homage
for this great man... maybe a portrait.
Rejoice my children, this day we remember
the dawn of a new era, a world of science!!!
Posted by: Paul Lundgren | July 1, 2008 10:47 AM
All hail, Charles Darwin! Your influence, sir continues to be felt.
It makes me wish there WAS an afterlife, so that Sir Charles could see all the results of his work. I'm sure he'd be pleased at how much he has inspired, and I'd like to think he'd be delighted by the controversy.
Posted by: Aero | July 1, 2008 10:47 AM
Wired has this on Darwin and Wallace:
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/06/dayintech_0701
Posted by: Dan | July 1, 2008 10:47 AM
You can view the original Darwin-Wallace paper here. I'm ashamed to say, as a Brit, not a mention of this momentous day has made our MSM.
This however, is getting blanket bloody coverage on the TV news.
Splitters!
Posted by: Kseniya | July 1, 2008 10:51 AM
Give it up, PZ. Mathis and Stein have rung evo's death knell.
DeathKnelled! *jazz hands*
Posted by: Matt Penfold | July 1, 2008 11:06 AM
Dan,
The "Today" program on Radio 4 had a ten minute bit on the importance of the garden at Down House to the development of Darwin's ideas. It was pretty good.
Posted by: Dan | July 1, 2008 11:11 AM
Matt #21
Thanks for that. It's available here at 0820 if anyone is interested. Not sure if it's available outside the UK though.
Posted by: LisaJ | July 1, 2008 11:12 AM
Canada Day in Ottawa... what better way to also celebrate Darwin Day with the fantastic fireworks show I'll be watching from my balcony tonight!
Happy Canada Day, and Happy Darwin Day! I think all us Canucks can be proud to share our birthday with such a special man!
Posted by: Craig Marucci | July 1, 2008 11:35 AM
For anyone near the Toronto area, the Darwin exhibition will continue at the Royal Ontario Museum until August 4.
Careful, there is a goofy preacher who is protesting the exhibition. He has also (the prick) set up a web site, charlesdarwin.ca to flog Expelled and other films.
Posted by: Glen Davidson | July 1, 2008 11:37 AM
An opportunity to reflect and evolve.
Or to show that we damn well are primates, hooting and throwing feces at passing creationists. Double points for Dimski.
But quite seriously, it should be considered a time to celebrate the completion of science's conquest of the domains of investigation (much remained, and remains, to be learned, yet the fact that biology yielded to science meant that science would be the means for investigating physics, chemistry, biology, etc.). It's not just biology, it's physics and causality (in classical regimes, anyway) being applied across the board for the first time.
Yes, that means religion declined in response to evolution. That's not the point, though. The real issue is that we finally did have something better than guesses throughout the realm of observed phenomena.
Physicists should celebrate almost as much as biologists, then. No doubt physicists thought that physics applied to biology prior to Darwin--nevertheless, they had no way to show that it did. Darwin, and yes, Wallace (and there were others), finally closed the gap in science, with real explanation possible across the board. I suspect that if it weren't for the religious issues, this finalization of science as the research program for all "natural" phenomena would probably be seen for what it is, the completion of science as the dominant mode of explanation.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/2kxyc7
Posted by: Janine, Disingenuous Jackass | July 1, 2008 11:42 AM
Yes, but the British need more holidays involving explosives.
Posted by: Graculus
But there is already Guy Fawkes Day.
Posted by: MPG | July 1, 2008 11:44 AM
There's a "Faces of Evolution" parade honouring Darwin in his home town this Saturday. I'm definitely going along to watch!
http://www.darwinshrewsbury.org/events/000088.html?sid=f0mdp2RlDC0zsjWY62zri1JaV9ZdmRvF
Posted by: whitedevil | July 1, 2008 12:21 PM
Kindly refrain from lighting off fireworks if you live in California- our state is on fire enough as it is. Thanks.
-california
Posted by: Nick Gotts | July 1, 2008 12:27 PM
Sir Charles - Paul Lundgren
He was never knighted. AFAIK a knighthood was never offered, probably because his work was too controversial. However, he was buried in Westminster Abbey (after his death, I'm glad to say).
Posted by: Matt Penfold | July 1, 2008 12:30 PM
And he is on the English ten pound notes, which is not something many people get honoured with. I like to think that really really annoys all those American tourists who are also creationists.
Posted by: Longtime Lurker | July 1, 2008 12:53 PM
To Kermit@12
"I've heard that lately some of them have taken to doing so..."
...much as some of us Yanks are regretting our Civil War victory.
Posted by: Helioprogenus | July 1, 2008 1:03 PM
I'm celebrating this by not shaving for the next year. I'll emulate Darwin's luxurious beard and perhaps shift the paradigm as he did. What, you don't believe this? Well, it's true, I have faith that all I have to do is grow a beard and all the wisdom will issue forth. Hmmm, evidence you say? Well, I know deep inside, that if I sit and think long and hard, I'll come up with all the evidence that I need from my beliefs. There's really no need to observe and test, because the truth can be revealed spontaneously.
Anyway, just a bit of Celebratory Satire folks. Stephen Colbert I know could really run with this.
Posted by: Matt Penfold | July 1, 2008 1:21 PM
I was once asked by an American in all seriousness if we celebrated the 4th of July in the UK. I might have put it down to just a brain spasm but she was rather stupid in other respects as well.
That said I did once get invited to a 4th July party in the UK. It was hosted by an American and was just an excuse for eating and drinking to excess. I have no problems with celebrations that involve eating and drinking to excess.
Posted by: The HMS Beagle Project | July 1, 2008 1:25 PM
Thanks PZ. Tea and cake will await you aboard.
Posted by: Tom | July 1, 2008 1:33 PM
Echoing #30. I am inordinantly proud that Britain puts Darwin on our £10 note. I always make sure I bring one to the US just to prove it.
Also, I celebrate the 4th of July. At least you americans had the good sense to kick the useless and expensive royal family to the touch line! I'm all for it.
Posted by: Nick Gotts | July 1, 2008 1:41 PM
Tom@35 At least you americans had the good sense to kick the useless and expensive royal family to the touch line! I'm all for it.
Hear, hear! When we manage to get rid of them, I see no reason why the formal abolition should not be on 4th of July, to honour the precedent.
Posted by: Matt Penfold | July 1, 2008 1:42 PM
Tom,
I have no more use for the Royal Family than you would seem to do. However as they stand they are pretty useless and ineffective. When you let people decide who they want as head of state they do stupid things, like elect Bush (both of them!)
Posted by: Matt Penfold | July 1, 2008 1:46 PM
Actually Richard Dawkins retires soon. He would make a good replacement as head of state.
Posted by: JStein | July 1, 2008 2:02 PM
Should we sing happy birthday to evolution?
Posted by: Nick Gotts | July 1, 2008 2:03 PM
Matt Penfold@38,
If we need a Head of State (I can't see it myself), I'd go for David Attenborough. Possibly the most widely respected Brit, and looks good for another 10 years or so!
Posted by: Tom | July 1, 2008 2:08 PM
Sorry PZ, I dont want to hijack this thread, but my comment requires one more comment. I'm being hassled for back taxes and then I read this: Queen to buy 10 million pound private jet. That's a million Darwins right there! My big tax bill might contribute an armrest or a cup-holder or something essential like that!
Posted by: Patricia | July 1, 2008 2:09 PM
Hi California - those fires must be dreadful. I live on the Oregon/Washington border and it is so dark and smokey outside it looks like twilight.
Posted by: Nick Gotts | July 1, 2008 2:14 PM
Queen to buy 10 million pound private jet. - Tom
Well be fair - she needs a little run-about for when all the helicopters are in use to ferry the grandchildren to parties!
Posted by: Peter Ashby | July 1, 2008 2:17 PM
J Skerry, Steve Jones has done exactly what you ask for. It is called Almost Like a Whale: The Origin of Species Updated ISBN 0385 409850. He has kept the structure of The Origin, all the original chapters etc and the last is verbatim from The Origin, no updating necessary and Prof Jones knows his prose is not as good as the great man's.
Posted by: tim Rowledge | July 1, 2008 3:13 PM
"I was once asked by an American in all seriousness if we celebrated the 4th of July in the UK"
When I worked in Silicon Valley I was asked that so many times...
Actually we probably ought to celebrate it to mark getting rid of a bunch of particularly annoying colonials but in recent years it seems that UK has really become that 51st state so perhaps we didn't really win that one.
Posted by: JeffreyD | July 1, 2008 4:07 PM
Holbach, re your #9 statment, "I fantasize Ben Stein standing again in front of the great man's statue, and all of a sudden Darwin's marble foot shoots out and gives that moron Stein a swift kick to his groin!" Why hit Stain in the one place that will not hurt him? He worked willingly for Nixon and the creationist, he was gelded long ago.
Ciao
Posted by: Justin | July 1, 2008 10:10 PM
And eight years later, Canada was founded. Coincidence? I think not!
Posted by: toby | July 2, 2008 5:59 AM
"And eight years later, Canada was founded. Coincidence? I think not!"
Well, you did have a little extended incident called the American Civil war in the interim. Britannia got a bit nervous about a militarised USA and decided to put Canada on a more independent footing to foreclose any chance of more rebellious colonials.
Incidentally, the period was also an exciting one in physics ... particularly from the theoretical work of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell, whose famous "Maxwell's Equations" are the basis for all electrical and radio devices.
By showing electircity and magnetism were aspects of the one phenomenon, Maxwell produced the first Unified Field Theory, and incidentally predicted that light was an electromagnetic wave.... this led directly to the Michelson-Morley experiment and Einstein. No wonder Einstein had a picture of Maxwell in his study.
Not sure what started me off on this, but it is striking that Maxwell and Darwin produced two theories of ginormous impact working within a few miles of each other.
The other striking fact is (and it was Jacob Bronowski that pointed this out) that the TOE was produced by two men products of the same culture at the same time ... the world of Victorian British Naturalists.
Posted by: Discus | July 2, 2008 7:11 AM
Jscarry - try "Almost Like a Whale"
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Almost-Like-Whale-Species-Updated/dp/0385409850
Posted by: Sven DiMilo | July 2, 2008 12:18 PM
Right, so June 18, when Darwin received the fateful convergent letter from Wallace, would be--what? The Boston Tea Party? or Massacre?Posted by: brad | July 2, 2008 5:24 PM
Woohoo! Go Darwin! Dawkins is our hero (PZ Myers is cool, too)!
Posted by: newton78 | July 4, 2008 6:00 PM
Just a reminder - appoximately half of Americans don't believe the evolution philosophy/dogma. Morris, Newton, Keppler, Linnaues, all great scientists who believed in a creator. Darwin was a backyard scientist, dropped out of college, and lived on his wife's family riches - he was probably more of a trough-feeder than PZ Myers. We must though give hime credit for at least a passion and keen eye for the created world around him - and one does not need a phd to have a basic understanding of science, so he does deserve some kudos for his observations and journals, his philosphical and religous conclusions aside. His backyard geologist predecessor Lyell was also an amateur scientist, (I think an attorney by trade) his postulations on long ages were accepted as fact in the absence of any knowledge of radiometric dating. That these two have long been lauded for their scientific minds is somewhat humorous. and don't forget - half don't buy it. Glad to be able to dissent here - ole Chuck Darwin and PZ are getting a little covered in slobber. That is somewhat interesting - the accepted geological column/ages were first postulated (not measured) by an attorney.
Posted by: sammy78 | July 4, 2008 6:01 PM
Just a reminder - appoximately half of Americans don't believe the evolution philosophy/dogma. Morris, Newton, Keppler, Linnaues, all great scientists who believed in a creator. Darwin was a backyard scientist, dropped out of college, and lived on his wife's family riches - he was probably more of a trough-feeder than PZ Myers. We must though give hime credit for at least a passion and keen eye for the created world around him - and one does not need a phd to have a basic understanding of science, so he does deserve some kudos for his observations and journals, his philosphical and religous conclusions aside. His backyard geologist predecessor Lyell was also an amateur scientist, (I think an attorney by trade) his postulations on long ages were accepted as fact in the absence of any knowledge of radiometric dating. That these two have long been lauded for their scientific minds is somewhat humorous. and don't forget - half don't buy it. Glad to be able to dissent here - ole Chuck Darwin and PZ are getting a little covered in slobber. That is somewhat interesting - the accepted geological column/ages were first postulated (not measured) by an attorney.
Posted by: Brownian, OM | July 4, 2008 6:08 PM
Glad to be able to dissent here
Is that your idea of dissent? Lambasting long-dead scientists under the assumption that their ideas haven't been tested over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again over the last few centuries?
Wow, thanks Mr. Wizard. You sure opened our eyes.
And don't forget, fucktard, 2/3 of the world's population don't buy into the Christian dogma. So where does that leave you?
Posted by: newton78 | July 4, 2008 6:36 PM
#54
pretty funny - it's ok to spew excrement at Ham, creationists, with all manner of expletives, and yet stating some facts about your heroes is called lambasting. Yes facts pinhead. One doesn't need to have any knowledge of Christianity to see the non-scietific nature of Darwinian evolution. What test would there be that could falsify evolution? It's not science. Anything found in the fossil record can be explained with evolutionary theory. If miles of cretacious rock lies below triassic, then it must have "overturned". If 30 million years of geologic time is missing, it was an "erosional epoch". Historical fairy tales. No-one gets too upset that there are a few people who believe the earth is flat. The reason you and others are all worked up in a lather over creationists, is that they cotinually expose evolutionary assumptions and flaws - it's non-science - am anticipating your next expletive with some interest.
Posted by: Owlmirror | July 4, 2008 6:46 PM
Show evidence of how there is no benefit to inherited variation?
Show evidence of how all organisms are actually clones of their parents that never, ever, ever vary from said parents?
Oh, or how about maybe getting your fake, pretend, make-believe God to create an entirely new organism from nothing?
Posted by: God | July 4, 2008 6:56 PM
Please. Like I could be bothered.
It's more My style to send tornadoes to kill a bunch of you, destroy towns and cities with earthquakes and floods, and generally cause death and suffering.
Then I listen to the survivors thanking me for sparing them.
That's always good for a laugh.
Oh, and what makes it even funnier is the apes who angrily chatter about how those other apes, the ones over there, who do that sort of thing, must have pissed Me off...
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