Charles Darwin: Lookin' Good at 200!

However, we were surprised at how long it has taken to incorporate the concept of natural selection into subjects such as history and international relations. Much of the delay stems from the stigma attached to Darwinism after World War II and the eugenics movements in the US and Europe. That’s quite unfortunate, given that natural selection provides a beautiful logical framework to examine the spread of ideas and technology.

Then we headed over to the Harvard Museum of Natural History to hear Janet Browne’s analysis of Darwin’s influence. A look at the tightly packed lecture hall, with people sitting in the aisles and circling the walls, made it clear that his influence has not waned much.

The most intriguing aspect of Browne’s account was the contrast between the 1959 celebrations (150 years since Darwin’s birth, and 100 since The Origin of Species) and yesterday’s. In 1959, it was said that “opposition to the evolutionary theory has died down almost completely.”

The same cannot be said today, particularly in the United States. “Are we making a statement about our belief that evolution is true? I think we are,” Browne stated, in trying to sum up the purpose of Darwin Day. “Scientists throughout this year will surely hope to establish beyond any further doubt that the theory of evolution has never been stronger or more useful in their work. 50 or 100 years ago this sense of defensiveness…would not have been felt so strongly, if at all.”

Finally, we ended our night at the Harvard Humanist Association’s birthday party at the Queen’s Head Pub. The guest of honor made a brief appearance to read selections from The Origin of Species, and the packed house (with lines waiting to get in!) fired off a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. While criticism of evolution is (unfortunately) likely to continue for the foreseeable future, yesterday’s events cemented the power Darwin’s revolutionary theory still holds 200 years after he was born.