Celebrating Darwin Day. (International Humanism).

Celebrating the birthday of Charles Darwin--February 12, 1809--has grown significantly to become an international event called Darwin Day. The Geological Society in Queensland, Australia, for example, has been holding its annual gathering on Darwin's birthday for years. For 2002, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, Australia, will hold a series of lectures for secondary school senior science students. And the British Humanist Association, the National Secular Society, the Rationalist Press Association, and the International Humanist and Ethical Union have enthusiastically added their support to promoting and encouraging celebration of Darwin Day.

In the United States, Darwin Day was celebrated by local humanist and freethought groups until last year when the national campus organization, the Secular Student Alliance, adopted it as a major project, a dedicated website was established, and independent tax-exemption was obtained.

A strong gauge of the importance of Darwin Day is the number and distribution of scientists and educators who have permitted the use of their names to promote it. They include Richard Dawkins of Oxford University and honorary president of the Darwin Day Program; Philip Appleman, editor of W. W. Norton's Darwin anthology; Robert C. Fleischer of the Smithsonian Institution; Steven Pinker of Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Eugenie Scott of the National Center for Science Education; Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University; and numerous other professors and researchers from universities in Canada, Japan, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Add to that the endorsement of leaders of nearly every major American humanist and freethought group, and you have an impressive body of support.

The original intent of Darwin Day was to recognize Darwin's remarkable powers of observation and profound insight into the evolutionary connections between all life on Earth. His contribution to understanding nature has forever changed the way scientists and the public view our world. In "Darwin's Influence on Modern Thought" in the July 2000 Scientific American, leading evolutionary scientist Ernst Mayr writes: "Darwin's accomplishments were so many and so diverse that it is useful to distinguish three fields to which he made major contributions: evolutionary biology, the philosophy of science, and the modern zeitgeist."

The importance of Darwin's work has been reinforced by current research into genetics. Decoding of the human genome has captured world attention, and genetic research has made obvious the close evolutionary relationship between humans and all other living things.

Despite the acceptance of Darwin's ideas by most thoughtful individuals, nearly half of the general population in the United States rejects them. Many people have been led to believe there is something doubtful, both religiously and scientifically, about evolution. This is due in large part to propaganda by Christian fundamentalists who not only reject evolution but have campaigned vigorously to make it appear controversial. They have intimidated school boards, teachers, and legislators, creating a situation that has led to a dumbing down of evolution education in U.S. science classes.

Darwin Day, however, may be able to serve as a catalyst to bring together those who have had no clear means of focusing their support for Darwin's "dangerous idea." By this means, they may be able to provide an activist counterpoint to fundamentalist dogmatism and public school censorship.

Beyond recognition of the Darwinian revolution in science, appreciation is growing for Charles Darwin the person. Annie's Box--a book released in 2001 and authored by one of his descendants, Randal Keynes--provides a portrait of the great naturalist's humanity. Darwin was a sensitive family man who cared deeply for his wife, Emma, and was a loving and tolerant father who felt painful anguish at the death of three of his ten children. As a rational person, however, he accepted the realities of life without bitterness. Overall, Darwin has become a worthy symbol for the celebration of humanity as well as science.

Some creationists will no doubt object to Darwin Day, particularly in reference to lecture programs on high school campuses. They will claim that the humanist observance of Darwin Day just proves what creationists have said all along: that teaching evolutionary science in the public schools is nothing but indoctrination of students in the tenets of "the religion of secular humanism."

But this view ignores two facts. First, the Roman Catholic Church, all mainline Christian and Jewish denominations, and most other world religions readily accept evolution, just as they do the concept that the Earth revolves around the sun. Second, it isn't only humanist groups that recognize and celebrate Darwin Day. A wide range of educational and civic institutions, as well as local science clubs, continue to be involved.

For more information on Darwin Day and to share your views or celebrations, log onto www.darwinday.org. The website is also an information source and major Internet link to assist in the development of Darwin Day events. Overall, it exists to encourage, cooperate with, and provide resources for any group or individual celebrating or promoting Darwin Day.

Arthur M. Jackson is the official liaison for freethought groups observing Darwin Day. He can be reached at 3032 Warm Springs Drive, San Jose, CA 95127-1875; 408-923-3774; [e-mail].