Evolution Day

November 24, Monday

Evolution Day
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Evolution Day is an unofficial scientific holiday dedicated to evolutionary theory and especially to Charles Darwin. It is associated with the publication of Darwin's book *On the Origin of Species* and the birthday of the scientist himself.

When it is celebrated

* The international version of the holiday takes place on November 24, in honor of the publication of *On the Origin of Species* in 1859.
* In some museums and scientific centers (for example, the Darwin Museum in Russia), events dedicated to evolution are sometimes held in February, closer to Darwin’s birthday.

History of the holiday
The first major wave of celebrations was in 1909, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Darwin and the 50th anniversary of the publication of his famous book. The modern name "Evolution Day" has been actively used since the 1990s.

Purpose and meaning

* Popularization of knowledge about the theory of evolution, natural selection, and the origin of species.
* Recognition of Darwin's contribution to the development of biology.
* Educating a wide audience—from children to adults—through lectures, games, workshops, and events.

How it is celebrated

* Museums organize quests, interactive games ("Timeline", "Transitional Forms"), themed photo zones, and workshops.
* Popular science lectures on various aspects of evolution—from biology to the cultural evolution of ideas—are often held.
* For children, creative activities are arranged: modeling animals, making crafts, and meeting young animals of different species.
* In genetics workshops, participants can extract DNA, for example, from bananas.

Significance for science and society
Evolution Day emphasizes the importance of the scientific method and helps people understand how life developed on Earth. The holiday encourages interest in biology, genetics, ecology, and the role of humans in nature, and also highlights the significance of Darwin's work.

Evolution Day

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Evolution Day in other years

Evolution Day in other countries

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