Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin Bicentennials
Two of History's Greatest Men Share 200th Birthdays in 2009
Sep 13, 2008
President Lincoln and Darwin, the English naturalist, were born and grew up an ocean apart and pursued entirely different careers, but they both liberated entire classes of people, each in his own way. For that reason, February 12, 2009 will be celebrated as one of history’s unique anniversary days.
Lincoln’s "Emancipation Proclamation" on September 22, 1862 began the freeing of American slaves in the middle of the Civil War. He declared that "all persons held as slaves within any state" on January 1, 1863 "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free."
He added that "the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom."
It took a civil war to uphold and enforce that proclamation and decades of additional executive, legislative and judicial action to maintain and enhance the spirit of it.
"On The Origin of Species"
Darwin’s contribution to freedom was far more complex, but also bold and far reaching. After working in secrecy and through considerable sickness, he published and offered booksellers 1250 copies of "On The Origin of Species," challenging the Church of England on the theory of creation.
All copies of the controversial book were sold on November 22, 1858 for 16 shillings each. By the time he died in 1882, Darwin published five additional versions of his book, eventually cutting the title to simply "Origin of the Species." It was translated into numerous languages.
The book eventually freed scientists and educators to begin teaching evolution of the human species, natural selection and "survival of the fittest," theories that were previously considered blasphemous.
Theory of Evolution
Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation followed Darwin’s "Origin of the Species" by less than four years. Although Lincoln’s declaration against slavery and Darwin’s theory of evolution still face pockets of resistance around the world a century and a half later, they command international respect.
Much of the world will celebrate the 200th birthday of both men in 2009 because their declarations have tremendously expanded the horizon of human thought and opinion on two of history’s most sensitive subjects.
In the United States, the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission began a year-long series of events in 2008 that will culminate on Lincoln’s 200th birthday February 12, 2009 with a joint session of Congress.
Kentucky, where he was born, and Illinois, where he entered politics, will conduct their own special observances, as will many other states and communities. Numerous books and videos will also be produced to recall Lincoln’s life and achievements, and to document current perceptions of the United States’16th president.
HMS Beagle Will be Rebuilt
The Darwin bicentennial celebration will spread around the world. According to AboutDarwin.com:
- The area around Down House, Darwin’s suburban London home, was to be designated a World Heritage site;
- The HMS Beagle, on which he made his five year scientific voyage, was to be rebuilt;
- Cambridge University, where he studied, planned to present numerous Darwin exhibits.
Darwin Day Observances
Other bicentennial celebrations will grow out of the numerous local Darwin Day observances conducted annually around the world and coordinated by the Institute for Humanist Studies, a think tank headquartered in Albany, New York.
The 2009 Darwin Day observances will include briefings and presentations aboard the four Quasar ships that cruise the Galapagos Islands, which Darwin visited during his voyage aboard the Beagle. The Quasar website says the ship observances "will be an active, life-seeing account on the life of this magnificent scientist where guests will be able to see and witness precisely the same animals and events that Darwin himself witnessed over two centuries ago."
One of the Quasar ships that cruise the Pacific Ocean islands is named "Evolution."
References:
- White House Biography of Abraham Lincoln
- Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
- National Park Service website
- AboutDarwin.com
- Institute for Humanist Studies website
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