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Birth
Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in The Mount House, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. He had one brother and four sisters. His father was a doctor and his mother was part of a pottery family. (www.britannica.com) -
Napoleon invades Russia
In 1812, Napoleon tried to lead the French army to invade Russia. However they lost because of their lack of preparedness. When Russia saw the European army coming toward them, they simply retreated to the Russian interior. But the French couldn't make such a long trip to fight the Russians. They didn't have enough supplies and were not prepared for Russia's harsh weather conditions. (Chronology pg380) -
Attended the traditional Anglican Shrewsbury
Darwin in 1818, joined his brother at the school. At the school, he learned classics and hated it. He learned Roman, Greek, reading, and grammar. He enjoyed collecting minerals and insects in his free time of attending the school. Although, him and his brother loved chemistry. His father eventually took him out of school due to bad grades and his brother left for college to study medicine. (www.biography.com) -
College
In 1825 Darwin once agains enrolls at a school with his brother, at Edinburgh University. Two years later he goes to Christ's college in Cambridge. His father wanted him to become a doctor like him. Although, Darwin was much more interested in natural history then the medical field. He eventually graduated Christ's college with a bachelors of art degree in 1831. (www.biography.com) -
HMS Beagle voyage
In 1831, Darwin embarked on HMS Beagle voyage around the world. On his trip, he collected many natural specimens like plants, fossils, and birds. The places he was most interested in was the galapago islands and South America. He experimented and observed botany, geology, and zoology. (www.biography.com) -
Wrote findings back in England
In 1836, Darwin wrote his findings in the "Journal of researches". It was then published as a part of the captains larger narrative and then edited into the "Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle". This trip deeply affected Darwin and changed his views on some natural history. He began to develop an idea that differed from other naturalists at the time. (www.biography.com) -
The Trail of Tears
In 1838, over 4,000 Cherokees died in the Trail of Tears. This is because Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal policy forced the Cherokee indians to move out of the land East of the Mississippi river. The trail of tears was the removal of Indians but by moving them out of the area so many died. (www.history.com) -
Got married
In 1839, Darwin married his first cousin Emma Wedgwood. They eventually had a total of ten children. Sadly, three of them died before age ten. All of the children's suspected health issues are most likely due to being inbred. (encyclopedia pg277) -
Volume on coral reefs sent to press
Darwin's volume on coral reefs was his first monologue. Coral reefs were a big debate and Darwin wanted to show his theory on them even though they differed from others. His theory was that they formed in a "gradual series from fringing reef, through barrier reefs to atolls". ("Charles Darwin and the Origin of Species" pg52) -
Mexican American War
In 1846, the United States wanted to take Texas into its union because Texas had declared independence from Mexico. However, Mexico wants to keep Texas because it was their land that they acquired from Spain. It was a war over land that had to do with slavery, economics, and westward expansion. (www.history.com) -
California Gold Rush
In 1849, there was gold nuggets found in California and as news spread of this discovery, thousands of prospective gold miners found their way to California in search of treasure. A total of 2 billion dollars of gold was found. During the gold rush, California's population sky rocketed by thousands. Many people migrated there because of the gold rush. (www.history.com) -
Publicly introduced theory
Darwin first started thinking of this theory on the HMS Beagle. He spent much time studying nature and finding proof that his theory is valid. Since his theory contradicted many other's, he had to find as many reasons as ge could on why he could be right. One year later he published his book, "The Origin of Species", explaining further into depth his ideas. (www.biography.com) -
Published "The Origin of Species"
"The Origin of Species" was Darwins theory on evolution. It described natural selection, the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. It also explains evolution, the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.His theory was finally accepted as science in the 1870's. (www.biography.com) -
Creation of the Statue of Liberty
In 1875, Auguste Bartholdi started designing the Statue of Liberty. It was originally a copper color but was oxidized. Its 111 feet tall and weighs 225 tons. Everything about the statue represents something. For example, broken chains of oppression and tyranny are at her feet and the seven rays on her crown represent the seven continents. (Chronology) -
Edison makes the lightbulb
Edison practiced improving his first idea of the light bulb for many years. The part he was trying to improve was the filament. Edison and his team eventually discovered that a carbonized bamboo filament could last for over 1,200 hours. They started officially manufacturing light bulbs in 1880. (history.com) -
Death
Charles Darwin had led a memorable life with revolutionary ideas. He died at 73 years old due to congestive heart failure. He had died at the Down House, Downe, United Kingdom. He was buried at Westminster, Abbey. (www.biography.com)
