Today is the 153rd anniversary of the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Forget Darwin’s birthday (12 February 1809) or the publication of On the Origin of Species (24 November 1859). The theory of evolution by natural selection became public on 1 July 1858 in a joint presentation by Darwin and Wallace entitled “On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection” to the Linnean Society. Neither Darwin or Wallace could be present. So, the papers were actually read by John Joseph Bennett and were published on 20 August 1858.
1 July 1858 does not fit nicely into the 50 year separation of Darwin’s birthday and publication of On the Origin of Species; but, if you want to celebrate the anniversary of the theory of evolution by natural selection (and you should), today is your day.
The Finch and Pea 