February 12, 2009 marked the 200th birthday of one of the biggest achievers in the field of evolutionary science: Charles Darwin. The British naturalist, born in 1809, was arguably one of the most well-known scientists of our time. February 12 also marked the 150th anniversary of Darwin's On the Origin of Species, the book that helped make him famous. The Origin of Species outlined Darwin's theories of evolution developed when he visited the Galápagos Islands while on a 57-month ship voyage starting in 1831. Darwin's evolutionary theories are still highly debated today and have led to much controversy over whether his findings should be taught in schools.
Visit these great sites for information and online exhibits to celebrate Darwin's bicentennial: