Charles Robert Darwin, aged 45 in 1854

The Maldives Science Society commemorates Darwin Day as part of its mandate to commemorate events and dates hosted by and associated with the international scientific community.

Darwin Day is a recently instituted celebration intended to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Charles Robert Darwin on February 12, 1809. Charles Darwin was an English naturalist who contributed immensely to the science of biology and is widely regarded as one of the towering scientific minds in the history of human civilization.

Darwin was catapulted to world fame upon the publication of his book ‘On the Origin of Species’ which, even to this day, has remained one of the most well-known books on science. The book laid down his groundbreaking theory of evolution which, in its modified form, remains the unifying principle of all life sciences.

Darwin Day celebration is founded on the premise that Darwin’s genius and his contributions to science are an epitome of human’s scientific achievements and hence Darwin is an apt symbol for a global celebration of science.