Introduction

This is an exhibit on Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. A work of scientific literature published on November 24 1859, that is now considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology.

The book brings forth Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, which proposes that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection. It set out to provide an explanation for the diversity of life through understanding adaptation and speciation.

This book became subject to a law that made it unlawful to teach human evolution in any state-funded Tennessee school, and subsequently also caused the Scopes Trial, a court case contesting the legality said regulation.