For Immediate Release
Contact:
Merrill Miller, 202-238-9088 ext. 105, merrillmiller@americanhumanist.org
(Washington, D.C., Feb. 11, 2015)—Tomorrow the American Humanist Association and people around the world will celebrate Darwin Day to observe the 206th birthday of famed scientist Charles Darwin and honor his contributions to science and humanity.
Darwin Day, a project of the American Humanist Association, was founded by Dr. Robert Stephens in 1993. This international celebration of science and humanity is recognized on or around February 12 with a variety of events. This year, resolutions have been introduced in both the U.S. House (H. Res. 67) and U.S. Senate (S. Res. 66) by U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04) and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (CT) to recognize Darwin Day in Congress. State Rep. Andrew Sherwood (AZ-26) has also introduced a Darwin Day resolution in Arizona. Proclamations honoring the day have been issued by Governor Jack Markell of Delaware, Governor Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Mayor Jean Stothert of Omaha, Nebraska, and Mayor John Watras of Garden City, New York, among others.
“Challenges to humanity’s very existence, from climate change to the spread of deadly disease, will only be solved if our children have access to sound, secular science education,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “We need more politicians to stand up for science when it’s denigrated by creationists and anti-vaccers.”
To commemorate Darwin Day, local groups around the country have planned celebrations, educational talks and charity events in their communities on February 12. The Humanists of North Central Florida are hosting a potluck dinner and are acting as judges at a local student science fair. The End of the Line Humanists of Oak Park, Illinois, have planned Darwin Day festivities that include games, speakers and cake. The Humanist Community of Central Ohio has organized a blood drive. A full list of Darwin Day events taking place across the country and internationally can be viewed here.
Speckhardt continued, “Celebrating Darwin Day acknowledges the benefits of scientific advancements for all of humankind and affirms our shared values of innovation, inquisitiveness and reason.”
The American Humanist Association maintains the official Darwin Day website, which provides resources for individuals looking for local Darwin Day events, information about Charles Darwin’s life and work as well as the theory of evolution, and efforts to have Darwin Day officially recognized at the local, state and national levels.
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The International Darwin Day Foundation, founded by Dr. Robert Stephens in 1993, is a project of the American Humanist Association. Its mission is to promote the public education of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and to encourage the celebration of science and humanity.
Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other non-religious Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.