Look-a-likes, skulls help mark Darwin birthday

The man who singlehandedly made the theory of evolution a household name when he published On the Origins of Species had his 198th birthday celebrated yesterday at the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Philadelphia residents and their families, along with Penn students and faculty, attended the annual Darwin Day, during which a Charles Darwin look-a-like greeted the public, read from his famous book and shared slices of birthday cake with attendees.

The day also featured a wide assortment of activities, including skull fossil casts of hominids and a series of short "teach-ins," during which experts discussed Darwin's personal life and contribution to evolution.

As part of his discussion, "Why Evolution Matters," Philosophy professor Michael Weisberg explained that "evolution matters because it bridges the physical and biological world. . All of us are literally one family, . a tree of life from human beings to bacteria."

History and Sociology of Science professor Susan Lindee enlightened the audience with a short biography of Darwin during her lecture, "Darwin's Story," highlighting some of his accomplishments the public often overlooks.

Darwin published numerous books besides Origins, including one solely studying the importance of worms to the environment, Lindee said.

Museum officials encouraged people to take part in one of Darwin's favorite past times - badminton - in one of the designated rooms of the museum.

And the day's Darwin himself had something to say about the interest in evolution.

"I think everybody is worried about where they are coming from. People know of evolution, but people don't know about evolution," said College senior Bill Wames, who volunteered to portray the 19th-century English naturalist for the event.

"It's wonderful to see Charles in all of his glory, aided by his fabulous Penn professors," Darwin's personal assistant and College sophomore Jon Kole said.

"Whether intelligent design should be taught in public schools is still debated. Darwin is very relevant today," said Xu Lan, a graduate student in the School of Education.

Peter Litt, who works in the International House of the Graduate School of Education, agreed, saying that "evolution is a hot topic, and it's a wonderful opportunity for faculty and staff to learn more about it."

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