Press Release: Darwin Day a natural holiday? by BHA, February 2003

Press Release: Darwin Day a natural holiday?
February 12th 2003

Over 40 distinguished academics, philosophers, scientists and writers called for a new public holiday on 12 February to celebrate the birth of Charles Darwin. In a letter to the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary (see below for text and signatures), organised by the British Humanist Association, they proposed a new public holiday on the calendar by 2009, the 200th anniversary of his birth. They wrote that public recognition of Charles Darwin in this way had assumed particular importance with the rise of creationism in British schools.

The letter was published in The Times on Wednesday 12 February, with half a dozen signatures selected by The Times: Simon Blackburn, Francis Crick, Richard Dawkins, Richard Doll, Philip Pullman, Claire Rayner. It provoked some lively and positive responses, both on The Times letters page and to the BHA.

Two of the signatories, philosopher Stephen Law and scientist Robin Dunbar , were the main speakers at the first BHA Darwin Day lecture ‘What's wrong with creationism?’ at Conway Hall, London , on the evening of 12 February. They were joined by a third signatory, Richard Dawkins , who participated in the discussion from the floor.

Read the full report of the event and Stephen Law’s lecture .

See also Darwin Day website for news and information about the international campaign for a Darwin Day holiday.



Letter in full with complete list of signatories:
(Further updates and signatures available from BHA office)

Darwin Day

We, the undersigned, support proposals for the creation of a new public holiday, Darwin Day, on February 12th. This is the birthday of Charles Darwin, one of the greatest British scientists and thinkers that ever lived. At a time when creationism appears to be gaining ground in English schools, the public celebration of Charles Darwin's contribution to modern science could send out a clear message of support for scientific thinking.

It will be the 200th anniversary of his birth in 2009, and we very much hope that this new public holiday will be in place by then.

Yours sincerely

Hanne Stinson (BHA Executive Director)
Jane Asher
Professor Simon Blackburn
Sir Tom Blundell, FRS
Sir Hermann Bondi, FRS
Alan Brownjohn
Sir Roy Calne, FRS
Dr Malcolm Cass
Michael Clark
Sir Kenneth Clucas
Michael Connarty MP
Professor Sir Bernard Crick
Professor Francis Crick, FRS
Dr Helena Cronin
Professor Richard Dawkins (BHA Vice-President)
Sir Richard Doll, CH, FRS
Lord Dormand of Easington (BHA Vice-President)
Professor Robin Dunbar, FBA
Michael Foot
Dr Steven French
Professor John Harper, FRS
Professor Hugh Huxley, MBE, FRS
Professor Steve Jones
Sir Ludovic Kennedy
Professor Sir Hans Kornberg, FRS
Dr Brendan Larvor
Dr Stephen Law
Professor John Maynard Smith, FRS
Professor David Papineau
Sir Roger Penrose, FRS
Philip Pullman
Dr Janet Radcliffe Richards
Claire Rayner, OBE (BHA President)
Jonathan Rée
Dr Ben Rogers
Professor Sir Joseph Rotblat, FRS
Professor Peter Simons
Sir David Smith, FRS
Professor Sir Kenneth Stuart, FRS
Polly Toynbee
Professor Sir David Weatherall, FRS
Dr Nigel Warburton
Professor Lewis Wolpert, CBE, FRS (BHA Vice-President)