Besides music, Jack Daniels, and the color orange, Tennessee also signifies opposition to evolution in the minds of many people, especially biologists. By banning the teaching of evolution in its schools, the state set the stage for the famous Scopes monkey trial in 1925, which pitted two giants of American history, William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow, in a battle immortalized in books and film. The public controversy over evolution continues to this day, to the consternation of the vast majority of scientists.
It's ironic then that Tuesday, Feb. 12, won't be just any old day in Knoxville, Tenn. Led by evolutionary ecologist Massimo Pigliucci, the University of Tennessee will hold its annual Darwin Day celebration on the old guy's 193rd birthday. Festivities include movies, discussions, information booths, book displays, and a keynote speaker, University of Wisconsin philosopher Elliot Sober. Last year's celebration featured a performance of...
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