A billboard honoring the memory of Charles Darwin, the father of evolutionary science, along Highway 50 on Orchard Mesa above the Colorado River in Grand Junction, Colo.

THE ORIGINS OF DARWIN THE ORIGINS OF DARWIN Feb. 12, 1809: Charles Robert Darwin is born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. Dec. 27, 1831: Darwin sets out on the HMS Beagle, where he is engaged as a naturalist. Over the next few years he will travel to such places as Chile, Brazil, El Salvador, the Falkland Islands, Peru and Tahiti, sending plant, animal and fossil specimens back to England. Oct. 2, 1836: The HMS Beagle arrives back in England. Jan. 4, 1837: Darwin speaks before the Royal Geological Society in London, presenting his findings that animals in South America had adapted as land masses rose over eons. Jan. 29, 1839: Darwin marries his cousin, Emma Wedgwood. August 1839: Darwin's journal of his voyage aboard the Beagle is published and sells well. July 1, 1858: Darwin goes public with his views on the evolution of species at a meeting of the Linnean Society, a gathering of prominent naturalists. Nov. 22, 1859: On the Origin of Species is published and becomes an immediate success. March 1871: Darwin's book on human origins called The Descent of Man is published. April 19, 1882: Darwin, who had been chronically ill for most of his adult life, dies. He is buried at Westminster Abbey, not far from the tomb of Sir Isaac Newton. Source: AboutDarwin.com GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado (AP)  A secularist group is observing the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin with billboards that urge people to "Evolve Beyond Belief." The Freedom From Religion Foundation placed "Praise Darwin" billboards in Grand Junction; Dayton, Tennessee; Dover, Pennsylvania; and Whitehall, Ohio. They feature stained-glass designs and a picture of the evolutionary theorist born on Feb. 12, 1809. EVOLUTION: Darwin celebrated, despite controversy, on 200th birthday FAITH & REASON: Will Christians lose 'clout' in Obama years? The Tennessee and Pennsylvania towns had landmark court cases about the teaching of evolution. Many in the religious right believe in "intelligent design" — a literal interpretation of the Bible that questions Darwin's theory of evolution. The Wisconsin-based foundation is made up of agnostics and atheists opposed to government displays of religion. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more