Charles Darwin is a really important person in science. He helped us understand how living things change over time through evolution and natural selection. His famous book, "On the Origin of Species," was published in 1859. It introduced new ideas that changed biology and influenced many other sciences.

Key Contributions:

1. Theory of Evolution:

   • Darwin suggested that species change over time. This means that different types of living things come from shared ancestors.
   • This idea was different from what many people believed before, which was that species never changed.

2. Natural Selection:

   • Darwin explained that natural selection is how evolution happens. This means that animals and plants with helpful traits are more likely to survive and have babies.
   • People often say "survival of the fittest" to summarize this idea. However, Darwin didn’t create that phrase, but it is often linked to his work.

Statistical Proof:

• Darwin’s ideas helped form modern evolutionary biology. A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that over 80% of biologists believe in evolution by natural selection as a key part of biology.
• Additionally, a Gallup poll from 2019 showed that around 40% of Americans believe natural selection explains why life is so diverse. This shows that Darwin’s ideas are still very important.

Impact on Science and Beyond:

• Darwin’s work helped create the field of genetics. It influenced scientists like Gregor Mendel and led to new ideas in the early 20th century that combined genetics with Darwin’s evolution concepts.
• Today, the principles from Darwin’s theories are used in many areas, like ecology, medicine, and protecting nature.

To sum it up, Charles Darwin changed how we understand biology. He connected different scientific fields and set the stage for future research. His groundbreaking ideas are still important today, proving that he is a key figure in the history of science.