The 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, originator of the modern theory of evolution, is just months away. Now, the University of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with Penn Museum and major Philadelphia cultural organizations, launches an ambitious YEAR OF EVOLUTION of public programs and events, from late April 2008 through May 2009.

The art and culture, “Bollywood” films, diverse spiritual practices, and spicy foods of India are captivating the interests and palates of a rapidly growing international audience. India, in all its complexity and diversity, is the focus of a day-long celebration Saturday, March 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., as the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology presents Hello India!

Music and dance of Africa and the African diaspora, storytelling,arts and crafts, timely talks, culture and cuisine—it all comes together at the 19th annual Celebration of African Cultures Saturday, February 16, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. throughout the galleries of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology offers it’s second annual Darwin Day and Evolution Teach In, a free event held in honor of the 199th birthday of Charles Robert Darwin, the world-renowned author of On the Origin of Species—and the originator of the modern theory of evolution.

People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox. from The Chinese Zodiac.

Lewis and Clark Revisited: A Trail in Modern Day, a traveling exhibition of 60 black and white photographs taken by professional photographer Greg Mac Gregor while he retraced Lewis and Clark's legendary journey, opens at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology through February 10, 2008.

Lewis and Clark Revisited: A Trail in Modern Day
December 15, 2007 through February 10, 2008

In 1804, Merriweather Lewis and William Clark led an unprecedented overland expedition across North America and back, pioneering the western exploration and expansion of the United States. Two centuries later, photographer Greg MacGregor retraced their journey to see the present state of this historic route.

Grab your “Holiday Passport” and get into the spirit of the holiday season Sunday, December 2nd, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., when the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology celebrates its 12th annual FREE Peace Around the World family-oriented afternoon.

On Sunday, November 11, 2007, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology opens at 12:30 p.m .—half an hour early—to fit in all the magic, as the Museum presents HARRY POTTER AND THE MAGICAL MUGGLE MUSEUM.

Amarna, Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun, the University of Pennsylvania Museum's popular new exhibition about the city of Amarna, Tutankhamun's childhood home, will remain open as a long-term exhibition, adding to the Museum's suite of ancient Egyptian galleries that offer the public a year-round opportunity to explore more than 5,000 years of ancient Egyptian culture, art, and history.

Last year, 1,100 guests from 107 countries, including Turkey, Anguilla, Myanmar, Maldives, Iran, Azerbaijan, Benin, Rwanda, China, Albania, India, Colombia, and Australia, met and mingled at the annual International Students Reception at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Exploring Iran: The Photography of Erich F. Schmidt, 1930-1940, a new exhibition of more than 50 archival photographs from Iran, complemented by a representative sampling of ancient artifacts, including painted pottery, alabaster and copper/bronze figurines from the archaeological excavations at the Bronze Age site Tepe Hissar, opens at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology October 2 through December 9, 2007.