The year 1859 is notable for several significant events in history. One of the most important occurrences was the publication of Charles Darwin's groundbreaking work, "On the Origin of Species," which introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection. This book fundamentally changed the way people understood biology and the development of life on Earth. In addition to Darwin's work, 1859 also saw the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War, which would later lead to the unification of Germany. The year was marked by various political and social changes, reflecting the tensions and transformations occurring in Europe during the 19th century.