Yes, there really is such a thing as “DNA Day”. See the Wikipedia entry!
Sixty one years ago today, on the 25th April 1953, the journal Nature published a revolutionary paper by Francis Crick and James D Watson. With crucial help from Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins, they had built a coherent, credible model of the DNA molecule.
In the paper they say:
“We wish to put forward a radically different structure for the salt deoxyribose nucleic acid. This structure has two helical chains coiled around the same axis” …
“It has not escaped our notice that the specific pairing we have postulated immediately suggests a possible copying mechanism for the genetic material”.
This discovery changed the study of life sciences for ever.
If you want to read up on DNA – you might like our book:
“DNA : a graphic guide to the molecule that shook the world”
Clare Allan
Subject Librarian
See this: http://www.wellcomecollection.org/explore/life-genes–you/topics/genetics/images.aspx?view=dna-by-francis-crick
Be sure to click to see the full picture.