In all of the on point replies, "theory" is mentioned. Having gone to school in the U.S. (I sometimes wonder if I was educated), I was taught that evolution, like relativity, was a theory. So far, there were no "facts" or observations that are contary to these theories and they are generally accepted. Many of the competing theories are not supported by observations. As far as evolution being "fact," we'll never know.

As far as evolution goes, I was never taught that there are serious alternative theories. I attended HS in Cincinnati, neither North or South.