1970
The first Earth Day
Earth Day, an event to increase public
awareness of the world’s environmental problems, is celebrated in the United
States for the first time. Millions of Americans, including students from
thousands of colleges and universities, participated in rallies, marches, and
educational programs.
Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator
Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide
unity to the grassroots environmental movement and increase ecological
awareness. “The objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for
the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of
its lethargy,” Senator Nelson said, “and, finally, force this issue permanently
onto the national political agenda.” Earth Day indeed increased environmental
awareness in America, and in July of that year the Environmental Protection
Agency was established by special executive order to regulate and enforce
national pollution legislation.
On April 22, 1990, the 20th anniversary of
Earth Day, more than 200 million people in 141 countries participated in Earth
Day celebrations.
Earth Day has been celebrated on different
days by different groups internationally. The United Nations officially
celebrates it on the vernal equinox, which usually occurs about March 21.