What is Earth Day?
Earth Day is a day when millions of people across the world come together to promote a cleaner, safer environment. Earth Day is held every year on April 22.
The History of Earth Day
Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin is considered the “founder” of Earth Day. Nelson’s idea evolved over a seven-year period beginning in 1962 and resulted in the first Earth Day being held on April 22, 1970. The first Earth Day involved more than 20 million Americans and became the largest grassroots demonstration in US history. Participants took to the streets, lobbied Congress, and began the modern environmental movement. Earth Day 1970 helped develop public support that led to the enactment of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This movement also led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
More information about Earth Day can be found on the Earth Day Network’s website.