Earth Day history: how it all began
By Laurie Posted on April 15th, 2009 in Featured, Living Green
The majority of us are familiar with the holiday at comes each April 22nd, when schools, communities and organizations come together to recognize the importance of the environment. But do we really know how it all began?
It was in 1970 when twenty million people came together and first celebrated April 22nd as Earth Day. And since then, over one billion people in 170+ countries come together to still celebrate it today, with events, gatherings and projects that address eco-issues.
Who started Earth Day?
Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day, a plan that developed over a course of seven years. From 1962, he became increasingly frustrated with the state of the environment and the non-reaction from the government. He soon decided to convince President Kennedy to embark on a conservation tour – and after a meeting, Kennedy was keen on the idea. But even after Kennedy’s journey, this wasn’t enough to bring it into the political agenda.
So what happened?
As eco-issues began to become more important, Senator Nelson continued to speak about the detriment of the environment, and more people began to notice. But still, no response the political leaders.
And then?
The idea of Earth Day occurred to him six years later; to organize a protest against what was happening to the environment. In September 1969, he announced that in the following Spring there would be a huge, nation-wide grassroots environmental demonstration. And the word was spread.
How was the response?
“Electric.” “… took off like gangbusters.” “…spectacular exuberance.” Just some of the terms that Senator Nelson noted. In essence, the results were positive. And soon after, the New York Times reported the upcoming event and the matter at hand:
“Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation’s campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam…”
And the final result?
The first Earth Day was a success; Senator Nelson explains that they didn’t have the time and resources to do ample organization, but it didn’t matter. Over 20 million demonstrators, thousands of schools, and many communities participated on their own – they simply organized themselves.
Interesting. See, Earth Day is all about giving back to the environment, and living simple and sustainable is the easiest way to do it. Ironically, it didn’t need the money, advertising and promotion that some big campaigns need – it just did it on its own.
Nowadays, Earth Day is highlighted from many organizations, but because of its few decades of history, it’s become a part of the norm, just like any other “holiday” would be. Students are aware of it, with many schools dubbing April as Earth month; websites dedicated to the event spread the word; many communities celebrate with eco-events. It still, in essence, forms itself, year after year.
Check out these great sites for more information about Earth Day:
Earth Day history from the Environmental Protection Agency
Canada’s Earth Day site
United States’ Earth Day site
Source for the historical information from How the First Earth Day Came About by Senator Gaylord Nelson, Founder of Earth Day wilderness.org
How do you celebrate Earth Day? Do you have anything special planned? Tell us about it!
Image courtesy of jaeger.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au
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