Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed the first Earth Day, which took place on April 22, 1970, as a national “teach in” about the environment. On that day, over 20 million Americans participated – including 10,000 elementary and high schools, 2,000 colleges and more than 1,000 communities. Today, as Earth Day turns 40, the event is celebrated by more than 500 million people worldwide.
Viewer Tip: Looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day? There are fun opportunities taking place all week.
- National Park Week: From April 17-25, the National Park Service is offering fee-free days at 392 national parks around the country. This is a perfect to time to get outside, enjoy nice weather and reconnect with nature. Plan your visit: www.nps.gov/npweek.
- Participate in a local event: Search for events by region at www.epa.gov/earthday/events.htm.
- Contribute to the Billion Acts of Green: Help Earth Day Network document one billion acts of green for Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary. Tell them what you’ll do to help protect the environment – it can be as simple as recycling, walking to school or work, or planting a tree! www.earthday.net/earthday2010splash/.
Fun Fact: The advent of fiber optics, the Beatles’ last album, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the death of Jimi Hendrix and the birth of Mariah Carey all took place in 1970 – the same year Earth Day was born.
(Sources: The Earth Day Network, “History of Earth Day.” http://www.earthday.net/node/77; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Earth Day.” http://www.epa.gov/earthday/; Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day, “The Earth Day Story and Gaylord Nelson.” http://nelsonearthday.net/)
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