The History of Earth Day

First celebration:
April 22, 1970 in USA

Scope of the event:
At the time, it was the largest nationwide demonstration in history; larger than any Vietnam War protest or the march led by Martin Luther King Jr.

Background:
Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson (former state senator and governor) is universally recognized as the father of Earth Day. Champion of the 1964 Wilderness Act, he drafted the first bill to ban DDT and was far ahead of his time with innovative environmental solutions for his home state and for the nation. Recognizing that his was often an overlooked opinion, he became determined to bring environmental awareness to the public's attention.

Taking his cue from successful student group meetings, he formulated a plan of action. He hired Denis Hayes, then a recent graduate of Stanford and Harvard as national coordinator for a major event which was initially called a National Environmental Teach-in. Non-political and non-violent, it was to be a peaceful day of awareness through speeches, gatherings and activities centered around natural resources, the environment and subjects ranging from local waste problems to projects and issues of global impact. Major issues included growing concerns over unregulated use of chemicals and pesticides, nuclear waste and the first critical oil spill from an offshore rig off the California coast.

Significant participation:

• Both houses of the US Congress adjourned so members could make local Earth Day appearances.
• Forty-two state houses passed Earth Day resolutions.
• Two thousand communities participated.
• Twelve thousand high school and college campuses participated.

From governors and mayors to Scout troops and veteran environmentalists such as David Brower, people gathered to acknowledge the concerns and works of Rachel Carson, John Muir, John J. Audubon and Henry David Thoreau in a day devoted mainly to the "Health and state of the Outdoors."

Update:
Popularity and participation in Earth Day activities saw highs and lows through the 70's and 80's and was kept alive on a grassroots level despite prevailing politics. By 1990, the 20th Anniversary, the event was celebrated by an estimated 200,000,000 people in 136 countries around the globe. Today, the Earth Day impact continues to be felt on a growing universal level each year; enjoyed and celebrated in cities and country sides, streams and streets on beaches and highways, by school children, businesses and indeed, conscientious people of all ages.

Compiled from Earth Foundation Library resources and files March 5, 1997