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Earth Day: 1970 to 2022
The First Earth Day
Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin organized the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. He hoped to raise awareness about environmental issues, such as clean air and water, and to rally support for the grassroots environmental movement.
An estimated 20 million people took part in the first Earth Day, attending events at community sites and schools across the country.
The first earth day led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passing of many important environmental protection laws. It united groups fighting against oil spills, air pollution, toxic waste dumps, pesticide use, freeways, deforestation, wildlife extinction, etc.
Earth Day Goes Global
In 1990, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people from 141 countries and taking environmental issues to the world stage.
We continue to celebrate Earth Day every year to protect the planet and its people. Today…
