This Day in History: 22 April 2020
22 April 1970
50 years ago, today, the first Earth Day was celebrated, in order to increase public awareness of the Earth's environmental crisis, making today its 50th anniversary. This occurred in the United States, where millions of Americans, including students, participated in rallies, marches and enacted in educational programs across the nation. The event was thought of by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who was an environmentalist wanting to encourage unity to the movement and increase ecological awareness. He spoke of the objective being to get a "nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy".
Senator Nelson indeed achieved his aim, as the first Earth Day did increase environmental awareness in America, and 3 months later, the Environmental Protection Agency was established by a special executive order to help regulate and enforce the national pollution legislation. This national occasion also led to the passage of the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. On Earth Day's 20th anniversary, more than 200 million people in 141 countries participated in celebrations. President Clinton also awarded Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throughout the years, Earth Day has actually been celebrated on different days by certain groups. Despite its traditional celebration date being on April 22, the United Nations officially celebrates it on the vernal equinox, usually occurring on around March 21.
Want to find out more about the history of Earth Day? Click here for more information.
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