NATIONAL EARTH DAY
Each year on April 22nd, National Earth Day campaigns around the globe promote ways to keep the Earth healthy and our planet livable.
#NationalEarthDay
Since its inception, the organizers promote events educating the public about a variety of subjects including:
- climate change
- air pollution
- water pollution
- erosion
- recycling
- composting
- renewable fuels and power
- carbon footprints
- efficient cars
- rain forests
- ecosystems
As citizens of the world, we can take action to protect the Earth, its creatures, and its habitats. Greener living can include more fuel-efficient vehicles or windows. It can also include landscaping for your climate reducing the amount of water required.
Numerous green campaigns launch events around the globe each year. Join one near you or organize one that fits your community’s needs.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL EARTH DAY
- Support and use recycling programs in your community.
- Volunteer to clean up local parks and streets on clean-up days.
- Support and frequent green businesses.
- Use re-usable products versus disposable.
- Repurpose items that have outworn their use.
- Shop secondhand and thrift stores for gently used items.
- Use energy-efficient appliances or line dry your clothes.
- Walk or ride your bike to work if possible.
- Carpool or make one trip instead of multiple trips for shopping.
- Encourage your favorite products to reduce packaging.
- Check out One Square Inch of Silence. Founded on Earth Day in 2005, it encourages you to participate in expanding naturally silent spaces around the globe.
- Share your Earth Day experiences and join the conversation using #EarthDay on Social Media.
The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something
today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard. ~ Gaylord Nelson – Founder of Earth Day
Share your Earth Day experiences and join the conversation using #EarthDay on Social Media.
NATIONAL EARTH DAY HISTORY
In 1969, the concept of Earth Day was established at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. On March 21, 1970, a sanctioned Proclamation was signed by Secretary-General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later, on April 22, 1970, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day. While National Earth Day is not considered a national holiday we encourage you to learn more.
Environmentalists held rallies in large cities around the country. The observance became a global event in 1990 and hasn’t stopped since.
Earth Day FAQ
Q. Is Earth Day an international movement?
A. Yes. Though it began in the United States, it became an international movement in 1990.
Q. How many people participate in Earth Day each year?
A. According to earthday.org 1 billion people participate annually.
Q. When was Earth Day’s anniversary?
A. In 2020, the world celebrated Earth Day’s 50th anniversary.
April 22nd Celebrated History
1864
Congress passes the Coinage Act of 1864 authorizing the use of “In God We Trust” on one-cent and two-cent coins.
1876
Boston Red Caps beat Philadelphia Athletics 6-5 in the first National League baseball game.
1889
Oklahoma Land Rush began at noon. Thousands of homesteaders raced to stake their claim.
2001
The animated film, Shrek, premiered in Westwood, California. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and voiced by stars like Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and John Lithgow, the film won several awards including Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.
April 22nd Celebrated Birthdays
Dame Ethel Smyth – 1858
The British composer gained prominence in the early 20th century for her operatic compositions. However, the suffragette did not gain notice until the end of her life when her hearing was failing her.
J. Robert Oppenheimer – 1904
In 1942, Lieutenant General Leslie Richard Groves, head of the Manhattan Project, selected the American physicist to lead the development of the world’s first nuclear weapon on Los Alamos, New Mexico. His team’s work resulted in the deployment of two bombs over Japan; the first was deployed on August 6, 1945, on Hiroshima, and the second on August 9, 1945, on Nagasaki. Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945.
Steve Fossett – 1944
June 19, 2002. Steve Fossett, pilot, sailor, world adventurer, had tried and failed five times to pilot a balloon solo around the world. In between those failed attempts, he was out setting sailing records. Fossett was not an idle man. Then in 2002, he launched the Bud Light Spirit of Freedom balloon from Northam, Australia. The 10-story balloon carried Fossett and his gear for 14 days. On July 3, 2002, he landed in Queensland, Australia, his journey a success.
Fossett turned his attention to setting records at an airplane pilot. In 2007, he and his plane disappeared over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. A hiker discovered Fossett’s identification in 2008 leading to the recovery of his plane. However, very few of Fossett’s remains were found.