Earth Day

The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970. On that day, 20 million people participated in rallies, marches, demonstrations, clean-ups, and teach-ins to attract attention to environmental issues and call for legislative action. Originally founded by Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin, Earth Day has become an annual event widely celebrated throughout the United States and the world.

The environment was in a state of decline during the years that preceded Earth Day. Lake Erie had been declared dead, rivers regularly burned, and birds and fish were poisoned by DDT, including the endangered bald eagle. In September of 1969, with this environmental backdrop, Senator Nelson announced the upcoming pro-environment demonstration at a conference in Seattle. While much of the country responded favorably, some conservative groups suggested that Earth Day was a communist plot, noting that it fell on the 100th birthday of V. I. Lenin. Meanwhile, some on the left warned that it would take attention away from civil rights and the Vietnam War. Despite these criticisms, the response was overwhelming and events were soon planned throughout the country. Senate staff members Linda Billings and John Heritage over-saw Earth Day planning, and a Harvard graduate student named Denis Hayes coordinated events with help from numerous student volunteers. Organizations around the country also planned their own events, and Senator Nelson later remarked that Earth Day's success was due to this grassroots participation.

Ten percent of the U.S. population celebrated Earth Day in 1970, making it the largest demonstration, to [Page 497]date, in American history. Congress adjourned for the day and at least 22 U.S. senators actively participated in Earth Day activities. The weather was sunny throughout much of the country, and the event benefited from extensive and mostly positive news coverage. Earth Day has been credited with invigorating the U.S. environmental movement and spurring federal environmental action. Months after the first Earth Day, President Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by executive order. In the following 10 years, Congress passed 28 major environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Earth Day movement has continued to grow since its inception. By 1990, 200 million people amassed in 141 countries for Earth Day activities, and by its 30th anniversary in 2000, the day was celebrated in 184 countries. Today, various grassroots organizations continue to plan Earth Day events, and umbrella organizations, such as the Earth Day Network, coordinate international Earth Day activities. Earth Day has become the only regularly scheduled event that is simultaneously celebrated throughout the world.