Earth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22. It is a day to celebrate the planet we all share and to raise awareness about its environmental problems. Earth Day is not an official, national holiday, but it is celebrated throughout the United States and in many countries around the world with events in schools and parks.
Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, founded Earth Day in 1970. Nelson wanted to pass legislation to protect the environment, and he decided to raise awareness about the issue using some of the strategies of the Vietnam War protesters. He galvanized a movement that gathered some 20 million people in communities nationwide to spend the day cleaning up local creeks, recycling tin cans, and learning ways to help protect the environment.
Related Links
- Earth Day
Explore Earth Day Network’s site to find Earth Day events around the world. Includes information on ways to help protect the environment. - Earth Day
History.com explores the origin of Earth Day and the practices related to this celebration of the environment. The site includes a historical time line and videos on events involving environmental protection. - Earth Day—US EPA
This US Environmental Protection Agency website invites you to commit to actions to help protect the environment through the Pick 5 for the Environment challenge. Find practical information on ways to live more eco-friendly at home and in the garden, at work, at school, while shopping, in your community, or on the road.