Celebrate Earth Day: April 22

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22, but with the additions of Earth Week and Earth Month—not to mention Earth Hour—the historical precedent that the first Earth Day set often gets lost in the shuffle.

U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson got the idea for Earth Day from the anti-Viet Nam war teach-ins of the 1960s. He saw a large engagement with environmental issues as an ideal way to draw national attention to the issue. Nelson raised funds, sent out letters to governors and several mayors, and spread the word by engaging campus newspapers.

Nelson's plan for Earth Day was a success. About 20 million Americans—roughly 10 percent of the population in 1970—participated in environmental awareness and community events to show politicians the environment was important.

On the 10th anniversary of Earth Day, Nelson wrote an article for the EPA Journal describing the first Earth Day.

"Ten years ago this month, the environmental issue came of age in American political life. When April 22, 1970, dawned, literally millions of Americans of all ages and from all walks of life participated in Earth Day celebrations from coast to coast," the article began.

Nelson went on to address the state of environmentalism in 1980, decrying the view that public interest in environmentalism had fizzled out. Nelson's response to this view was pointed: "To anyone who has paid attention, it is clear that the environmental movement now is far stronger, far better led, far better informed, and far more influential than it was ten years ago. Its strength grows each year because public knowledge and understanding grow each year."

As the 20th anniversary approached, environmental activist Denis Hayes, who had a hand in organizing the first Earth Day, was enlisted to rally the masses, this time on a worldwide scale. Earth Day 1990 took the movement global, mobilizing more than 200 million people in 141 countries. The global grassroots effort led to the development and enhancement of recycling programs, and in 1992, the United Nations brought together the world's leaders in Rio de Janeiro for The Earth Summit.

A decade later, the focus shifted to focus on global warming and clean energy. The Internet linked activists around the world in a way that it hadn't in any of the previous milestone Earth Day celebrations. Hundreds of millions of people in 184 countries participated in Earth Day events.

Earth Day has become a worldwide call to action. While the focus remains on global warming and clean energy, Earth Day has expanded from a single day to an entire month, with a particular focus on the week of April 19 to 25. Whether you're rallying for clean water, learning about organic farming or picking up litter in a local park, there are an endless number of ways for you to celebrate and honor the Earth this April 22.

What are you doing for Earth Day?

Earth Day Network is one of the major hubs of information on Earth Day. Search for Earth Day events or discover ways you can take action on your own.

Sign up for volunteering activities at Volunteer Central on Planet Green, hosted by the Green Apple Festival and Earth Day Network. Participating cities include:

New York City, NY
Boston, MA
Washington, D.C.
Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL
Austin, TX
Denver, CO
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA

One of the biggest events leading up to the big day is sure to be Earth Day on The Mall, which will include live music and speeches from the EPA, politicians and celebrities. Just remember it's on April 19.