Earth Day

A Little Bit of History

The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970 and was organized by Denis Hayes, then a graduate student at Harvard University, with the support of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson.  It was originally planned as a "teach-in" to educate on conservation and environmental issues and helped to create the environmental movement.  An estimated 20 million people participated across the country with the largest gatherings taking place in Washington, DC and New York City.

Today it is celebrated in 140 countries with concerts, outdoor events, exhibits, and special features on television and other media.

Works Cited

"Earth Day." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010. Web. 20  Apr.  2010