Each year people from around the world celebrate Earth Day what is Earth Day when did this day begin?
The origins of Earth Day can be traced to the 1960s several vocal activists began to raise the public's awareness about the problems of pollution and other environmental issues Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was amongst the most influential books related to the impending dilemmas that the planet was facing
In 1968, Morton Hilbert along with the U.S public health service hosted the Human Ecology symposium the focus of this symposium was the state of the state of the environment and the effects on human health that the environment can have this symposium helped lay the groundwork for what would eventually become the first earth day.
The 1970s were a period of substantial environmental legislation, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Superfund, Toxics Substances Control Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. It had seen the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the banning of DDT and of lead in gasoline. Jimmy Carter was president.
Over the next two years, Hilbert Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson, and environmentalist Denis Hayes worked to organize the first Earth Day which took place in April of 1970 a similar celebration had also been organized earlier that year.
On March 21, 1970, activist John mc Connell helped organize a day to honor the earth and the concept of peace this date was selected to coincide with the first day of spring eventually these two different Earth days would be unified into one holiday the name "EARTH DAY " had been suggested by many different people and it seemed an obvious choice for the name of this new holiday primarily because it rhymed with birthday.
The date of April 22 was chosen because it was recognized the college students would be amongst the most active participants April 22 would not fall during spring break yet would be before final exams this date would also prevent conflicts with the easter and Passover holidays Additionally April 22 was very close to the date of John Muir's birth
The delicate line straddled by organizers was to attract seasoned activists who would demand far-reaching change without alienating the middle class whose active participation and political support were seen as essential. The greatest environmental insults were visited on the poor. Factories and power plants were located in the poorest neighborhoods. Freeways were plowed through the poorest neighborhoods. Toxic waste dumps were situated in the poorest neighborhoods. But these problems tended not to affect the middle class
Muir was one of the most prominent conservationists of the late 1800s, more than 2000 colleges and more than 10000 public schools from across the nation participated in the first Earth Day some essential claim that more than 20 million people took part in the festivities more than a million people in new york city alone turned out for the demonstration.
Originally Earth Day was celebrated only once every ten years by 1990 Earth Day had grown to a worldwide event with more than 200 million people in 141 nations participating after the success of 1990 Earth Day it was decided that Earth Day should be observed as a yearly event throughout the decade the celebration of earth day helped bring a focus to environmental concerns such as the importance of recycling climate change and clean energy.
Traditional associated with the holiday include the ringing of bells including the Japanese peace bell which was donated by the United Nations Japan it has also become traditional to sing the "EARTH ANTHEM " written by Abhay Kumar this anthem has been translated into eight different languages including English, Russian, French, Spanish and Chinese the anthem was first published in 2008 by the united nations educational science and cultural organization UNESCO.
With its general message and appeal the Earth Anthem has been used in various global events environmental initiatives and educational programs to promote awareness and inspire action for the well-being of the planet's current generation there are many other ways Earth Day can be celebrated group might choose to clean up a neighborhood park, plant trees, or go without driving for a day organize or participate in a beach or river clean up to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystem reduce. reuse, and recycle to minimize waste and conserve natural resources.
Let's work together to celebrate Earth Day every day not just on April 22nd and make a positive impact on our planet remember for generations to come, together, we can make a difference. So see you all soon I will upload my next blog very soon thank you for giving my blog your precious time.