Know the History of Earth Day

The turbulent '60s had given Americans plenty to demonstrate against, but the first Earth Day in 1970 still drew a crowd; planned in just eight months, events across the U.S. drew 20 million supporters, and thousands of students and local communities.

Read more:
History of Earth Day
The First Earth Day
How to Go Green: Earth Day

Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson began supporting environmental initiatives as early as 1962, though it wasn't until 1969 that the anti-war "teach-ins" inspired the grassroots foundation of the first Earth Day.

Read more:
The Wilderness Society profile of Gaylord Nelson
Earth Day History and Introduction

Just 8 months after the first Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency began dealing with all of the country's eco-initiatives, from banning DDT and setting emission standards to regulating the application of lead-based paint and preventing water pollution.

Read more:
Environmental Progress (EPA Timeline)
Why the Next President Should Use the Clean Air Act to Administer a National Carbon Cap-and-Trade
Which Six Air Pollutants Does the EPA Regulate?

Though it started much smaller, the 30th annual Earth Day included hundreds of millions of participants in more than 180 countries worldwide—40 more than had joined in the festivities in 1990.

Read More:
This Earth Day, Global Green Makes Volunteering Online Easy
How the First Earth Day Came About
History of Earth Day

Earth Day Network, the non-profit organization that oversees the holiday's events and celebrations, says that about 1 billion people participate in Earth Day each year—it's "the largest secular civic event in the world."

Read more:
About Earth Day
Getting Ready for Earth Day
How to Go Green: Earth Day

Even as we're cleaning up parks and planting trees, environmental damage is still occurring; 70 million tons of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere daily. Making a lasting difference in the health of the planet means celebrating Earth Day every day.

Read more:
University of North Dakota Symposium on Sustainability
Pledge to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
CO2 and the Great Ethanol Spreadsheet Mystery

Earth Day Network currently lists more than 1,000 events and volunteer opportunities happening on Earth Day in cities across the country. From celebrating at the zoo to painting over graffiti, there's no reason not to get out and participate.

Read more:
Earth Day Events
Discover Earth Day Events in Your Neighborhood
Green Apple Festival Earth Day Volunteer Database

Even the busiest among us can find a few hours weekly or monthly: if you're a parent, find a kid-friendly activity; if you're a pet lover, find a cause that makes the world better for your furry friends. Earth Day is a great time to start, but finding something that you'll love to do all year makes donating your time that much more fulfilling.

Read more:
How to Go Green: Volunteerism
Green Apple Festival Earth Day Volunteer Database
How to Go Green: Earth Day

Though he grew up with a salvage-happy father who was, as he says, "kind of an original green guy," Renovation Nation host Steve Thomas had his interest in environmentalism jump-started by the first Earth Day, where he protested the release of sulfite waste liquor into the Spokane River. Now he shows other eco-minded homeowners how to make the most of their property with a little green ambition.

Read more:
How I Went Green and Why You Should, Too
Steve Thomas's Five Bubbles of Green Building
Renovation Nation

Silent Spring was published in 1962, 8 years before the first official Earth Day celebration, but Carson's look at the dangers of pesticides only contributed to the environmental awareness that made Earth Day possible. The other statistics are EPA-documented changes that have been measured since the 1970s.

Read more:
Environmental Progress
Rachel Carson: Environmental Pioneer