- Earth Day began on April 22, 1970, when then-U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, D-Wis., proposed a nationwide grassroots movement to raise awareness of environmental issues after an oil spill off the California coast. The first Earth Day drew 20 million American participants.
- By the end of 1970, Congress passed the Clean Air Act and established the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- According to Earth Day Network, more than 1 billion people in 174 countries now participate in activities to celebrate Earth Day – making it the largest secular civic event in the world!
- In many elementary schools, Earth Day is the third most commonly celebrated holiday – after Halloween and Christmas.
Check out our Latest Events page to find Clean Air NY at all kinds of great Earth Day events!
Posts
