Earth Day History

As America grew more dependent on fossil fuels and drove gas guzzlers on a daily basis, the environment was the last thing on the minds of the masses. The 60s came as a rebirth for Mother nature - peace and flower loving hippies who were increasingly conscious of the environment helped spread the message. We call it going "green", but the trend isn't new. Earth Day was created in the midst of an increasing awareness of celebrating nature and keeping the Earth happy and healthy.

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 as a nation-wide grass-roots movement for a better environment. That day, Denis Hayes, an environmental activist, mobilized 20 million Americans in colleges, universities, and communities across the country who participated in various rallies to protest against the deterioration of the environment and proclaim the importance of sustaining a healthy environment.

Following the amazing turn-out advocating environmental sustainability, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created in July of 1970 along with the passing of significant Clean Air Act, which was an act of Congress to control air pollution in the country.

Earth Day of 1970 was just the beginning. In 1990, Denis Hayes took the holiday to an international level, organizing events in 141 nations. Today, this green holiday is celebrated in over 175 countries. What better way to celebrate than by doing your hand in helping the environment? Reducing, reusing, and recycling are just the beginning!