by Cindy Hartzell

Created on: April 19, 2009   Last Updated: April 20, 2009

The day most commonly observed and celebrated as Earth Day falls on April 22. The very first Earth Day celebration had 20 million people in attendance and was held on April 22, 1970. The brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson, the first Earth Day was intended to provide environmental "teach ins," at universities across the United States.

During the 70s, "teach ins" were commonly held to protest the Vietnam War on college campuses. Gaylord wanted to engage this same spirit and energy to protest all the harmful practices that were endangering the environment. He also wanted to educate attendees on the consequences of overpopulation, the impact of oil spills, gas usage and the effects of various pollutants.

Senator Gaylord enlisted environmentalist Denis Hayes to help organize and manage the first Earth Day and make it a nationwide event. The collaborative efforts under the leadership of these two men resulted in the Earth Day Network (EDN). Their efforts were successful, and widely received among students, legislators and environmentalists who joined to make the first Earth Day a huge success.

In 1990, with the help of Mr. Hayes organizational efforts, the network grew and Earth Day became a global event. With his help, Earth Day campaigns brought recycling to the forefront, and literally made recycling a household word. By the year 2000, the EDN had full use of the Internet as an organizational tool, which enabled the network to grow to over 5000 environmental groups that presented Earth Day in 184 countries. Interest and support has continued to grow, with the EDN now coordinating Earth Day activities for billions of participants all over the world! In fact, Earth Day, now just under its fortieth anniversary, is the most widely celebrated holiday that is recognized by people all over the world, regardless of their backgrounds and faith.

The first Earth Day also led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This new enlightened era also ushered in Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species legislation. Prior to Earth Day, gas-guzzling cars, factory pollution, pesticides and wildlife extinction were considered necessary evils of a modern progressive society. The EPA has a wonderful historical time-line that shows all the progress that has been made since the first Earth Day up until the present. To view all the progress that has been made visit: http://www.epa.gov/earthday/history.html.

However, there is actually another Earth Day! This day originated in the spring of 1970, by peace activist, John McConnell. The United Nations recognizes this Earth Day on the Spring Equinox every year.

The idea behind the UN Earth Day is to bring nations together in peace and harmony, and focuses on how harmonious living effects the planet. This has also continued to be an annual tradition, with the United Nations ringing the "Peace Bell" at the first moment of spring every year since 1970. The Peace Bell was a gift from Japan and is made from donated coins and metals from various United Nations delegates. The bell is inscribed with "Long Live Absolute World Peace." To find out more about this Earth Day, please go to http://www.helium.com/knowledge/218440-history-of-th e-equinox-earth-day.

Learn more about this author, Cindy Hartzell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.