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Dennis Hayes at the Environmental Teach-In, Inc (Associated Press)
Every year, April 22nd marks the celebration of Earth Day. Earth Day is the anniversary of the modern environmental movement that was started in 1970. In the years leading up to the first official celebration of Earth Day, American consumption was at its peak; leaded gas was used to fuel inefficient automobiles, and industry was booming out smoke and sludge. Air pollution was a commonly accepted notion, told as the smell of success or prosperity.
However, in 1962, author Rachel Carson published her New York Times bestseller titled Silent Spring. The book raised public awareness of the growing concern many scientists and people had for the environment. The book sold more than 500,000 copies in 24 different countries, expanding the range of knowledge.
With this, Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, who had already been concerned with the damaged environment, began to think. Then, in January of 1969, he witnessed the large oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Nelson began to promote teach-ins and protests, with the help of activist Denis Hayes. In order to maximize the effectiveness and audience of their college teach-ins, they picked the date of April 22nd, a time between Spring Break and Finals.
Democratic Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin (Associated Press)
With the success of these organizations, Hayes created a national staff to promote the events across the nation. Hayes claimed the name “Earth Day” for the group, which sparked national attention across the media. By the end of 1970, the first Earth Day had led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and continues to be a celebration of the planet we were given.
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