April 22:

1970 : The first Earth Day

Earth Day, an event to increase public awareness of the world's
environmental problems, is celebrated in the United States for the
first time. Millions of Americans, including students from thousands
of colleges and universities, participated in rallies, marches, and
educational programs.

Earth Day was the brainchild of Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a
staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grassroots
environmental movement and increase ecological awareness. "The
objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the
environment so large that it would shake the political establishment
out of its lethargy," Senator Nelson said, "and, finally, force this
issue permanently onto the national political agenda." Earth Day
indeed increased environmental awareness in America, and in July of
that year the Environmental Protection Agency was established by
special executive order to regulate and enforce national pollution
legislation.

On April 22, 1990, the 20th anniversary of Earth Day, more than 200
million people in 141 countries participated in Earth Day
celebrations.

Earth Day has been celebrated on different days by different groups
internationally. The United Nations officially celebrates it on the
vernal equinox, which usually occurs about March 21.

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General Interest
1970 : The first Earth Day
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1915 : Germans introduce poison gas
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1997 : Fujimori orders assault on Japanese ambassador's home
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