Earth Day April 22nd
The idea for Earth Day originally came from Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin Senator, following the massive oil spill of 1969 in Santa Barbara, California and the environmental havoc it wreaked. Filled with inspiration by the anti-war movement started by students, Senator Nelson believed that if he could combine the people’s energy with the country’s growing awareness of water pollution, air pollution and other environmental concerns, protecting our environment could be driven into the political spotlight. The Senator later announced his idea for a nationwide teach-in to educate people about the environment in the form of rallies across the country. Thousands of universities and colleges began protesting against environmental destruction. People all over the United States who had been protesting and raising awareness of industrial pollution, oil spills, air and water pollution, pesticides, toxic waste, sewage and habitat loss understood that they all had the same common goal: Safeguarding the Earth against man’s onslaught and preserving it for future generations.