Earth Day

Earth Day originally celebrated at Spring Equinox around March 20, is an annual day on which events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment. Now Earth Day is coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day. Earth Day is planned for April 22 in all years at least through 2015.

The name and concept of Earth Day was pioneered by John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. He proposed March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature's equipoise was later sanctioned in a Proclamation signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations. A month later a separate Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While this April 22 Earth Day was focused on the United States, an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues.

Read more about Earth Day:  Wednesday, April 22, 1970 Chosen As Earth Day, Earth Day 1970 in New York City, Earth Day 1970 in Philadelphia, Results of Earth Day 1970, Earth Day 20 and Earth Day 1990, Earth Day 2000, Subsequent Earth Day Events, The Earth Day Name, Earth Day Network, Earth Day Canada, History of The Equinox Earth Day (March 20)

Famous quotes containing the words earth and/or day:

    We should conserve evil just as we should conserve the forests. It is true that by thinning and clearing the forests the earth grew warmer.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    Dear, why should you command me to my rest,
    When now the night doth summon all to sleep?
    Methinks this time becometh lovers best;
    Night was ordained together friends to keep.
    How happy are all other living things,
    Which though the day disjoin by several flight,
    The quiet evening yet together brings,
    And each returns unto his love at night.
    Michael Drayton (1563–1631)