| Earth Day was founded with the support of former Governor and Senator of Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson. The first Earth Day in 1970 rallied over 20 million Americans from around the country and on college campuses to get involved in environmental "teach-ins." This event, which was the largest grassroots mobilization in U.S. history, created what has come to be known as the environmental movement. It was out of this event that came the first environmental legislation – the Clean Air and Water Acts.
In 1990, more than 200 million people in 141 countries participated during Earth Day's 20 anniversary. Due in large part to the efforts of hundreds of local organizers, "Earth Day" is now an anticipated annual event. Earth Day observances and celebrations now include all social sectors, nationalities, and cultural groups. Earth Day has become perhaps the most prominent catalyst for ongoing environmental education, action and change. In response to this groundswell of activity in hundreds of U.S. communities, Gaylord Nelson, Bruce Anderson, and Claes Nolel incorporated Earth Day USA to help facilitate the contribution of the Earth Day process. In doing so, they advance the environmental agenda to include year-round activities that would "make every day Earth Day.“ Earth Day celebrations offer an important point of entry to address worldwide environmental concerns as well as the opportunity for communities to focus on their unique environmental problems. Because Earth Day observances and celebrations broaden the base of support for the environmental programs, rekindle public commitment, and enroll participation from every social and business sector, they can be used to implement wide-scale programs that bring people together to act for the common good.
Earth Day USA |
