How Did Earth Day Begin?
For the last few years, Earth Day, April 22nd, has become a phenomenon. Global meetings, events, retail sales and celebrations now mark the month of April, all in the name of Earth Day. But have you ever wondered just how Earth Day came about?
How Earth Day Got Started
Earth Day is not without its various origins. It is widely
circulated and understood that the official Earth Day began in 1962, when Senator Gaylord Nelson wanted to “…persuade President Kennedy to give visibility to this issue [environmental problems] by going on a national conservation tour.” That idea was not a success, but it was the seed that spawned the beginning of the idea of an official Earth Day. 20 million people participated in the first Earth Day that took place on April 22, 1970.
Self-proclaimed
Earth Day founder John McConnell writes that his original purpose was to provide a date for the world to rededicate themselves to the care of the Earth, and that the day would fall on the March Equinox, recognized on March 20th. The intent was defined and detailed in his
Earth Magna Charta. Peter Tamaras, head of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, requested that McConnell write an
Earth Day Proclamation. McConnell presented his Proclamation to the mayor of San Francisco, and on March 1st, 1970, Mayor Joseph L. Alioto issued that Proclamation as the Earth Day Proclamation of San Francisco.
Another influence was almost certainly the celebration of
Arbor Day, which has
its own interesting history. In the 1840s, Nebraska pioneers had few trees to build with or for use as fire. One of these pioneers, J Sterling Morton and his wife, planted trees around their new home. Mortan later became secretary of the Nebraska Territory and proposed that citizens new to the state set aside April 10th as a day to plant trees. Nebraskans planted about one million trees that first Arbor Day. In 1882 Nebraska changed Arbor Day to April 22nd, Morton’s birthday.
Earth Day Today
Earth Day is now recognized globally as a day to discuss and celebrate our relationship with the natural environment, either individually or within a community. Well over 500 million people in
more than 140 countries now participate in Earth Day events. Since the advent of the Internet, Earth Day organizers and retailers alike have found it a powerful tool for promoting the causes of Earth Day to people around the world.
You Win When Service Experts Celebrates
As an energy-conscious indoor comfort company and official
EPA/DOE ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner, Service Experts is dedicated to the:
-
promotion of clean indoor air
-
reduction of residential and commercial energy usage
-
sustainability of the environment
This year Service Experts is celebrating with
Sam's Great GoGreen Giveaway. It's my way of thanking you with a free chance for you to win a Ford Fusioin Hybrid, a High-efficiency Hybrid or SunSource Solar Home Comfort System, or one of several other great prizes! There's no purchase neccessary and it's simple to enter, just answer a short survey. We're also offering GREAT Spring deals on our most energy-efficient home comfort systems, hybrid home comfort systems and more, not to mention up to $1,500 savings in
Federal Tax Credits, the last year they are being offered. Just
visit your nearest location's web site for more information or to enter.