What Was the Earth Day Protest 1970?

During the early 1970s, a wave of environmental legislation was being introduced in the United States. President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act was passed, protecting species from being endangered or killed.

Senator Gaylord Nelson, from Wisconsin, was one of the first to recognize the need to address environmental issues. He saw the powerful student anti-war protest movement and realized that students could use their passion to protest against the destruction of the environment.

Nelson believed that time was right for a national day of action, one that would bring environmental issues to the political agenda. He recruited a young activist named Denis Hayes to coordinate campus teach-ins.

The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. Twenty million Americans demonstrated for a clean, healthy environment. The event was a success, with a record turnout for environmental rallies. It also launched the environmental movement in the United States.

The day spread to 141 countries, with more than a billion people participating in Earth Day events each year. The observance of Earth Day has been celebrated in parks, shopping malls, churches, and other venues around the world.

As the celebration of Earth Day progressed, the organizers found that more people wanted to participate. This was due in part to the success of the first Earth Day, but also to e-mails and live Web events that encouraged participation.

In 1990, Earth Day expanded into the international arena. It became a global campaign, inspiring various environmental legislation.