This is the story of the first Earth Day—and why it mattered

Philippines News News

This is the story of the first Earth Day—and why it mattered
Philippines Latest News,Philippines Headlines
  • 📰 NatGeo
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 55 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 25%
  • Publisher: 51%

The April 22 holiday arose from public outrage over a California oil spill. It also helped pave the way for key environmental protections.

Some 20 million people took part in the first Earth Day protests held across the United States. In New York City, the streets near Union Square Park

Known as Earth Day, the holiday got its start in the United States in 1970 as a teach-in on college campuses. It has since evolved into a global celebration of the environmental movement’s achievements—and a reminder of the work yet to be done. One of the original titans of the environmental movement was the father of Earth Day, former Democratic Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin. A staunch progressive and wilderness lover, Nelson made it his priority to passlike the 1964 Wilderness Act, which safeguarded federal land, and the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which established a process for protecting free-flowing rivers.

A duck saturated with a thick coating of crude oil struggles to move its body on Carpinteria State Beach, about 70 miles north of Los Angeles. Large quantities of oil washed up on local beaches on January 28, 1969, in what remains the largest oil spill off the coast of California.Stirred by the energy of students participating in anti-war protests, Nelson set out to galvanize the same kind of action on behalf of the environment.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

NatGeo /  🏆 537. in US

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Planet NOAA Podcast Episode 3: Earth Day is every dayPlanet NOAA Podcast Episode 3: Earth Day is every dayHow can we make our planet a better place for generations to come through conservation, preservation, and sustainability efforts? Ken Graham, Director of NOAA's National Weather Service, and other NOAA experts weigh in on building a Weather Ready Nation, ocean acoustics, marine sanctuaries, and more.
Read more »

'Common Ground' to Commemorate Earth Day with Exclusive One-Day Nationwide Screening Event in U.S. Theaters'Common Ground' to Commemorate Earth Day with Exclusive One-Day Nationwide Screening Event in U.S. TheatersCinereach Pivots to Media Incubator Under New CEO Jennifer Strachan; Company Will Now Focus on Narrative Research and Strategy Development. 'Common Ground' is a six-episode journey into the fearsome Galactic Empire through the eyes of two warriors on divergent paths, set during different eras. The choices they make will define their destinies.
Read more »

Earth Day is only once a year, these Chicago chefs upcycle ingredients every dayEarth Day is only once a year, these Chicago chefs upcycle ingredients every dayThese days, with their bottom lines more razor-thin than ever, chefs are MacGyvering plenty of solutions to do more with less.
Read more »

Earth Day, Record Store Day, and More Recommended EventsEarth Day, Record Store Day, and More Recommended EventsGo green in a number of ways this week
Read more »

Citizen Science Month and #OneMillionActsOfScience Needs You!Citizen Science Month and #OneMillionActsOfScience Needs You!It's a packed week, with Earth Day, Arbor Day, The City Nature Challenge and more!
Read more »

Why on Earth do we celebrate Earth Day?Why on Earth do we celebrate Earth Day?Earth day is coming up on Monday but do you know what Earth Day actually is. Or why we celebrate?
Read more »



Render Time: 2025-08-27 14:20:49