Earth Day - A Global Holiday
Celebrating our amazing planet
*Make Every Day Earth Day!
"Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet."
- from Earthday.gov
History of Earth Day and Earth Day Information
The first idea for a global holiday to celebrate our planet Earth was first introduced at a UNESCO conference in 1969 by peace activist John McConnell, who also designed the Earth Day flag. The first proclaimed Earth Day was introduced by San Francisco, California Mayor Joseph Alioto on March 21, 1970.
The United Nations Earth Day ceremony continued on the day of the spring equinox each year (March 20th or 21st), and celebrate with the ringing of the U.N. Peace Bell precisely at the time of the equinox.
Generally, the term "Earth Day" is used to describe two different celebrations during the years. The equinoctial Earth Day is recognized on the vernal equinox. It marks the day that the spring season begins in the Northern Hemisphere, and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. The United Nations recognizes Earth Day every year on the vernal equinox, sometime around March 21st, however, The United Nations also works with organizers of the global April 22nd Earth Day event each year.
The most celebrated is probably the April 22 Earth Day, the international Earth day or "Global Earth Day". It was United States Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin that originally called for an "Environmental Teach-In" or "Earth Day" on April 22, 1970 due to increasing environmental decline on our Earth. That year, over 20 million people around the globe participated in the first Earth Day. Today, more than 500 million people and 175 governments across the globe celebrate Earth Day. The United States had participants in nearly two thousand colleges and universities and approximately ten thousand schools and high schools in hundreds of communities across the United States.
Earth Day is still today observed in 175 countries, and the event is coordinated by the Earth Day Network (a non-profit organization). Earth Day is one of the largest secular holidays celebrated in the world and has had a huge positive impact on the environment.
Look for Earth Day activities and Earth Day projects in your area, join in and go green, it can be a lot of fun! Most communities sponsor special Earth Day activities to raise awareness of our environment and the responsibility we all have in preserving our great planet.
What you can do for your Earth
A good place to start is to get a Global Warming Action Kit from Gaiam.
It doesn't have to be Earth Day for us to respect and care for our Earth. Living in harmony with our Earth and environment is very important every day. Every little decision we make affects the Earth in some way, and we can choose to make that a positive effect or negative. It's all in the way we live! When you can, try to buy natural products and recyclable items. Shop Solar. Buy cost efficient and energy efficient Natural Lighting that will save you money and last for years! Good decisions help you and your Earth environment.
Study about your wonderful planet Earth, join in the conversation on our free Earth Message Boards and help us make Your-Earth.com and fun and educational community of nature lovers!
See also: Earth Day Flag, John McConnell, UNESCO