April 17th

By Mutt Mulligan

Earth Day Origins

As we near Earth Day, it’s interesting to read about it origins and how it has become a much anticipated event each year.

Interesting facts:

• Earth Day is planned for April 22 in all years at least through 2015.
• Earth Day was first observed in San Francisco and other cities on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.
• Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an environmental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970.
• Senator Nelson chose the date in order to maximize participation on college campuses for what he conceived as an “environmental teach-in”.
  He determined the week of April 19–25 was the best bet as it did not fall during exams or spring breaks and it did not conflict with religious holidays such as Easter or Passover.

Did you know there is an Earth Day anthem set to Ode to Joy?  You can find the words here.