Happy Earth Day! People and nature face the threats because of rising temperatures, intense and frequently occurring natural disasters, and increasing demand for food, land, water and energy. But before you get depressed, I'll tell you why this Earth Day and what Earth Day is.
Earth Day is a special annual event which is celebrated every year on April 22. Events are held all over the world to exhibit the support for environmental protection. Earth Day was first celebrated in the year 1970. Now, it is celebrated in more than 192 countries and is coordinated by the Earth Day Network.
In the year 1969, at UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, one among the peace activists, John McConnell initiated a day to honor the Earth to celebrate on the first day of spring, i.e., on March 21, 1970. But, after a month, a separate Earth Day founded by Gaylord Nelson, who is a United States Senator, as the first environmental teach-in was first held on 22 April 1970. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award. April 22 was then focused as Earth Day in United States. Denis Hayes launched an organization, took it international in 1990 and held events in 141 nations worldwide. There are few other communities who celebrate Earth Week, a whole week is focused on the activities of environmental issues.
Why the name 'Earth Day'?
According to Nelson, the name 'Earth Day' was a logical name suggested by people in 1969. He said that his friend Julian Koeniq, who was a member of Nelson's organizing committee, got the idea from the coincidence of his birthday and April 22, 'Earth Day' rhyming with 'Birthday'. Moreover, this connection seemed natural. There were other names that were circulating during the preparations.
Significance of April 22, Earth Day
Nelson chose April 22 as Earth Day, to maximize the participation of college students in 'environmental teach-in'. He thought that the week April 19-25 was the best week because it did not fall during the exams and spring breaks. And it did not conflict with any other religious holidays like Passover or Easter. Moreover, it has a decent weather and chose Wednesday, April 22 and this day fell after the birth anniversary of conservationist John Muir.
Coincidentally, this day was the 100th birth anniversary of Vladimir Lenin. April 22, Earth Day was then declared as a national holiday by communist Nikita Khrushchev in 1955. As Lenin's birthday was in the same week chosen by Nelson, April 22 was named as Earth Day.
So what can you do to help protect Earth in this Earth Day?
All you have to do is:
- Support the environmental organization you like.
- Get engaged in them.
- Get young kids outdoors - Almost 85% of children spend 2 hours outdoors.
Tags: Earth day, significance of earth day, importance of earth day, why do we celebrate earth day, how can we protect our earth, why the name earth day, Earth Day Importance Essay,
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Published: April 22nd, 2014
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