Earth Day

Earth Day is a day early each year on which events are held

worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the

Earth's natural environment. Earth Day is now coordinated

globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more

than 175 countries every year. In 2009, the United Nations

designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day. Earth Day

is planned for April 22 in all years at least through 2015.
The name and concept of Earth Day was allegedly pioneered by

John McConnell in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San

Francisco. Earth Day was first observed on March 21, 1970, the

first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of

nature's equipoise was later sanctioned in a Proclamation

signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations

where it is observed each year. About the same time a separate

Earth Day was founded by United States Senator Gaylord

Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970.

While this April 22 Earth Day was focused on the United States,

an organization launched by Denis Hayes, who was the original

national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and

organized events in 141 nations.Numerous communities

celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on

environmental issues.