ENVIRONMENT

How did April 22 become Earth Day?

Apr 22, 2024, 6:28 PM | Updated: Apr 23, 2024, 2:12 pm

Volunteers gather at Pedal and Pick at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City to celebrate earth day...

Volunteers gather at Pedal and Pick at Jordan Park in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Pedal and Pick is a bike ride and cleanup that covered five miles of the Jordan River Trail and was organized by Salt Lake City Public Lands to celebrate Earth Day. (Megan Nielsen/Deseret News)

(Megan Nielsen/Deseret News)

EARTH — Each year, on April 22, people across the world take part in Earth Day discussions and events. Each of them is an effort to care for the environment. 

But, how did Earth Day start? 

Gaylord Nelson, a former U.S. Senator and Gov. of Wisconsin, had the idea in 1969. According to Nelson’s Earth Day,  the idea came to him following a trip to California to view the aftermath of the Santa Barbara oil spill. 

After his trip, he learned about a series of anti-Vietnam War teach-ins that were happening on college campuses. Professors and students had organized them. 

The teach-ins inspired Nelson according to EarthDay.org. At the time, the public was only just becoming familiar with the ideas of air and water pollution. 

Nelson thought that if colleges across the country held teach-ins on the same day, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. might pay attention. 

He proposed the idea in two speeches. The idea caught on. Newspapers began printing the story.

Then, on November 11, 1969, Nelson announced the date for the first event. April 22 was chosen for its placement between college spring breaks and finals weeks, so that participation could be maximized, according to EarthDay.org.

Initially, it was called the “National Teach-In on the Crisis of the Environment,” according to Nelson’s Earth Day.  

20 million participants led to a worldwide event

EarthDay.org said that 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums on April 22, 1970. They demonstrated against the negative impacts that industrialized development had inflicted on human and environmental health. 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency was formed by the end of 1970. EarthDay.org said that it also led to the passage of “first-of-their-kind” environmental laws.

As events continued in the following years, more countries began to participate in the April 22 effort. 

According to National Geographic, the first organized global Earth Day occurred in 1990. It was organized by Denis Hayes. He had helped Nelson organize the first U.S. Earth Day in 1970 when he was a graduate student at Harvard University. 

Over 200 million people from 140 countries participated in the first global Earth Day. 

Related: Jennie and Brent Taylor family will dedicate “mini-farm” on Earth Day

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Environment

A screenshot from the Utah Avalanche Center website shows the approximate location of the Monte Cri...

Mariah Maynes

Monte Cristo Avalanche report details slide that killed one

A report published by Utah Avalanche Center revealed the details of the Monte Cristo avalanche, which killed one snowmobiler on Feb. 3.

9 hours ago

Downtown Salt Lake City is pictured from the Avenues on Dec. 27, 2024. Astra Tower, seen here lit i...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Salt Lake City is about to get another weather beacon. Here’s what this one will forecast

Astra Tower, about a block east of the Walker Center, will feature an air quality forecast lighting system, according to the Utah Clean Air Partnership.

1 day ago

Image of an avalanche that broke on Silver Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Feb. 8, 2025 One man su...

Mariah Maynes and Simone Seikaly

Victim of Silver Fork avalanche identified

Utah Avalanche Center asked backcountry users to stay out of the East Bowl after Saturday's Silver Fork avalanche.

2 days ago

Salt Lake County Search and Rescue responds to an avalanche fatality in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Sa...

Becky Bruce

Avalanche danger to remain “considerable” across Utah, forecaster says

Forecasters expect "considerable" avalanche danger for at least a couple more days, after an active weekend for slides.

2 days ago

FILE - A snowplow in Little Cottonwood Canyon as the storm hits the road. 7 separate accidents caus...

Jacob Freeman

7 separate accidents cause delays on I-15 in Lehi

LEHI — Drivers were experiencing delays Saturday evening after seven separate accidents were reported on Interstate 15 in Lehi. Utah Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Andy Battenfield said the delays started at approximately 7:30 p.m., and said all of the accidents were weather-related. He said no injuries had been reported, and snowplows were on their […]

3 days ago

FILE: An eared grebe taken May 18, 2008. at least 15 thousand birds have died at the Great Salt Lak...

Kennedy Camarena and Diana Jones

Thousands of birds dead due to avian influenza at the Great Salt Lake

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources have reported at least 15 thousand birds have died at the Great Salt Lake due to avian influenza.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

How did April 22 become Earth Day?