Every April 22, people all over the world show how much they care about the planet on Earth Day. People join together to learn about the environment. They fight pollution and talk about how to save endangered species and habitats. When April 22 falls during the workweek, people usually observe Earth Day on the nearest weekend. Some communities observe Earth Week or even Earth Month every April.

How Earth Day is celebrated

People observe Earth Day by doing projects that will help the Earth. Many people plant trees, clean up parks and beaches, or set up recycling stations. Some people do an Earth Day “energy fast.” They do not use any man-made power that causes pollution for the whole day. Other people gather to protest companies that pollute or destroy nature. At many schools, children do activities that teach them about the environment.

In some places, concerts and walks raise money for environmental groups. Each year New York City has an Earth Day Fair in Central Park. The fair includes live music, arts and crafts, games, food, and many ways to learn about the environment.

History

Earth Day was founded by Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator. He asked Denis Hayes, a college student, to organize the first Earth Day events. On April 22, 1970, about 20 million Americans protested the destruction of the environment. Nelson later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for founding Earth Day.

That first Earth Day helped the environmental movement to grow. Americans became more concerned about the planet. President Richard Nixon spoke about the importance of the environment. In 1970 the government created the Environmental Protection Agency. Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972 and the Endangered Species Act in 1973.

In 1990 Hayes organized the first International Earth Day. About 200 million people in 141 countries took part. More people celebrate Earth Day every year.