Earth Day - 50 Years Later

Yes, Earth Day is fifty years old today.  In 1969, the concept of Earth Day was established at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. On March 21, 1970, a sanctioned Proclamation was signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations.  A month later, the United States recognized Earth Day on April 22, 1970, with Richard Nixon as President.

Throughout these fifty years, the goal of Earth Day has been to promote events educating the public about a variety of ways to save the earth.  Yes, things were in pretty bad shape back then but, despite the issues still facing us, we certainly have come a very long way to make the world a better place.

President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon plant a tree on the White House South Lawn to recognize the first Earth Day.