Did you know the history of Earth Day?

Did you know that Earth Day resulted from a bold idea from a U.S. Senator in 1970? Yes, one person ignited this global movement that we all still celebrate to this day.

U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson was so inspired by the student-led “teach-ins” during the anti-Vietnam War movement in 1969 that he collaborated with Denis Hayes to launched the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. That single day brought 20 million Americans into the streets for rallies, cleanups, and teach-ins — one of the largest grassroots movements in U.S. history. The impact was immediate and led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as other landmark environmental laws that still protect our air, water, and wildlife today.

Earth Day had gone global by 1990 and now over one billion people participate worldwide each year. At Sips for Change, we dedicated an entire conversation to exploring how this powerful legacy has evolved over the years. For more a more depth look at the milestones that lead up to the establishment of Earth Day, check out our conversation here on our channel.