Ever wonder how Earth Day started? Back in 1962, there was a senator from Wisconsin named Gaylord Nelson, who was bothered by the fact that conservation and the environment was just not on the national political agenda. He approached then Attorney General Robert Kennedy and his brother, President John F. Kennedy and suggested they start a conservation tour to raise awareness on topic. They indeed went to 11 states in the fall of 1963.
While that tour didn’t do much on Capitol Hill, the idea germinated in many small ways, and soon enough, a grass roots movement was in motion.
Senator Nelson continued to speak any chance he could to fan the flame, with his goal being to bring these concerns — not just his but the people’s — to the spotlight. It took seven years but ultimately it culminated in first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970! That took a lot of patience and dedication on his part, and by all the citizens who, one by one, participated to bring it about.
Senator Nelson will forever be known as the founder of Earth Day (how cool is that?!?), but it’s the people who joined in and got behind the cause that made it happen. Folks just like me and you. It’s really important to remember that our actions, even small ones, can actually make a difference.
This year marks the 40th Earth Day and we’re is putting on a Party for the Planet this coming Saturday and Sunday, April 24th and 25th. Besides all the great things you’d normally do when you visit the Zoo, we’ll have all kinds of extra activities and a plethora of Meet the Keeper talks, sponsored by Target, that have environmental themes.
We hope you’ll come to enjoy the day we have planned for Waste Management’s Earth Day at the Houston Zoo and leave inspired to do what you can for the good of our planet and all the beautiful animals that live here with us!
Written by Rochelle Joseph. Please visit my personal animal and nature blog at www.naturegirrrl.blogspot.com
Image from The Nelson Papers
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I remember the first Earth Day! We planted a tree in the my elementary school playground.
please keep up the great work rochelle . always love to read your most recent entry . while perhaps senator nelson didn’t get the immediate response he hoped for , ultimately the public has come along . as for president kennedy , g-d bless him . at least he went on tour . way ahead of his time. miss him a lot . best wishes to you and the zoo , david hume
Really nice article. Never knew the where,when and how of Earth Day.
Like the concept that one person can make a difference during any time and regardless of their status. This point needs to be made more often. Thanks so much for bringing it back into our awareness.
Good job
Rick
Very interesting. I had never heard the background of Earth Day. Probably worth mentioning on a blog like this that Earth Hour is coming up in May, I believe on the 27th. For any who’ve never heard of it, you’re supposed to go without power for an hour as a reminder of the power we use and its impact. Thanks for sharing!
nice article.helped me on my report