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Introduction
Hello! Welcome to the journey of the creation of Earth Day! Please click on this link to get started with some general information. Hope you learn and enjoy
Some Americans are becoming increasingly more aware of the pollution in their environment. Smog from factories began to fill the skies, and oil began to invade many bodies of water. -
Silent Spring
Rachel Carson, an influential environmentalist, published 'Silent Spring', a book that brought light to the problems created by pesticides. -
Santa Barbara Oil Spill
In Southern California, an oil rig ran into some trouble when the high pressure of the oil under the surface caused it to shoot up and spill into the ocean. Birds and marine life were greatly harmed, and the beaches were devastated. -
Cuyahoga Fire
In Cleveland, an oil spill in the river caused the river to catch fire, but not for the first time. The fire was rapid, harmed wildlife, and damaged lots of infrastructure. The fire only last around half an hour, there are no photos of this event. -
Senator Gaylord Nelson takes action
Nelson was one of the few people in a position of power who felt the need to take action. He makes a large announcement regarding the concept of Earth Day. He asks for people coast to coast to spread the word to neighbors, classmates, or friends in order to get everyone involved. -
Anticipation
Click these links to see and read about Nelson's newsletters that creatively spread the word about Earth Day!
LINK TO ITEM https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/tp/id/29642(https://www.timetoast.com)
LINK TO EXPLANATION
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zHTeW_Fc4Bv_02ZjDQBaqo-wVUr6z6jpmXc0wuWO0Sg/edit?usp=sharinghttps://www.timetoast.com) -
First Earth Day!
The big day was finally here! Everything that Nelson had been working towards was about to pay off. Awareness was raised around 2,500%! Over 20 million people across the county directly participated! It was safe to say that this project had been incredible for awareness. People were excited, people had fun, and people were inspired. -
Nelson's Analysis
Click on these links to see Nelson's Analysis of the events of the first Earth Day!
LINK TO VIEW
https://content.wisconsinhistory.org/digital/collection/tp/id/49117(https://www.timetoast.com)
LINK TO EXPLANATION
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TMFu7h0x0PFG4W9OQM_6GslzlkWsRw8KK94eiv7fSv8/edit?usp=sharing(https://www.timetoast.com) -
Speaking of Wilderness
Please click these links to listen to 15-year-old Jim Voegeli's contribution to the movement! VOLUME WARNING The clip begins with some examples of noise pollution so make sure not to have the volume too loud!
LINK TO ITEM
https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip_506-057cr5nt3j
LINK TO EXPLANATION
https://docs.google.com/document/d/122BBZls3uyG0RGsAWU6yPdogbK9JcG9kv2exrfMLFzk/edit?usp=sharing(https://www.timetoast.com) -
Clean Air Act
This act was put in place to regulate the allowed amount of pollutants put into the air. -
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act set standards for the water in industry, and implemented programs to control the pollution. -
Endangered Species Act
This act protected threatened and endangered animals from being meddled with. It also created plans to help these animal recover. -
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You!
Now it's your turn! Earth Day has been acknowledged for over 50 years, but we should not be complacent! Pick up a piece of trash! Donate to a charity! Or even just spread the word! You can make a difference. People in 1970 were inspired and caused change. They made it happen. The effects of 52 years ago could not have happened without the effort of individuals. Be that individual! I know you can do it. Make this world your own.