Understanding Earth Day: How the Holiday Became a Global Celebration

While Earth Day is the most celebrated "Environmental" Holiday, most people do not know its origins. Many people think it is just about recycling or planting trees, but there is more to Earth Day, as it was established as a way to bring social awareness about the status of the Earth's environment to all people, and allow participants to band together to bring change and shed light on environmentally-destructive practices. Here is a guide designed to provide insight about this little-known celebration and find out how it has become one of the most celebrated holidays united over a billion people all on the same day.

Did you know that Earth Day can be celebrated in both the fall and spring? Equinoctial (meaning celebrated during the spring and fall equinox) Earth Day, while not as commonly known, encompasses this belief, however, for most people, the most famous and recognized celebration of Earth Day is every April 22^nd.

Earth Day began in 1970 as a celebration similar to a birthday party for the Earth. People realized the destruction in the 1960's that was affecting the environment, and long beforehand (think Industrial Revolution, mining operations, waste disposal/lack of adequate sewer systems, etc.) , and wanted to bring global awareness to all people. Environmental activism was very strong during this period; especially with author Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring". As a continuation of this environmental activism and awareness, on April 22, 1970, the first small-scale celebration of Earth Day took place in California.

Pollution was the first cause that Earth Day brought to light. Later, during the 1990's, Earth Day took on recycling as one of its main causes. Approximately 20 million Americans and 200 million global participants celebrated Earth Day during the period from 1990 until the wide-spread implementation of the Internet to different nations.

As the millennium approached, Earth Day took on yet another cause: the need for clean and renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geo-thermal). Internet connections now allow more participants to celebrate Earth Day, from highly populated areas to remote outposts. Over 184 nations now recognize Earth Day as a celebration. Now, Earth Day awareness reaches over a billion people and is one of the fewest (if not the only holiday that is celebrated on the same calendar day) that transcends race, religion, socio-economic, political, and other cultural/societal barriers to be celebrated unanimously by a most diverse population world-wide. In addition many treaties among nations to reduce global emissions and waste impact have been signed as a result of Earth Day.