History, Trivia & Facts About Earth Day

Earth rejoices in our words, breathing and peaceful steps. Let every breath, every word and every step make mother earth proud of us.

- Amit Ray

The luscious forest, serene mountains, chirping birds, breathtaking waterfalls and so much more - our planet Earth is nothing but synonymous with beauty. However, we often take it for granted. That is why it is important to highlight the significance of environmental conservation and press on the need of maintaining this natural beauty. Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. Want to learn more about it? Want to know who came up with it? Brush up on these Earth Day facts to prepare yourself for the event.

The Very First Earth Day

Earth Day first came into operations on April 22, 1970. The event turned out to be powerful enough to spark an environmental movement. This led to the formation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the same year.

The brainchild of Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson

Gaylord Nelson was responsible for establishing Earth Day after he witnessed a huge oil spill leading to the leakage of gallons of oil off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969. During the time he was in office, he fought to earmark $50 million to buy land and convert it into public parks and wilderness areas.

Has its Theme Song

The tune of the Earth Day anthem was composed by Indian poet Abhay Kumar in 2013. Ever since it has been recorded in all the official languages of the UN.

Has Inspired Nations to Adopt Environment-Friendly Practices

On Earth Day 2012, in China, more than 100,000 people rode their bikes to cut CO2 (Carbon dioxide) emissions and minimize pollution emitted from vehicles.

The Date was Selected to Attract More & More College Students

US Senator Gaylord Nelson chose April 22 because it fell between colleges’ spring break and final exams. Since youth are the real changemakers and future of the country, he wanted to maximise student involvement.

Each year, the Theme Changes

The theme of Earth Day 2022 is 'Invest In Our Planet'. It emphasises the dire need to preserve and protect our families, our livelihoods, our health and our planet together.