History Of Earth Day
I’m Susan Allen this is Open Range. The first Earth Day was held in April 22 1970 in New York City and designed to inspire environmental awareness . In Seattle today that translates to a slew of event’s, from turning your bike into electrical power, meeting an esteemed environmentalist, even saying hi to Bert the Salmon, Back after the Break. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin founded the first earth day in 1970 as a way (according to Wikipedia) to create political support for an environmental agenda. He patterned it after the Vietnam sit- ins and felt late April was the perfect time to attract students; typically nice weather, no exams, spring breaks or holidays. Apparently Senator Nelson didn’t realize that day in 1970 was also the 100th anniversary of Lenin’s birth. Or maybe he did? At the time, Time Magazine reported some suspected that the date was not a coincidence, and considered Earth Day a communist trick. Despite the negitive press that first Earth Day attracted thousands. Today it is a world wide event coordinated by the Earth Day Network in more than 175 countries. Many celebrate a whole week dedicated to environmental issues. In 2009 The United Nations decided April 22 would be called not Earth Day but International “Mother Earth” Day. Okay I’ll say hi to Bert the salmon but I won’t call the earth my mother!. Tomorrow, What Earth Day can and should teach about livestock
