Guide Note:Earth Day History started over thirty years ago with the first official Earth Day celebration taking place on April 22, 1970. According to the California Community Environmental Council: "Earth Day was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson after a trip he took to Santa Barbara right after that horrific oil spill off our coast in 1969. He was so outraged by what he saw that he went back to Washington and passed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to celebrate the earth."

Others say that Earth Day actually started evolving in 1962 with the growing concerns about the environment while air pollution was linked to disease and death in New York City and Los Angeles, growing concern over the use of pesticides, widespread fill kills reported in the Great lakes and probably the icing on the cake when Cleveland's Cuyahoga River actually burst into flames due to being polluted by large amounts of oil and other toxic chemicals.

Whether it started in the 60's or 70's it has been a driving force behind promoting and raising awareness with issues involving the earth. Today people are more involved in recycling, reusing, environmental protection and looking into biodiesel and other forms of alternative fuels.

Fast Facts:

1. Celebrated annually on April 22
2. First official celebration 1970
3. The date was on or near the birthdays of several environmental spokespersons
4. Earth week is an extension of Earth day, begins April 16th
5. Many celebrate Earth Day by volunteering

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