On April 22nd of every year since 1970, people all across the United States have participated in Earth Day, a nationally recognized day that celebrates the need for environmental protection for our planet. It all began with Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who had been continuously concerned with the state of the environment. Nelson began with the idea of instilling these issues into the minds of students by announcing a teach-in on college campuses. With the help of a young activist, Denis Hayes, both activists selected a date to organize the teach-ins, choosing April 22nd for maximum student participation. 

Hayes built a large staff to assist in the promotion of this event all across the U.S., and through time, the day began to be known as Earth Day. Brady Shinkarik (12) shares, “I think it is really important that we recognize Earth Day. It serves as a reminder to people that we need to care more about how our actions affect the planet.” When April 22nd finally rolled around, activist groups fighting against a variety of environmental problems that range from pesticides to wildlife extinction united towards this common goal of saving the earth. 

By the end of 1970, the very first Earth Day had already influenced the creation of legislation heavily centered around maintaining the health of the environment. The U.S. had created the Environmental Protection Agency, which included a few acts that ensured the success of the agency. Matthew Toledo (12) notes, “I remember learning about the creation of the EPA in AP Environmental Science, and it was strange to me that it was only formed so recently. I would’ve thought we cared more for the earth as a society.”

As decades continued to pass, the urgency for action against environmental damage caused by humans only grew stronger in numbers and purpose. This change isn’t only occurring in the U.S., as environmental issues have caught the attention of other nations and their citizens globally. On Earth Day in 2016, the United Nations came together to sign the Paris Agreement, a treaty based on climate change, considered to be the most significant environmental document. 

In 2026, the theme for Earth Day is “Our Power, Our Planet,” signifying the responsibility that each member of humanity has in protecting our planet, as we only have one. EARTHDAY.ORG hosted over 10,000 events across the U.S. and in a plethora of other countries, which ranged from community cleanups to peaceful demonstrations, highlighting the immense expansion of resources that have been employed for this highly important cause.