The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, to demonstrate support for a healthy, sustainable environment. More than 20 million Americans took part that day, gathering in streets, parks, and auditoriums coast to coast to rally for our planet.
The voices raised that day sparked the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts. The environmental movement has since spread worldwide, with commemorations in 193 countries on April 22 every year.
