Today is the 56th anniversary of Earth Day. Created at a time when water and air pollution were out of control—20 million Americans in colleges, schools, and communities observed the first Earth Day. READ how it came about... (1970)
The movement's leader, Sen. Gaylord Nelson, directly credited this outpouring of public support for persuading US politicians that environmental issues had a voting constituency. Within two years, the country saw passage of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the establishment of the EPA, the ban on DDT, and the reduction of lead from paint. The holiday is now celebrated...
