Fun facts about Earth Day

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Earth Day
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Did you know? It is a weird quirk of history that the first Earth Day protests were so massive they involved over 20 million Americans, which was roughly 10 percent of the entire population at the time.

Fact 1 of 28

28 facts about Earth Day

  1. 1
    The date of April 22 was specifically chosen because it fell between spring break and final exams for college students, giving them the best chance to attend rallies and protests without missing school.
  2. 2
    Legend has it that the name Earth Day was chosen because it rhymed with Birthday, making it catchy and easy for people to remember.
  3. 3
    While people often try to get creative with sustainable fashion on Earth Day, the most effective outfit is simply wearing the clothes you already have in your closet.
  4. 4
    Because Earth is tilted on its axis, it is actually spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere on the same Earth Day.
  5. 5
    In 1990, Earth Day went global for the first time, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries to advocate for the environment.
  6. 6
    Senator Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day, was inspired to create the event after witnessing the massive devastation of a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.
  7. 7
    The very first Earth Day in 1970 was intentionally scheduled on a weekday between spring break and final exams to maximize college student participation.
  8. 8
    Earth Day helped spark a movement of 'eco-journalism' where news outlets started reporting more heavily on pollution and conservation.
  9. 9
    Some people think you have to buy a special Earth Day shirt to support the planet, but wearing an old shirt is actually the most Earth-friendly option.
  10. 10
    The 1970 Earth Day organizers used the phrase 'give earth a chance' as a play on the popular song 'give peace a chance.'
  11. 11
    Earth is not a perfect sphere; it is an oblate spheroid that bulges at the center because of how it spins.
  12. 12
    Most people assume Earth Day is a global holiday, but it is not technically a public holiday in most countries, meaning people still have to go to work or school.
  13. 13
    In some parts of the world, Earth Day is referred to as International Mother Earth Day to represent the planet as a life-giving force.
  14. 14
    The concept of an Earth Day was originally proposed by John McConnell at a UNESCO conference in 1969.
  15. 15
    Every year on Earth Day, the Earth Day Network focuses on a specific theme like reforestation or plastic pollution.
  16. 16
    The Earth Day movement helped transition environmental awareness from a niche concern to a mainstream political priority in the United States.
  17. 17
    Earth is the only planet in our solar system that is not named after a Greek or Roman god or goddess.
  18. 18
    In 2020, Earth Day went entirely digital for its 50th anniversary due to the global pandemic.
  19. 19
    Some people think recycling is the most important part of Earth Day, but reducing consumption and reusing items has a much larger impact.
  20. 20
    A common misconception is that Earth Day is only for environmentalists, but it was actually started by a politician and a college student.
  21. 21
    On Earth Day in 2012, more than 100,000 people rode bikes in China to reduce carbon emissions and show their support.
  22. 22
    Some people celebrate Earth Day by planting trees, but it is actually better to plant native grasses or flowers to support local pollinators.
  23. 23
    The Earth Day Network now operates year-round to coordinate international efforts, rather than just acting as a single-day event.
  24. 24
    Earth Day is celebrated in over 190 countries, making it the largest secular observance in the world.
  25. 25
    In 1970, the first Earth Day was so successful that it helped create the Environmental Protection Agency and led to the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.
  26. 26
    Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson chose the date April 22 because it fell between spring break and final exams, ensuring that the maximum number of college students would be on campus to participate in the activities.
  27. 27
    The first Earth Day in 1970 was so popular that it prompted 20 million Americans to head outside and protest for the environment, which was about 10 percent of the entire United States population at the time.
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