Earth Day

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year. It started in 1970 in the United States. On this day, people do things to help the planet. They plant trees, clean parks, and learn about nature. Now Earth Day is celebrated in more than 190 countries.

How Earth Day Started

A senator named Gaylord Nelson had the idea for Earth Day. He wanted people to care more about pollution. The first Earth Day had about 20 million Americans take part. It helped create new laws to protect air and water. Now it is one of the biggest days for the environment.

A President and First Lady plant a tree for the first Earth Day.
A President and First Lady plant a tree for the first Earth Day. (White House Photo Office / Wikimedia Commons)

How to Celebrate

You can celebrate by picking up trash at a park. Planting flowers or a tree is another great way to help. Riding a bike instead of a car saves energy. Turning off lights when you leave a room also helps. Every small action makes Earth a better place.

Fun Facts

  • More than 1 billion people take part in Earth Day activities each year.
  • The first Earth Day helped start laws like the Clean Air Act.
  • Earth Day is sometimes called the largest civic event in the world.

Did You Know?

In 2016, the Paris Agreement on climate change was signed on Earth Day. It brought countries together to help the planet.