Earth Day started in 1970 following oil spill

Earth Day started in 1970 following oil spill

Earth Day, first held on April 22, 1970, was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson to promote environmental awareness following a 1969 Santa Barbara, California oil spill and rising pollution. It mobilized 20 million Americans, leading to the EPA’s creation and landmark environmental laws.
By 1990, Earth Day went global, engaging 200 million people in 141 countries and boosting global recycling efforts. It is now celebrated by over a billion people in nearly 200 countries.
Its focus is now on climate change, renewable energy and environmental policy on a day when the world to come together to raise awareness about pollution, endangered species and how to be better caretakers of the planet we call home.