Happy Earth Day!

To my great surprise, Earth Day began in the 1960's!

I thought the whole environmental movement was a recent thing, in the last few years, but the environment--and what we are doing to it--has been in jeopardy for DECADES, and my question is: Why have we let this go on so long? And when are we finally going to fix it?

Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day in the '60's. The idea germinated in 1962, with the senator's suggestion that President Kennedy put the environment into the political limelight during his conservation tour.

Unfortunately, the plan didn't work.

But you can't keep a good idea down.

Six years later, inspired by anti-war protests, the idea for a grassroots protest over what we were doing to the environment would eventually become Earth Day, first celebrated April 22, 1970.

The holiday took off.

And it's even more important today.

What are you doing to make a difference?

Make it a good one!


Links:
History of Earth Day--Fascinating!
Earth Day 2009 Online
Earth Day crafts, free printables--For Kids
EPA history of Earth Day
More Earth Day ideas for kids (& teachers)
Earth Day VIDEO CONTEST from Planet Pals for preschool/elementary kids--Ends May 15th
Helpful Hints for Planet Earth
Earth Day Printables, Games, Coloring Pages
EarthDay.gov--For Kids