THE FIRST EARTH DAY On April 22 1970 millions of Americans took to the streets Some gatherings were small Others had crowds numbering in the thousands All the events had the same purpose They focused on the environment It was the first Earth Day celebration In New York City New York at least 100 000 people gathered Some carried protest signs One said Litter Is Bitter In the city's Union Square people visited booths where they learned about clean air and wildlife preservation Some people gave speeches Mayor John Lindsay was one of the speakers An Earth Day participant wears a gas mask to protest air pollution
GROWING AWARENESS The events brought together many people Some had already been calling attention to environmental problems These issues included industrial pollution toxic waste wildlife extinction and more But Earth Day also drew attention from many people who weren't aware of these things At that time industries created massive air and land pollution Many Americans considered these signs of success These things meant industry was booming But some people were becoming more aware of pollution's effects on nature THE IDEA Environmental harm prompted Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson to create Earth Day In 1969 he had seen the terrible effects of an oil spill in California Oil covered the wildlife that lived in Santa Barbara Harbor It kept birds from flying and sea otters from swimming The bodies of dead dolphins and seals Thousands flooded the streets in Philadelphia Pennsylvania for the first Earth Day
