As environmental concerns grow, efforts to restore the health of the planet continue to be a critical part of Earth Day celebrations held around the world. But the history of Earth Day has its own controversy. Two men, John McConnell and Gaylord Nelson, are given credit for organizing the first celebration, on different days.
John McConnell’s Earth Day –March 20th 1970
According to Earthsite.org, March 20th is the original Earth Day. Having the environmental awareness event take place on the vernal equinox is one aspect of the celebration envisioned by John McConnell. His Earth Day event was announced at a United Nations conference in October 1969.
McConnell said, "Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."
McConnell’s vernal equinox date for Earth day continues to be honored by the United Nations.
Gaylord Nelson’s Earth Day – April 22, 1970
Senator Gaylord Nelson is given credit for founding Earth Day by the Environmental Protection Agency and on the Wilderness Society website. His efforts were centered on getting the people of the United States to show the government that they were aware of environmental issues and the need for resource conservation.
Nelson said, “So long as the human species inhabits the Earth, proper management of its resources will be the most fundamental issue we face. Our very survival will depend upon whether or not we are able to preserve, protect and defend our environment.”
Senator Nelson died in 2005, having spent many years working on environmental issues. His Earth Day, April 22nd, has become the more common day for the celebration.
Which is the Real Earth Day?
Taken from the chronological point of view, John McConnell’s Earth Day was first and is, therefore, the real day. The Earthsite.org web pages include his version of what happened in 1969. There it is suggested that Gaylord Nelson’s staff first attempted to encourage him to merge his event with an Environmental Teach-In planned for mid-April. Failing that they then used the Earth Day name for their later event.
Gaylord Nelson, according to a Wilderness Society biography, had the idea of putting the environment into the spotlight as far back as 1962 when he encouraged President Kennedy to initiate a conservation tour. The idea for Earth Day came as a result of the teach-ins that were part of the VietNam War protests in the late 60s. His plan was to do the same for the environment by initiating a grassroots demonstration of concern for the planet.
Perhaps, as McConnell suggests, the impetus of government backing made Nelson’s Earth Day a larger public success, thus pushing it into the forefront of public awareness. McConnell is strong in his objection to having two Earth Days, indicating that it dilutes the impact of the celebration.
One possibility to consider is that, by moving Earth Day later into the northern hemisphere spring, it was possible to hold more outdoor events and clean-up activities with less concern about snow or inclement weather causing them to be canceled.
Whether Earth Day is celebrated on the vernal equinox or on April 22nd, both men should be honored for their commitment to the environment.
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
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