Earth Day

Earth Day
n.
April 22, a day on which environmentalist concerns are variously acknowledged

* * *

      annual celebration honouring the achievements of the environmental movement (environmentalism) and raising awareness of the importance of long-term ecological sustainability. Earth Day is celebrated in the United States on April 22; throughout the rest of the world it is celebrated on either April 22 or the day the vernal equinox occurs.

      In the late 1960s there was an increased awareness of environmental concerns among Americans, and the prominent environmentalist and U.S. senator Gaylord Nelson sought to galvanize the conservation movement through the creation of a national celebration. Nelson—whose efforts in Congress included the passing of legislation that protected the Appalachian Trail (Appalachian National Scenic Trail) and the banning of the use of the pesticide DDT—hired Denis Hayes, a graduate student at Harvard University, to help organize the first Earth Day. It took place on April 22, 1970, and was designed as an “environmental teach-in” that would educate participants in the importance of environmental conservation. The two largest gatherings occurred in Washington, D.C., where 10,000 people assembled at the Washington Monument, and in New York City, where a portion of Fifth Avenue was closed to traffic in observance of the event. Across the United States, 20 million people participated, many of them at schools, colleges, and universities. The event was instrumental in gaining support for the series of environmental legislation that passed through the U.S. Congress in the 1970s, including the Clean Air Act (1970) and the Endangered Species Act (1973).

      In 1990 Hayes organized a global Earth Day, which was observed by some 200 million people in more than 140 countries. Since then, Earth Day has been international in scope. By the early 21st century, Earth Day's many activities included raising awareness about a number of growing environmental concerns, especially the threat of global warming and the need for clean renewable energy sources.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Earth Day — is one of two observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth s environment. The United Nations celebrates… …   Wikipedia

  • earth|day — Earth Day, a day in April set aside by environmentalists to dramatize the need for pollution control: »By the time Earth Day dawned on April 22, eco activists of all ages were suffused with quasi religious fervor (Time). earth|day «URTH DAY»,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Earth Day — ☆ Earth Day n. April 22, a day on which environmentalist concerns are variously acknowledged …   English World dictionary

  • Earth Day — as an annual ecological awareness event on April 22, dates to 1970; the idea and the name formed in 1969 …   Etymology dictionary

  • Earth Day — Jour de la Terre Drapeau non officiel de John McConnell : The Blue Marble (la Terre vue de l espace) sur un fond bleu. La journée de la Terre (Earth Day en anglais) est le nom d une célébration correspondant à deux événements : soit la …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Earth day — Jour de la Terre Drapeau non officiel de John McConnell : The Blue Marble (la Terre vue de l espace) sur un fond bleu. La journée de la Terre (Earth Day en anglais) est le nom d une célébration correspondant à deux événements : soit la …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Earth Day — Erdflagge Der Tag der Erde (auch engl. Earth Day) findet alljährlich in über 175 Ländern weltweit statt und soll die Menschen dazu anregen, die Art ihres Konsumverhaltens zu überdenken. Er findet auf Beschluss des US Kongresses seit 1970 in den… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • earth day — noun Usage: usually capitalized E&D : a day in April designated for promoting concern for the environment * * * Earth Day, a day in April set aside by environmentalists to dramatize the need for pollution control: »By the time Earth Day dawned on …   Useful english dictionary

  • Earth Day — /ˈɜθ deɪ/ (say erth day) noun either of two days observed annually in many countries to raise awareness of environmental issues: 1. a United Nations observance held annually on the March equinox, instituted in 1969. 2. a day with a focus on… …  

  • Earth Day Sunday — is a semi religious holiday that many churches in the United States have begun to celebrate on the Sunday before Earth Day. The day is meant to inspire parishioners to celebrate and protect God s creation. External links*… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”