Earth Day celebrates 40th Anniversary

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March 18, 2010  
Filed under Features

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Senator Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea for Earth Day in 1969.  Inspired by the anti-war demonstrations, Nelson decided to inspire awareness-environmentally.

The first Earth Day was celebrated April 22, 1970.

According to Earthnet, it was a “a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders.”

Earth Day has led to the creation of the EPA and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

One of the oldest continual celebrations is the Green Apple festival in San Francisco. Coach Jack LeGrand attended it in 1972. It was a musical festival located in Golden Gate Park. Artists such as Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane played, and after their performances they discussed Earth friendly issues.

“It was before Earth Day had gotten really big nationally and at the time it was only celebrated in big cities,” LeGrand said.

There were thousands of people however it was not as big an event as it would become.

“Besides April 22 being my birthday, I know I am not as good (at being eco-friendly) as I once was but I do recognize Earth Day. It never leaves my mind.  I think what can be done in terms of how to make it better place,” LeGrand said.

However, not everybody looks at Earth Day like LeGrand.

“The idea of Earth Day is great, but I don’t like that people think they are green because they celebrate Earth Day. It’s like going to church on Easter,” said English teacher Albert Knuckley.

“No matter how much an individual try’s to be eco- friendly, it’s not going to affect a big company or make them want to change.  They follow the money,” senior Cullen Satterfield said.

Chapin High School has also taken the incentive to celebrate Earth Day.  The art and dance classes and Love Green are having a recycled fashion show called ‘Junk to Funk.’  It will be on April 22 at 7pm.

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