Why is Earth Day always on 22 April?
Unlike holidays tied to historical events or religious observances, Earth Day’s date has a more practical origin story.
Earth Day, a global day dedicated to environmental awareness and action consistently lands on 22 April. The credit goes to US Senator Gaylord Nelson, who conceived Earth Day in 1970.
Back then, the environmental movement lacked a unifying moment. Senator Nelson envisioned a large-scale “teach-in” on college campuses to raise awareness about environmental issues. To maximize student participation, he strategically chose 22 April.
This date offered several advantages. Firstly, it fell between spring break and final exams, ensuring a larger pool of available students. Secondly, late April in the Northern Hemisphere generally boasts pleasant spring weather, perfect for outdoor demonstrations and tree plantings, a common Earth Day activity.
There might be another, subtler reason for the date selection. 22 April also happens to be Arbor Day, a pre-existing holiday dedicated to planting trees. This thematic overlap between nurturing nature and environmental awareness might have resonated with Senator Nelson’s vision for Earth Day.
Is Earth Day a national holiday?
No. Earth Day is a celebration but is not a public holiday in the US, meaning that all work and school schedules are not impacted.
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