- 22 April every year
- First held in 1970
- Kept in nearly every country
Where it began
Earth Day grew out of a wish to protect clean air, clean water and wild places. In the late 1960s many people in the United States were worried about smog, oil spills and dirty rivers.
United States Senator Gaylord Nelson called for a national day of teach-ins on the environment. Students, teachers and town groups joined in, and the first Earth Day was held on 22 April 1970.
The date was chosen to fall between spring break and final exams, so that college students could take part.
How it grew over time
1970
Millions of people across the United States join the first Earth Day with marches, talks and clean-ups.
1970s
New laws for clean air, clean water and endangered species follow in the years after the first day.
1990
Earth Day goes global, with people in many countries taking part on the same date.
2009
The United Nations names 22 April as International Mother Earth Day.
Today
It is one of the largest shared days of action in the world, with a new theme each year.
How it is celebrated in different places
United States
Schools, parks and towns hold clean-ups, tree planting and fairs on the day.
India
Schools and colleges hold drawing contests, plant saplings and talk about saving water.
Europe
Cities run cycling days, litter picks and talks on energy and nature.
Around the world
Many families switch off lights, plant a tree or pick up litter in their own street.
Earth Day moments
Earth Day today
Today Earth Day is a day for small, hopeful acts. People plant trees, carry cloth bags, share ideas for saving power and water, and teach children to love nature.
