On this day in history, April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was
celebrated — ushering in a host of new environmental
legislation.

The idea for the observation "Earth Day" originated with Sen.
Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat from Wisconsin, who had "long
been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the
United States.”  (EarthDay.org.) 

Gaylord Anton Nelson
(June 4, 1916 – July 3, 2005)

Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the
birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Today
marks the 50th year.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

It was on this day in 1994.

 
On this day in 2000.

Elián González turned 23 on December 6.

 
Began on this day in 1889.

John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson is 80 years old today.

Jack Nicholson was raised believing his maternal grandparents
were his parents and his mother was his sister. He did not find
out the truth until a TIME magazine journalist informed him in
1974. During high school, he was voted class clown and served
an entire year’s worth of afternoons in detention.

1975

Jack Nicholson as The Joker in 1989’s Batman.

Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which day events
worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It
was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth
Day Network, and celebrated in more than 193 countries each year.

Each year, Earth Day — April 22 — marks the anniversary of what many
consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. It
capitalized on the emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of
the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns
front and center. The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson,
then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin.

Senator Gaylord Anton Nelson