Happy Earth Day!

I wasn't aware there was such drama surrounding Earth Day. In looking around for information on Earth Days past, I discovered that there are actually TWO Earth Days. Both are claimed to be the real Earth Day by members of each camp, and I could not find anywhere that either of the originators of the Earth Days acknowledged that the other was legitimate. Quite scandalous, don't you think?

The first Earth Day is celebrated on the vernal equinox and was conceived by John McConnell. It was first celebrated in 1970. It is recognized as International Earth Day, and the United Nations rings a bell at the moment of the equinox to commemorate it. According to his website, it sounds as though Mr. McConnell and his followers are a bit sour that someone stole his thunder and made it more successful (and rightly so, in my opinion). To quote him:

"But just as more than one birthday each year for an individual would diminish the real birthday, calling other dates Earth Day detracts from the authentic day -- which can provide a more meaningful focus and obtain more unity in our diversity. The nature of the March equinox provides a reason for an event at the same time all over the world."

The second Earth Day, celebrated today, was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson, who claimed that the "idea for Earth Day evolved over a period of seven years starting in 1962." It (coincidentally?) came to fruition a month after the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, and it is the one most publicized. He makes no mention of the fact that someone else had beat him to the punch.

As if all of this isn't scandalous enough for you, the Daughters of the American Revolution (well, one member, at least, who was quoted in Time magazine) thought that the April 22, 1970, celebration was a dirty Communist trick. It was, after all, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin, and you know how closely Lenin and environmentalists are linked. Egads!

So, there you have the riveting, all true, soap opera-inspired history of Earth Day.

Comments

[Vanessa]

Totally crazy! Who knew... but I mean, we're all communists here, right? RIGHT?

On a side note, Lori, I finally ordered that Better World Handbook -- can't wait for it to arrive!