Earth Day

Hello there. My name is Gaylord Nelson, and I want to tell you about a very special day. I have always loved our big, beautiful Earth. I love the tall, green trees that tickle the sky. I love the sparkly blue water in the rivers, and all the wonderful animals that live here. But one day, I noticed something sad. The air was getting a little gray and yucky, and the water was not so sparkly anymore. It made me worry about our planet, our home.

I had a big idea. What if we had a special day just to celebrate and help our Earth. We could call it Earth Day. On the very first Earth Day, April 22nd, 1970, something amazing happened. It was like a giant party for the planet. So many people, just like you, came out to help. We planted colorful flowers and pretty trees. We sang happy songs about sunshine and clean water. We also worked together to pick up trash, making everything neat and tidy again.

Seeing everyone, especially children, helping our Earth made my heart feel so full and happy. Because of that first special day, we now celebrate Earth Day every single year. It reminds us to take care of our home. You can be an Earth Helper, too. Every time you help water a plant, turn off a light, or put your snack wrapper in the bin, you are giving our wonderful planet a great big hug. And that is the best gift of all.