8 Fast Earth Day Facts

Explore the history of one of the largest global observations

In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day in 1970, mainstream America was largely oblivious to environmental concerns and how a polluted environment threatens human health and the health of our planet.

All of that began to change in 1962 with the publication of Rachel Carson's groundbreaking book, Silent Spring. The New York Times bestseller represented a watershed moment, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries as it raised public awareness and concern for all living things, the environment, and the inextricable links between pollution and public health." 

Silent Spring, and its associated growing awareness of our interconnected environment, set the stage for the first ever Earth Day in 1970.

Check out our infographic featuring eight fast facts on the history of Earth Day...and then head to EarthDay.org to read more about the fascinating story behind this bipartisan effort to save our planet from ourselves.

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