When is Earth Day?
International Earth Day is March 20th.
Always on Vernal Equinox
U.S. Earth Day is always April 22
Important Note:
International Earth Day is different from the U.S. Earth Day.
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International Earth Day was initiated to make earth inhabitants aware of their responsibility to care for the planet. This care includes environmental and natural resources.
Two Different Observances
Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day each year on the March equinox, while a global observance in many countries is held each year on April 22.
The Equinoctial Earth Day
The equinoctial Earth Day is celebrated on the March equinox (around 20 March) to mark the precise moment of mid-spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and of mid-autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. An equinox in astronomy is that moment in time (not a whole day) when the center of the Sun can be observed to be directly above the Earth's equator, occurring around March 20 and September 23 each year. Although astronomically they occur at the mid-point of the seasons, in some cultures the equinoxes and solstices are considered to start or separate the seasons.
John McConnell first introduced the idea of a global holiday called "Earth Day" at a UNESCO Conference on the Environment in 1969. The first Earth Day proclamation was issued by San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto on March 21, 1970. UN Secretary-General U Thant supported McConnell's global initiative to celebrate this annual event, and on February 26, 1971, he signed a proclamation to that effect, saying:
May there only be peaceful and cheerful Earth Days to come for our beautiful Spaceship Earth as it continues to spin and circle in frigid space with its warm and fragile cargo of animate life.
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How can I Celebrate International Earth Day?
- Bake yourself a homemade cake that is round and decorate it like the earth. Then share it with your family and friends! - We have some great Cake Recipes so go to our page and give one of them a try.
- Blog with us about Earth Day! - We have a blog called "Everyday is a Holiday" so visit us and tell us what your going to do to help care for our planet.
- Send Free Earth Day E-Greeting!
