On April 22, 2008 millions of people will celebrate Earth Day - a day that originated in celebration on March 21, 1970 by John McConnell and proclaimed by the City of San Francisco. What inspired Earth Day was McConnell's interest in Space exploration and awareness of the March Equinox (nature's primary day of global equilibrium). Nowadays, the day is celebrated by the United Nations and individuals around the world as a day of connecting with the earth and taking responsibility for it.  

Earth day can also be viewed as a way of bringing people together as it is the only holiday that is celebrated internationally and that is not specific to religion or culture. As Margaret Mead stated at the Earth Day Peace Bell Ceremony at the United Nations on March 21, 1977, "Earth Day is the first completely international and universal holiday that the world has ever known. Every other holiday was tied to one place, or some political or special event. This Day is tied to Earth itself, and to the place of Earth in the whole solar system. At this moment, when I climb the steps and ring the Peace Bell, it will be the Equinox in every part of the world, and we can all celebrate it at once on behalf of every part of the world."  

In fact John McConnell believed that the more individuals think and act as trustees, the easier people will see the need to eradicate and become active in eliminating pollution, poverty, injustice, and conflict such as violence and war. So, today when we celebrate Earth Day let's remember that by us connecting with the environment we are in fact connecting with our neighbours. 

Read the full origins of Earth Day at Earth Site.org

---