Earth Day

April 22^nd may just seem like any old day to many people. To others, this is better known as Earth Day. It is one of the few environmental holidays around that celebrates our planet across all countries. The holiday has activism in its roots, although it is a widely peaceful holiday. Earth Day serves as an important reminder that not doing anything impacts the environment just the same as harming it.

History

In the late 1960s, people were becoming more aware of their surroundings along with many of the atrocities that were taking place. This was also the start of the early stages of the modern day environmental movement. The public started to question how oil use impacted the environment. Major cities across the United States were already suffering from air pollution, including Los Angeles.

In 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin was inspired to create a day for environmental awareness after seeing a tragic oil spill in southern California. He also gained inspiration from young activists of the day who regularly stood up against officials for wrongdoings, such as war and racism.

Senator Nelson declared the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. During this day, 20 million people took the streets in support of this concept. Earth Day was founded as a way to help increase environmental awareness, as well as promote changes within communities to help make the world a better place for everyone.

The first Earth Day was so successful that it spawned a non-profit group called the Earth Day Network in 1993. Now the holiday is celebrated in almost 200 countries and by over 500 million people globally. It is considered one of the largest secular holidays in the world, and one that everyone has a stake in.

Types of Celebrations

While Earth Day may have been inspired by activism and protests, this holiday is celebrated in numerous ways. Children are encouraged to participate by making pictures of the earth or helping grown-ups plant trees. Mass recycling and trash pickup events are also often organized on Earth Day.

Educational events are numerous on this holiday. Some of the facts may come across as negative, but the overall message of Earth Day is a positive one. People are encouraged to celebrate the holiday in their own way, but the point is that everyone can make a difference in the environment by making small changes in their lifestyles.

Activism

To some people, making personal changes isn’t enough. Earth Day is often a day for protests across the globe, particularly against oil manufacturers and other industries that are viewed as negatively contributing to the environment. The majority of these protests are peaceful, but they can be dangerous in nations that do not protect freedom of speech as openly as the United States.

Observations

While Earth Day has undoubtedly gained many supporters over the last few decades, it is not considered an official public holiday. If Earth Day falls on a weekday, schools, banks and government offices are still open. In some environmental industries, however, some employers grant their workers the day off or host celebrations at work. Many teachers have taken Earth Day a step further by including lessons about the environment over the course of the entire week.

Earth Day Gift Ideas

Giant Robo The Animation -the Day The Earth Stood Still Ultimate Blu-ray Box Ltd
$609.0

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Disney s Stitch Earth Day Jumbo Le 100 Htf Pin
$300.0

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Disney s Stitch Earth Day Le 100 Htf Pin
$300.0

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Disney s 2006 Stitch Earth Day Jumbo Le 100 Pin
$200.0

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Patricia Neal Signed The Day The Earth Stood Still Photo – Obtained In-person
$175.0

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Prod Co Original 8×10 Negative For “the Day The Earth Stood Still” Rennie Neal
$170.0

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Disney s 2005 Stitch Earth Day Jumbo Le 100 Pin
$150.0

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Fantastic Monsters Of The Films #1 Vg/fn 1962 Day The Earth Stood Still
$149.95

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Seraphim Classics Heaven On Earth Angel ‘jillian Cherish The Day” New In Box
$139.99

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1995 John Deere 25th Anniversary Earth Day Limited Edition Belt Buckle #221/ 500
$129.99

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German Film-kurier Photoplay 1953 Sci Fi Day The Earth Stood Still Robot Space
$125.0

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Patricia Neal Signed Autographed The Day The Earth Stood Still Photo
$124.99

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National Freedom Day

In the United States, citizens celebrate National Freedom Day on February 1^st to commemorate the 13^th Amendment. Signed by Abraham Lincoln on February 1, 1865, the 13^th Amendment officially abolished slavery. While this is the primary purpose of the celebrations, the holiday is also meant to promote freedom for people of all races, genders and religions.

History

At the end of the Civil War, President Lincoln officially signed the 13^th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. This amendment officially declared both slavery and involuntary servitude against the law. This law was years in the making, but it was not signed until 1865 due to controversies within the country. President Lincoln was able to sign the law before his death two months later.

While February 1, 1865 was an historic day, it was not officially celebrated as a holiday until nearly a century later. The idea stemmed from Richard Robert Wright, Sr., who was a former slave. He was born into slavery 10 years before Lincoln signed the 13^th Amendment. Upon his emancipation, he would go onto attend school and promote education among all children during the course of his lifetime. He also served in the military, with his most prominent position as major during the Spanish-American War.

Wright eventually settled down in Philadelphia where he had a long and successful career. During this time, he promoted the idea of creating a holiday on February 1^st to commemorate the Constitution’s 13^th Amendment. Both the Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill in consent of making February 1^st National Freedom Day. President Harry Truman signed the bill into law on June 30, 1948. Sadly, Wright didn’t witness his idea coming to fruition, as he died one year earlier at the age of 92.

Celebrations

Every year, a wreath is laid at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia to commemorate National Freedom Day. It is predominantly a day of reflection, although there are various types of celebrations across the country. The primary theme of the holiday is freedom for all. Some people celebrate by holding parades, while others hold rallies to promote international freedom.

National Freedom Day is often viewed as a kick-start to Black History Month, which is observed during the entire month of February. However, the concept of this month-long celebration actually got its start in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was an historian who founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, and he advocated for the second week of February to be dedicated to the celebration of African-American history. He chose the second week of February because it coincided with the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass as well as President Lincoln. The weekly celebration would eventually expand to a month, with National Freedom Day as the first official holiday.

National Freedom Day is celebrated across the country, but it isn’t an official federal holiday. This means that schools, banks and the government all stay open on this day. Due to Wright’s lifelong devotion to education, some organizations offer scholarships to prospective college students on National Freedom Day.

National Freedom Day Gift Ideas
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