The day is April 22, 1970. You’re sitting on the streets listening to the Beatles and hearing the gossip about the death of Jimi Hendrix. Air pollution is a massive problem this decade, but no one really cares enough to make a difference. This is your time. This is the moment for you to be a value to your community. That was just the beginning of the most productive holiday in the world.

Millions of people took the stand this very day to protest something that they were very passionate about- something that had been ignored for too long. They were fighting for their land- the place they have called home since generations past. Representing these people came Denis Hayes, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. There was an estimated 20 million people attending festivals and rallies that day- in the most peaceful protest possible.

This rally was finally getting the attention it deserved from political figures nationwide. April 22, 1990 made history as the first Earth Day ever- an achievement every American, no matter their age or race, was proud to be apart of. This very same year led to the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the forthcoming of the Clean Air, Clean Water and the Endangered Species Acts.

Fast forward: the time is now. You check the news on your new iphone X- seeing the impact of Donald Trump’s newest bills and laws put in place. You see the bright yellow school bus pull up to the sidewalk and your child walks off. The smile on his face is ear to ear as he walks into the house. He tells you about his day picking up trash and learning how to care for the Earth. The impact of that very day in 1970 has hit you. It HAS made a difference.

This year, Mr. Prushinski’s 8th grade class will be participating in the “Earth Day Clean Up.” On April 26th and 27th, the students will complete research and essays, studying the background of this national holiday. On April 31st, the pickup on campus will begin. This tradition began in 2011, and it has been an annual event ever since. The class will collect the 100th bag of trash this year- a record breaking number for Nanticoke Area.

On behalf of Nanticoke as a whole, we would like to thank Mr. Prushinski and his class for their enthusiasm and conscious effort to better our world.

Photo Citations

https://clickamericana.com/eras/1970s/the-first-earth-day-1970

https://lightspeed.gnasd.com/access?ICWMVDMHUUCX2VZY5V4NZ7O8P3A3B7B2