In September 1969, at a conference in Seattle, Washington, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson has announced that in the spring of 1970 there will be a rally across the United States in defense of the environment. Senator Nelson initially proposed a nationwide environmental protest. On April 22, 1970 it is said that nearly 20 million Americans filled the park and auditorium. The first Earth Day also paved the way for the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 every year by people in 192 countries around the world. It started as a movement in the United States since the 1970s which aims to raise awareness and involve the public in efforts towards the preservation and conservation of the environment.

Earth Day will be celebrated for the 54th time on April 22, 2024. The theme of Earth Day 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics”. The Earth Day 2024 campaign is to reduce the use of single-use plastics because plastics take a long time to decompose. Among the programs carried out by DOE in conjunction with Earth Day 2024 is the distribution of recycling bags, seminars related to the environment, coloring and drawing competitions among children and other community programs.