2010.54.5712
The image is based on the first photo of the earth from space – shot December 24, 1968 by Apollo 8 astronauts and called “Earthrise.” The concept of an “Earth Day” was itself controversial. Introduced by John McConnell at a UNESCO conference on the environment held in San Francisco in November 1969, the proposal asked for a global spring equinox holiday on March 21 to celebrate the life Earth offers, to raise awareness for preserving the environment, and to protect ecosystems. Based on this proposal, San Francisco mayor Joseph Alioto issued the first Earth Day proclamation, and other cities soon followed suit. Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, proposed a national kickoff event on April 22, 1970, and that date upstaged McConnell’s and was eventually adopted as the national standard. Nelson’s event also differed thematically from McConnell’s. Nelson admitted later, “Ours was a political exercise. His was a peace exercise.” [LMC]
