Earth Day started as a US 'teach-in' 56 years ago. Now it's a global event

NewsWorldAmericasEarth Day started as a US 'teach-in' 56 years ago. Now it's a global eventMillions of people around the world will pause, at least for a moment, to mark Earth DayThe Associated Press Tuesday 21 April 2026 17:47 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"a027792357624ee3e88aea43f14d3ba0","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/vietnam-wisconsin-southern-california-b2962075.html","title":"Earth Day started as a US 'teach-in' 56 years ago. Now it's a global event"}}Earth Day started as a US 'teach-in' 56 years ago. Now it's a global eventShow all 2{"adUnitPath":"71347885/_main_independent/gallery","className":"","title":"Earth Day started as a US 'teach-in' 56 years ago. Now it's a global event","gallery":[{"data":{"title":"Earth Day Explainer","description":"FILE - Climate activists hold a rally to protest the use of fossil fuels on Earth Day at Freedom Plaza, April 22, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)","caption":"Earth Day Explainer","copyright":"Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved","credit":"ASSOCIATED PRESS","alt":null,"url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/04/21/17/Earth_Day_Explainer_27361.jpg","id":"ed7d4c8eaff7435da86262dcd830ffe7","mid":6635575,"uid":0,"smartframe":null,"extra":{"imageSize":{"width":5412,"height":3608}}},"type":"image"},{"data":{"title":"Earth Day Explainer","description":"FILE - Activists display prints replicating solar panels during a rally to mark Earth Day at Lafayette Square, Washington, April 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File)","caption":"Earth Day Explainer","copyright":"Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.","credit":"ASSOCIATED PRESS","alt":null,"url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/04/21/17...