Monday, April 22, 2019

Earth Day is Forty-nine





     If you are a stamp collector- I’ve been an avid collector since the age of 12 !- you may believe that Earth Day began in 1999 because it was officially recognized by the U.S. postal service that year when Celebrate the Century pane commemoratives were issued specifically for collectors highlighting the most memorable dates and events of each decade of the 20th century beginning with the 1990s. That 33 cent Earth Day stamp wasn’t the first commemorative on the subject, however, because another one page set came out before that in 1995 in a series called Kids Care about the Environment. The 1995 stamp for Earth Day shows our big blue marble in space taking a bath and was very popular at that time.



     However, the first Earth Day officially celebrated in America was on April 22, 1970 as the so-called brainchild of Wisconsin Senator, Gaylord Nelson. 20,000,000 United States citizens participated in that first event and it was publicized that it was the biggest overall nationwide street demonstration since the end of World War II and has been celebrated, one way or another, since that original date. Those aren’t the only ecological U.S. stamps but they were the most popular.  
     While we’re on the subject, I wanted to make you aware that there are many ways to seriously get involved in earth-conscious efforts toward good ecology and I urge you to get out there and see what you can contribute. Most activities are also lots of fun so you can celebrate like a regular holiday while doing something kind to mother Earth. Set an example- get involved! Make up your own ways to improve our environment. You’ll be glad you did and the Earth will thank you, as well.  

Happy Earth Day !


The Castle Lady