Today is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! For those of you who don't remember (or weren't even born yet), the first celebration in 1970 was established to increase awareness of environmental concerns and, according to Senator Gaylord Nelson who created the concept of Day, to propel environmental issues into public awareness.
If you're interested in visual images about the first Earth Day, many can be found on YouTube Here's a link to one of the more comprehensive clips.
Unfortunately, we can't be outside to celebrate a shared commitment to caring for the one planet we have. Still, you can hold your own observance indoors; the Museum of Pop Culture offers these suggestions on how to commemorate 50 years of awareness of our natural environment.
Today is also Administrative Professionals Day. So say thanks to your favorite administrative professional--virtual flowers, virtual card, virtual lunch, virtual day off...or, even better, a sincere expression of gratitude to all our administrative professionals who keep WLAC moving smoothly on a daily basis, and continue to do so--even from home.
Today, also, is a day to say thank you to West's own Associated Student Organization. Knowing that our students are still in need of Chromebooks to continue their online studies, the ASO has stepped up and donated $5,000 to allow us to continue purchasing and distributing machines to our students in need. So thanks, President Max Jordan, and all the Senators for your demonstration of commitment.
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Also today, in history, in addition to the first Earth Day...
- in 1889, the Oklahoma land rush begins, with an estimated 50,000 people lined up at noon hoping to stake a claim for a homestead.
- in 1915, poison gas is used by Germans in World War I with devastating consequences.
- in 1964, The New York World's Fair opens (this flashback video juxtaposes the features of the park in 1964 to the same locations today).