Earth Day Trivia Quiz

First celebrated in the U.S. on March 21, 1970, it has been celebrated each year thereafter at the United Nations, bringing attention to its original purpose: peace, justice and the care of Earth.

Yellowstone becomes the world's first national park in 1872. Since then countries around the world have established more than 4000 national parks and preserves.

The first major international conference on environmental issues was held in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972 and was sponsored by the United Nations.

Formed in 1903, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, US, was the first wildlife refuge.

Founder John McConnell choose March 21 as Earth Day because that was the date of the March Vernal Equinox. He though using the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere to be a good date to celebrate the earth.

The patron saint of ecologists is Saint Francis. In 1980, Pope John Paul II proclaimed him the patron saint of ecologists. In art, the emblems of St. Francis are the wolf, the lamb, the fish, birds, and the stigmata.

A desire for environmental change led to the creation of various political parties around the world whose emphasis was largely on environmental protection. These organizations are known collectively as Green parties. Can you guess why?

The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the City of Saint Francis, patron saint of ecology.

Twenty years after the Stockholm Conference, the United Nations held what is popularly known as the "Earth Summit" in Brazil. The UN Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992, and was the largest gathering of world leaders in history.

A highlight of the annual Earth Day ceremony at the United Nations is the ringing of the Peace Bell. The Peace Bell was a gift from Japan. The Peace Bell was a gift from Japan. It was made from coins given by school children to further peace on our planet. On Earth Day the Peace Bell is rung at the moment of Spring.

Greenpeace, an international environmental organization dedicated to preserving the earth's natural resources and its diverse plant and animal life, was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1971.

The real date of Earth Day is debated. John McConnell maintains it is March Equinox while Sen. Gaylord Nelson says it is April 22. The UN marks the March date while many governments mark the April. There is also a World Environment Day, June 6. Whatever day, week, or month you choose, in all more than 500 million people in over 180 countries stage events and projects to address local environmental issues.