This February and January were the 53rd years of one of the country’s worst environmental disasters.
It also gave birth to an annual celebration around the world.
Cities around the U.S. have already or will host events to celebrate Earth Day, which is officially Friday, in April.
People had to remember the tragedy that led to the creation of Earth Day before they could celebrate environmental awareness through various festivals.
January 28, 1969 A huge oil spillage began in the Pacific Ocean near Santa Barbara (California).
The oil spillage continued well into February. At the time, it was the largest oil leakage in U.S. waters. But it has since been eclipsed by the 1989 Exxon Valdez(Alaska), and 2010 Deepwater Horizon(Gulf of Mexico).
Ad
The source was a blowout in Union Oils Platform A, an offshore oil field that saw between 10,000 and 80,000 barrels of crude oil sprayed over a 10-day period.
Nearly 4000 birds died, and many other marine mammals and wildlife also perished in the catastrophe.
Over the next five-years, numerous lawsuits were filed against Union Oil in order to help pay the damages.
Santa Barbara was awarded $4 million and $6.5 million to the owners of damaged homes, hotels, or other buildings.
After witnessing the destruction caused by an airplane, Sen. Gaylord from Wisconsin and Denis Allen Hayes, an environmental advocate, were inspired to create Earth Day.
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated with rallies and celebrations all over the country. President Richard Nixon planted a tree on the White House’s south lawn with first lady Pat Nixon.
Earth Day was made an international event in 1990.
Ad
This story was first published in 2019. This story has been updated since then.
