Today Is Arbor Day

Today is Arbor Day so why not plant a tree? Since the 1870's Arbor Day has been celebrated in the United States. It all began when Journalist Julius Morton moved to Nebraska City in 1854. That was 10 years before Nebraska became a state. At that time Nebraska was a flat desolate plain. It was on January 7, 1872 Morton proposed setting aside a day for all citizens to be encouraged to plant a tree.

The first ever Arbor Day was on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. It was a huge success! The tradition spread quickly and schools all across the United States began to participate in Arbor Day. It was on April 15, 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt issued an Arbor Day Proclamation to the school children of the United States telling them they should celebrate Arbor Day.

Finally in 1970 Arbor Day became recognized nationwide thanks to President Richard Nixon. Actually President Richard Nixon was a very environmentally friendly President on the 1970's with the passing of the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act along with establishing the Environmental Protection Agency.