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Force of Nature : Throughline Rivers on fire, acid rain falling from the sky, species going extinct, oil spills, polluted air, and undrinkable water. For so long, we didn't think of our planet as a place to preserve. And then in the 1960's and 70's that changed. Democrats and Republicans, with overwhelming public support, came together to pass a sweeping legislative agenda around environmental protection. In today's episode, what led to Earth Day, and what Earth Day led to.

Throughline

Force of Nature

Force of Nature

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  • Earth Day on April 22, 1970 in New York, New York.
    Earth Day on April 22, 1970 in New York, New York.
    Santi Visalli/Getty Images
  • A fireman battles a fire burning on the Cuyahoga River in 1952.
    A fireman battles a fire burning on the Cuyahoga River in 1952.
    Bettmann/Getty Images
  • Workmen rake oil-soaked hay following the Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969.
    Workmen rake oil-soaked hay following the Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969.
    Bettmann/Getty Images
  • Fifth Avenue, in New York City, is filled with thousands of people on the first Earth Day in 1970.
    Fifth Avenue, in New York City, is filled with thousands of people on the first Earth Day in 1970.
    Bettmann/Getty Images

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Rivers on fire, acid rain falling from the sky, species going extinct, oil spills, polluted air, and undrinkable water. For so long, we didn't think of our planet as a place to preserve. And then in the 1960's and 70's that changed. Democrats and Republicans, with overwhelming public support, came together to pass a sweeping legislative agenda around environmental protection. In today's episode, what led to Earth Day, and what Earth Day led to.

If you would like to read more about Earth Day:

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