This year marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, which traces its origins back to a major environmental disaster on January 28, 1969. Approximately 12 million liters of oil spilled off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, contaminating over 1,300 square kilometers of ocean. This catastrophic event, one of the worst environmental disasters of its time, claimed the lives of over 10,000 birds, dolphins, seals, and sea lions.

Spurred by the momentum of grassroots environmental movements, the first Earth Day celebrations were held in the United States on April 22, 1970, with more than 20 million people participating. Earth Day aimed to raise awareness of climate and environmental issues, unchecked consumption, and waste, motivating people to take action. Thanks to Earth Day, landmark legislation such as the U.S. Clean Air Act and Clean Water Acts were introduced, bringing environmental disasters, global warming, and pollution to the forefront of international agendas.