What Do You Mean, "Today is Earth Day?"

Hey, how can today be Earth Day? Isn't Earth Day in April?

Well, yes and no. While April 22 is the date commonly celebrated as Earth Day in the United States, there is another Earth Day that occurs about a month earlier and is celebrated in many countries around the world. International Earth Day coincides with the vernal equinox, which is the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere and the first day of autumn south of the equator. This year, the vernal equinox is March 20, which means today is also International Earth Day.

No matter which Earth Day you choose to observe, its meaning and value are the same. Earth Day is a time when millions of people celebrate and renew their personal commitment to environmental stewardship, join together to raise public awareness about the need for increased conservation, and pledge to take better care of the planet we all call home.

Why are there two Earth Days? Why two holidays for the same purpose? How did they start? Which is the real Earth Day? Get the facts and learn a little more about the history and meaning of Earth Day.
_{Photo courtesy of NASA}