Earth Day is an annually celebrated event all around the globe on April 22. This day is designated to demonstrate support for environmental protection.

The holiday was first held in 1970 and has grown into something much more formidable than before as it is now organized by the Earth Day Network which plans and organizes special events for April 22 and even the week it is in called “Earth Week.” Some countries celebrate “Earth Week” and dedicate the full week of April 22 to environmental events.

The holiday was inspired by Gaylord Nelson after the Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969 and witnessing the horrors it did on the ocean life in California.

“Earth Day is the first holy day which transcends all national borders, yet preserves all geographical integrities, spans mountains and oceans and time belts, and yet brings people all over the world into one resonating accord, is devoted to the preservation of the harmony in nature and yet draws upon the triumphs of technology, the measurement of time, and instantaneous communication through space,” said Kurt Waldheim.

Earth Day is meant for people of all differences to come together for one common interest that we all have: our Earth.

Numerous retailers have provided sales and deals online for customers to celebrate the holidays. The Google team has come up with something to satisfy all the age groups: a quick quiz for web surfers to take to discover what animal they would be. Simply search Earth Day quiz into a web browser and discover the animal.

With so many scientists and people in fear of our Earth’s safety, this holiday has grown greatly over the years.

Thousands of colleges and universities organize protests against the deterioration of the environment including groups fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife. The groups suddenly realized they shared common values with the creation of this holiday. Protesting has formed a bond between organizations and protestors around the world because of one common interest: saving our Earth.

Two years have passed since the tragedy on Boston soil took place. The people of Boston fell silent as bells rang dolefully for those who were killed and injured in the Boston Marathon two years ago.

The Boston Marathon began in 1897 to promote a healthy lifestyle through running and has occurred every year since then. However, on April 15, 2013, the marathon changed forever.

Running to the finish line, participants and onlookers faced a sudden change in scenery. Two bombs exploding in succession of the other put the marathon on halt and left many devastated. Four people were killed, and 254 were severely injured. The injured found themselves paralyzed and/or without a limb.

Recently, the pursuer of the explosion, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was found guilty on 32 counts. Tsarnaev faced charges in regards to using weapons of mass destruction, bombing a public place and conspiracy, according to CNN.com.

Tsarnaev was responsible for the death of Krystle Campbell, Martin Richard, Lingzi Lu and Sean Collier. Currently, there is a large chance of Tsarnaev receiving the death penalty for his crimes.

However, Tsarnaev was not in the back of Boston’s people as they mourned and celebrated the lives lost and those paralyzed forever.

Martin, 8­, watching the race near the finish line, was the youngest victim of the bombings.

According to CNN.com, Martin was apart of a Peace Walk organized at his school where his classmates and himself paraded around holding signs supporting the end of violence.

Tragically, Martin and his family were victims of the bombings and are only some of the many people remembered from the explosion.

Martin’s father, Bill Richard, spoke to the Boston Globe regarding the death of his son being public.

“It’s unfortunate Martin didn’t die in a car accident on a random night. Martin died at the Boston Marathon. The marathon is going to happen every year, and it’s going to be public whether we like it or not,” Richard said.

Marathon runners remembered and supported many fatalities and injuries by joining together. According to Today.com, those tracking the run via smart phone or watch could see the path of the run spelled Boston. 

The mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, and the governor, Charlie Baker, revealed commemorative banners at the site of the bombings. According to NBCNews.com, the anniversary of the tragedy will now be called One Boston Day, a day of random acts of kindness.

Walsh said, “[One Boston Day] is a day for us to really, truly rally around the city of Boston and continue the great tradition of this city in the aftermath of the marathon bombing­­how Boston came together at one community.”

A national day created by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) was created on behalf of a fight against LGBT victims. Many students around the country, and even the world, have dedicated themselves to support this cause.

As a right of all students in the country, many stand up in the fight against bullying. A specific type of bullying is dedicated to April 17 as the national Day of Silence.

According to dayofsilence.org, “GLSEN’s Day of Silence is a national day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools.

Many students at SMFHS have already taken this vow to be silent. They will carry a card that explains to everyone around them that they are participating.

According to nctsn.org, “The Day of Silence is a student effort to protest harassment, discrimination and hate. Participating students, led by GLSEN, will hand out cards that read the following: ‘Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?'”

Although many people have seen the effects of bullying towards LGBT victims, not many students rise to support them. This day was created for students who have went through troubles based on their opinions and sexual orientation.

According to dayofsilence.org this specific day was originally founded in 1996, and, “the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”

For the fight against bullying towards LGBT students register or learn more now about the cause and visit dayofsilence.org.

Photo Source: dayofsilence.org