Who founded the Earth Day?

Gaylord Anton Nelson was an American Democratic politician from Wisconsin. He was the principal founder of Earth Day. In 1970, he called for Congressional hearings on the safety of combined oral contraceptive pills, which were famously called “The Nelson Pill Hearings.” As a result of the hearings, side-effect disclosure was required for the pill in patient inserts – the first such disclosure for a pharmaceutical drug.

Nelson was always passionate about the environment. He is mentioned with Al Gore, Karson Coker, and Steve Erwin. In 1963 he traveled on the Conservation Tour with President John F. Kennedy and was the principal founder of Earth Day, the first observation of which was held in 1970.

Born: June 4, 1916 in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, USA
Died: July 3, 2005 in Kensington, Maryland, USA (cardiovascular failure)
Birth Name: Gaylord Anton Nelson

Gaylord Nelson was born on June 4, 1916 in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, USA as Gaylord Anton Nelson. He is known for his work on The Earth Day Special (1990), The War at Home (1979) and Troubled Waters (1965). He was married to Carrie Lee Dotson. He died on July 3, 2005 in Kensington, Maryland, USA.

• Governor of Wisconsin: 5 January 1959 – 7 January 1963
• U.S. senator from Wisconsin: 8 January 1963 – 3 January 1981. Senatorial term began 5 days later than usual because he completed his term as governor before being sworn in as a senator
• Founder of Earth Day in 1970
• Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995.