John McConnell
(1915-)

American Environmentalist, Social Reformer
"The Founder of Earth Day"

birthdate: March 22
birthplace: Davis City, Iowa

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Although most people think "Earth Day" is April 22 - Earth Day was first proposed by John McConnell and celebrated on the Spring Equinox. This Earth Day is the one Margaret Mead is speaking about in her famous quotes about the day, and it is the date observed by the United Nations with the ringing of the Peace Bell. John McConnell and Margaret Mead founded the Earth Society Foundation to promote Earth Day and the idea of ordinary citizens becoming Earth Trustees to care for the planet. The popular Earth Flag that has come to symbolize the environmental movement was also designed by John McConnell in 1968. John McConnell also proposed and wrote an Earth Charter in 1979. His 77 Theses on the Care of the Earth published in 1985 elaborate a remarkable blueprint for creating a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. A true visionary, even in his 90s, John McConnell continues to spread his ideas for a better world.