Oops, I missed Earth Day

I was going to post this photo...

... but I guess it's too late :(

 

So what do you think? Was it intentional or just coincidence that the first Earth Day in the U.S. was on the 100th anniversary of Lenin's birth?  Wikipedia:

.... The idea that the date was chosen to celebrate Lenin's centenary still persists in some quarters, an idea borne out by the similarity with the subbotnik instituted by Lenin in 1920 as days on which people would have to do community service, which typically consisted in removing rubbish from public property and collecting recyclable material.

Subbotniks were also imposed on other countries within the compass of Soviet power, including Eastern Europe, and at the height of its power the Soviet Union established a nation-wide subbotnik to be celebrated on Lenin's birthday, April 22nd, which had been proclaimed a national holiday celebrating communism by Nikita Kruschev in 1955.

 

If you haven't already, you might want to read the Earth Day 2012 Presidential Proclamation, courtesy of the Great Oz:

 

On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans came together to celebrate the first Earth Day.  Students, teachers, activists, elected officials, and countless others challenged our Nation to confront our most urgent environmental issues and rallied around a single message:  the success of future generations depends upon how we act today.

As we commemorate Earth Day this year, we reflect on the challenges that remain before us and recommit to the spirit of togetherness and shared responsibility that galvanized a movement 42 years ago....

.... As we work to leave our children a safe, sustainable future, we must also equip them with the tools they need to take on tomorrow's environmental challenges.  Supporting environmental literacy ... will help ensure our youth have the skills and knowledge to advance our clean energy economy.  Last year, we launched the Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award to encourage more schools to ... integrate environmental literacy into the curriculum....

.... Forty-two years ago, a generation rallied together to protect the earth we would inherit.  As we reflect on that historic day of activism and stewardship, let us embrace our commitment to the generations yet to come by leaving them a safe, clean world on which to make their mark.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 22, 2012, as Earth Day.  I encourage all Americans to participate in programs and activities that will protect our environment and contribute to a healthy, sustainable future.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

 

The Wizard of Oz | Movie Trailer | Review 

 

I can hear the Dog Jokes now...

Comments

[Mannie Sherberg]

Shucks ... if my mother hadn't fled Russia in 1917, just before the Revolution, I might have grown up as a Soviet kid who enjoyed the delights of subbotnik. It really does sound like jolly good fun -- picking up shmutz in public places. Thank goodness I've got Earth Day. Better, I always say, a vicarious subbotnik than no subbotnik at all.