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Yellowstone Act
March 1, 1872 Congress passed the Yellowstone Act, making Yellowstone the first national park "dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and "for the preservation, from injury or spoilation, of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders. . . and their retention in their natural condition." -
Burton Act
Congress passed the Burton Act, which preserved Niagara Falls from hydroelectric power facilities. -
Bald Eagle Preservation Act
Congress passed the Bald Eagle Preservation Act to prevent the extinction of the national symbol. The bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. -
Heavy Smog
Heavy smog conditions forced city officials to close schools in Los Angeles for most of the month of October. -
Water Quality Act
President Johnson signed the Water Quality Act to strengthen federal water pollution laws and outline water quality guidelines for states. -
Global Warming
NASA warned Congress of the effects of global warming. -
The Killing of a Protester
David Chain was killed by a tree felled by foresters while protesting in a forest to protect the destruction of old-growth redwood trees. -
Speaking Out Againt the Enviroment
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore released An Inconvenient Truth, and the following year, won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to raise awareness about global warming. -
New Air Quality Standards
The EPA Issued New Air Quality Standards to control daily “small” or “fine” particulate matter—soot, dust, and particles too small to see. Fine particulate matter, which pollutes the air, comes from things like car exhaust, smokestacks, and coal-fired power plants. -
Live Earth Concert
Live Earth concerts around the world featured Madonna, the Black Eyed Peas, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and the Beastie Boys, to raise awareness of climate change.
