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The
History of Arbor Day
by
The National Arbor Day Foundation
The
idea for Arbor Day originally came from
Nebraska. A visit to Nebraska today wouldn't
disclose that the state was once a treeless
plain. Yet it was the lack of trees there
that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the
1800s.
Among
pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory
in 1854 was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit.
He and his wife were lovers of nature, and
the home they established in Nebraska was
quickly planted with trees, shrubs and
flowers.
Morton
was a journalist and soon became editor of
Nebraska's first newspaper. Given that
forum, he spread agricultural information
and his enthusiasm for trees to an equally
enthusiastic audience. His fellow pioneers
missed their trees. But more importantly,
trees were needed as windbreaks to keep soil
from blowing and for fuel and building
materials, as well as shade from the hot
sun.
Morton
not only advocated tree planting by
individuals in his articles and editorials,
but he also encouraged civic organizations
and groups of every kind to join in. His
prominence in the areas increased, and he
became secretary of the Nebraska Territory,
which provided another opportunity to stress
the value of trees.
On
January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a
tree-planting holiday to be called
"Arbor Day" at a meeting of the
State Board of Agriculture. The date was set
for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to
counties and individuals for planting
properly the largest number of trees on that
day. It was estimated that more than one
million trees were planted in Nebraska on
the first Arbor Day.
Arbor
Day was officially proclaimed by the young
state's Gov. Robert W. Furnas on March 12,
1874, and the day itself was observed April
8, 1874. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a
legal holiday in Nebraska.
During
the 1870s, other states passed legislation
to observe Arbor Day, and the tradition
began in schools in 1882.
Today
the most common date for the state
observances is the last Friday in April, and
several U.S. presidents have proclaimed a
national Arbor Day on that date. But a
number of state Arbor Days are at other
times to coincide with the best
tree-planting weather, from January and
February in the south to May in the far
north.
Arbor
Day has now spread beyond the United States
and is observed in many countries of the
world. In some it is the king or queen who
leads the national celebration, and in many
countries exotic trees not suited to North
American are planted in commemoration of the
day.
J.
Sterling Morton was proud of the success of
Arbor Day and noted, "Other holidays
repose upon the past. Arbor Day proposes for
the future." He thought trees much
superior to cold marble as a memorial to
persons or events. "How much more
enduring are the animated trees of our own
planting," he said.
Source:
www.gardengrove.com
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