The first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970, was a national day of rallies and teach-ins expressing support for environmental protection. Events were held in major cities as well as on most college campuses. In the end, some 20 million people took part, calling attention to the swelling support for environmentalism across the country Later annual celebrations still revolve around this concept, with local clean-up efforts and political speeches. They have had limited results; yet, without being decisive in any specific issue, each Earth Day underscores the extent to which environmental issues have become a national priority See also: deep ecology/Earth First!