Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans voiced their demand for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. In Chicago, thousands gathered in Civic Center Plaza (now the Richard J. Daley Center) and colleges, universities, and schools held demonstrations, protests, and talks opposing the deterioration of the environment. Peruse images from our Chicago Sun-Times Photo Collection of Earth Day’s inaugural year in Chicago. Explore photos.

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