Arbor Day is a holiday that is celebrated by planting or caring for trees. Arbor Day was established in Nebraska and was first proposed in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton. Morton was very passionate about nature and trees. His love for trees was spread to others when he became the editor of Nebraska's first newspaper. He wrote and explained how beneficial trees would be to Nebraska's people and agriculture, and soon others caught on.It is said that on the first Arbor Day, more than one million trees were planted!
"Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by the state's Gov. Robert W. Furnas on March 12, 1874, and the day itself was observed April 10, 1874. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in Nebraska and April 22, Morton's birthday, was selected as the date for its permanent observance."
Today, Arbor Day is celebrated all over the US and is a great excuse to get outside and participate in nature! There are many organizations that will send you trees for free, all you have to do is add the elbow grease!!
Happy planting!
