John McConnell

John McConnell (March 22, 1915 – October 20, 2012 ) was the founder and creator of Earth Day, and The Earth Society Foundation. He was known for designing the Earth Flag, pursuing causes relating to peace, religion, and science.

Early years

John McConnell was born on March 22, 1915, in Davis City, Iowa, United States. He was the son of a Pentecostal preacher and traveling doctor. calling for peaceful cooperation in the exploration of Space with a visible "Star of Hope" satellite.

Major actions and campaigns

Peace activism In 1959 to pursue his dream of peace, John McConnell moved to California where he and his co-publisher, Erling Toness, founded the "Mountain View". Along with the "Mountain View", he organized a campaign in San Francisco in 1962 called "Meals for Millions". It was used to feed thousands of Hong Kong refugees. In 1963, after the "Meals for Millions" campaign, McConnell worked on another campaign called "Minute for Peace" for seven years following "Meals for Millions". He began his "Minute for Peace" campaign with a broadcast on December 22, 1963, ending the mourning period for the late president, John F. Kennedy. On June 26, 1965, McConnell spoke at the National Education Association Convention in Madison Square Garden, where the public came together for a "Minute for Peace".

Earth Day McConnell's concern for the environment grew in the late 1950s and early 1970s. A Christian, he believed humans have an obligation to take care of the Earth, and to share its resources equally, based on such passages as Psalms 115:16, "The earth has been given to the children of men." He was moved when he saw the first picture of the Earth printed in Life magazine. Later that picture became the symbol on the Earth Day flag which he designed and created.