"Earth's Day" Celebrated in SF

Thirty years ago, on March 21, San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto declared the first "Earth Day." Chosen to coincide with the Vernal Equinox, Earth Day was later endorsed by President Gerald Ford.

Equinox Earth Day has been celebrated around the world ever since as a United Nations day of peace. At the moment of the equinox, people pause to welcome the changing of nature's seasons with the ringing of bells.

The equinox arrived in San Francisco at 11:35 PM. It was celebrated in the Shrine of St. Francis with Earth Day founder John McConnell and Mayor Alioto's daughter Angela joining hands to ring the bell in the church tower.