History of Arbor Day
Among the pioneers moving into the Nebraska Territory in
1854
was J. Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his wife were lovers
of
nature, and the home they established in Nebraska was quickly
planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Morton was a journalist and soon became editor of
Nebraska's
finest newspaper. Given that forum, he spread agricultural
information and his enthusiasm for trees to an equally
enthusiastic
audience.
His fellow pioneers missed their trees. But more
importantly,
trees were needed as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel
and
building materials, and for shade from the hot sun.
Morton not only advocated tree planting by individuals in
his
articles and editorials, but he also encouraged civic
organizations
and groups to join in. His prominence in the area increased, and
he
bacame secretary of the Nebraska Territory, which provided
another
opportunity to stress the value of trees.
On January 4, 1872, Morton firswt proposed a tree-planting
holiday to be called "Arbor Day" at a meeting of the State Board
of
Agriculture. The date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were
offered to counties and individuals for planting properly the
largest number of trees on that day. It was estimated that
more
than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first
Arbor
Day.
Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by the young state's
Governor 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.
According to accounts from the Nebraska City News,
April
1885, the city celebrated Arbor Day with a grand parade and
speech
by J. Sterling Morton. Students of different grades met at
their
respective school rooms in the morning for the purpose of
planting
at least one tree. Each tree that was planted was labeled with
the
grade, the time planted, and was to be specially cared for by
that
grade.
When the plantings were completed, 1,000 students formed a
line
to begin the parade from the various schools to Nebraska
City's
opera house.
In the parade, each class carried colorful banners made of
satin
with silk lining and trimmed with gold fringe. The letters on
the
banner were painted in oil colors. By the time the parade
reached
the opera house, the throng numbered well over 1,000 as
townspeople
joined the march. Every available foot of space in the opera
house
was occupied, the students having the front seats and
gallery,
while the older persons stood.
At 11:00, the throng of celebrants was addressed by J.
Sterling
Morton. Mr. Morton was listened to with much attention, and
loudly
applauded at the close of his address. At the conclusion of
the
ceremonies, the students sang "America," and the large audience
was
dismissed.
This ended the first celebration of Arbor Day as a legal
holiday, and, as reported by the newspaper, "To say that it was
a
complete success but faintly expresses it. A celebration of
this
kind results in good to all, and is worthy of imitation by
every
school in the state.
During the 1870s, other states passed legislation to
observe
Arbor Day, and the tradition began in schools nationwide in
1882.
Today the most common date for the state observance is the
last
Friday in April, and several U.S. presidents have proclaimed
a
national Arbor Day on that date. But a number of state Arbor
Days
are at other times to coincide with the best tree planting
weather,
from January and February in the south to May in the far north.
"Each generation takes the earth as trustees." -J.
Sterling
Morton
Changed the difficulty from a 1.5 to a 2 because of the camo and
terrain.