♻️ Revisiting Philly’s first Earth Day

🥃 This Philly Tour Toasts American Democracy

Pennsylvanians love whiskey, but how many of them can say they drank with Benjamin Franklin? Carpenters’ Hall is offering after-hours whiskey tours inside the home of the First Continental Congress. On today’s episode of City Cast Philly, host Trenae Nuri and executive producer Matt Katz down some whiskey as they learn how the stories of the country’s founding are still relevant today. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

🇻🇦 Philly Reacts to the Death of Pope Francis

The Bishop of Rome’s passing on Monday morning was felt around the world, including here in Philadelphia. Pope Francis visited Philly in 2015 for the World Meeting of Families, where pilgrims from the local region and beyond filled the Parkway by the thousands. [NBC10]

🏠 What's in Mayor Parker’s Affordable Housing Plan?

Mayor Cherelle Parker released more details about her “Housing Opportunities Made Easy” initiative and its spending priorities. Over $600 million will go toward expanding existing city initiatives including Turn The Key, the Basic Systems Repair Program, the Philly First Home program, and a one-time payment for back-rent. [🔒The Inquirer]

🍎 New Mutual Aid Project To Feed Northeast Philly

A new community fridge is coming to the Fox Chase area. Filling a gap at a time when food banks are experiencing federal cuts, the Northeast Community Fridge joins an existing network of local fridges feeding Philadelphians. It’s the first community fridge to be established in that section of the city. [WHYY]

On April 22, 1970, about 30,000 people packed the grounds of Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park. They came not for the world’s largest picnic – but for the United States’ first-ever Earth Day celebration.

The concept of Earth Day was the brainchild of U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. Known for his conservation work in his home state of Wisconsin, he wanted to send a message to the nation’s capital to prioritize the environment. Nelson had the idea of promoting this message through a national teach-in. Instead of attending classes, college students across the country participated in educational gatherings about the environment that channeled the spirit of anti-Vietnam War protests.

The Earth Week Committee of Philadelphia, made up of four students at the University of Pennsylvania, wanted to bring Earth Day to Philly. But to make the event work, they also needed some monetary support.

Thacher Longstreth, then-president of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, was at first skeptical of the idea. But after reading Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” and meeting with the young organizers, he appealed to others in the business community who were doubtful that environmental issues would impact them.

With the support of local industries and college organizations, one of Philly’s Earth Day organizers, Edward Furia, decided the celebration should not be just held on one day but turned into a week-long event.

On April 21, environmentalists rallied at Independence Hall and heard speeches from leaders including U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine, who would introduce the Clean Air Act of 1971 and later work on the Clean Water Act of 1972. The cast of Broadway musical “Hair,” singer Sally Eaton, and rock band Redbone performed for the energized crowd.

On Earth Day itself, thousands marched from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the event’s main site in Fairmount Park, where musicians took the stage to sing about air pollution and dreams of a greener future. Scientists, poets, and politicians all spoke at the outdoor teach-in.