Earth Day on April 22, was founded by a U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, after witnessing the ravages of the massive 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. Earth Day is one of the largest civic events in the world, celebrated by close to 1 billion people every year. Throughout the week and on April 22 itself, groups of people from all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities will join together for festivals, rallies, and environmental activities which build community awareness and activism.