University of Michigan plans teach-in, including history of climate activism, ahead of 50th Earth Day anniversary

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For Matt Lasseter, professor of history at UM, putting Earth Day and its ties to Michigan into historical context is key.

“It’s not well-known that the state of Michigan was a leader in environmental policy during the 1960s and 70s,” said Matt Lasseter, a history professor at UM. “I don’t think the activists in 1970 had the global understanding that we do today.”

In 1970, UM held a massive student-organized event known as “Teach-In on the Environment.” More than 50,000 people attended, and the crowd gathered at The Crisler Arena to hear Ralph Nader, Edmund Muskie, then-Gov. William Milliken, ecological leaders, scientists and television stars.