Feminist Perspective on Eighteenth Century Literature Essay

Feminist Perspective on Eighteenth Century Literature Feminism during the eighteenth century has come to be defined by the literature of the time. Women, who did not have as many outlets as they do today, expressed their political opinions through literature itself. Although feminist texts existed before the end of the century, women writers in the final decade were seen as more threatening to the dominant patriarchal system. Following the overthrow of the government in France, women in Britain believed that a revolution in sentiments, manners, and moral opinions was possible in their own country (5). Writers such as Mary Wollstonecraft reacted to the conservative patriarchal society by [drawing] parallels between the domestic†¦show more content†¦Unlike men, women who sought political reformer were labeled as unsexed, meaning that it was unnatural for women as the frail or gentle sex to harbor brutal thoughts, to want to be the equals of men, or to meddle in politics, all of which make them perverse or unacceptable exampl es of their kind (4). During the reactionary decade of the 1790s, concerns normally thought to be private and domestic - womens education, their choice of husbands, female conduct, sexuality, and manners-became politicized as general topics of interest (14). The outspoken behavior regarding their position was seen as inappropriate for women. However, not all women addressed these topics with a radical perspective. Some women, who today would be considered a setback to the feminist movement, took a rather conservative approach. Womens literary history, in terms of feminism, can be broken down into three stages of development: the feminine phase, in which women internalize the male cultures assumptions about female nature; the feminist phase, in which women are able to dramatize the ordeals of wronged womanhood; and the female phase, when women turn... to female experience as the source of an autonomous art (14). Authors such as Jane West and Hannah More were considered part of the feminine stage, Jane Austen and Ann Radcliffe were associated with the feministShow MoreRelatedWomen s First Wave Of Feminism Essay1555 Words   |  7 PagesThe 1960’s first wave of feminism in literature brought about the importance of understanding and studying Women’s History, and the reasons behind origins of the Feminist theory and the feminist movement and gender binaries. Newfound research pertaining to female History helps us to better understand modern social constructs and how they were established. Starting with the late eighteenth century, which marks the transition from pre-industrialization to the emergence of economic development in EuropeRead MoreWomen Writers: Restoration and 18th Century1392 Words   |  6 PagesWomen Writers: Restoration and 18th Century Ballaster, Ros, Seductive Forms: Women’s Amatory Fiction from 1684–1740, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1992,; New York: Oxford University Press, 1992, Landry, Donna, The Muses of Resistance: Laboring-Class Women’s Poetry in Britain 1739–1796, Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990 Myers, Sylvia Harcstark, The Bluestocking Circle: Friendship and the Life of the Mind in Eighteenth-Century England, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990; New York: OxfordRead MoreCritical Analysis of Romanticism1387 Words   |  6 PagesThis literature review will critically analyse a range of arguments and perspectives by literary critics and historians and their views will be pertinent to the study of Romanticism . Due to the scale of research in Romantic literature as a discipline, the main focus in this paper will concentrate primarily on two major paradigms in Romantic literature. These two aspects are referred to as Romantic nature and Romantic sublime. The paper will be organised and divided into twoRead MoreIn The Novel â€Å"Pride And Prejudice†, By Jane Austen, Elizabeth1306 Words   |  6 Pageswomen are more limited to social obligations. In Feminist criticism, the lens allows the reader to see how different races and genders are distinguished diff erently based on the time period and/or setting. While Pride and Prejudice is a novel about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s underrated love story, by looking at it from a perspective of feminist criticism we are able to see a judgment of social obligation based on gender and understand the 18 century time period and the human experience. In a moreRead More Aphra Behn and the Changing Perspectives on Ian Watt’s The Rise of the Novel6049 Words   |  25 PagesAphra Behn and the Changing Perspectives on Ian Watt’s The Rise of the Novel Ian Watt’s The Rise of the Novel (1957) remains one of the most influential texts in the study of the English novel. However, an increasingly strong case for a revision of both the work itself and the discourse it personifies has been gradually building over the past twenty years. While the initial stages of, first, feminist and, later, post colonial perspectives may have sought only to insert marginalised texts intoRead MoreLiterary Issues In Jane Austens Pride And Prejudice842 Words   |  4 Pagesof the eighteenth century. In her book Pride and Prejudice, originally published in 1813, Jane faces society’s problems head on with her incredible use of literary elements like metaphors and satire, her wonderful use of setting to tell a story and her skillful use of point of view to portray the untold story of the eighteenth century societal problems. Jane uses her book, Pride and Prejudice to address the economic, political, feminist, sociological, and philosophical them es of the century throughRead MoreThe Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin Essay1390 Words   |  6 PagesForgotten Voices Margarita Engle, a poet, and novelist, once said, â€Å"Marriage without love is just one more twisted form of slavery.† In the eighteenth century, marriage was the exit door of many women from their homes whether they believed in love and filled their hearts with hope, or had no choice, and they were sold to men as if they were cattle. In The Story of an Hour, Kate Chopin shows complex issues such as marriage, independence, symbols, and ironies. After hearing the news that Brently MallardRead MoreAmerican Literature in the Period between 1914-1945887 Words   |  4 Pagessteering America back to a prewar way of life. Writers were associated with high modernism, objectivist and confessional movement that emerged post World War II. There was a major change socially, politically and culturally emerging multicultural perspectives. The United States had many changes from World War I and II, the stock market crashing in the 1920’s, therefore leading to economic depression. This became an inspiration to many of the literary writers. Many writers such as Robert Frost SusanRead MoreThe Intersection Of Modernity And Gender1601 Words   |  7 Pagesmodernity. There have been evolving perspectives of the gender schema, influenced by the behavior and evolution of gender roles’ impact on society. Gender binary which is the differences between masculine and feminine that limits people from ranging over their specific role and gender specific approaches and roles in society. The intersection of modernity and gender arise from the result of thought and the changing realm of perspectives of humanity. Literature embodies what the society norms is orRead MoreFeminism: Womens Status in Higher Education1448 Words   |  6 Pageseliminating the social exclusion which results in â€Å"gender inequality, differentiation and beliefs in superiority of the male sex† (Johnston). Feminists seek to reform the accepted perception of women’s roles in society and concept of specific qualities attributed to men and women (1). Feminism progressed through three major waves throughout the nineteenth century (1). Feminism in America became prominent before the beginning of the First World War, advocating for women’s right to vote. Campaigns for

Is Egypt Afrocentric - 1072 Words

Ancient Egypt’s Afrocentricity Thesis: Due to geographic, cultural, and historic evidence, Egypt is an Afrocentric so studying it should be considered Afrocentric. However, due to social constructs and the colonization of Africa, many wrongly do not consider studying Egypt as Afrocentric. Abstract: Egypt, like all other African countries has an extensive history rich with a unique culture and belief system. Unfortunately, Ancient Egyptian culture and history is buried under a synthesized backdrop for what is European history. Though the nation was influence by many cultures over the years, Egypt must still hold onto its true origins by rediscovering and challenging it’s own history in order to reinvent it as an Afrocentric nation that†¦show more content†¦Despite Egyptians being brainwashed into believing they are not a part of Africa, it can be seen that they are as integrated as the other 53 countries that share its continent. This can be seen through Egypt’s language and archeology. Language is important because, though it is diverse throughout the world, if its origins can be traced, it can determine how a nation began. In the case of Egypt, â€Å"Egyptian is a member of the Afro-Asiatic family which originated in Africa and was not importe d from Asia or Europe†. When the complete history of Egypt is looked at, it can be seen that it is, in fact Afro-centric despite the influences from other countries. In relation to archaeology, it suggests that early Egyptian culture rose directly through indigenous Africans. Archaeologists have also found that crops from the other side of the Nile River were integrated into the lifestyle of early Egyptians. In short, despite how much Egyptians refuse to accept Afrocentism as describing them; there are clear details that can prove Egypt’s core is African, not European or Mediterranean influence. Geography and race also play a big part in Egypt recognizing itself as African. In contrast to â€Å"traditional contextualization of Egypt in the ‘Mediterranean’ or ‘Near Eastern’† geographically, Egypt is in Africa. So naturally, the people in the nation share physical characteristics with those around them, asShow MoreRelatedIs Studying Ancie nt Egypt in Its African Context Afrocentric?856 Words   |  4 PagesIs Studying Ancient Egypt in its African Context Afrocentric? Studying Ancient Egypt is African context can be definitively distinguished as Afrocentric. Evidence of this is given from Ancient Egypt’s geographical location, the Ancient Egyptian culture, and linguistics. What is currently known as afrocentrism is a cultural ideology first formed from the work of late nineteenth century and early twentieth century African-American intellectuals. Afrocentrism manifested into its current formRead MoreAfrocentrism Versus Eurocentrism Essay examples4480 Words   |  18 Pagesinfluence of Arab, European, and Asian peoples from that of indigenous African achievements. This worldview places focus on African civilizations that existed long before Greek and Roman civilizations such as Ancient Egypt, Nubia, and Meroitic civilizations. Afrocentrism and Afrocentric scholars use history as a way of teaching Africans worldwide their history and culture and reverse the Eurocentric history that has been taught to them which diminish the African presence, and contribution to worldRead MoreThe Disuniting of America Reflection on a Multicultural Society1284 Words   |  6 Pagesreconstruction of their history and hoped to gain self-esteem from it. However, radical b lack scholars created a lot of man-made black heroes in the history and even asked for an Afrocentric history. And some of them started another debate about if the European civilization is the product of African civilization which enters Europe through Egypt. No one would deny that the black had through the most tragic and terrible exclusion by the white immigrants. But does it mean more compensatory history should be createdRead MoreThe History, Criticism And Theory Of The Arts935 Words   |  4 Pagescontinents. Recent scientific discoveries noted that it is increasingly likely that Africa is the â€Å"cradle of humanity† and it is highly unlikely that Africa was originally inhabited by outsiders from other continents. The first black civilizations in Egypt were the first civilizations in the world, European civilizations followed by a hundred thousand years, after the Ice Age (Diop 207). Diop continues to explain that other early African civilizations can be dated back to the first millennium B.C., likeRead MoreAn Autopsy Of Nuwaubianism, Black Nationalism, And The Epistemological Concepts Surrounding Separatist Theory1300 Words   |  6 PagesBlack separatists believe racial separation to be fundamental, even in today s socie ty? Method The All Eyes on Egipt bookstore in Bed Stuy served as the ideal location for field observation. Vivid depictions of ancestral ties rooted in ancient Egypt elaborately circled the room in paintings, sculptures, and moldings. Nuwaubian publications that question modern religion, government and everything as we know it, line the walls. Most noticeable, however, are the publications that question the originRead MoreThe Coronation Of Haile Selassie I As Emperor Of Ethiopia1760 Words   |  8 PagesGarvey when, in a newspaper article and after frequent correspondence with Selassie, he stated, The Psalmist prophesied that Princes would come out of Egypt and Ethiopia would stretch forth her hands unto God. We have no doubt that the time is now come. Ethiopia is now stretching forth her hands. It is a religious tradition that is Afrocentric in its upbringing and focuses on defending and protecting the dignity of Africans and those of African ancestry. The religion itself holds many beliefsR ead MoreRastafarianism Essay2120 Words   |  9 Pages(Garcia Rastafarianism: An Overview). The Rastafarian religion is a blend of the purest forms of Judaism and Christianity. During the reign of King Solomon, Queen Makeba ruled the empire of Sheba. The empire of Sheba spanned out across Ethiopia, Egypt, and parts of Persia (Salewicz Rastafari). When Queen Makeba came to visit King Solomon, the wise wealthy ruler of Jerusalem, he converted her beliefs to the God of Abraham. Before this time, she worshipped the sun god Ra. Queen Makeba changedRead MoreEssay about Malcolm X2055 Words   |  9 PagesRebellion in colonial Kenya, framing both of these movements as uprisings of the darker races creating a tidal wave against U.S. and European imperialism. Indeed, Africa remained his primary political interest outside of black America. He toured Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, and Ghana in 1959, well before his famous trip to Africa and the Middle East in 1964. Although Malcolm tried to conceal his differences with Elijah Muhammad, tensions between them erupted. The tensions were exacerbatedRead MoreCultural Erasure5591 Words   |  23 PagesEstudios Latinoamericanos y del Caribe 79, octubre de 2005 | 129 London, Berlin or Toronto is really a twice-migrant; first from Africa and second from the Caribbean. The connection to an African home is the centrepiece of much contemporary Afrocentric politics, but that connection is largely mythical and imagined, although many commentators seem willing to forget this fact. This speaks directly to the idea of home and belonging as articulated by two unapologetic Afrocentrists, Ian Smart andRead MoreMalcolm X : An American Muslim Minister And Human Rights Activist6464 Words   |  26 PagesMuhammad, and after his journey to Mecca in 1964 he visited Africa a second time. He returned to the United States in late May and flew to Africa again in July. During these visits he met officials, gave interviews, and spoke on radio and television in Egypt, Ethiopia, Tanganyika, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Sudan, Senegal, Liberia, Algeria, and Morocco. In Cairo, he attended the second meeting of the Organization of African Unity as a representative of the Organization of Afro-American Unity. By the end of

Richard Nixon Essay Example For Students

Richard Nixon Essay Richard Nixon Reconciliation was the first goal set by President Richard M. Nixon. The Nation was painfully divided, with turbulence in the cities and war overseas. During his Presidency, Nixon succeeded in ending American fighting in Viet Nam and improving relations with the U.S.S.R. and China. But the Watergate scandal brought fresh divisions to the country and ultimately led to his resignation. His election in 1968 had climaxed a career unusual on two counts: his early success and his comeback after being defeated for President in 1960 and for Governor of California in 1962. Born in California in 1913, Nixon had a brilliant record at Whittier College and Duke University Law School before beginning the practice of law. In 1940, he married Patricia Ryan; they had two daughters, Patricia (Tricia) and Julie. During World War II, Nixon served as a Navy lieutenant commander in the Pacific. On leaving the service, he was elected to Congress from his California district. In 1950, he won a Senate seat. Two years later, General Eisenhower selected Nixon, age 39, to be his running mate. As Vice President, Nixon took on major duties in the Eisenhower Administration. Nominated for President by acclamation in 1960, he lost by a narrow margin to John F. Kennedy. In 1968, he again won his partys nomination, and went on to defeat Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and third-party candidate George C. Wallace. His accomplishments while in office included revenue sharing, the end of the draft, new anticrime laws, and a broad environmental program. As he had promised, he appointed Justices of conservative philosophy to the Supreme Court. One of the most dramatic events of his first term occurred in 1969, when American astronauts made the first moon landing. Some of his most acclaimed achievements came in his quest for world stability. During visits in 1972 to Beijing and Moscow, he reduced tensions with China and the U. S.S.R. His summit meetings with Russian leader Leonid I. Brezhnev produced a treaty to limit strategic nuclear weapons. In January 1973, he announced an accord with North Viet Nam to end American involvement in Indochina. In 1974, his Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, negotiated disengagement agreements between Israel and its opponents, Egypt and Syria. In his 1972 bid for office, Nixon defeated Democratic candidate George McGovern by one of the widest margins on record. Within a few months, his administration was embattled over the so-called Watergate scandal, stemming from a break-in at the offices of the Democratic National Committee during the 1972 campaign. The break-in was traced to officials of the Committee to Re-elect the President. A number of administration officials resigned; some were later convicted of offenses connected with efforts to cover up the affair. Nixon denied any personal involvement, but the courts forced him to yield tape recordings which indicated that he had, in fact, tried to divert the investigation. As a result of unrelated scandals in Maryland, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned in 1973. Nixon nominated, and Congress approved, House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford as Vice President. Faced with what seemed almost certain impeachment, Nixon announced on August 8, 1974, that he would resign the next day to begin that process of healing which is so desperately needed in America. In his last years, Nixon gained praise as an elder statesman. By the time of his death on April 22, 1994, he had written numerous books on his experiences in public life and on foreign policy.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder free essay sample

George F. Still, a physician in 1902 was credited as being one of the first authors who open light on the preliminary findings on ADHD. The earlier talk was on â€Å"defective moral control†. In the 1930s and 1940s Heinz Werner and Alfred Strauss were able to identify children who were hyperactive and distractible. With further medical findings, the children are later said to exhibit the symptoms of ADHD. After medicine, ADHD was considered a psychological problem.   Psychologists put strength into researching the cause and treatment for ADHD. They come up with treatment plan base on psychology – basically behavioral therapy (Adam James, 2004).. Psychological findings in ADHD address six basic problems encountered by sufferers and their families. There is a notable stress and anxiety resulting from struggles to meet life’s demands. There is a sense of low self-esteem, there is a feeling on incompetence, and there is also a characteristic feeling of grief over inability to meet up a task deadline – lack of in accomplishment. We will write a custom essay sample on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Furthermore, psychologists also research that ADHD patients have feelings of helplessness and lastly a poor social skills – not socially fit among colleagues. Psychologists explain that none of these problems are core symptoms of ADHD. Instead, they result from psychological deposit as a result of the medical condition of the ADHD itself. Psychotherapy tends to research on the development of behavioral skills that could help impact ease on the situations and further prevent co-morbidities – associated degeneration (Barkley, n.d).   There is a suggested guide on child development of organizational skills, time management skills. These are therapeutically essential to train the child as he matures. References Zametkin AJ, Liebenauer LL, Fitzgerald GA,, et al. Brain metabolism in teenagers with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry.. 1993 May 50;333(5) Adam James (2004) Clinical psychology publishes critique of ADHD diagnosis and use of medication on children published on Psychminded.co.uk Psychminded Ltd Barkley, Russel A.. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Nature, Course, Outcomes, and Co-morbidity.

Rainbows End - Belonging free essay sample

A Place is an essential part of belonging. Aboriginals believe that they do not own the land, that they are a part of it. However European settlement didn’t respect the Aboriginal culture and values. Despite constant issues between indigenous and non-indigenous land rights and owner ship the indigenous population still have a strong connect with land and thus, place. In ‘Rainbow’s End’ the Dear family live in a humpy on the river bank, which is prone to flooding. Despite the troubles with their home, Dolly is proud to be from the flats. I’m from the flats, not even one of those townie types of cross-over aboriginals†. This quote communicates how proud Dolly is of her Aboriginal culture and that she feels connected to it by where she lives. In ‘Redfern Now’, the representation about place is completely different. Clifton Grammar is a privileged private school, in North Sydney. We will write a custom essay sample on Rainbows End Belonging or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The school is a symbol of upper white class society. The school is often showed as a low angle shot, this highlights power and authority because the angles of the camera make the school seem larger. A completely different shot is used to show Joel in this very scene. After the low angle shot of the school, there is a high angle shot of Joel. High angle shots express a lack of power by making Joel look smaller, especially when compared to the intimidating school. This emphasises the substantial difference between the rich white private school and Joel’s aboriginal culture, as well as his life in Redfern. Family can provide the deepest form of belonging. The Dear family do not refer to home as a place, home is the connections that all three women share with each other and ancestral past. Dolly’s connection with her family is highlighted in the end of scene thirteen, act 1. Errol asks Dolly to move to the city with him, where he wants to have a future with her and spoil her. She refuse’s and Errol can’t understand why, she explains â€Å"But†¦ a real home? A real home is where there are people looking out for each other. † Unlike Errol Dolly is extremely close to her family and Errol fails to see that family is Dolly’s definition of belonging. The difference in Joel’s family opinion is massive. Joel’s mother wants him to fit in at Clifton Grammar because it is such as privilege to attend the school and the opportunities the school will provide will set Joel up for life. However Joel’s father wants Joel to stick to his aboriginal morals, therefore not standing up and signing the Australian national anthem during assembly. This is represented by costuming and dialog. Joel’s mother says â€Å"you look very handsome in your uniform – it suits you. † Compared to Joel’s father saying â€Å"You look good, you look deadly. If you were going to court. † Both these quotes are said while Joel is in his uniform, highlighting the difference of opinion. Dealing with the pressure from both parents, this puts Joel in an awkward position. The tension between parents is related to belonging and not belonging because only one parent will accept his decision, therefore the other will not feel as appreciated because Joel has rebelled against their beliefs and values. Nan Dear and Gladys represent a different form of community. Nan Dear represents the Indigenous community, believing that the substantial difference between Indigenous Australians and White Australians should remain. Unlike Gladys who wants both cultures to combined to make a society in which everyone is equal. Each character tries to manipulate Dolly into sharing their beliefs. Nan Dear reminds Dolly of want white people have done to the Aboriginal community â€Å"and hospital is where they take our babies away. † This quote scratches the surface of the issues of the stolen generation, therefore this quote creates an allusion of the historical problem. Unlike Nan Dear Gladys looks towards the future is a positive light. To help Dolly fit into the white community she tries to get her a job at the bank. While talking to the bank manager Gladys wears white gloves through the technique of costuming this expresses her trying to fit into the white community. Similarly, Joel becomes an outcast from the Redfern community because he is attending Clifton Grammar. This concept is captured through costuming. While Joel is walking to school he is joined by to boys that give him a hard time because of what he is wearing compared to their casual public school uniform. Even though Joel does no longer belong to the Redfern community, he doesn’t belong to the school community either. This is because he refuses to stand up and sign the Australian national anthem. This is similar to Gladys, this creates tension between belonging and not belonging because of the divided culture and race of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Each text demonstrates the importance of belonging and the reality of not belonging. Even though both texts are set in different decades the difference between Indigenous Australians and White Australians are extremely noticeable in both. All characters in ‘Rainbow’s End’ and ‘Redfern Now’ deal with tension between belonging and not belonging through place, family and community.

Film Review Essay Sample - How to Write a Film Review Essay

Film Review Essay Sample - How to Write a Film Review EssayIf you are wondering how to write a film review essay, then you have come to the right place. This article will give you some pointers on what to write, what to say, and what to make sure you include in your film review essay. Take some time to read through this article and get your movie reviews up to speed before you begin writing. Without reading through the guidelines you won't be able to write a good one.First of all, we need to start off by defining what a review essay is. It's basically any essay that has been written about a certain film. Some examples would be a movie review on a cartoon or any movie review where an entire film is covered in one paragraph. Review essays are usually done for entertainment purposes as well as to offer feedback on a particular film.Many of us do not really enjoy writing these kinds of essays. They can sometimes be very boring and also can seem like they are begging for people to read it . For this reason, I highly recommend hiring someone to edit your essay after you finish it. Editing and rewriting are a great way to make a big difference in the content of your essay.When it comes to writing a movie review essay, you need to think about what kind of person you are when it comes to the subject of this piece. There are different groups of people who write these kinds of essays. You can find writing samples on the internet, but they are not always good examples of how to write a film review essay. I suggest that you look for examples that you actually like the look of and then get the writer to read your essay and take notes for you.The next thing to remember is that you don't want to simply copy the whole layout of a movie review. In fact, it's fine if you want to come up with your own words but don't go overboard. Just make sure to put your name, but make sure that you don't outright copy it.Finally, I think it's important to mention that your review essay must mak e a specific point. There is no point in making a review essay that's supposed to be 'too positive' as this will just confuse readers and distract them from the main points of the essay. These points should make the reader remember why they enjoyed the film in the first place.I hope you found this film review essay sample useful. It's one of the best ways to approach a particular film and make sure you don't come across as being too negative or pessimistic.

Earth Day Origins

Earth Day Origins Earth Day is celebrated annually by millions of people worldwide, but how did Earth Day begin? When was the first Earth Day? This is a trickier question than you might think. There are actually two official Earth Day celebrations every year, and both got their start in the spring of 1970. The First Widespread Earth Day Celebration The Earth Day most often celebrated in the United States- and in many other countries around the world- first took place on April 22, 1970. It was a nationwide teach-in about the environment, dreamed up by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson.  A Democrat from Wisconsin, Senator Nelson had been instrumental earlier in introducing conservation in John F. Kennedys presidency.  Gaylord Nelsons Earth Day was modeled on the anti-war teach-in demonstrations that Vietnam war protesters had used successfully to educate people about their issues. On the first Earth Day, more than 20 million people turned out at thousands of colleges, universities and communities all across America for an environmental teach-in day, which sparked a global environmental reawakening. More than half a billion people in 175 countries now celebrate Earth Day on April 22. The April 22 date was chosen for its fit within the American college calendar, before end-of-semester exams but when the weather is likely to be relatively pleasant nationwide. Conspiracy theorists relish the fact that April 22 is also the birthday of Vladimir Lenin, seeing in that choice more than the mere coincidence that it is. A Second Claim to First Earth Day Yet, it may surprise you to learn that April 22, 1970 was not the first Earth Day. A month earlier, San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto had issued the first-ever Earth Day proclamation on March 21, 1970. Mayor Aliotos action was inspired by John McConnell, a San Francisco publisher and peace activist, who a year earlier had attended the 1969 UNESCO Conference on the Environment where he proposed an international holiday focused on environmental stewardship and preservation. McConnell suggested that Earth Day coincide with the March equinox- the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, March 20 or 21 depending on the year. It is a date filled with all the symbolism associated with spring, including hope and renewal. That is, until one remembers that south of the equator that date signifies the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. About a year later, on February 26, 1971, then-UN Secretary General U Thant supported McConnells proposal for an annual global Earth Day celebration at the March equinox, and issued a proclamation to make it official. Today, the United Nations rallies with Senator Nelsons plan and every year promotes an April 22nd celebration of what they call Mother Earth Day. Edited by Frederic Beaudry.