The Day the River Caught Fire: How the Cuyahoga River Exploded and Ignited the Earth Day Movement

In June 1969, an explosion and fire occurred on Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River. National media reported the event, which added momentum to the environmental movement already underway. The book links the river fire to the creation of Earth Day the following year and to new environmental laws. Gouache illustrations and extensive back matter accompany this account of a historical environmental event.