Today marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. A group of environmentally aware and concerned students at the University of Michigan formed the group ENACT during a rather heady time on campus in 1969. Through activity and organization, it led to the first-ever Earth Day in 1970. In Part 1 of a special, Earth Day edition of "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair caught up with David Allan to look back at the five decades since that event. Allan was a founding member and co-chair of ENACT and an organizer for the first Earth Day.

Today marks the 50th Earth Day in the United States, which traces its origins to Ann Arbor. Normally, there would have been a huge celebration, but the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to that. For Part 2 of a special, Earth Day edition of "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability. They discuss an online celebration of Earth Day and look ahead to what the future may hold.

Updated at 5:02 p.m. ET It was supposed to be a day of parades, a vast party that would transcend borders and bring generations together, not unlike the spontaneous euphoria that swept through victorious European allies when Nazi Germany finally surrendered. But instead of a mega-event, leaders in London, Paris, Moscow and other capitals, observed the 75th anniversary of V-E Day at a diminished level Friday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. French President Emmanuel Macron led a small ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, looking out over an empty Champs-Élysées. A 93-year-old veteran of World War II observes a moment of silence at the Cenotaph war memorial in London, where British residents — like much of Europe — marked a subdued 75th anniversary of V-E Day. Daniel Leal-Olivas / AFP via Getty Images Because of health risks the disease poses to older people, many veterans of the war were forced to avoid travel and keep their distance at public gatherings. "The veterans are of course getting

In honor of the Ken Burns series Country Music , Bill Nigut is taking over the On Second Thought Sunday time slot with a special edition of Two Way Street. This episode features his conversation with the legendary Brenda Lee, an artist featured in sections of the documentary.

Jazz radio host and All About Jazz contributor Ed Blanco, in May 2020 celebrates 13 years as producer and host of Jazz Café, an early Sunday morning jazz show on WDNA, 88.9FM in Miami, Florida...

One of Daniel DeSiga’s most famous murals, “Explosion of Chicano Creativity,” greets visitors at Seattle's El Centro de la Raza.

The 49th Northwest Folklife Festival was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. But here's how you can celebrate the spirit of Folklife — listening to music, watching dances from various traditions, learning crafts and more — at home.

Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.

The 49th Northwest Folklife Festival was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. But here's how you can celebrate the spirit of Folklife — listening to music, watching dances from various traditions, learning crafts and more — at home.

Still facing a backlash over saying she wouldn't visit the White House if the United States wins the World Cup, soccer star Megan Rapinoe said Wednesday that she considers herself a proud American.

By the 8 a.m. kickoff, Rhein Haus in Capitol Hill was brought to standing-room only with an estimated 850-person crowd, the largest the restaurant has ever seen for a soccer game, general manager Jeremy Walcott said.

Megan Rapinoe charmed fans with her waggish personality and utter lack of a rhetorical filter; drew the ire of the President on social media; antagonized officials in FIFA and her own federation, both of whom she has deemed not sufficiently interested in helping the women’s game grow.

Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.

Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.

Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.

Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.

Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.

Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.

Between Mother's Day and the expected sunny weather, there's lots to celebrate this weekend! Whether you'll be enjoying nature or continuing to stay inside, here are some things you can do while maintaining social distancing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had celebrations to mark victory in WWII and a constitutional vote to keep him in power till 2036 planned for this spring. But the pandemic has canceled both events.

And on the 9th day, God created Catholic Action.

Mother's Day at Sydney Zoo will be three times as special this year as the park celebrates the birth of three brand new baby baboons.

Thirty years since the Hubble Space Telescope launched it's still providing vital space data having delivered us more than 1.4 million observations.

Controversial new laws allowing people to amend the gender on their birth certificate without reassignment surgery have come into effect, allowing people like Francene Jacques to be "buried an old woman".

A former bank that was the birthplace of Mary Poppins creator P.L. Travers has been converted into a museum in Maryborough, Queensland, where it is hoped it will prove a drawcard for tourists.

A Queensland great grandmother recalls the challenges of life on the land as she celebrates a century in the rural town of Biggenden.

How Easter is being celebrated during the coronavirus shutdown and how ethnic communities are adapting their traditions to the new restrictions.

Roy O'Donovan of the Brisbane Roar celebrates a late goal during the Round 1 A-League match between Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar at HBF Park in Perth, Sunday, October 13, 2019.

Perth's heart transplant unit opened for business 25 years ago. Since then almost 200 people have received new hearts.

School leavers celebrations have been canned on Western Australia's Rottnest Island this year, with thousands of graduates expected to flock to the state's South West instead.

Fantasy creatures are bringing life to one regional South Australian town, and the event's pirate zombies, zombie bridal party, and zombie apocalypse survivor have no plans to kill off the fun anytime soon.

Over half a century, the Roma Saleyards in southern Queensland have become more than just a place to sell and buy livestock. They're a meeting point, a social occasion and even an unlikely tourist destination.

Australia's next generation $20 banknote design continues to feature a portrait of John Flynn who pioneered the world's first aerial medical service in 1928, now known as the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Twenty-five years since The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert shone a light on homophobia in the outback, the landscape has changed in regional Australia.

An empty station homestead in drought-stricken outback New South Wales may look unassuming but has gained renown by being featured on the new $20 banknote.

Did you know that the native Christmas Tree that is in prolific flower in Western Australia this month can produce a mildly alcoholic Christmas potion?

The Education Minister says the completion of a major upgrade should ensure Denmark High School can continue its strong performance while dealing with a growing school population.

Tara June Winch has won three major prizes at the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for her novel of love, family, history and language, The Yield.

When police launched a youth outreach program in Dubbo six months ago, they would have been happy to see charge rates drop by 10 per cent. But Project Walwaay has wildly exceeded expectations.

Ola Toivonen of the Victory celebrates his goal during the Round 9 A-League match between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Saturday, December 22, 2018.

As Vow and Declare stormed to his thrilling Melbourne Cup victory, a group of novice part-owners in the Queensland town of Gympie were celebrating a dream come true.