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Earth Day was created by U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin in 1970 in hopes to raise the public's awareness of the growing concern for the environment.

The first Earth Day celebration was held on April 22, 1970. This week in April, Earth Day has become serious business for the government as well as serious partying for celebrities.

On the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Vice President Joe Biden

announced that $452 million will be spent by the government on the Recovery Act to green-up buildings in 25 communities from Wisconsin to New York.

The new buildings will reflect the government's plan to make American's cut down on energy costs and depend less on foreign oil.

Although every state, county and town has their own Earth Day celebrations, some large celebrations will also be occurring. The Climate Rally at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. will be held on Sunday and feature Sting, John Legend, Bob Weir, Booker T. Jones, The Roots and many more.

James Cameron and civil-rights activist, Jesse Jackson will make appearances at the rally to talk about urging Congress to pass a clean-energy legislation for 2010.

Earth Day concerts in Alpharetta, Georgia and Sheboygan, Wisconsin will feature Ben Harper, Guster, Alberta Cross and the Indigo Girls among others.

The Kokua Festival, and environmental benefit held by Jack Johnson will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday and Saturday with musical performances by Ziggy Marley and Taj Mahal.

The Save My Oceans Tour, a multimedia event with music, film

and art in appreciation of our oceans, will also be appearing at the University of Hawaii along with a list of other universities around the country. On that list are, George Washington University, University of Utah (Salt Lake City), University of Colorado (Boulder) and UN Berkley.

Even though Earth Day was started 40 years ago, the trend is just now starting to gain the publicity and support it deserves.