The Authentic Earth Flag embodies international unity and shared
purpose, inspiring allegiance to our most vital resource—Earth.
It encourages everyone To unite, to protect and value the one home
we all share.
The Authentic Earth Flag embodies international unity and shared
purpose, inspiring allegiance to our most vital resource—Earth.
It encourages everyone to unite to protect and value the one home
we all share.
The Authentic
Earth Flag
As a people, we became more aware of our planet, its relationship to the solar system, and its place in the universe, ``McConnell reflected. In recounting the story behind his creation of the flag, he elaborated: In viewing the first photo from space, and thereby sharing in part the experience of the astronauts, we experienced in a deep and emotional way a new awareness of our planet.``
The Authentic Earth Flag
The Story of the Original Earth Flag
The Original Earth Flag was copyrighted in 1969, marking a pivotal moment in our collective awareness of our planet.
Life magazine published the first-ever image of Earth captured from space that same year. This iconic photograph, taken during the historic Apollo 10 mission, deeply affected many people, including Earth Flag ( Creator) John McConnell.
Reflecting on its impact, McConnell noted: “As a people, we became more aware of our planet, its relation to our solar system and to the universe”. We felt an immense and emotional awakening to a new understanding of our world after seeing the first image taken from space and somewhat experiencing the astronauts’ experience.
Inspired by the breathtaking view of Earth as a unique, delicate, and beautiful creation within the expanse of space, the Earth Flag evolved to represent unity and care for our shared planet.
John McConnell's Original Earth Flag
Design Aboard The Mir Space Station
Since the creation of Earth Day, The renowned anthropologist and author Ms Margaret Mead. The Earth Flag is as strong an environmental symbol as exists anywhere in the world. Recycling is one of the ways all people young and old, rich and poor can express their concern for the Earth. Recycling replenishes many of the world’s resources, and protects many others.
The Earth Flag, a symbol of unity and global awareness, was first copyrighted in 1969. The American Flag Company in New Jersey was in charge of its the first production, making the first 500 flags in an attempt in honor of a momentous occasion.
These flags made their debut on July 20, 1969, at the historic “Moon Watch” celebration in Central Park, New York City, which recognized the first landing of a man on the moon. A specially designed Earth Flag, made by motivated volunteers, stood at the center of this momentous occasion as a potent symbol of our common planet at a moment of great achievement.
The Peace Bell rung on the First Earth Day
Following Moon Day McConnell headed for California. There he initiated efforts to create the first Earth Day, another idea that had grown out of his concepts for World Peace, and a Flag for all people. On the first Earth Day, March 21, 1970, the City of San Francisco flew the Earth Flag. Schools, churches, ecology groups, businesses, and youth organizations flew and used the Earth Flag. McConnell’s choice for Earth Day (the Vernal Equinox) was consistent with his commitment to the nonpolitical nature of the holiday he envisioned. On the Vernal Equinox (as well as the Autumnal Equinox in the Fall) daylight is the same all over the world. It was truly an “Earth Day.” The first Earth Day was primarily a peace rally.
Peace Bell
It is proudly waved at Earth Day celebrations throughout the world, and has been carried to both the North and South Poles as well as the Russian SpaceStation.
Since the creation of Earth Day, and through the work of Ms. Mead, the Earth Flag is as strong an environmental symbol as exists anywhere in the world.
It is a Native American saying that we do not inherit the world from our parents, we borrow it from our children. Whether your passion is for a world safe from conflict or a world in harmony with nature, or both, the Authentic Earth Flag is our one symbol: a flag for all people.
The Legacy of the
Earth Day and Earth Flag
Following the success of Moon Day, John McConnell set his sights on California, where he began laying the groundwork for the first Earth Day—a concept rooted in his vision of world peace and unity, symbolized by a flag for all humanity.
The inaugural Earth Day took place on March 21, 1970, aligning with the Vernal Equinox, a day when daylight is equal across the globe. This decision highlighted the holiday’s general relevance and demonstrated McConnell’s commitment to preserving its nonpolitical foundation. The City of San Francisco proudly raised the Earth Flag on that day, encouraging businesses, churches, schools, youth organizations, and environmental organizations to follow suit.
The original Earth Day was essentially a peace demonstration, highlighting the link between environmental conservation and world peace.
Upon returning to New York, McConnell became actively involved in the United Nations Earth Society Foundation, where he collaborated with renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead. Known as “the flag for all people,” Mead championed the Earth flag and carried it with her wherever she went. When Mead celebrated Earth Day for the last time on March 21, 1977, she considered the enormous responsibility that humanity has:
“The Earth is my symbol of the task before us all… Only in the last quarter of my life have we come to know what it means to be custodians of the future of the Earth. Unless we care, unless we check the rapacious exploitation of our Earth and protect it, we endanger the future of our children and our children’s children. We did not fully understand this before—until we saw the picture of Earth from the moon and realized how small and fragile our planet is. It is something we must hold in our arms and care for.”
United States Welcomes You To The South Pole
At The South Pole
The Earth Flag is a common sight in schools throughout the world. It has been presented to US from over use Presidents, to foreign dignitaries, to leaders of the Russian and Chinese governments when early western hemisphere delegations visited these countries in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
The earth flag is proudly waved Earth Day celebrations throughout the world, and has been carried to both the North and South Poles as well as the Russian Space Station.