Arbor Day is a day set apart for planting trees. It is observed especially by schoolchildren. All states in the United States celebrate it. Most states in the southern part of the country celebrate it at various times from November to March. Northern states celebrate it in April or May. National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April. Many other countries also celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees, or they have other special days or weeks for tree planting. In Canada, for example, Maple Leaf Day falls on the last Wednesday in September during National Forest Week.
Arbor Day began in Nebraska. Julius Sterling Morton, a newspaper publisher, realized that trees would enrich the soil and conserve moisture in it. Through his efforts, April 10, 1872, was set aside as Nebraska’s first Arbor Day. The Nebraska Legislature later made Arbor Day a legal holiday and changed its date to April 22, Morton’s birthday.
