Great Lakes Awareness Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Great Lakes Awareness Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Great Lakes Awareness Day is celebrated on May 1st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Great Lakes Awareness Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you ought to know about Great Lakes Awareness Day.

📅 What day is Great Lakes Awareness Day 2024?

In 2024, Great Lakes Awareness Day is on Monday, May 1st. It is the 1st Monday in May; in 2024, it is Wednesday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the fun details and facts about May 1, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Great Lakes Awareness Day is a special day that occurs on the first Monday of May. It is a way to pay tribute to the stunning Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario lakes. This year, it falls on May 1. The event serves as a chance for the United States to appreciate and celebrate these massive interconnected freshwater lakes that are mostly located along our borders. Various organizations, including aquariums, schools, government agencies, and museums, join in the celebration by raising awareness about important issues like water conservation, lake preservation, and other relevant problems.

📜 Great Lakes Awareness Day History

Then people discovered that the lakes were surrounded by forests and lush areas, which were perfect for agriculture, forestry, and other industries. The lakeshores also had abundant reserves of natural resources like iron, salt, copper, coal mines, and limestone, making them even more attractive for development. As a result, massive factories and metropolitan centers started to line the shorelines.

However, the increased human population and activities around the lakes had negative effects, which became apparent in the early 1900s. Pollution and dangerous conditions led to the closure of several beaches by 1950. The wildlife in the surrounding areas began to show signs of harm from pollutants. These incidents, along with river pollution and the disappearance of aquatic creatures, alerted the authorities to take action.

In the 1970s, the governments of the United States and Canada started collaborating to prevent pollution in the Great Lakes, which run through both countries. They signed the “Great Lakes Water Quality Act” in 1972 to safeguard and preserve the lakes. Since then, various conservation measures have been implemented, resulting in improved water quality and the return of certain fish populations. Great Lakes Awareness Day, observed since 2014, plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the lakes and encouraging environmental efforts, particularly among students.

Great Lakes Awareness Day recognizes the significance of the largest freshwater lakes in the world, located in North America. They include Lakes Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Erie, spanning 750 kilometers from east to west and serving more than 80% of the continent’s water needs. The day calls attention to the importance of protecting these magnificent bodies of water and addresses the threats they face, such as pollution, climate change, carbon dioxide emissions, and intrusive pipelines. Collaboration between the United States and Canada is vital in addressing these concerns, given that both countries share the lakes. Additionally, it highlights the impact of climate change on the ecosystem, starting with the Great Lakes, where changes in algae size and structure have already been observed.

✅ Great Lakes Awareness Day Facts

🔖 Lake Superior is very deep
The water is of such great depth that if it were to cover the Empire State Building, only the antennas would remain visible above the surface.

🔖 One of them has a sea monster

🔖 The only one in U.S. territory
Unlike the other Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is entirely located within the United States.

👍 Why Is Great Lakes Awareness Day Important

They are not only a large supplier of fresh water, but they also offer water to almost 40 million people. They are home to almost 4,000 different types of animals. The Great Lakes provide us with several benefits. It not only contains the most freshwater bodies on the planet, but it also contains the most diverse freshwater ecosystem of flora and fauna, which feeds millions of people. It is our solemn duty to protect and preserve the Great Lakes for future generations, and on the first Monday of May, we will demonstrate our opposition to dangerous oil pipelines and other environmental encroachments.

For years, the Great Lakes have been plagued by pollution, invasive species, and other challenges. This day aims to raise awareness of these challenges and, perhaps, boost efforts to address them. The aging Line 5 pipeline has been dubbed “a ticking time bomb” by activists and environmentalists, with the potential to cause catastrophic and irreversible damage to the Great Lakes at any time. The yearly observance raises awareness about this problem as well as many other initiatives that imperil our environment.

In these times of extreme climate change and global warming, every conservation and related activity helps us safeguard our world a bit more. It is critical to protect natural resources such as the Great Lakes. The Great Waters conservation initiatives must encompass all of the lakes’ benefits. As the world’s largest freshwater system, it is our responsibility to cherish, protect, and preserve the Great Lakes’ fragile ecosystem.

🙂 How To Observe Great Lakes Awareness Day

⚡ Get involved in conservation efforts
The Great Lakes face various challenges that should be acknowledged and addressed. Take the opportunity to educate yourself about these issues and explore ways in which you can contribute. You can get involved by organizing an event, participating in a demonstration, or joining the ongoing efforts to safeguard the Great Lakes from imminent threats. Dedicate a day to familiarizing yourself with the lakes’ history and staying informed about the measures being taken to preserve them.

⚡ Plan a trip to the Great Lakes
Pick one option and enjoy a day near the water. Gather a group of people and explore various activities related to water. Over 6,000 ships have disappeared into the depths of the Great Lakes, leading to around 30,000 human casualties. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum preserves information about these sunken ships, recovered artifacts, and other relevant data. A trip to this museum serves as a poignant reminder of the immense power and unpredictability of the Great Lakes.

⚡ Check out local events
Search for local organizations or communities that have planned unique events for this specific day. If feasible, make an effort to participate in these events, either virtually or by physically attending.

📅 When is Great Lakes Awareness Day?

Explore all 🔗 May holidays, including 🔗 Special Interest and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about Great Lakes Awareness Day. So be sure to check back soon.