Arbor Day is an annual holiday dedicated to promoting tree planting and fostering appreciation for trees. It highlights the crucial role trees play in the environment, wildlife, and human well-being. In the United States, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April.

The idea for Arbor Day began in the Nebraska Territory, where settlers faced a lack of trees for windbreaks, fuel, building materials, and shade. J. Sterling Morton, a Nebraska newspaper editor, championed tree planting and encouraged others to join him. As Secretary of the Nebraska Territory, he proposed the first Arbor Day on January 4, 1872. The celebration took place on April 10, 1872, with prizes awarded for the most trees planted. It is estimated that over 1 million trees were planted that day in Nebraska.

In 1874, Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by Nebraska’s Governor, Robert W. Furnas. By 1920, over 45 states had adopted the observance. Schools began planting trees in 1882, teaching children the value of trees. Today, Arbor Day is widely celebrated, with the most common date being the last Friday in April, though some states observe it on dates more suited to local planting conditions.