1. Earth Day was established on April 22, 1970, and many Idahoans participated in the environmental movement that ensued. Rallies, marches, and other events were held in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Moscow, and Pocatello to promote awareness about pollution, deforestation, and other environmental issues.
2. Idaho’s first public library system was founded on April 22, 1905, when the Idaho State Legislature passed a bill authorizing cities and towns to establish and maintain free public libraries. Boise, Wallace, and Lewiston were among the first communities to create a library under this law.
3. On April 22, 1933, the Idaho State Board of Education approved the construction of a new Technical Institute in Boise, which would later become Boise State University. The school opened in 1934 with just over 100 students, and has since grown into a major public research institution with more than 25,000 students.
4. The last wolves in Idaho were eradicated by government officials on April 22, 1946, marking the end of a decades-long campaign to wipe out the predator from the state. In recent years, wolf populations have rebounded in Idaho and other western states, leading to controversy over hunting and management policies.
5. April 22, 2001, marked the first day of the Snake River Dam Removal Festival in Lewiston. The event celebrated the removal of two dams on the Snake River, which was intended to restore salmon populations and reduce the impact of hydroelectric power generation on the river ecosystem. The festival featured live music, food, and educational activities.