1969day.year
The Cuyahoga River catches fire in Cleveland, Ohio, drawing national attention to water pollution, and spurring the passing of the Clean Water Act and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caught fire, drawing national attention to water pollution and prompting environmental reforms.
On June 22, 1969, the heavily polluted Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio, burst into flames due to oil and debris on its surface. The dramatic fire, captured in photographs and headlines, became a symbol of America’s environmental crisis. Public outrage over the disaster spurred lawmakers to pass the National Environmental Policy Act and establish the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970. It also influenced the Clean Water Act of 1972, marking a significant shift toward federal regulation of water pollution. The Cuyahoga River fire remains an enduring reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship.
1969
Cuyahoga River
Cleveland, Ohio
Clean Water Act
Environmental Protection Agency