EPA History

  • About EPA

    Learn about EPA's mission, organization and EPA's role where you live.

    Learn more about EPA

  • Historical Environmental Topics

    Find historical resources about statutes, regulations and policies, natural disasters or other emergencies, or other topics of historical interest.

    Discover environmental topics

  • Earth Day

    Sunrise on a lake

    The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment - today and every day.

    Celebrate Earth Day with EPA

  • Milestones in Environmental History

    White steam emitting from four smoke stacks

    View a timeline of milestones in EPA and environmental history.

    Explore Milestones in EPA history

  • Historical Photos and Images

    Sunrise over the Earth from space

    Discover videos and images collected as part of the Documerica project, the State of the Environment (SotE) photo project, and other image and video galleries.

    Explore historical images and photos

  • Origin of EPA

    EPA building

    EPA was created on December 2, 1970, by President Richard Nixon to protect human health and the environment.

    Read more about the origins of EPA
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Last updated on March 31, 2025