EPA History

Born in the wake of elevated concern about environmental pollution, EPA was established on December 2, 1970 to consolidate in one agency a variety of federal research, monitoring, standard-setting and enforcement activities to ensure environmental protection. Since its inception, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.

Bill Ruckelshaus, first EPA Administrator, being sworn in, with President Richard Nixon at his side.

Origins of EPA

Learn about:

when and why the Agency began,
how it was initially organized, and
the origins of the EPA seal.

Historical Topics

Find resources about:

the history of environmental statutes and regulations;
disasters and emergencies; and
other environmental topics of historical interest, like DDT, Earth Day, and noise pollution.

Tossing a frisbee on a smoke-filled street in North Birmingham, Alabama, July 1972.

Historical Photos and Images

View photos from EPA's Documerica Project (1971-1977) and from non-historical environmental photo collections.

Milestones in EPA and Environmental History

Note that the timeline below can be slow to load.
You can also read reports, speeches and articles about EPA's achievements and anniversary celebrations on the EPA accomplishments page.

EPA Administrators

Note that the timeline below can be slow to load.
You can also view chronologies of EPA administrators and deputy administrators , and a 2006 video about EPA's administrators (12 min., 46 MB, wmv).

State of the Environment (SotE)
Photo Project

From April 2011 through 2013, we're inviting photographers to submit photos on the state of the environment as they experience it. Submit your best photos starting now, and we'll feature uploaded photos on EPA.

Other Sources of Materials on EPA History

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) preserves the permanent records of the Environmental Protection Agency at Archives II in College Park, Maryland. For information on records and access policies, contact NARA's Textual Archives Services. The Guide to the Records of the Environmental Protection Agency (Record Group 412), 1944-96, includes coverage of EPA's predecessor agencies (1944-71).
The EPA Historical Document Collection is housed within the EPA Headquarters Repository and Library. The documents in the collection have not yet been organized. View a list of the collection contents and how they will be organized. To arrange a visit to the library for the use of materials in this collection please email the EPA Headquarters Repository and Library reference staff.

Contact the About EPA Web editor to request an update of this page or report a problem.