![Arbor Day, 1982 [RG2991-11-5]](/sites/history.nebraska.gov/files/img/91253.jpg)
Arbor Day began inauspiciously as one of a number of efforts to encourage the planting of trees in barren Nebraska. The State Board of Agriculture had offered a prize of $50 for the best and largest grove of timber planted in 1870, and $25 for the second best and largest.
Arbor Day parade float at Nebraska City in 1917. The bust at the front of the float depicts J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day. NSHS RG2991-2-3 (above).
April 22, 1832: J. Sterling Morton is born.
![[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"3764","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-1236 ","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"551","height":"419","alt":"Cass School students in Omaha plant trees as part of an Arbor Day program in 1901. NSHS RG2991-11-2 "}}]]](/sites/history.nebraska.gov/files/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Arbor-Day-Apr.-28-1901-two-18536.jpg){kind=link}