Water is life. It sustains us, nourishes us, and drives our economy. By the time of the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire, there was no visible life in the water. Fifty years later the river is alive again, but clean water faces more threats than ever. Throughout 2019, more than one hundred organizations are coming together to celebrate our progress and address today’s threats to clean water for all.
On morning of June 22, 1969, a spark dropped from a train passing over the Cuyahoga River, and for the 13th documented time over the previous century, it caught fire. What followed changed Cleveland, and the world, forever.
In 2019, the main events will take place June 19-23 as we mark the actual 50th anniversary of the infamous Cuyahoga River burning. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a wide variety of community events, exhibits, performances, and conferences taking place throughout the year.
In 2009, Mayor Frank Jackson launched Sustainable Cleveland 2019, a 10-year initiative to design and develop a “green city on a blue lake” by 2019, the 50th anniversary of the infamous Cuyahoga River fire. Join us throughout 2019 as we mark ten years of progress, celebrate the people who made it happen, and set the stage for future action in building thriving and resilient neighborhoods throughout Cleveland.
