Arbor Day was invented at Nebraska City. J. Sterling Morton proposed it and the first was held on 10 April 1872, when more than a million trees went into the ground across Nebraska in a single day. Morton wrote in 1874 that it was an invention of his, by then a public holiday, destined to become a blessing to posterity. Nebraska made it a state holiday in 1885 and moved it to April 22 for Morton’s birthday. The celebration runs in late April with a parade, a 5K, tree planting demonstrations, Bloom Fest tours through the largest public lilac collection in Nebraska and free admission to Arbor Lodge. Phone 402-873-6654.