Today in Small Business History – April 22nd

🕰️ April 22: Earth Day launches global sustainability movement, Home Depot goes public, Intel introduces revolutionary processor, Oprah launches Harpo Studios, and Etsy debuts online for handmade goods.

1. First Earth Day Celebrated (1970)

On April 22, 1970, over 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day, a coordinated national event advocating environmental protection. It became the catalyst for eco-conscious consumerism and green business initiatives.

✅ Why It Matters:
Earth Day sparked a global focus on sustainability, inspiring entrepreneurs to create eco-friendly products and services, shaping today’s conscious business movement.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970, and was organized by Senator Gaylord Nelson.
📚 Source: EarthDay.org

2. Home Depot Goes Public (1981)

On April 22, 1981, Home Depot launched its IPO on the NASDAQ, raising over $4 million. From a two-store operation in Atlanta, the company grew into one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world.

✅ Why It Matters:
Home Depot’s IPO shows how scalable business models and strong brand identity can position even local retailers for massive market expansion.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Home Depot’s IPO occurred on April 22, 1981, trading under the “HD.”
📚 Source: Home Depot Investor Relations

3. Intel Introduces the 80486 Microprocessor (1989)

On April 22, 1989, Intel released the 80486 processor, the first to feature a built-in math coprocessor and complete instruction pipelining—making PCs significantly faster and more capable.

✅ Why It Matters:
The 486 chip helped usher in more affordable and powerful computing, opening the door for software innovation and entrepreneurial tech solutions across industries.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Intel introduced the 80486 microprocessor on April 22, 1989, with groundbreaking performance improvements.
📚 Source: Intel Corporate Archives

4. Oprah Winfrey Launches Harpo Studios (1988)

On April 22, 1988, Oprah Winfrey officially launched Harpo Studios, becoming the first African-American woman to own a major studio. Harpo enabled Oprah to control her brand and content, producing television, film, and digital media.

✅ Why It Matters:
Harpo Studios symbolized creator empowerment long before the digital age, showing small businesses how owning content and brand identity is a significant competitive advantage.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Oprah’s Harpo Studios launched on April 22, 1988, giving her creative and business control over her media empire.
📚 Source: Harpo Inc.

5. Etsy.com Launches as Handmade Marketplace (2005)

On April 22, 2005, Etsy.com launched an online platform for makers and crafters to sell handmade and vintage goods. It gave independent creators a scalable way to reach global markets.

✅ Why It Matters:
Etsy’s launch empowered small artisans and creatives to monetize their passion projects, proving that niche markets and community-driven commerce can thrive online.

🔎 Fact Check:

✅ Correct: Etsy launched on April 22, 2005, as a platform for handmade goods.
📚 Source: Etsy Company History

📚 What This Means for Business:

April 22nd celebrates the intersection of sustainability, scale, and self-ownership. From Earth Day’s green movement to Etsy’s empowerment of creators, these events show how small businesses can grow responsibly while shaping culture, tech, and community values.

✍️ Written by:
Dr. Ethan Fairbanks, M.B.H. (Master of Business History)

🎯 Tags:

#Small Business History #Earth Day #Home Depot IPO #Intel Innovation #Oprah Winfrey #Harpo Studios #Etsy Launch #Business Milestones