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Morton’s efforts gained national recognition, and in 1885, Arbor Day was officially declared a state holiday in Nebraska, scheduled on Morton’s birthday, April 22. This idea spread nationwide, inspiring every state to adopt its own tree-planting day. His influence extended beyond Nebraska; from 1893 to 1897, Morton served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland, championing environmental protection and scientific farming methods. He became widely known as the “Father of Arbor Day,” a legacy that underscores his lifelong commitment to forestry and conservation.