On Aug. 7, 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared a federal health emergency at Love Canal, just five days after Dr. Robert Whalen, state health commissioner, issued New York's own emergency declaration in the area after years of health concerns among residents and almost two years after the first instance of chemical seepage into the soil was reported.

It was the first man-made disaster declaration in American history, and hundreds of homes and two public schools were demolished and some 7,000 people were relocated at government expense.

Take a look below at some of The Buffalo Evening News' coverage from the days surrounding the disaster declaration.

Aug 5. 1978

The front page from Aug. 5, 1978, featured a story on President Jimmy Carter pledging federal aid to clean up toxic waste in

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