The Grand Canyon, one of the most iconic natural wonders of the world, officially became a national park on February 26, 1919. Located in northern Arizona, the park preserves the awe-inspiring beauty of the Grand Canyon—an immense gorge carved by the Colorado River over millions of years.
A Journey to Protection
While the Grand Canyon was well-known to Native American tribes and early explorers long before the United States was even founded, the idea of formally protecting the area took shape in the late 19th century. Conservationist and President Theodore Roosevelt was instrumental in this effort. After visiting the Grand Canyon in 1903, he famously urged Americans to preserve it, saying:
“Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it.”
Roosevelt declared the Grand Canyon a National Monument in 1908, using his presidential authority under the Antiquities Act. This was a key step toward its eventual designation as a national park.
Becoming a National Park
Despite Roosevelt’s efforts, it took over a decade for Congress to approve full national park status. The campaign for the park faced opposition from mining interests and developers who sought to use the canyon’s resources for profit. However, conservationists persisted, and their efforts paid off when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Grand Canyon National Park Act into law on February 26, 1919.
This move provided stronger protection for the canyon and established it as one of the early national parks in the United States, joining the likes of Yellowstone and Yosemite.
Timeline of Grand Canyon National Park
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Prehistoric times | Native American tribes, such as the Ancestral Puebloans, inhabit the area. |
| 1540 | Spanish explorer García López de Cárdenas becomes first European to see the Grand Canyon. |
| 1869 | John Wesley Powell leads the first scientific expedition through the canyon. |
| 1903 | President Theodore Roosevelt visits the Grand Canyon and calls for its protection. |
| 1908 | Roosevelt declares the Grand Canyon a National Monument. |
| February 26, 1919 | Grand Canyon is officially designated a National Park by Congress. |
| 1979 | Grand Canyon National Park is named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Today’s Grand Canyon National Park
Today, Grand Canyon National Park spans over 1.2 million acres and attracts more than 5 million visitors each year. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and cultural history. The park continues to be a symbol of natural beauty, geological wonder, and the importance of environmental preservation.