Happy Birthday Grand Canyon as National Monument

Although the Grand Canyon has been millions of years in the making, it wasn’t until January 11th, 1908 that it was declared a national monument. President Theodore Roosevelt declared 800,000 acres of the Grand Canyon as public lands.

Roosevelt made environmental conservation a major part of his presidency.  “Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is,” he declared. “You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see.”

Today, more than 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon yearly. Thanks to some forward thinking the nature and beauty of the canyon

remain for future generations to experience.

For more information on the Grand Canyon history, make sure to visit the Visitor Center  at South Rim Grand Canyon and experience Grand Canyon in IMAX.