Teddy Roosevelt (on the right) visiting the grand canyon, later declaring it under the protection of the U.S. government as a national monument in 1893 to protect it from anyone who would want to harm the grand canyon.
" I want to ask you to do one thing, in connection with it in you own interest, and in the interest of the country, keep this great wonder as it now is, leave it be, you cannot improve it.The ages have been at work at it and man can only mar it. what you can do is to keep for your children, for your children's children, and everyone who come after you as one of the great sights which every American if he can travel at all should see." - President Theodore Roosevelt
http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/history/ep2/4/
image source:
http://jfk50.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-11-1962-jfk-delivers-his-state.html
" I want to ask you to do one thing, in connection with it in you own interest, and in the interest of the country, keep this great wonder as it now is, leave it be, you cannot improve it.The ages have been at work at it and man can only mar it. what you can do is to keep for your children, for your children's children, and everyone who come after you as one of the great sights which every American if he can travel at all should see." - President Theodore Roosevelt
http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/history/ep2/4/
image source:
http://jfk50.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-11-1962-jfk-delivers-his-state.html
The Grand Canyon became a national park 3 years after the National Park Service was created. That is the year 1919. It was made a national park, not because it is the biggest canyon, but it is by far the most extraordinary piece of earths power and awe-inspiring forces acting upon its lands to create wonders only thought of in dreams.
Source of description: http://www.nps.gov/grca/faqs.htm#why
Source of description: http://www.nps.gov/grca/faqs.htm#why