Good News in History, February 26

100 years ago today, the Grand Canyon was proclaimed a National Park by the US Congress. The steep-sided mile-deep canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona was first visited in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt who became a major proponent of its preservation. Opponents such as land and mining claim holders blocked the efforts for 11 years, but the Grand Canyon—277 miles long (446 km), and 18 miles wide (29 km)—was finally established as the 17th U.S. National Park.

Centennial Celebrations include free programs at the park, and elsewhere. WATCH a video that takes you down in the canyon… (1919)

For 12,000 years, the area has been continuously inhabited by Native Americans, who built settlements within the canyon and its many caves. The Pueblo people considered the Grand Canyon a holy site, and made pilgrimages to it.

MORE Good News on this Date:

The Grand Teton National Park was created (1929)
Singer-songwriter Michael Bolton, who sold more than 75 million records—including two No.1 pop ballads (How Am I Supposed to Live Without You) and 8 albums on the top 10 charts (Time, Love & Tenderness)—was born in Connecticut (1953)
National Public Radio was founded in the US as a non-profit network to produce news and cultural programming, leading to 900 public radio stations today serving high-quality shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered (1970)
United Nations proclaimed the vernal equinox as Earth Day (1971)
The Church of England voted for ordination of women priests (1987)
Free Nicaraguan elections toppled the Sandinistas (1990)
Tim Berners-Lee introduced the world’s first web browser (1991)
Kuwait was liberated by 30 Gulf War Allied countries after 208 days of Iraqi occupation, as…