Antiquities Act of 1906
On June 8, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law, giving him and future presidents the authority to create national monuments from federal lands.
Nature and Conservation
Opening of Expo ’74
On May 4, 1974, Expo ’74 opened in Spokane, Washington.
The Old Man of the Mountain
On May 3, 2003, the Old Man of the Mountain rock formation in New Hampshire collapsed.
The World Wildlife Fund
On April 29, 1961, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded.
Endangered Species Act
On December 28, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act into law in an effort to protect threatened species from extinction.
US and Canada Sign Migratory Bird Treaty
On August 16, 1916, the US and Canada signed the first Migratory Bird Treaty to protect the birds that live in both nations.
Thoreau Publishes Walden
On August 9, 1854, transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau published his most famous work – Walden.
Wildlife Conservation Series
On May 5, 1956, the US Post Office issued the first stamp in a 22-year series calling attention to the importance of wildlife conservation.
Happy National Poinsettia Day!
On December 12, 2002, the US first celebrated National Poinsettia Day, honoring two of the men who helped make these festive plants popular in the US – Joel Roberts Poinsett and Paul Ecke, Jr.