The U.S. National Park Service celebrated its 100th birthday on August 25th with events across the nation, including a giant, human version of it’s emblem in Washington, D.C., a naturalization ceremony on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and an outdoor concert at Yellowstone National Park.
President Barack Obama also teamed up with National Geographic and released a 360-degree virtual reality video at Yosemite National Park.
On Wednesday, Obama also created the Katahdin Woods and Waters monument on 87,000 acres in Maine’s North Woods donated by the founder of Burt’s Bees, Roxanne Quimby. The land, which includes stunning views of the state’s tallest mountain, Katahdin, is cherished by Native Americans, and its history includes visits by naturalist Henry David Thoreau and President Theodore Roosevelt.
The creation of the agency’s 413th property was opposed by state lawmakers and critics fear that it will hinder efforts to rebuild a forest-based economy in the region. Quimby’s son said many parks in the service’s system have been criticized upon creation but “when we look to the future, we see huge amounts of success.”
The park service is offering free admission to all its sites through Sunday. They’re among 16 free days scheduled throughout the centennial year. Some parks are serving birthday cake and offering ranger talks for the occasion.
The park service’s Instagram account has also captured more than 260,000 followers with awe-inspiring shots of the national parks. Here are some of their most memorable photos:
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Another view of Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Chaco Culture National Historic Park, New Mexico
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Ocmulgee National Monument, Georgia
Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Alaska
Story by the Associated Press and CCTV America.