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America the Beautiful Day
If there was a holiday ever needed in the United States its America the Beautiful Day! So many sacrifices have been made to make the USA the land it is today. From the original 13 Colonies to the slow extension and move to the west. Pioneers, presidents, ship captains, frontiersmen, politicians, generals, and scouts have played their part in acquiring to have the United States we have today.
When we think about how our country is gloriously land locked between great oceans – the Pacific and the Atlantic and that we can travel this whole North American continent uninhibited. Even with the beginning of the United States the people wanted to move further west. This was actually one reason for the American Revolution – the Colonists wanted to move further west and the British Empire was cautious.
Pioneers started moving into the Ohio Valley and towards the great lakes moving as far as an Indian trading post called Chicago. Pioneers, like Abraham Lincoln, moved into the Kentucky woods and made their way trading down the Mississippi River. Thomas Jefferson as president performed one of the greatest real estate deals and purchased the complete Louisiana Territory from France. Lewis and Clark exploring the Oregon Territory. Florida was later on negotiated for by John Quincy Adam’s tactful diplomacy.
Looking onwards other land grabs grew the United States with the Oregon Territory being compromised with the British and settled British and United States boundaries. From the Mexican American War – the United States acquired the Southwest portion of the United States (Including California, Arizona, New Mexico, etc). Texas was also acquired by annexation of the people of Texas. Later on, Alaska and Hawaii were acquired by the great negotiating skills of William H. Seward.
America the Beautiful Day: A Time to Celebrate National Parks
The other important sacrifice that was undertaken to make America the Beautiful is the designation of national parks. This was a whole other battle from acquiring territory. When the first pioneers saw these beautiful places, they thought God had created them or that it was some sort of Eden. This couldn’t be truer in the case of Yosemite which Ulyssis S. Grant designated as the first national park.
Many national lands began to be written about following these actions by the likes of John Wesley Powell, Teddy Roosevelt, and John Muir. Stephen Tying Mather went on to be the first Superindent of the parks and went on to improve the parks greatly. Mather went on to create many more national parks, and he lobbied individuals and organizations for help. John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt teamed up to make national conservation a very important issue for America. And preserving America isn’t just about the national parks – it’s about local parks, beaches, forests, state parks, and wildlife refuges.
America the Beautiful Day: Thoughts by Famous Americans
When we think of all the times we’ve seen this beautiful land and enjoyed times were we could go for recreation, fun, relaxation, mediation, and vacationing. And think of all the wildlife that these areas protect from dolphins in Florida, to whales in the Pacific, to the grizzly bear in Alaska, and the salmon in the northwest.
These great quotes tell us how important these lands are.
“There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country.” Theodore Roosevelt
“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.” Theodore Roosevelt
“The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom.” Theodore Roosevelt.
“There is nothing as American as our national parks. The scenery and the wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of the great human principle.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
So go, enjoy, explore, and embrace these beautiful lands that have been handed down to us. Get involved in your government and work to make the end of July a reserved day for conserving, preserving and celebrating these spectacular lands.
For a History of America’s National Parks, Check out this Link…
Timeline | The National Parks: America’s Best Idea | Ken Burns | PBS