On this day in 1980, the single largest expansion of protected lands in history doubled the size of the US National Park System. As a result, Alaska now has eight national parks, plus numerous monuments and preserves that protect more than 157 million total acres. When President Jimmy Carter signed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the public was granted the right to appreciate stunning locations like the one in today"s photo: the braided river delta of the 51-mile-long Tlikakila River in Lake Clark National Park.
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act marks 42 years
Today in History
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International Rock Day
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New York City Marathon
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The Millennium at 20
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Manatee Awareness Month
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Cinco de Mayo
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Portland celebrates its bounty
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Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
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These patterns tell a story
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Celebrating migrations
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Kelp buddies
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What s better than a smile?
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Tennis in the park
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Tough turf
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World Honey Bee Day
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And you thought moths were boring
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The view will stop you in your tracks
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Let the Highland games begin
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SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
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A glimpse of the Blue Forest
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Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, England
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Birds and bees, and why they re so important
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Village of Labro, Italy
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It s Coffee Day
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Haven t you herd? It s World Elephant Day!
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Día de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico