Sometimes it"s nice to get away. Thanks to environmentalist Howard Zahniser, Americans can do that in one of the country"s many wildernesses—areas sheltered from human activities. While conservation efforts like the creation of national forests and parks began in the late 1800s, untamed wilderness had dwindled to only 2.5% of the nation"s land by the 1960s. To reverse this trend, Zahniser wrote most of what became the Wilderness Act. Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on September 3, 1964, it today protects more than 109 million acres—5% of the land in the US.
Wilderness Act anniversary
Today in History
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The view will stop you in your tracks
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The old guard at Old San Juan
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The last thing seen by Wile E. Coyote
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Antarctica Day
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Across the great plains of Africa
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Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California
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Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
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Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington
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Best. Holiday. Ever.
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Mediterranean red sea stars
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Dressed for winter fun
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Colorful cows of the reef
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The ‘Living Forest’ in Biscay, Spain
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A toast to California!
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On the wings of the Wright brothers
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A hit ballet, long after its debut
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A night of art and culture
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Teacher Appreciation Day
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An emerald isle of the Emerald Isle
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International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
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Spring equinox
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Avatar Mountains, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
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D-Day remembered
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Anniversary of Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
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Groundhog Day
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Hiding in plain sight
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Breckenridge, Colorado
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White trilliums blooming in Ontario, Canada
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Earth Day
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Elephant Rock, Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

