Vox

Protecting the Pretty

February 26, 1919 - Grand Canyon Joins National Park Service

First designated a forest preserve in 1893, the Grand Canyon joins the National Park Service when President Woodrow Wilson signs a bill designating it the 17th national park. The Grand Canyon's annual visitation rate will be 44,173 in 1919. By 2008, that number will have reached more than 4.4 million.