Celebrate our nation's history in our national parks.   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

National Park Foundation logo

Hi Email,

This month, America celebrates 250 years of independence! And nowhere does the spirit of America come to life better than in our national parks.

Parks invite us to learn about, connect with, and become inspired by our shared history. From the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the establishment of the world's first national park, our parks and their trailblazers celebrate the sites and landmarks that represent the best of America.

Timeline-style graphic. Header reads, National Parks Throughout America's 250 years. First two events on the timeline are: 1776: The Declaration of Independence is signed in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA, with the 13 colonies officially declaring their independence from Great Britain. 1864: President Abraham Lincoln signs the Yosemite Land Grant, marking the first time the U.S. government preserved lands for public use — a precursor to today’s national park system.

Timeline-style graphic continues. Next two events read: 1872: President Ulysses S. Grant signs the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law, establishing the world’s first national park. 1916: The National Park Service (NPS) is established by Congress.

Timeline-style graphic concludes. Final two events read, 1967: The National Park Foundation (NPF) is established to help the NPS in all its efforts. 2026: Today, the National Park Foundation helps preserve, protect, and enhance over 430 parks and historical sites. Closing text reads, As America celebrates 250 years of independence in 2026, national parks invite us to connect with our shared history, become inspired by natural wonders, and make lifelong memories.

And 250 years later, people like you are still helping protect the places where America's story lives on!

Watch this video to discover other park trailblazers who helped establish our national parks.

Together, we'll keep our promise to our national parks, ensuring they continue to inspire, educate, and unify Americans for the next 250 years.

In celebration,

Jennifer Harris Headshot
 
Jennifer Harris
Senior Vice President, Philanthropy
National Park Foundation

 

 

© 2026 All rights reserved. Photo Credits: Christopher Brown, Curtis Goodnight, Benjamin Domina, Sankar Salvady, Christopher Neal, Brittany Meadows; Share the Experience Photo Contest

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