On this day...

As listed on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_30

1864 - U.S. President Abraham Lincoln grants Yosemite Valley to California for "public use, resort and recreation."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariposa_Grove
Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of Congress on June 30, 1864 ceding the "Mariposa Big Tree Grove" (and Yosemite Valley) to the state of California



Post Edited (06-30-07 10:40)

Happy 143rd birthday, I think...

http://www.nps.gov/yose/historyculture/index.htm

Protection is Sought for Yosemite
Inspired by the scenic beauty of Yosemite and spurred on by the specter of private exploitation of Yosemite's natural wonders, conservationists appealed to Senator John Conness of California. On June 30, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill granting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to the State of California as an inalienable public trust. This was the first time in history that a federal government had set aside scenic lands simply to protect them and to allow for their enjoyment by all people. This idea was the spark that allowed for Yellowstone becoming the first official national park a few years later, in 1872.