American Antiquities Act

The American Antiquities Act, enacted in 1906, is a law that grants the U.S. president the authority to designate national monuments to protect significant natural, cultural, or historical sites. This legislation aims to preserve these sites for future generations. It allows the president to safeguard areas from development and destruction, ensuring that important archaeological and historical artifacts remain protected. The act is a critical tool for conservation and has been used by many presidents to establish and expand protected areas in the United States.