The Writer’s Almanac tells me, “It was on this day in 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the act that established the National Park Service.” As the lobbyist who pushed to get the Park Service founded says,

“Who will gainsay that the parks contain the highest potentialities of national pride, national contentment, and national health? A visit inspires love of country; begets contentment; engenders pride of possession; contains the antidote for national restlessness. … He is a better citizen with a keener appreciation of the privilege of living here who has toured the national parks.”

There’s more history I had no idea about (lobbyists?) here. I’ve had the Ken Burns documentary about the national parks on my list for months now; maybe tonight is a good night to break into in.