Legal Definitions - national monument

A national monument is a protected area of land in the United States, along with any significant natural features, historical structures, or archaeological sites located within it. These areas are specifically designated by the U.S. President through a public proclamation because they possess outstanding historical, cultural, or scientific value, making them worthy of preservation for future generations.

Here are a few examples:

• Imagine a site in a rural area that preserves the remains of an ancient civilization, featuring intricate earthworks and burial mounds. If the U.S. President officially declares this land and its archaeological features to be of immense scientific and historical importance, it would become a national monument. This designation ensures the protection of these irreplaceable cultural artifacts and allows for continued research and public education about the early inhabitants of the region.

• Consider a unique desert landscape characterized by towering sandstone formations sculpted by wind and water over millions of years, along with rare plant and animal species found nowhere else. If the President issues a proclamation recognizing the extraordinary scientific value of these geological features and the delicate ecosystem, that area would be established as a national monument. This action would safeguard the natural processes and biodiversity of the region for scientific study and public enjoyment.

• Picture a collection of historic buildings and the surrounding grounds in a city that were central to a pivotal moment in the nation's struggle for civil rights. If the President formally designates this specific complex of structures and the land as having profound historical significance, it would be protected as a national monument. This ensures that the physical location where important events unfolded is preserved, serving as a powerful educational tool and a place of reflection on the nation's past.