Dept. of Interior Says "Mt. McKinley" Better Honors American Greatness Than "Denali" Does
(Photo, Copper River Country Journal) U.S. Department of Interior Website Interior Department Advances Restoration of Historic Names Hon...


(Photo, Copper River Country Journal)
U.S. Department of Interior Website

Interior Department Advances Restoration of Historic Names Honoring American Greatness
Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley, North America’s highest peak, stands as a monument to the strength and determination of President William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States. President McKinley heroically led the Nation to victory in the Spanish-American War, fostering an era of rapid economic growth and territorial gains for the Nation. Tragically assassinated while in office, President McKinley’s leadership and sacrifice remain a testament to American resilience and success.
In 1917, the country officially honored President McKinley through the naming of North America’s highest peak. Yet after nearly a century, President Obama’s administration, in 2015, stripped the McKinley name from federal nomenclature, an affront to President McKinley’s life, his achievements, and his sacrifice. The decision to return the peak to its historical name is a meaningful recognition of President McKinley’s enduring legacy.
A Commitment to Legacy
The Department of the Interior remains committed to upholding all aspects of President Trump’s executive order, ensuring that the names we use reflect the values, sacrifices, and accomplishments that define our Nation.
For more information about the Board on Geographic Names or to access federal naming resources, please visit the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website.