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Primary sourceDocument24 September 1906

Proclamation 658 (Devils Tower National Monument)

Theodore Roosevelt · 24 September 1906

Roosevelt's 1906 proclamation establishing Devils Tower as the first national monument under the Antiquities Act.

Roosevelt issued this proclamation, creating the first national monument under the Antiquities Act.

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Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

This is a presidential proclamation issued by Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906, under the newly passed Antiquities Act. It declared the rock formation known as Devils Tower, in Wyoming, a National Monument.

Why it matters

This was the first national monument designated under the Antiquities Act of 1906, a law that gave presidents the power to protect places of historic or scientific interest. The proclamation shows Roosevelt's strong interest in conservation and his willingness to use new executive powers to protect natural landmarks.

Look closer

  • Why does the proclamation describe Devils Tower as a 'natural wonder' and object of 'scientific interest'?
  • What does this document show about how presidents can use laws passed by Congress?
  • What is not mentioned in the proclamation that might be important, such as who already lived near or used this land?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Theodore Roosevelt on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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