Politics. On Point.

Action Will Generate Tourism and Economic Benefits for Local Economies, Honor African-American History, Mark Delaware’s first National Park Site President Obama today signed proclamations establishing five new national monuments, using his authority under the Antiquities Act, which celebrate our nation’s rich history and natural heritage. The monuments, located in Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio and Washington, help tell the story of significant people and extraordinary events in American history, as well as protect unique natural resources for the benefit of all Americans. The designations were made with bi-partisan support from congressional, state and local officials, local businesses and other stakeholders and are expected to promote economic growth in the local communities through tourism and outdoor recreation. “These sites honor the pioneering heroes, spectacular landscapes and rich history that have shaped our extraordinary country,” said President Obama.  “By desi...

Fort Monroe (also known as Fortress Monroe), a historic fort in Virginia’s Tidewater region of Hampton, played a pivotal role in the history of slavery in the United States. Built between 1819 and 1834, Fort Monroe has occupied a strategic coastal defensive position since the earliest days of the Virginia Colony. It was the place where the Dutch purchased Africans in 1619. Today, the President will sign a proclamation designating Fort Monroe a national monument today in the Oval Office. During the Civil War, the fort remained in Union possession and became a place for escaped slaves to find refuge. Fort Monroe was the site of General Benjamin Butler’s “Contraband Decision” in 1861, which provided a pathway to freedom for thousands of enslaved Africans during the Civil War and served as a forerunner of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Fort Monroe closed on September 15, 2011. Many of its functions were transferred to nearby Fort Eustis...