Virgin Islands National Park established
In 1956, businessman and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller saw the beauty of St. John, one of the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, and knew it had to be preserved. He donated more than 5,000 acres of land to the National Park Service, and today we're marking the 68th anniversary of Virgin Islands National Park. Covering about 60% of St. John and 5,650 acres of submerged lands, the park boasts stunning white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and historic sites.
On the Reef Bay Trail, hikers can see ancient Taino petroglyphs and old sugar plantation ruins, showcasing the island's colonial past. From an underwater snorkeling trail in Trunk Bay, pictured here, to Maho Bay's turtle-filled waters, the park offers a diverse array of marine adventures.