Great Basin National Park Celebrates Lehman Caves Legacy

Quick Smiles:

• Lehman Caves was protected as a national monument in 1922 and is now part of Great Basin National Park.
• Great Basin boasts ancient bristlecone pines, stunning night skies, and thriving wildlife habitats.
• Other anniversaries today include the founding of the University of Calcutta and Jackie Robinson’s Hall of Fame induction.

Lehman Caves received federal protection 104 years ago, preserving Nevada’s longest-known cave and a historic shelter for Native Americans. Decades later, the caves became a centerpiece within Great Basin National Park, a vast area filled with natural wonders and some of the oldest living trees on earth.

The park, located in one of America’s driest regions, safeguards the Wheeler Peak Glacier and supports a robust semi-arid ecosystem. Visitors can experience some of the darkest, clearest skies for stargazing, while the park’s wild areas provide a home for elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and many more species.

Among the park’s ancient residents is a bristlecone pine estimated to be around 5,000 years old, standing as a testament to the endurance of nature.

On this date, milestones around the world have uplifted communities. The University of Calcutta was the first university established in South Asia. The Boy Scouts began inspiring youth in 1908, while NASA landed Opportunity, a robotic rover, on Mars. Lady Gaga’s 2010 New York City concert raised significant funds for Haiti earthquake relief and launched an empowering youth foundation.

Sixty-eight years ago, scientists achieved a major breakthrough in energy by successfully realizing thermonuclear fusion. This experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory marked a powerful step toward replicating the energy processes of stars, fueling hope for the future of clean energy.

Today also marks the birthday of Marguerite Durand, a French journalist and women’s rights advocate whose fearless activism elevated feminism to national prominence. With elegance and determination, she launched the women-run newspaper La Fronde and helped pave the way for equal rights in France.

Jackie Robinson broke new ground in baseball by becoming the first Black player inducted into the Hall of Fame 64 years ago, a momentous moment in sports and civil rights history. His athletic achievements and commitment to equality continue to inspire generations.

Celebrate these historic moments, and let the stories of perseverance and hope uplift your week!

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