President Trump’s decision to rename the tallest mountain in North America as Mount McKinley reflects his admiration for the late president, who was known for championing high tariffs and expanding American territory. McKinley’s legacy is a complicated one, including the forced annexation of Hawaii and support for wealthy industrialists, and he was honored with the mountain’s name in 1917 by a prospector after winning his first term. This name change is likely to face backlash, especially from Alaskan politicians and advocates who prefer the name Denali, which translates to 'the great one.'
The name change is mired in symbolic historical significance, from McKinley’s political legacy as a president advocating for tariffs and expansionism to the long-standing efforts of Alaskans to restore the native name Denali. The push for renaming the mountain formally began in 1975, but persistent opposition from lawmakers in McKinley’s home state of Ohio has thwarted these efforts. Many within Alaska believe that the name Denali represents cultural significance and respect for the Koyukon Athabascans, who named it, further complicating the federal decision to revert to McKinley.
Collection
[
|
...
]