On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill into law establishing the Yellowstone region as the nation's first national park. This action set in motion the tradition of preserving other areas of great beauty for the enjoyment of future generations. When Yellowstone was set aside as a national park, the states where it is presently located, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, were still territories. Therefore, the United States retained ownership.

Illustration: Mathew Brady. Portrait of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. ca. 1860-ca. 1865. Still Picture Branch (NWDNS), National Archives at College Park. NWDNS-111-B-4065.