Signs of the times: Removing stories of America's past from our national parks

The Trump administration's Department of the Interior has removed dozens of educational signs from national parks following a presidential executive order targeting what officials characterize as "divisive narratives" and "corrosive ideology." The removals represent an effort to reshape how America's historical sites present the nation's past to millions of annual visitors. The action affects how parks interpret contested chapters of American history, from civil rights and slavery to Native American relations and westward expansion. National parks have long served as both tourist destinations and classrooms where the public encounters official historical narratives. The sign removals signal a broader administration push to alter how federal institutions present American history and cultural topics.