The Amache National Historic Site, located one mile outside of Granada, Colorado, has officially been designated as America's newest national park, as announced by the National Park Service on Thursday. Amache was one of the ten incarceration sites used to detain thousands of Japanese-Americans during World War II.

The town of Granada played a crucial role in the establishment of the national park, acquiring and donating the required land for the site. This step is considered significant in acknowledging the dark chapters of injustice in America's history.

In a news release, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams stated that the addition of Amache to the National Park System serves as a reminder of the nation's complete history, including its mistakes. He emphasized the importance of reflecting on past wrongdoings, making amends, and striving to build a more perfect union.

The bill to designate Amache as a National Historic Site was signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2022, with the intention of providing increased funding for its protection and preservation. Before achieving this status, Amache was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 18, 1994, and designated a National Historic Landmark on February 10, 2006.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland expressed the necessity of acknowledging and confronting the wrongs of the past to pave the way for a more just and equitable future. Establishing the Amache National Historic Site will serve as a means to preserve and honor this important and painful chapter in America's story for future generations, she stated.

Between 1942 and 1945, over 10,000 people were incarcerated at Amache, as mentioned in the news release. With its new status as a national park, Amache joins six other national parks dedicated to preserving this significant period of American history.

The step to officially recognize Amache National Historic Site as America's newest national park highlights the ongoing efforts to remember and learn from past mistakes, ensuring that such injustices are not repeated in the future.