«Denali – The Great One»

North America's highest mountain has always been called «Denali» by Alaska's Native peoples. In their language it means «the Great One». That is, until the mountain was renamed during the gold rush after the presidential candidate of the day, McKinley (who, by the way, never saw the mountain with his own eyes). In Alaska, though, the new name never really caught on.

During his visit to Alaska, President Obama gave Alaska's Native peoples a gift and restored North America's highest mountain to its original name. So from now on, the 6,168-meter (20,236 ft) summit of Mount McKinley will officially be called Denali again.

"We are officially renaming the mountain Denali – in recognition of the traditions of Alaska Natives and the strong support of the people of Alaska," the US government announced. The Athabascans had always called the mountain Denali.

Efforts to rename the mountain date back to the 1970s. However, senators from the important state of Ohio – which, as a so-called swing state, often plays a decisive role in presidential elections – had always resisted. William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, was born in Ohio. A gold prospector had named the mountain after the politician in 1896 to support his bid for the presidency. McKinley himself never set foot in Alaska.