Controversy Erupts as Trump Replaces Two Historic Holidays With His Birthday

A recent update from Washington has left many Americans unsettled.

For days, online chatter hinted at a major adjustment to long-standing national traditions, but few expected it to be real. Then, quietly, the National Park Service confirmed a policy change that immediately raised eyebrows:

two historically significant holidays were removed from the list of fee-free national park days—and a date tied to Donald Trump’s birthday was added in their place.

The decision has sparked controversy, as Trump alters the lineup of days when Americans can visit national parks without paying an entrance fee.

Holidays Removed and a Birthday Added

Over the weekend, reports confirmed that Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth had been dropped from the NPS’s list of fee-free days. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrated on the third Monday of January, honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. Juneteenth, observed on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

In their place, June 14—the president’s own birthday, which coincides with Flag Day—was added as a “patriotic” fee-free day. Other free-access dates now include the Fourth of July weekend and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday.

Framed as ‘Modernization’

According to the BBC, the change is part of a larger initiative to “modernize” the National Park Service ahead of reforms planned for 2026. An executive order issued in July seeks to restructure entrance fees, prioritizing U.S. residents over international visitors.

Starting in 2026, Americans will enjoy free park access on several major occasions: President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day (Trump’s birthday), Independence Day weekend, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, Constitution Day, Veteran’s Day, and the NPS’s 110th anniversary.

Non-U.S. residents, however, will continue to pay fees, even on these “free” days. Fees have also increased: a U.S. annual park pass now costs $80 (£60), while non-residents are required to pay $250 (£187.62), according to the Department of the Interior.

Public Response

The removal of MLK Day and Juneteenth has sparked widespread backlash online. Critics argue the move is self-serving and insensitive. On Twitter, one user wrote, “Trump replaced MLK Day and Juneteenth with his birthday? This is absurd.” Another posted, “They’re calling it ‘modernization,’ but really it’s erasing history.”

Supporters, meanwhile, frame the policy as a practical update that modernizes the park system and benefits U.S. residents. Yet for many, the symbolic weight of removing civil rights holidays cannot be overlooked. Some commentators warn that the decision is about more than scheduling—it’s a shift in how the nation publicly commemorates its history.

✅ Conclusion

By removing two historically significant holidays and inserting his own birthday, Trump has ignited a debate that goes beyond parks and passes. Critics view it as a symbolic reshaping of national priorities at the expense of civil rights recognition, while supporters see administrative modernization.

Regardless of perspective, the change represents a clear break from tradition, leaving Americans divided over how the country should honor its past and which legacies are preserved for the future.