US President Joe Biden mistakenly referred to the Grand Canyon as one of the “nine” wonders of the world in his latest public gaffe.
Mr Biden on Tuesday held a press conference to announce a new federal monument covering nearly one million acres near the iconic Grand Canyon in Arizona.
While US national parks can be created only by an act of Congress, national monuments can be designated by presidents using the Antiquities Act, a century-old law meant to protect sacred sites, artifacts and historical objects.
The announcement will restrict new mining activity in the uranium-rich area.
The US President, 80, told reporters: “Folks, it’s not hyperbole to suggest that there is no national treasure, none, that is grander than the Grand Canyon.
“One of the earth’s nine wonders of the world, literally, think of that, it’s amazing, an enduring symbol of American to the entire world.”
He later corrected himself, saying: “As a matter of fact I said nine, it’s one of the seven wonders of the world.”
Mr Biden said he first visited the Grand Canyon as a “young senator” and thought, “this is God’s cathedral”.
“That’s what it reminded me of. It just is so magnificent.”
Later, the US President posed for photographs near the edge of the canyon and told reporters: “Don’t jump!”
The new federal monument is named Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni, drawn from the languages of the nearby Havasupai and Hopi tribes.
It spans the existing Grand Canyon National Park, where the US government forcibly removed Native Americans a century ago.
In the area there are bison, bald eagles and sites held as sacred by several tribes.
It is also home to around one per cent of the country’s known uranium reserves, according to a Biden administration official, who said existing rights to mine, hunt, fish and graze will be respected.
The land is currently covered by a two-decade mining moratorium.
“Preserving these lands is good not only for Arizona, but for the planet,” Mr Biden said.
“It’s good for the economy. It’s good for the soul of the nation,” he added.
Joe Biden has made several gaffes as President, with concerns raised over his age.
In June he referred to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “the war in Iraq” while speaking to reporters.
The same month, he closed out a speech on gun control by saying: “God save the Queen, man”, and in a separate incident, referred to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as “Mr President”.
Mr Biden was 78 years old when he was elected US President in January 2021.
The oldest president at the end of his tenure before this was Ronald Reagan, who was 77 when he finished leading the country in January 1989, but Mr Biden will take that title eventually when his tenure ends.
