WASHINGTON (TIP): Meeting the long pending demand of native Americans in Alaska, US President Barack Obama has decided to rename the highest mountain in North America as ‘Denali’ instead of its existing name of ‘Mt McKinley’.

“This designation recognizes the sacred status of Denali to generations of Alaska Natives,” the White House said on eve of Obama’s travel to Alaska where he would formally announce his decision in this regard. In 1896, a prospector emerged from exploring the mountains of central Alaska and received news that William McKinley had been nominated as a candidate for President of the US. In a show of support, the prospector declared the tallest peak of the Alaska range as “Mt McKinley” — and the name stuck.

McKinley became the 25th President of the US, and was tragically assassinated just six months into his second term. “But he never set foot in Alaska — and for centuries, the mountain that rises some 20,000 feet above sea level had been known by another name — Denali,” the White House said.