20 Historical Landmarks Whose Names Have Been Changed Due to Controversial Origins
Names of landmarks often carry tales of triumph, tragedy, and transformation. But what happens when those names become tainted by controversy, reflecting darker chapters of the past? Join us on a journey through 20 historical landmarks whose names have been changed due to their controversial origins. From monuments to mountains, each name change tells a story of societal evolution and the ongoing quest for justice.
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Mount McKinley (Alaska, USA) – Denali
This Highest majestic peak in North America was named after President William McKinley, but for Native Alaskans, it has always been Denali, meaning “the high one” in Athabaskan. In 2015, the name was officially changed to honor its indigenous roots.
Rhodesia (Southern Africa) – Zimbabwe
Named after British colonialist Cecil Rhodes, Rhodesia became Zimbabwe on the offer of Prime Minister Abel Muzorewa after gaining independence in 1980, as many politicians were strictly against the name Rhodesia. The change symbolized the end of colonial rule and the dawn of a new era for the nation.
Auschwitz Concentration Camp (Poland) – Auschwitz-Birkenau
Originally built by Nazi Germany, the concentration camp was the most notorious of all, and its name was changed after World War II after approval by the UNESCO World Heritage Organization Committee to reflect its location and the nearby town of Birkenau. The change serves as a solemn reminder of the atrocities committed there.
Cape Kennedy (Florida, USA)—Cape Canaveral
On 28 November 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson, on the advice of Jackie Kennedy, renamed the cape to honor President John F. Kennedy’s vision for space exploration. In 1973, the cape reverted to its original name, Cape Canaveral, reflecting local sentiment and historical continuity.
Ayres Rock (Australia)—Uluru
Australia’s most famous natural Landmark is sacred to the indigenous Anangu people. This iconic rock formation was renamed Uluru in 1985, as that’s what it was called before the Europeans arrived in Australia, to respect its cultural significance and reclaim its indigenous name.
Bombay (India)—Mumbai
Reflecting the city’s Marathi origins and as a tribute to goddess Mumba Devi, Bombay, the financial capital of India, was officially renamed Mumbai in 1996. This renaming sparked debates about colonial legacies and cultural identity, as it was the British who gave it the name Bombay to begin with.
Stalingrad (Russia)—Volgograd
Once named in honor of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, the city reverted to its pre-revolutionary name, Volgograd, derived from the Volga River, on the banks of which the town was situated in 1961. This signaled a shift away from Stalinist ideologies, more popularly known as de-Stalinization started by Nikita Khrushchev.
Washington National Airport (Washington DC, USA)—Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
In 1998, President Bill Clinton renamed the airport to honor former US President Ronald Reagan. The airport’s new name sparked controversy, with people arguing that it erased its historical significance.
King Leopold II Square (Belgium)—Place du Congo
In 2018, Brussels renamed a square after King Leopold II, “The Builder King,” whose brutal colonization of Congo led to millions of Africans’ deaths. The new name, Place du Congo, acknowledges the country’s colonial past while honoring its people.
Congo Free State (Democratic Republic of the Congo)—Democratic Republic of the Congo
Formerly a personal possession of King Leopold II, the Congo Free State was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo after gaining independence in 1960, signaling the end of Belgian colonial rule, which was linked with slavery and racism.
The Berlin Wall (Germany) – East Side Gallery
After the fall of the Berlin Wall (a well-known symbol of division) in 1989, a section of it was transformed into the East Side Gallery, an open-air gallery showcasing murals by artists from around the world. The change symbolizes the triumph of unity over division.
Robben Island (South Africa)—Robben Eiland
Once a prison for political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, this 1999 UNESCO World Heritage site was officially changed to Robben Eiland in 2005, reclaiming its indigenous Khoekhoe name and acknowledging its painful history.
Port Arthur (Tasmania, Australia)—Carnarvon
The port originally was a small timber station, but it soon became an important part of the penal system of the colonies. It was renamed in 1927 to disassociate it from the convict history of Port Arthur. The town of Carnarvon serves as a reminder of Tasmania’s colonial past and the legacy of convict transportation.
Peking (China) – Beijing
Reflecting changes in transliteration and pronunciation made by Thomas Francis Wade, the ambassador of English in China, the city known as Peking in English became Beijing in the late 20th century, aligning with the city’s Mandarin pronunciation.
Trinity Site (New Mexico, USA) – Jornada del Muertos
The site of the first 1945 atomic bomb test, which marked the end of the Second World War, was initially known as Jornada del Muertos, Spanish for “journey of the dead.” While it’s still commonly called the Trinity Site, the original name reflects its historical significance.
Rhodes University (South Africa)—University of Fort Hare
The university was named after Cecil Rhodes, an arch-imperialist and white supremacist who treated people of the African region as subhuman. It was renamed the University of Fort Hare in 1951 to honor its original location and the contributions of African scholars.
Netherlands Antilles (Caribbean) – Caribbean Netherlands
Following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba became known as the Caribbean Netherlands, reflecting their status as special municipalities of the Netherlands.
Leningrad (Russia) – Saint Petersburg
Renamed in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the death of Soviet leader Lenin, the city of Saint Petersburg reverted to its pre-Soviet name. This resulted from a poll by the new mayor, Anatoly Sobchak. A short margin won the poll as only 55% voted to return to the roots, shedding the legacy of communist rule.
French West Africa – Republic of Mali
Formerly a federation of six French colonies in West Africa (Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan (now Mali), French Guinea (now Guinea), Ivory Coast, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Dahomey (now Benin) and Niger. French West Africa was dissolved in 1958, leading to the independence of several nations, including Mali, which reclaimed its historical name.
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) – Sri Lanka
The small island county in the Indian Ocean also served as a British Territory due to its proximity to India through the Palk Strait. Shedding its colonial name in 1972, Ceylon became Sri Lanka, reflecting its cultural heritage and affirming its independence from British rule.
18 Classic Movie Quotes That Would Spark Outrage If Said in Today’s Films
Whether or not you are a movie buff, you’re probably familiar with the famous classic movies that shaped generations. Classic movies often contain iconic lines that have become ingrained in popular culture. However, as we look back, we realize how some of these quotes were downright racist, sexist, or misogynistic and have not aged well with time. Here are 24 classic movie quotes that, if said in today’s films, would likely spark outrage and controversy.
