A World War II internment camp in Hawaii, an industrial district in Chicago steeped in labor history, and a popular canyon in Colorado will soon be U.S. national monuments, thanks to new designations expected from President Barack Obama on Thursday.

"Together, these monuments will help tell the story of significant events in American history and protect unique natural resources for the benefit of all Americans," the White House said in a statement.

Similar to national parks, national monuments preserve areas of historic, prehistoric, or scientific interest. Congress granted presidents the authority to designate such monuments under the 1906 Antiquities Act. Under the act, past presidents have protected such landmarks as the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty. With the