As Egypt planned ahead to build the Aswan Dam, an international campaign was formed by UNESCO to preserve ancient temples and historic monuments along the Nile that would inevitably be flooded. JFK believed in the importance of preserving these monuments as well as developing stronger ties with Arab nations. So he campaigned to Congress to save these sites! As a result the United States donated 16 million to help keep these ruins from getting ruined...and moved to higher ground.
As a thank you in 1965, Egypt gifted antiquities to the United States. Visit The Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City! Our favorite place to visit!