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An Honor for Eagle

March 3, 2025
By Cailin Loesch

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The Great Seal of the United States

The bald eagle has long been one of the most recognized symbols of the United States. The majestic bird appears on our money, the president’s flag, and countless government buildings. But it wasn’t officially made the national bird until a few months ago. 

With its powerful wings and snow-white head, the bald eagle represents strength and independence. It has been an emblem of the U.S. since 1782. The country’s founders had started talking about creating an official seal for the new nation six years earlier. But they couldn’t agree on a design. Benjamin Franklin later wrote that he wasn’t a fan of the bald eagle. Still, the mighty bird was eventually chosen as the centerpiece of the Great Seal of the United States. Today the seal appears on official government documents and on the back of the $1 bill.

Bald eagles are found only in North America. But by the mid-1900s, they were endangered in much of the U.S. Hunting and chemicals used to kill insects had caused the eagles to nearly disappear. Thanks to conservation efforts, the eagle population has soared in the past few decades.

Making It Official

Despite the eagle’s importance in American culture, many people were surprised that it wasn’t officially the national bird. In June 2024, lawmakers in Congress introduced a bill to change that. Former President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in December of last year.

“For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn’t,” Jack Davis said in a statement. He works with the National Eagle Center. “But now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving.”

More American Symbols

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American Flag

The first official U.S. flag was flown in 1777. The current flag is the 27th version. It has 50 stars—one for each state—and 13 stripes to represent the original American colonies.

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Oak Tree

In 2004, the Arbor Day Foundation asked Americans to vote for a tree that symbolizes our country. The winner was the mighty oak tree, which grows in almost every state.

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Bison

This shaggy beast was named the national mammal in 2016. Its importance goes back to long before the U.S. was founded. For centuries, Native peoples depended on bison meat for food and used the hides to make clothing and shelter. 

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