Bald Eagle Finally Receives Official National Bird Designation
The bald eagle, a powerful symbol of the United States for over two centuries, has officially been designated the country’s national bird, correcting a long-standing oversight, The Associated Press reports.
President Joe Biden signed legislation into law on Tuesday, formally amending the United States Code to recognize the iconic bird.
The legislation, passed by Congress, acknowledges what many had already assumed: the bald eagle, with its distinctive white head, yellow beak, and brown body, is the national bird of the United States.
The bald eagle has been a prominent feature of American iconography since 1782, when it was incorporated into the Great Seal of the United States. The Great Seal, used in official documents, features the bald eagle along with an olive branch, arrows, a shield resembling a flag, the motto “E Pluribus Unum,” and a constellation of stars.
That same year, Congress designated the bald eagle as the national emblem, and its image has since appeared across a wide range of applications, from official documents and the presidential flag to military insignia and US currency.
Despite this widespread use, the bald eagle had never been formally designated as the national bird. The new legislation corrects this omission, solidifying the bird’s official status and formalizing its place in American symbolism.
The bald eagle is native to North America and holds a significant place in American history and culture.
