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The US Senate has officially designated the bald eagle as America's national bird, over 200 years after it became a national symbol.
The US Senate has officially designated the bald eagle as America’s national bird, over 200 years after it became a national symbol. The bill, introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar, passed unanimously.
Senator Cynthia Lummis emphasized the eagle’s long association with American values and expressed hope for the bill’s passage through the House. The eagle has been a symbol since the Roman era, seen on the SPQR seal.
The bald eagle was chosen by America’s Founding Fathers because it is native to the region. While some eagles have migrated beyond borders, they primarily live and breed in the US, with some also in Canada and Mexico, according to the National Park Service.
Though never officially designated as the national bird, the bald eagle’s role as a prominent symbol was solidified in 1782 when it was added to the US seal. The National Museum of American Diplomacy notes that it replaced a simpler white eagle initially intended for the seal.
Several committees attempted and failed to design the Great Seal before Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, combined their efforts. Adopted in June 1782 by the Continental Congress, Thomson’s design became the Great Seal of the United States.
However, amid post-Revolutionary challenges, the seal’s official status was overlooked. In the 20th century, sightings of bald eagles became rare due to overhunting, driven by their status as a national symbol.
