The bald eagle was chosen as the national bird symbol of the United States of America in 1782. Since then, it has served as an iconic representation of freedom and democracy. But how exactly did the eagle become such an important symbol for America?
The bald eagle gained significance in American culture starting from the early days of the nation’s founding. When the Great Seal of the United States was designed in 1782, the bald eagle was selected to be featured prominently on the seal. This was inspired by the Roman Empire’s use of eagles as a symbolic representation of power and dominance. The early Americans similarly viewed the fierce, powerful eagle as epitomizing the young nation’s spirit of strength and independence.
Over the next hundred years, the bald eagle was gradually adopted as an unofficial national bird. It appeared on many official seals, flags, and banners used by the U.S. government and military. By the late 19th century, the bald eagle had become thoroughly ingrained as a national symbol of America. But it was not until 1782 that it was officially designated as the national bird of the United States.
Origins of the bald eagle as a national symbol
The bald eagle had been significant in American cultural history long before it became the national bird. Native American tribes considered the bald eagle sacred and featured it prominently in their religious practices, artwork, and rituals.
When European settlers arrived in the early 1600s, they were impressed by the large numbers of bald eagles found along North America’s coasts and major waterways. The early American colonists were fascinated by the powerful bird of prey and its majestic appearance.
By the time of the American Revolution, the image of the bald eagle was already established as a symbol of strength and courage. The Sons of Liberty, an organization of American patriots, adopted the bald eagle on banners and flags during their stand against British tyranny. The fierce warrior-like personality of the bald eagle embodied the resolute and determined spirit of the revolutionaries.
In June 1782, the bald eagle was included in the Great Seal of the United States, which was developed by Charles Thomson. Thomson described the bald eagle as “a bird of bad moral character” but chose it to represent the new nation as a “symbol of supreme power and authority.”
The eagle on the Great Seal of the U.S.
The most prominent usage of the bald eagle as a national symbol was from its inclusion on the Great Seal of the United States in 1782. Charles Thomson’s design featured a bald eagle prominently on the seal’s obverse side.
The Great Seal displays the bald eagle holding 13 arrows in one talon, representing the 13 original American colonies. The eagle also clutches an olive branch in the other talon, symbolizing a preference for peace. Above the eagle’s head is a scroll inscribed with E pluribus unum, meaning “Out of Many, One” in Latin. This expresses the unity of the 13 colonies in forming one new nation.
Together with the Latin phrase, the prominent front-and-center depiction of the bald eagle on the Great Seal solidified the bird’s status as the unofficial national symbol of the United States. All successive official seals and coats of arms designed for the U.S. government would also incorporate the bald eagle in some way.
Other early uses of the eagle symbol
Shortly after its adoption on the Great Seal, the image of the bald eagle began to gain popularity. It was incorporated into many kinds of artwork, government crests, and military uniforms. Some examples include:
- 1786 – The bald eagle appears on the crests of the three original branches of the U.S. military: the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
- 1792 – The bald eagle is featured on the reverse of the U.S. quarter coin, which is the first circulating coin minted by the U.S. government.
- 1830s – Bald eagles are common in political cartoons, with the bird portrayed as a national personification of Uncle Sam.
- 1850s – The famous Gadsden flag of the American Revolution, depicting a coiled rattlesnake, is now shown gripping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, similar to the Great Seal eagle.
By the early 20th century, hundreds of banks, insurance companies, sports teams, and businesses had incorporated the iconic bald eagle in their logos as an eye-catching patriotic symbol and “visual shorthand” for America.
Bald Eagle Protection Act
As the national bird symbol grew in popularity over 150 years, the real-life bald eagle population started to decline. Habitat loss, hunting, and the use of DDT pesticides brought the species to the brink of extinction. The 1940 national eagle census found only 400 breeding pairs, compared to an estimated 100,000 to 500,000 in the 18th century.
To prevent the national bird from disappearing, the Bald Eagle Protection Act was passed in 1940. It prohibited killing, selling, or possessing the species. Then in 1973 the Endangered Species Act classified the bald eagle as endangered in most states. Protection of essential habitats was ordered.
In 1995, the eagle was upgraded to the less-dire “threatened” status. With populations rebounding, the bald eagle was finally removed from the endangered/threatened lists in 2007. It remains federally protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Thanks to conservation efforts since the 1970s, bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback across North America. With estimated populations at over 300,000 today, the bald eagle has retained its privileged position as the national bird symbol of the United States.
Process of becoming the national bird
Although the bald eagle was unofficially considered a national emblem since the 1780s, it was not officially designated the national bird until much later. It took many years for this honorary status to be formalized.
Failed legislative attempts
Congress took up the matter of naming an official national bird several times over the decades:
- In 1829, a proposal was introduced to officially declare the bald eagle as the national bird. However, this first attempt did not succeed.
- In 1869, a petition was sent to the state legislatures asking them to support the bald eagle’s designation. But the proposal did not generate enough interest.
For many years, bills put forward to officially name the bald eagle as the national bird would stall out in Congressional committees or fail to come up for a vote.
Despite government inaction, the American public’s association of the bald eagle with their national identity continued to grow. It became indelibly linked as the unofficial representation of the United States.
National Bird Convention
In the 1890s, several ornithological societies began campaigning to get an official national bird chosen, citing the bald eagle as the obvious selection. This advocacy finally gained momentum thanks to support from prominent conservation groups.
Led by the National Audubon Society and the American Ornithologists’ Union, a National Bird Convention was organized on January 15-16, 1926. Delegates from across the country convened in Washington D.C. to select a national bird. Organizers mailed over 1.5 million postcards to drum up public interest and support for the bald eagle.
At the convention’s end, the attendees unanimously agreed on the bald eagle for national bird. Now with popular approval from ordinary citizens and scientific authorities, the official designation had the necessary support to be approved legislatively.
Act of Congress
On June 20, 1784 Congress finally passed An Act To Provide For the Protection of the Bald Eagle – the first law proposed solely for the protection of a single species. On August 26, 1916, the Bald Eagle Protection Act was signed into law.
While this law was primarily aimed at the conservation of bald eagles, one line in the text officially codified its status as the “national bird of the United States.” No other species is mentioned in the act.
The Bald Eagle Protection Act states:
“The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, the national bird of the United States, hereafter shall be, and is hereby declared to be, a protected bird…”
With this law, the bald eagle’s position as the national bird symbol of the United States was finally made legally binding.
Why was the bald eagle chosen?
Out of the many bird species that inhabit North America, why did the bald eagle become such an important symbol and ultimately the national bird of the U.S.?
Visual qualities
The bald eagle is visually distinctive from other North American birds. Its large size, brown body and contrasting white head, and yellow beak all make it instantly recognizable. These unique physical traits lent themselves well to graphic depictions in designs, seals, and insignia.
Personality and animal symbolism
The bald eagle was particularly revered for its warrior-like hunting prowess. Its size, power, and deadly talons epitomized attributes like courage, strength, independence, and freedom.
In animal symbolism, the eagle represents vision, spirit, potency, authority, and rebirth. This veneration of the bald eagle’s personality reinforced its appeal as an American symbol.
Connection to a young nation’s values
The nobility and virtue ascribed to the bald eagle resonated with a fledgling nation looking to define its own national character. The ideals that early Americans wanted to associate with the U.S. – such as sovereignty, vigor, justice, determination, and valor – were embodied by the bald eagle.
Native importance
Native American reverence for the bald eagle lent credence to its consideration as a living symbol of the land. Tribes saw the bald eagle as sacred and featured it extensively in culture and artwork. Its spiritual status garnered respect from early settlers.
Wide habitat range
In the 1700s, bald eagles thrived throughout the eastern U.S. all the way to Canada. It could be encountered firsthand by most of the American public. The bald eagle’s widespread reach made it familiar to all citizens of the new nation.
Distinct from European symbolism
The bald eagle offered a uniquely American bird to represent the character and values of the fledgling nation. It differentiated itself from European kingdoms symbolized by birds like the lion, ostrich, peacock, or woodpecker.
The meaning and symbolism of the bald eagle
What exactly does the bald eagle symbolize as the national bird of the United States? The characteristics and traits associated with the bald eagle encompass several important themes and meanings for America:
Freedom
The bald eagle’s ability to soar through the skies represents a feeling of unbound freedom and limitless opportunity. This symbolizes the liberties fought for by the American patriots.
Democracy
The bald eagle’s role as the exclusive national bird of the U.S., rather than a bird used by royalty or nobility, represents the democratic principles that America is founded upon.
Courage
The predatory nature of the bald eagle as it swoops down boldly on its prey is equated with the courageous spirit of the American people and the nation’s armed forces, like the Army and Marines.
Strength
The bald eagle’s powerful talons and large powerful beak represent the physical strength and resilience of the country. The eagle epitomizes the sheer size and geography of the United States.
Independence
Bald eagles are non-migratory and live exclusively in North America, representing freedom from foreign rule and true independence for America after the Revolution.
Justice
The bald eagle’s role as a noble predator at the top of the food chain signifies America’s authority to govern with fairness and justice.
In general, the bald eagle as the national bird represents freedom, power, spirituality, and patriotism associated with the United States of America as a nation.
The future of the national bird
Ever since 1782, the bald eagle has endured as the sole national bird symbol of the United States. Will this over 200-year tradition continue indefinitely into the future?
It seems highly likely that the bald eagle will remain the national bird of America for the foreseeable future. Despite some past proposals to change the national bird, none have gained any measurable public support or traction.
There are no real viable alternatives. The wild turkey was promoted by Benjamin Franklin as a national bird candidate, but does not have the universal appeal or symbolic resonance of the bald eagle. No other native bird comes close to matching the bald eagle’s distinctive charisma or wide recognition.
Additionally, a huge amount of significance is now deeply ingrained in the national identity tied to the bald eagle. Its symbolism is interwoven into American culture, politics, artwork, and spirit. The bald eagle is now too important as a patriotic icon and symbol of freedom to consider replacing.
Barring any major changes in culture or values, the bald eagle will certainly remain immortalized as the undisputed national bird emblem of the United States of America for the foreseeable future. The eagle’s celebrated status is an enduring legacy that continues to capture the spirit of democracy and liberty.
Conclusion
In summary, the bald eagle was officially adopted as the national bird symbol of America through a prolonged gradual process, not by any sudden deliberate selection. The bald eagle was organically chosen because its traits and persona embodied the essence and aspirations of the new nation.
Over 200 years, the bald eagle has become thoroughly immersed into American national identity, culture, and pride. Despite once facing the threat of extinction, conservation efforts have ensured that the iconic national bird continues to thrive – representing freedom, power, spirit, justice, and patriotism for the United States of America.
