US makes the Bald Eagle its official bird after 250 years
International news
5 min read
The United States President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas eve to make bald eagle,officially the national bird of the country after 250 years. Since 1782 the bald eagle has been the national emblem of the United States but it was never accorded a legal status till now.
The bald eagle appears on the country’s President’s flag, the mace of the House of Representatives (lower house of the US Congress), military insignia, and on one-dollar bills (currency notes).
Bald Eagle as a US National Bird
The white-headed and yellow-beaked bird of prey- bald eagle is indigenous to North America. Many see the eagle as a symbol of strength, courage, freedom and immortality for generations. However one of the founding fathers of the United States Benjamin Franklin opposed the bird being chosen as the national emblem of the country as it was a bird of “bad moral character".
From 1782 ,the bird was being used as the national emblem but only in 1789 the United States Congress(Parliament) chose the bald eagle to represent the country.
But the Congress never passed a bill which made the bird,legally the official national bird of the country.
The Congress passed the bill in 2024 to make the bird the official bird of the country and it was made a law when President Joe Biden signed it.
Protection to Bald Eagle
The bald eagle is also protected under the United States National Emblem Act of 1940, which makes the hunting and selling of the bird,illegal.
The birds were once on the brink of extinction, but its population has greatly increased since 2009.
About American Flag
The American flag has 13 red and white stripes which represent the original 13 colonies of the British in North America which became Independent from Britain and formed the United States of America.
The Flag has 50 white stars on a blue background which represent the 50 states of the United States. Hawaii was the last state to join the United States in 1940.
Great Seal of the United States
The Great Seal of the United States is used in official documents such as treaties and commissions. The seal’s final design was approved in 1782. The seal includes an olive branch,a bald eagle,a flag-like shield, arrows, a constellation of stars and a motto E Pluribus Unum (which translates to "out of many, one").
About the United States of America
The United States of America is the most powerful country in the world and the largest economy It is located in North America and is a federation of 50 states.
It is the fourth largest country in the world after Russia, Canada and China.
Population wise,it is the third largest country in the world after India and China.
Capital: Washington D.C (District of Columbia)
Currency: US Dollar
President: Joe Biden
