Huge, powerful, and majestic – Bald Eagles deserve their place as a symbol of our country. Today, Bald Eagles have become a regular sight, but it wasn’t always that way.
But what did they do to become a national symbol?
The Symbol Of Freedom
The Bald Eagle has long been a symbol of freedom and the United States of America. That symbolism began shortly after the birth of the nation, just six years after the Declaration of Independence.
Founding fathers Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams knew it was very important for the new country to have an official seal that demonstrated the nation’s ideals. It also had to be a unique way to represent the USA as well as make a positive powerful impact.
The design of the official seal was vital because it would be used on treaties and other official documents for years to come. The proposed designs showed scenes from the Exodus book of the Bible, female figures associated with freedom, and even an American revolutionary soldier.
Eventually, a symbol with a shield and other elements was partly accepted, but some work was still needed. Heraldic designer William Barton added the famous image of an eagle at the center of the seal. However, at first, this was a plain, white eagle.
Since the Bald Eagle was a common and well-known bird in the 13 colonies, Charles Thompson changed the white eagle to a Bald Eagle, and the seal was made official on June 20, 1782.
Overcoming Challenges
The first time I saw a Bald Eagle, I was just a kid in Niagara Falls, New York. I think it was autumn, either in the late 70s or early 80s. Like always, I was looking up, watching for birds flying over my urban street and I saw this large bird soaring high overhead, in perfect light against a gorgeous, blue fall sky.
Dark body, white head and white tail… it was hard to believe but it couldn’t be anything else! An adult Bald Eagle and in those days, that was one heck of a rare sighting. The large bird must have been migrating overhead, maybe even following the course of the river or looking for a place to fish.
Back then, Bald Eagles were pretty rare. Although they used to be common birds in North America, Bald Eagle populations started to decline in the early 1900s from direct persecution. However, despite being officially protected in 1940, DDT caused major declines in Bald Eagle populations in the 60s and 70s.
Fortunately, DDT was banned but it still took a while for Bald Eagles to regain their numbers. Thanks to reintroductions, education, and habitat management for Bald Eagles, these fantastic birds have once again become common in the USA.
How does the Bald Eagle represent America’s beliefs today?
For Native Americans, Bald Eagles still hold the same sacred place they always have. Native cultures continue to use eagle wings, bones, and feathers in sacred ceremonies.
The Bald Eagle has also become synonymous with the modern United States of America. It still plays a big role in American symbolism, possibly more so in modern times than in the past.
Patriotic shirts, flags, and other paraphernalia often feature pictures of Bald Eagles, sometimes just the bird’s head. Of course, the bird is still part of the official seal for the USA.
We also see Bald Eagles pictured on logos for businesses and organizations that want to demonstrate patriotism. The majestic bird continues to be a symbol of independence and freedom as well as a symbol of strength and self determination.
Although some folks try to co-opt images of Bald Eagle for their own political beliefs or philosophies, this bird will always be apolitical and represent the best of American ideals including liberty from tyranny, and unity as Americans.
Watching a Bald Eagle as it flies over a river or nests in a wildlife refuge also shows that we can succeed in protecting our natural heritage.