President Joe Biden signed legislation on Christmas Eve officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. While the bald eagle has been a national emblem since its appearance on the Great Seal in 1782, this marks the first time it has been formally recognized by law.
Minnesota lawmakers, including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Brad Finstad, led the effort, citing the bird’s representation of independence, strength, and freedom. Minnesota is home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country.
The bald eagle, indigenous to North America, faced near extinction in the 20th century due to pesticide use. Its recovery began after the ban on DDT in 1972, and it was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Today, it thrives in areas like South Carolina’s ACE Basin, where slow-moving waters provide ideal hunting grounds.
Protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which prohibits hunting or harming the species, the bald eagle has long been a cultural icon. It appears on U.S. currency, stamps, and sports logos, and was famously referenced during the Apollo 11 mission with the phrase, “The Eagle has landed.”
Joining the ranks of the American bison and the oak tree as national symbols, the bald eagle solidifies its role as a timeless emblem of American strength and freedom.
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