Lagatar24 Desk
Washington, D.C.: The United States Senate has passed a bill officially designating the bald eagle as America’s national bird, more than 200 years after it first became a symbol of the country. The legislation, proposed by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, received unanimous approval, according to the New York Post.
Senator Cynthia Lummis highlighted the significance of this decision in a press release, stating, “For more than 240 years, the bald eagle has been synonymous with American values, yet it is still not officially our national bird. Today’s bipartisan passage brings us one step closer to solidifying the eagle’s place as an enduring symbol of our freedom, and I look forward to seeing this legislation pass the House and signed into law soon.”
The bald eagle’s use as a national emblem dates back to ancient Rome, where the bird symbolized power and authority. In the United States, the Founding Fathers selected the bald eagle due to its native status and presence primarily in the US, with smaller populations in Canada and Mexico.
Despite being widely recognized as a national symbol, the bald eagle was never legally declared the national bird until now. Its symbolic status was cemented in 1782 when it was incorporated into the Great Seal of the United States, replacing the initially proposed white eagle. Charles Thomson, then Secretary of Congress, finalized the design after several committees’ attempts to create a suitable seal.
The bald eagle faced significant challenges during the 20th century, leading to the enactment of the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940 to prevent its hunting and sale. However, the use of the pesticide DDT after World War II severely impacted the eagle’s population by contaminating its primary food source, leading to reproductive issues.
The bird was listed as endangered in 1978, six years after the banning of DDT. Through various conservation efforts and strict enforcement of protection laws, the bald eagle’s population recovered, leading to its removal from the endangered list in 2007.
The Senate’s recent decision marks a historic moment, officially recognizing the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States and reinforcing its status as a symbol of American freedom and resilience.
