The bald eagle has perched on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782, yet it was never officially declared the national bird. On a Tuesday morning, President Joe Biden signed a bill that corrects this oversight, giving the eagle its rightful place in the national code.

Its image, instantly recognizable with a white head and intense gaze, has long been woven into American life. It has always stood for strength and resolve, from military emblems to coins and currency. But this long-held assumption that the nation’s emblem was also its official bird went unverified until now.

A Symbol Claimed, A Legacy Confirmed

The new law arrived with nearly universal support in Congress, setting aside any partisan divide. This isn’t the first time the bird has sparked a spirited debate. Benjamin Franklin famously criticized the bald eagle, questioning its moral fiber because it sometimes stole meals from other birds.

Franklin preferred the turkey, a choice that has prompted jokes ever since, with some historians wondering how a turkey might have shaped America’s identity on seals and currency. Others noted the eagle’s knack for showmanship, describing how it commands the skies in ways few species can match. However, symbolic power aside, the core motivation for designating the bald eagle was a desire for historical accuracy.

Lawmakers and concerned citizens pointed out that while the eagle has been honored informally for centuries, it was never anchored in law as the official national bird.

These new provisions represent more than just ceremonial formality. By marking it in federal statute, the legislation ensures that future generations understand why this unique bird, native to North America, holds a special place in the American consciousness. It’s a correction that took nearly 250 years, and it arrives at a time when people seem significantly invested in their national symbols.

Some commenters on social media joked that their assumptions were finally validated. Others said the late Ben Franklin might still be shaking his head. For most Americans, the bald eagle’s ascent to official status is a fitting conclusion to a story that began at the very dawn of the republic.