Bald Eagle Officially Named America’s National Bird Thanks to Minnesota Lawmaker

(KNSI) – The bald eagle is now officially America’s national bird, thanks to a Minnesota lawmaker.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar wrote the legislation signed into law on Christmas Eve by President Joe Biden.

“In Minnesota, we know a thing or two about eagles: we are home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country as well as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha,” said Klobuchar. “The bald eagle is a symbol of our country’s freedom and strength and with our legislation now signed into law, the bald eagle is officially our national bird.”

Although the bald eagle is on the Great Seal of the United States, it was never formally recognized, and the country has been without a national bird since its founding in 1776. Several founding fathers were tasked with creating the national seal but couldn’t agree, with Benjamin Franklin even arguing that the bald eagle was “a bird of bad moral character.”

Since then, the bald eagle design has appeared on official documents, currency, flags, public buildings, sports teams, and other government-related items.

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