American Eagle Day (June 20th) is a special day to commemorate the anniversary of the bald eagle’s selection as our National Symbol and to celebrate its return to America’s skies. Proclamations have been issued by governors in 49 states designating June 20th as American Eagle Day.
Bald eagles are large birds of prey native to North America. Since 1782, the bald eagle has been the United States’ national emblem and mascot. The bald eagle isn’t actually bald; it gets its name because its white head against its dark brown body makes it seem bald from a distance.
Last night, once again, I had a dream
About an eagle in the blue,
And just like all the other dreams,
Right above my head it flew.
In every dream of it I had,
It landed somewhere close by,
And each time, I was so excited
For the beauty that caught my eye.Stacy Smith – Majestic Dreams
The Bald Eagle, also known colloquially as the American Eagle, has long stood as a symbol of freedom and liberty in a country formed in its pursuit. This creature was chosen for the strength and beauty of its form and its longevity in the wild. They are strong protectors of their nests and are native to the country it represents. American Eagle Day celebrates this majestic bird and its place in its country’s history, and how it came to be the symbol of what was once considered the greatest nation on Earth.
The use of the American Eagle as the bird to represent the country did have a tumultuous history. There were several seals established for the United States in 1776, but none of them were accepted by Congress. Eventually, the job of designing the seal was given to Charles Thomson, the then serving secretary of Congress, who took all the best elements of the presented designs and improved on them by adding this majestic bird to the seal.
While Benjamin Franklin was never actually recorded as lobbying for the Turkey to be the national bird, it is known that he described the Bald Eagle as being a “bird of bad moral character”. The bird was included on the seal, and soon it became one of the most recognizable icons of the American culture. Unfortunately, this majestic bird has also been threatened with extinction, and American Eagle Day reminds us of the role it has served in national pride, the pursuit of freedom and liberty, and that it must be preserved as an honor to our country.
