American Eagle Day

 American Eagle Day - 20 June 2024 

American Eagle Day is observed annually on June 20 to commemorate a pivotal moment in American history: the day in 1782 when the bald eagle was officially adopted as our national symbol on the Great Seal of the United States. This special observance celebrates not only the eagle's symbolic significance but also its remarkable recovery from near-extinction and the enduring American values it represents.

A Historic Designation

On June 20, 1782, the Continental Congress approved Charles Thomson's design for the Great Seal of the United States, featuring the American bald eagle as its centerpiece. After six years and three unsuccessful committee attempts beginning on July 4, 1776, Thomson, the secretary of the Continental Congress, worked with Philadelphia lawyer William Barton to create the final design, which was submitted and accepted on the same day.

The seal depicts a bald eagle clutching an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left, with the bird's breast displaying a shield marked with thirteen vertical red and white stripes topped by a bar of blue. The olive branch represents peace, the arrows symbolize war, and the eagle faces the olive branch to demonstrate America's preference for peaceful resolution.

From Endangerment to Recovery: A Conservation Triumph

The bald eagle's journey from the brink of extinction to thriving populations stands as one of America's greatest conservation success stories. By the 1950s, the bald eagle faced serious risk of extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and pesticides that damaged their eggs, leading to its classification as endangered in 1967.

On July 12, 1995, the species was removed from the U.S. Federal Government's List of Endangered Species and transferred to the List of Threatened Species. By June 2007, as populations continued to thrive, the American bald eagle was withdrawn from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the Lower 48 States. Today, scientists estimate there are over 300,000 bald eagles thriving across the country.

The Birth of American Eagle Day

In 1995, at the request of the American Eagle Foundation, President Bill Clinton and Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist each proclaimed the first American Eagle Day. This grassroots effort gained remarkable momentum across the nation.

Since then, Governors from a combined total of 49 states have signed Proclamations or Letters of Recognition designating June 20 as American Eagle Day in their respective states. In April 2007, the United States Senate passed the first American Eagle Day resolution by unanimous consent, followed in June by the U.S. House of Representatives also passing their first resolution designating June 20, 2007 as American Eagle Day.

A Symbol of American Values

The American Eagle Foundation sponsors National American Eagle Day to raise awareness about the American Eagle, its habitats, and conservation efforts. The observance serves multiple purposes: honoring our national symbol, celebrating the species' physical recovery, educating the public about ongoing conservation needs, and reflecting on the American ideals of freedom, strength, and resilience that the majestic bird represents.

The bald eagle, with its white head (the term "bald" derives from an older meaning of "white-headed"), powerful wingspan of up to seven feet, and ability to spot prey from miles away, continues to inspire Americans and symbolize the nation's enduring spirit.

This June 20, take a moment to appreciate this magnificent bird and consider supporting conservation efforts that ensure future generations will witness bald eagles soaring through American skies.

Learn More:

·         American Eagle Foundation: https://eagles.org/take-action/aboutaed/

·         National Day Calendar: https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-american-eagle-day-june-20

·         U.S. History: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-20/congress-adopts-the-great-seal-of-the-united-states

·         ShareAmerica: https://share.america.gov/its-official-bald-eagle-americas-national-bird/