On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee made up of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin to select a design for an official national seal. None of the designs suggested were acceptable. Benjamin Franklin said the turkey should be our national symbol because at the time he thought it was only native to the United States. Lady Liberty holding a shield of the 13 colonies was suggested but then rejected.
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| The Alaskan Bald Eagle |
It was William Barton, a Philadelphia artist who produced a new design that included a golden eagle. The golden eagle was rejected because it flew over England. Then the great bald eagle, which became our national bird was selected and accepted thinking that it was native to North America. It was not until much later they discovered it also is found in Canada and parts of South America.
Benjamin Franklin objected to the bald eagle on the grounds that it was an aggressive bird which would take food from lesser eagles and falcons rather than fend for itself. He was apparently not aware that the great bald eagle is an aggressive hunter which dives down on small rodents and animals on the ground grabbing them in their claws, carrying them to their nests to consume them and share them with their young.
As a patriotic American, I love the beauty of the bald eagle and think that our founding fathers made a great choice for our national symbol.
