Why Is The Bald Eagle The National Symbol Of The United States Of America
Why is the Bald Eagle the national symbol of the United States Of America? Some say the Bald eagle was used as a national emblem because, at one of the first battles of the Revolution, which occurred early in the morning the noise of the struggle awoke the sleeping eagles on the heights and they flew from their nests and circled about over the heads of the fighting men, all the while giving vent to their raucous cries. "They are shrieking for Freedom," said the patriots.
Thus the eagle, full of the boundless spirit of freedom, living above the valleys, strong and powerful in his might, has become the national emblem of a country that offers freedom in word and thought and an opportunity for a full and free expansion into the boundless space of the future.
--Maude M. Grant
The Bald Eagle was chosen for several reasons. The Bald Eagle was chosen because its long life, great strength, and majestic looks. The Eagle represents freedom. Living as it does on the tops of lofty mountains, and high trees, amid the solitary grandeur of nature, he has unlimited freedom whether with strong pinions he sweeps into the valleys below, or upwards into the boundless air space above.
How Does The Bald Eagle Represent Freedom
The way the Bald Eagle freely soars high in the sky, with its strong winds independently not listening to anyone, with its independent nature. The Bald Eagle is a beautiful majestic bird. Majestic means like king. Which was a great symbol for the United States as a new country that fought for its freedom from England.
Why Are Eagles Used As Symbols
The eagles are used as symbols because of their association with authority and statehood, in fact the eagle was chosen as a symbol of governmental power since Roman times. This is because the eagle is believed to be the chief over all winged creatures. The strength of the eagle represents power and authority with its strong wings, strong legs, and talons.
The strong muscles in the eagle’s legs, that when contracted clamp the tendons in the lower legs and toes down, closing all the talons together in a vice like grip. Their talons are capable of exerting force of 1000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
What The Eagle Symbolize
The eagle is believed to symbolize the power and messages of the spirit; it is man’s connection to the divine because it soars higher than any other bird. If the eagle has appeared, it bestows freedom and courage to look ahead. The eagle represents renewed life because it associated with the east winds, the direction of the spring, dawn and rebirth. The eagle is symbolic of the importance of honesty and truthful principles.
For centuries, people have looked at Eagles as a symbol of beauty, bravery, courage, honor, pride, determination, and grace.
There are 5 important characteristics of the eagle associated with leadership we should learn from:
- Eagle’s powerful vision
- Eagles are fearless.
- Eagles are tenacious.
- Eagles are highflyers.
- Eagles nurture their young.
The Bible mentions eagles 34 times, as renewal and strength. Example: Isaiah 40:31 They That Wait Upon The Lord, Shall Renew Their Strength, They Shall Mount Up with Wings of Eagles, They Shall Run and Not Be Weary Walk Faint Wall Decal Sticker Scripture Christian.
Even in Native American beliefs the eagle is a symbol of strength, and truth.
It is believed if an individual has been going through a hard time, eagle not only signals a new beginning, but provides that person with the stamina and resilience to endure the difficulties. If eagle has appeared, it bestows freedom and courage to look ahead. The eagle is symbolic of the importance of honesty and truthful principles. Summon the eagle when you are about to embark on a challenge, a massive life change or a creative endeavor.
Which Countries National Symbol are Eagles
You already know the United States being the Bald Eagle. But did you know Mexico uses the Golden Eagle as an official symbol, and the eagle appears on its flag.
How Did the Bald Eagle Become The National Symbol
At the Second Continental Congress, after the thirteen colonies voted to declare independence from Great Britain, the colonies determined they needed an official seal. So, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, Mr. John Adams, and Mr. Thomas Jefferson as a committee prepared a device for a Seal of the United States of America. However, the only portion of the design accepted by the congress was the statement E pluribus unum, attributed to Thomas Jefferson.
Six years and two committees later, in May of 1782, the brother of a Philadelphia naturalist provided a drawing showing an eagle displayed as the symbol of "supreme power and authority.” Congress liked the drawing, so before the end of 1782, an eagle holding a bundle of arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other was accepted as the seal. The image was completed with a shield of red and white stripes covering the breast of the bird; a crest above the eagle's head, with a cluster of thirteen stars surrounded by bright rays going out to a ring of clouds; and a banner, held by the eagle in its bill, bearing the words E pluribus unum. Yet it was not until 1787 that the American bald eagle was officially adopted as the emblem of the United States. This happened only after many states had already used the eagle in their coat of arms, as New York State did in 1778. Though the official seal has undergone some modifications in the last two hundred years, the basic design is the same.
The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.
The eagle represents freedom. Living as he does on the tops of lofty mountains, amid the solitary grandeur of Nature, he has unlimited freedom, whether with strong pinions he sweeps into the valleys below, or upward into the boundless spaces beyond. While the eagle has been officially recognized as America's national bird, there was dissenters who felt the bird was the wrong choice. One dissenter was Benjamin Franklin who wrote to his daughter:
I wish that the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country, he is a bird of bad moral character, he does not get his living honestly, you may have seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing-hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to its nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him.... Besides he is a rank coward; the little king bird, not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest. . . of America. . .. For a truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America . . . a bird of courage and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on.
Because of their size, bald eagles are not concerned about threats from other birds. However, eagles are often chased by smaller birds, who are trying to protect their young. Bald eagles are unlikely to bother smaller birds or their young, which makes these efforts unnecessary. Eagles often ignore mobbing behavior by smaller birds. It was Benjamin Franklin's observations of a bald eagle either ignoring or retreating from such mobbing that probably led to his claim of the bald eagle's lack of courage.
Nevertheless, the bald eagle was selected as our national bird, the eagle has appeared on all official seals of the United States, as well as on most coinage, paper money, and on many U.S. stamps.
Conclusion
Why the Bald Eagle was chosen by the forefather was because the long-life strength, power, independence, truth and the freedom the Bald Eagle has represent our freedom which makes it an excellent choose for the national symbol.
I think they made a good chose in the Bald Eagle as the national symbol of the United States of America, because The United States of America was meant by our forefather to be a country of freedom. But as time has going on, we may have more freedoms than other countries, but with the government we have had in the last couple decades they have been taking away our freedoms one by one. By getting the people to believe it is for security reasons or for the profits of big business. Like safety belts save lives, but only in certain situations, if the vehicle explodes it will not help you and if there are seconds to get out it could hinder you from getting out fast enough. In this case what happened to the right of chose. Now with shootings they want to take away your right to bear arms, so if anything happens like an EMP the government can come in and take your food and valuable and you would be helpless to stop them or a violent person from entering into your home.