U.S. federal budget announcements or legislative records

Biden Signs Legislation on Christmas Eve Officially Designating Bald Eagle as U.S. National Bird

Dec 25, 2024, 04:43 PM

President Joe Biden signed legislation on Christmas Eve officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. The bald eagle, a symbol of American power and strength for over 240 years, has been featured on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. The new law amends the United States Code to formally recognize the bald eagle, which had previously been an unofficial national symbol for nearly 250 years, as the country's national bird. This legislative action corrects a long-standing oversight, as the bald eagle had never been officially designated despite its widespread recognition and use in various official capacities, including on U.S. currency and military insignia. The bald eagle is indigenous to North America.