After 250 years, the bald eagle was officially declared the national bird of the United States

Not everyone has always agreed on the national status of the bald eagle.

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin objected to the creature being chosen to represent the country, and had it one “bad-mannered bird”. , external

But not all of Congress shared Franklin’s views.

Bald eagles, like other eagles around the world, have been seen by many for generations as symbols of strength, courage, freedom and immortality, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. And unlike other eagles, the bald eagle was unique to North America.

Minnesota lawmakers spearheaded a bill to designate the bald eagle as the national bird. The state is home to what Sen. Amy Klobuchar describes as one of the nation’s largest bald eagle populations.

The bald eagle is also protected by the National Emblem Act of 1940, which makes it illegal to sell or hunt the animal.

The birds were once on the verge of extinction, but since 2009, the population has increased significantly.

The bald eagle bill was one of 50 bills Biden signed into law on Christmas Eve, including a federal anti-hazing law to address violence and deaths on college campuses.