The bald eagle is officially America's national bird after Biden's signature
NBCDEC 2024
Biden Signs Law Making Bald Eagle Official US National Bird
Above: The Bald Eagle from the Michigan Avian Experience in pregame activities before the Eastern Michigan Eagles versus the Toledo Rockets game on Nov. 2, 2024. Image copyright: Steven King/Contributor/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The bald eagle symbolically encompasses American values of strength, courage, and resilience, especially after having survived near extinction to make a remarkable recovery. The species, indigenous to North America, is a powerful symbol of the nation's heritage, and its population growth in recent decades reflects successful conservation efforts through government intervention.
Narrative B
While the bald eagle has been a long standing national symbol, and the latest legislation is effectively just righting an administrative oversight, its position in US culture has always been contentious. Benjamin Franklin famously favored the turkey over bald eagles, which he observed lacked courage in their interactions with other species. This new law isn't as uncontroversial as it may seem.