(USNewsReport.org) – It can seem that if you’re looking for a reason to celebrate, all you need to do is ask Google what holiday it is today. You can find anything from National “I Am in Control Day” to “World Party Day” to “Extraterrestrial Abductions Day.” But what about those holidays or observances that have been on the books, yet it seems you rarely hear about them?
Take, for example, National Bald Eagle Day. Most people probably don’t even know this event exists, let alone when it began or why.
To begin, Congress had a heated debate over which bird would be representative of our nation — the bald eagle or the turkey. Finally, on June 20, 1782, they decided the bald eagle would not only become the official national bird but also a national symbol of the US. It was this day in history when the bald eagle was added to the official seal of the United States of America.
The Land of the Free needed a symbol that would characterize our founders’ intense desire for freedom, and nothing inspired that more than the bald eagle. Aside from freedom for Americans, the bald eagle stood for strength, wisdom, honesty and power within many Native American cultures and religions. This national emblem is proudly portrayed on the official seal holding 13 arrows, representative of the original 13 colonies, in one talon and an olive branch, representing peace, in the other.
It wasn’t until January 1982, when Ronald Reagan, our 40th president, declared June 20 as National Bald Eagle Day. Bill Clinton, our 42nd president, would later declare June 20 as American Eagle Day in 1995. Even though neither president made this day an official holiday, just a national observance, the American public in 41 states pays tribute to this majestic national bird annually.
Because this holiday is an observance, businesses and stores remain open. The American Eagle Foundation organizes and sponsors events that aim toward commemorating and honoring the bald eagle.
If you would like to know how you can celebrate National Bald Eagle Day, here are a few ideas:
- Visit public programs aimed toward raising awareness on ways to preserve and protect bald eagles.
- Do research to find out how and where bald eagles live.
- Volunteer your time to help protect bald eagle habitats.
- Visit specific sites where you can watch the birds in their natural environments.
Remember, this is our national bird, and though it may not be on the endangered species list now, it was at one time. Just goes to show these beautiful creatures are just as resilient as the Americans they symbolize.
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