In 1960, the National Audubon Society found that only 417 breeding pairs of eagles were left in the contiguous 48 states. Less than a century before, the country supported about 100,000 eagles, though that number had already declined enough to prompt Congress to pass the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940. This act forbade citizens from possessing or killing the bird. But it wasn’t enough. In 1978, the bald eagle was placed on the endangered species list, on the verge of vanishing from our nation’s landscapes entirely.
Scientists sought answers. What was damaging the eagle populations so severely? At length, they identified the culprit: DDT, or Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, an insecticide deployed in the mid-20th century and touted as a miracle concoction promising freedom from malaria and typhus. But it quickly became notorious for its environmental and health hazards, and was banned by the EPA in 1972. In the case of bald eagles, scientists discovered that DDT caused birds, including eagles, to absorb less calcium, which weakened their eggs’ shells. As a consequence, the shells would break when nested on by parents, resulting in a precipitous decline in the eagle population.
The pesticide DDT was sprayed liberally throughout the United States until 1972. In 1955, a plane sprays DDT into rural Oregon forests in an effort to curb the Western spruce budworm. Public Domain
Scrappy But Strong
I grew up in an area known for its relatively strong numbers of bald eagles, but even there, spotting an eagle was relatively rare. But bald eagles have made a resurgence since then, and in 2007 they were removed from the endangered species list. Today, I see these stately birds more frequently, especially along the mighty Mississippi, near where I live.The story of the eagles’ recovery embodies the strength and scrappy survival abilities of these birds. Their boldness, majesty, and fidelity make them a fitting symbol of the United States. As President John F. Kennedy wrote to the Audubon Society, “The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America. But as latter-day citizens we shall fail our trust if we permit the eagle to disappear.”
Kennedy’s reference to the Founding Fathers’ decision might prompt the question: How was the eagle chosen as our national symbol in the first place? To answer that question, we must wind the clock back to 1776. Not long after the first Fourth of July, the Continental Congress assigned Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams the task of creating a seal for the fresh-faced nation. Somewhat surprisingly for such capable men, the trio failed to create a design that Congress approved of. Their initial drawing, which included the woman Liberty holding a shield, didn’t win approval. Two more committees had similarly disappointing results, although an artist and lawyer recruited for the third committee, William Barton, introduced an eagle into the design—a golden one, not a bald one. This symbol had a mighty pedigree, having served as the standard and pride of the dauntless Roman legions of ancient times.
Symbolism That Unites
Finally, the project was handed over to the Secretary of Congress Charles Thomson, who made the eagle more central to the design. He changed the golden eagle to a species native only to America: the bald eagle. Congress adopted Thomson’s design for the great seal on June 20, 1782, and from there the eagle swept onto currency, flags, documents, and government buildings.Thomson explained in detail the symbolism included in his design:
“The Pieces, paly, represent the several states all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief, which unites the whole & represents Congress. The Motto alludes to this union. The pales in the arms are kept closely united by the chief and the Chief depends upon that union & the strength resulting from it for its support, to denote the Confederacy of the United States of America & the preservation of their union through Congress.
“The Olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace & war which is exclusively vested in Congress. The Constellation denotes a new State taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers. The Escutcheon is born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue.”
The symbolism of the bald eagle has been used throughout American history, including on this digital recreation of the flag of the U.S. President. This design was used from 1916 to 1945. Public Domain
Franklin famously criticized the choice of the eagle—“I wish the eagle had not been chosen as the representative of this country. He is a bird of bad moral character; he does not get his living honestly”—but his protestations on this point did not carry the day.
So, taking up the old Roman emblem, the United States forged ahead into a new century. The arrows of war clutched in the eagle’s claws would become literal in the Civil War, when a Wisconsin regiment adopted a bald eagle as their mascot, nicknamed “Old Abe.” He flew above the battles like an ancient god of war, gripping chaos in his talons. He witnessed some 37 battles and skirmishes, and was even a target for enemy soldiers, but they never succeeded in bringing him down.
This Fourth of July, we can find inspiration in this dauntless symbol, who keeps soaring even in the darkest, most battle-embroiled skies.
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