What is the official seal of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1782?

The official seal of the United States, adopted by Congress in 1782, is the Great Seal of the United States.

Congress approved the seal’s final design on June 20, 1782, after several committees had worked on proposals since the Revolutionary War. Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress, helped assemble the final design, while William Barton contributed important heraldic elements.

The obverse shows a bald eagle holding an olive branch and arrows, representing peace and military readiness. A shield with 13 stripes appears on the eagle’s chest, and a constellation of 13 stars is above its head. The reverse contains an unfinished pyramid topped by the Eye of Providence.

The seal is not simply a decorative logo. Its impression authenticates certain federal documents, especially treaties, commissions, and other official instruments. The seal should also be distinguished from the presidential seal and from the national coat of arms, although these symbols share imagery and historical connections.