The bald eagle became the national emblem of the United States in 1782.
The Second Continental Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United States on June 20, 1782. Its central design shows a bald eagle holding an olive branch and arrows, symbolizing a preference for peace but readiness for war. The bird was chosen partly because it is native to North America.
The bald eagle is not actually bald. Its name comes from an older meaning of “bald,” referring to the white head. Adults develop the distinctive white head and tail after reaching maturity, while juveniles are mostly brown.
The bald eagle nearly disappeared from the continental United States because of habitat loss, hunting, and the pesticide DDT. Protection under federal law and the banning of DDT helped the population recover, and the species was removed from the U.S. endangered-species list in 2007.