For many years I taught my fifth graders about the symbols of the United States of America. Over the years, I have grown to love our national symbol, the American bald eagle. Many students are surprised to learn that our national symbol is not the flag, but the bald eagle.

In 1782 he was chosen as a National Bird and then as our national emblem in 1787. You can find him on the Great Seal of the United States with his wings outstretched and a shield for his chest. The shield has 13 red and white stripes. In its right claw it holds an olive branch and, if you mind counting, you will find that the olive branch has 13 leaves and 13 berries. This olive branch represents America’s desire for peace. In Bald Eagles’ left claw is a pack of 13 arrows representing our willingness to fight for our freedom, if need be. Finally at its peak there is a scroll with the motto “E Pluribus Unum” which means ‘one among many’.

The bald eagle also appears on the presidential seal, most coins, bills, and many stamps.

There are many types of eagles around the world, but the American bald eagle only lives on the North American continent. That is one of the reasons why the golden eagle was not chosen because it also lives in Europe.

It is reported that in one of the early battles of the Revolutionary War the noise of the battle awakened the sleeping eagles that flew from their nests surrounding the men fighting below. Their high-pitched screams mingled with the screams of the warriors. Some of them said they are “crying out for freedom.”

When born, the bald eagle is gray and not the graceful flying bird seen five years later, after it has developed white head and tail feathers.

The bald eagle is at the top of the food chain and lives on the tops of high mountains and near shores and lakes where fish abound. They represent unlimited freedom as they soar through the blue skies.

When you first see this bird, it is really impressive. It has a body of 2 ½ – 3 feet and can extend its edge from 6 to 8 feet. When you spread those wings and fly, you gasp because they are so beautiful. To see their nests (nests) in the trees, you need to look for a tree that is generally over seventy-five feet tall. The nests themselves are about five feet in diameter and just as deep.

There are many interesting facts about the bald eagle, such as its diving speed, which can reach 160 km / h in search of a fish. There was a time when they were being killed in record numbers for their beautiful feathers. The government intervened and put them on the threatened list.

The term “eagle eyes” refers to your ability to see 1 ½ miles away. We need to watch over our freedoms that are represented by this noble bird, the American bald eagle, so as not to lose them.