On Thursday, July 4th, Holly Haven Wildlife Sanctuary welcomed a few of our Volunteers to celebrate America’s Independence Day with us, and to enjoy a little bird watching and activities at the feeders that are all around the Sanctuary. We even observed more nest building which was a delight to see!
Speaking of birds…here’s the story behind America’s national symbol, the Bald Eagle…
Upon the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress gave our Founding Fathers the task of designing an official seal for the new nation. Committees were formed to produce a design for a national emblem, however, no one could come up with a design that could win the approval of Congress.
A third committee was formed, the best design elements were chosen, and the small eagle that was proposed by William Barton, an artistically talented lawyer from Philadelphia, was replaced with the American bald eagle at the suggestion of Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress. Congress finally adopted the design on June 20, 1782.
America’s majestic national symbol representing freedom and strength took all of 6 years to design, and the bald eagle has remained the symbol of America for more than two hundred and thirty-seven years. The bald eagle design is everywhere and has become an American icon.
G. Nueva & F. Perez