Not everyone has always agreed about the national status of the bird of prey.

Founding Father Benjamin Franklin objected to the bald eagle being chosen to represent the country, calling it a “bird of bad moral character”. , external

But not all of Congress shared Franklin’s sentiments.

Bald eagles, like other eagles worldwide, had been seen by many as symbols of strength, courage, freedom and immortality for generations, according to the US Department of Veteran Affairs. And, unlike other eagles, the bald eagle was indigenous only to North America.

The legislation designating the bald eagle as the national bird was spearheaded by Minnesota lawmakers. The state is home to what Senator Amy Klobuchar described as one of the nation’s largest bald eagle populations.

The bald eagle is also protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which makes it illegal to sell or hunt the creature.

The birds were once on the brink of extinction, but the population has greatly increased since 2009.

The bald eagle bill was one of 50 pieces of legislation that Biden signed into law on Christmas Eve, including a federal anti-hazing law to tackle violence and deaths on university campuses.