"the endangered and threatened species list. In addition, these birds have become a national symbol. The second Constitutional congress decided upon using American bald eagles as the great seal of the United States. There were many disagreements with the choice of national symbol. For example, one of the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin quoted, ""I wish that the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country, he is a bird of bad moral character...Besides he is a rank coward..."" He thought that the national bird should have been a wild turkey, because it is ""A bird of"
"the forests of Massachusetts. It is one of the smallest subspecies and is best known in Spanish from its Aztec-derived name, ""guajolote"". This wild turkey subspecies is thought to be critically endangered, as of 2010. The idea that Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey as the national bird of the United States comes from a letter he wrote to his daughter Sarah Bache on January 26, 1784. The main subject of the letter is a criticism of the Society of the Cincinnati, which he likened to a chivalric order, which contradicted the ideals of the newly founded American republic. In one"
"Ross noted that Franklin only knew of living royalty on coins, and presumably would feel differently about a republic honoring a deceased founder. Indeed, Franklin might have been more upset at the reverse design: as numismatic writer Jonathan Tepper noted, ""Had Benjamin Franklin known that he would be appearing on a half dollar with an eagle, he most likely would have been quite upset. He detested the eagle, and numismatic lore has it that he often referred to it as a scavenger. Given the practical man that he was, Franklin proposed the wild turkey as our national bird."" An 1890"
"section of the letter, Franklin remarked on the appearance of the bald eagle on the Society's crest: Franklin never publicly voiced opposition to the bald eagle as a national symbol. The wild turkey, throughout its range, plays a significant role in the cultures of many Native American tribes all over North America. Outside of the Thanksgiving feast, it is a favorite meal in eastern tribes. Eastern Native American tribes consumed both the eggs and meat, sometimes turning the latter into a type of jerky to preserve it and make it last through cold weather. They provided habitat by burning down"
"on the radio. Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one live turkey and two dressed turkeys, in a ceremony known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. John F. Kennedy was the first president reported to spare the turkey given to him (he announced he didn't plan to eat the bird), and Ronald Reagan was the first to grant the turkey a presidential pardon, which he jokingly presented to his 1987 turkey (a turkey that would indeed be spared and sent to a petting zoo). There are legends that state that the"
"the rest of the year, meaning that pumpkin pie, another Thanksgiving staple, was still on the forbidden foods list. The Eisenhower Presidential Library says documents in their collection reveal that President Dwight Eisenhower ate the birds presented to him during his two terms. President John F. Kennedy spontaneously spared a turkey on November 18, 1963, just four days before his assassination. The bird was wearing a sign reading, ""Good Eating Mr. President"". Kennedy returned the massive turkey to the farm, saying ""we'll let this one grow."" Scattered reports in ""The Washington Post"" and ""Los Angeles Times"" referred to it as"
"was issued to moravian states, but not accepted by them and never confirmed by Bohemian king George of Poděbrady. Also the letter is valid, but remained ineffective. An eagle is present on the official emblem of the Royal Air Force. Since 20 June 1782, the United States has used its national bird, the bald eagle, on its Great Seal; the choice was intended to at once recall the Roman Republic and be uniquely American (the bald eagle being indigenous to North America). The American Eagle has been a popular emblem throughout the life of the republic, with an eagle appearing"
"courage"". In contrast, John F. Kennedy stated, ""The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America."" The golden eagle is used as a national symbol in Mexico and in many countries; it symbolizes many cultures and traditions in a various societies. It also symbolizes other countries such as Albania, Germany, Austria, and Kazakhstan. The Hopi tribe removes nestlings, raise them, and sacrifice them once they are mature. In 1986, the U.S. Fish"
"in birds of prey led to the creation of the American bald eagle with outspread wings in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the national emblem of The United States. This bronze of ""Presidential Eagle"" was personally presented by the artist to President Ronald Reagan on May 23, 1983, in the Oval Office. The sculpture was cast at The Roman Bronze Works and exhibited in the first-floor east hallway of the West Wing of The White House during Reagan's term of office, and is part of the permanent collection of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley,"
"age of 92. He was survived by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor Holbrook, and their four children, David Lindsay Holbrook, Carolyn Denise Holbrook, Todd Holbrook, and Marilyn Elaine Buda. Duff Holbrook Herman Lindsay ""Duff"" Holbrook (June 30, 1923 – July 17, 2015) was an American wildlife biologist, forester, and outdoorsman. He was recognized as one of the United States' leading experts on the wild turkey. Holbrook spearheaded the reintroduction of the wild turkey, as well as the white-tailed deer, to areas of its historic range in South Carolina. Holbrook, together with William P. Baldwin Jr., a United States Fish"
"National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation is a ceremony that takes place at the White House every year shortly before Thanksgiving. The President of the United States is presented with a live domestic turkey by the National Turkey Federation, usually of the Broad Breasted White variety. The birds are usually males selected for appearance, strut and gobbling sounds. Although there’s much speculation over just who started the poultry pardon tradition, the National Turkey Federation (NFT) gave the credit former President George H.W. Bush. The early years also included a joint presentation with the Poultry and Egg National Board."
"founded during the Olympics. Sam (mascot) Sam the Olympic Eagle was the mascot of the 1984 Summer Olympics which were held in Los Angeles. He is a bald eagle, which is the national bird of the United States, where the games were held. Intended as a patriotic symbol, being named Sam also suggests a kinship with Uncle Sam, another American symbol. The mascot was designed by Bob Moore, an artist for Disney. Guests of Disneyland, as well as those reading documentation about mascot designs for the Olympics, often confuse the mascot for another Disney mascot named ""Eagle Sam"", host of"
"1974, he was elected to the Wyoming Senate. He served as the Wyoming Senate's vice president from 1983 to 1985; senate majority floor leader from 1985 to 1987; and president of the Wyoming Senate from 1987 to 1989. He was also vice chairman of the board for the National Wetlands System Advisory Board from 1983 to 1987 and was a member of the National Wetlands Policy Forum 1987-88. A widely respected expert on the bald eagle, Turner published a children’s book, “The Magnificent Bald Eagle: Our National Bird,” in 1971. In 1989, President of the United States George H. W."
"First Amendment by affecting ability to practice their religion freely. The National Eagle Repository, a division of the FWS, exists as a means to receive, process, and store bald and golden eagles which are found dead, and to distribute the eagles, their parts and feathers, to federally recognized Native American tribes for use in religious ceremonies. The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States of America. The founders of the United States were fond of comparing their new republic with the Roman Republic, in which eagle imagery (usually involving the golden eagle) was prominent. On June 20,"
"something to love… his bird and his flowers became the objects of his tender care."" Dick the Mockingbird Dick the Mockingbird was the name of one of U.S. president Thomas Jefferson's pet birds. Although there had been previous presidential pets, Jefferson is thought to be ""the first president to have a pet [that lived] in the White House..."" Prior to his term in the Oval Office, Jefferson bought his first mockingbird in November 1772 from a slave of his father-in-law John Wayles for five shillings. Birds were Jefferson's favorite animal and Dick was the favorite from among at least four"
"Sam (mascot) Sam the Olympic Eagle was the mascot of the 1984 Summer Olympics which were held in Los Angeles. He is a bald eagle, which is the national bird of the United States, where the games were held. Intended as a patriotic symbol, being named Sam also suggests a kinship with Uncle Sam, another American symbol. The mascot was designed by Bob Moore, an artist for Disney. Guests of Disneyland, as well as those reading documentation about mascot designs for the Olympics, often confuse the mascot for another Disney mascot named ""Eagle Sam"", host of the former Disneyland attraction"
"Dick the Mockingbird Dick the Mockingbird was the name of one of U.S. president Thomas Jefferson's pet birds. Although there had been previous presidential pets, Jefferson is thought to be ""the first president to have a pet [that lived] in the White House..."" Prior to his term in the Oval Office, Jefferson bought his first mockingbird in November 1772 from a slave of his father-in-law John Wayles for five shillings. Birds were Jefferson's favorite animal and Dick was the favorite from among at least four mockingbirds the president had while in office. During his time in the White House, Jefferson"
"the United States by 1800. By 1801, almost no bullion was being deposited at the Mint, causing the Jefferson administration to consider its closure. The eagle was especially desired by exporters, as the larger size and value made it more convenient to handle. Although the Mint remained open, on December 31, 1804, President Thomas Jefferson ordered that eagles and silver dollars no longer be struck, ending the Turban Head eagle series. Coin dealer and author Q. David Bowers suggests that while a majority of eagles remained in the United States, enough were exported to make continuing their mintage an exercise"
"The ceremony dates back to the 1940s, with presidents occasionally sparing the bird presented to them; since 1989, during George H. W. Bush's first Thanksgiving as president, it has been an annual tradition for the president to ""pardon"" the turkey. It's a tradition that the turkeys be picked from the chairman of the NTF's home state. On various occasions, turkeys had been donated to the President as gifts from private citizens. Henry Vose, a Rhode Island turkey farmer, presented a turkey to the President each year from 1873 until his death in 1913. The official presentation of a turkey to"
"from the menu of the first Thanksgiving dinner at Plymouth Colony. In David Mamet's play ""November"", an incumbent president losing his bid for reelection uses the yearly tradition to extort the turkey manufacturers to add to his lacking campaign fund. National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation is a ceremony that takes place at the White House every year shortly before Thanksgiving. The President of the United States is presented with a live domestic turkey by the National Turkey Federation, usually of the Broad Breasted White variety. The birds are usually males selected for appearance, strut and gobbling sounds."
"an exhibition of shooting by the Continental Army has convinced Samuel Chase, and Maryland will vote in favor of independence. They congratulate Jefferson on his work, and Franklin compares the creation of this new country to the hatching of a bird (""The Egg""). This leads the trio to debate which bird would best represent America; Franklin argues for the turkey, and Jefferson suggests the dove, but Adams insists on the eagle, and the others resign themselves to that choice. On June 28, Hancock asks if there are any alterations to be offered to the Declaration of Independence, leading many delegates"
"Duff Holbrook Herman Lindsay ""Duff"" Holbrook (June 30, 1923 – July 17, 2015) was an American wildlife biologist, forester, and outdoorsman. He was recognized as one of the United States' leading experts on the wild turkey. Holbrook spearheaded the reintroduction of the wild turkey, as well as the white-tailed deer, to areas of its historic range in South Carolina. Holbrook, together with William P. Baldwin Jr., a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) biologist, is credited as the inventor of the cannon-netting method, also known as the rocket net, which is used to capture turkeys and other birds. Holbrook"
"Dutch hundreds of years before Nast was born. Thomas Nast Thomas Nast (; ; September 27, 1840 – December 7, 1902) was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist considered to be the ""Father of the American Cartoon"". He was the scourge of Democratic Representative ""Boss"" Tweed and the Tammany Hall Democratic party political machine. Among his notable works were the creation of the modern version of Santa Claus (based on the traditional German figures of Sankt Nikolaus and Weihnachtsmann) and the political symbol of the elephant for the Republican Party (GOP). Contrary to popular belief, Nast did not create"
"changed during times of war, so that the eagle faces the arrows in its left talon. This belief may have arisen because major changes to the seal have coincidentally been made before or after wars – specifically, the 1945 change in the seal, and also the 1916 change in the ""flag"" (though not the seal) from the right-facing Great Seal to the left-facing presidential seal. This misconception could also have arisen from a comment made by Winston Churchill, who (regarding Truman's redesign of the seal) joked: ""Mr. President, with the greatest respect, I would prefer the American eagle's neck to"
"""pardoning"" tradition dates to the Harry Truman administration or even to an anecdote of Abraham Lincoln pardoning his son's pet turkey (a Christmas turkey); both stories have been quoted in more recent presidential speeches, but neither has any evidence in the Presidential record. In more recent years, two turkeys have been pardoned, in case the original turkey becomes unavailable for presidential pardoning. George H. W. Bush, who served as vice president under Reagan, made the turkey pardon a permanent annual tradition upon assuming the presidency in 1989, a tradition that has been carried on by every president each year since."
"Wild turkey The wild turkey (""Meleagris gallopavo"") is an upland ground bird native to North America and is the heaviest member of the diverse Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which was originally derived from a southern Mexican subspecies of wild turkey (not the related ocellated turkey). Although native to North America, the turkey probably got its name from the domesticated variety being imported to Britain in ships coming from the Levant via Spain. The British at the time therefore associated the wild turkey with the country Turkey and the name prevails. Adult wild turkeys have"
"Thomas Nast Thomas Nast (; ; September 27, 1840 – December 7, 1902) was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist considered to be the ""Father of the American Cartoon"". He was the scourge of Democratic Representative ""Boss"" Tweed and the Tammany Hall Democratic party political machine. Among his notable works were the creation of the modern version of Santa Claus (based on the traditional German figures of Sankt Nikolaus and Weihnachtsmann) and the political symbol of the elephant for the Republican Party (GOP). Contrary to popular belief, Nast did not create Uncle Sam (the male personification of the United"
"the national bird of the United States, is prominent in seals and logos, coinage, postage stamps, and other items relating to the U.S. federal government. The bald eagle is a sacred bird in some North American cultures, and its feathers, like those of the golden eagle, are central to many religious and spiritual customs among Native Americans. Eagles are considered spiritual messengers between gods and humans by some cultures. Many pow wow dancers use the eagle claw as part of their regalia as well. Eagle feathers are often used in traditional ceremonies, particularly in the construction of regalia worn and"
"a pardon, but Kennedy did not refer to it as such. Likewise, Richard Nixon also spared some of the turkeys given to him during his time as President. Jimmy Carter refused to take part in the presentation and rejected the turkeys given to him. First Lady Rosalyn Carter arranged to have the turkeys sent to petting zoos. The first President on record issuing a ""pardon"" to his turkey was Ronald Reagan. Reagan had been sending the turkeys presented to him to farms and zoos since at least 1982, and 1987's turkey, Charlie, was likewise headed to a petting zoo. At"
"1782, the Continental Congress adopted the design for the Great Seal of the United States depicting a bald eagle grasping 13 arrows and an olive branch with its talons. The bald eagle appears on most official seals of the U.S. government, including the presidential seal, the presidential flag, and in the logos of many U.S. federal agencies. Between 1916 and 1945, the presidential flag (but not the seal) showed an eagle facing to its left (the viewer's right), which gave rise to the urban legend that the flag is changed to have the eagle face towards the olive branch in"
"live domestic turkey is presented to the President of the United States just before Thanksgiving Day. NTF began presenting the National Thanksgiving Turkey during the presidency of Harry Truman. The custom of ""pardoning"" the turkey started with Bush I in 1989, Two birds are brought to the White House for final selection and the President invariably grants a ""pardon"" to both birds. Its official website, EatTurkey.com, is home to thousands of turkey recipes, cooking and preparation tips, and educational information on the turkey industry. National Turkey Federation The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the non-profit national trade association based in"
"Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d) is a United States federal statute that protects two species of eagle. The bald eagle was chosen as a national emblem of the United States by the Continental Congress of 1782 and was given legal protection by the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940. This act was expanded to include the golden eagle in 1962. Since the original Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act has been amended several times. It currently prohibits anyone, without a permit issued by the Secretary of the"
"American political cartoon. Published in 1808 in protest at the Jeffersonian Embargo Act of 1807, the cartoon depicted a snapping turtle, jaws locked fiercely to an American trader who was attempting to carry a barrel of goods onto a British ship. The trader was seen whimsically uttering the words ""Oh! this cursed Ograbme"" (""embargo"" spelled backwards). This piece is widely considered a pioneering work within the genre of the modern political cartoon. In 2006, the snapping turtle was declared the state reptile of New York by a sweeping vote of the New York Legislature after being popularly chosen by the"