America The Beautiful Bald Eagle

America the Beautiful, with its lyrical ode to our nation’s beauty and freedom, also serves as a powerful reminder of the bald eagle as an enduring symbol of patriotism and strength in the United States. The majestic creature has been proudly affiliated with American culture since 1782 when it was chosen as our national bird. The white head and tail feathers are its defining characteristics, representing strength and courage that have endured through numerous trials and tribulations over centuries. Native Americans revere the bald eagle for its power, courage, wisdom and immortality; for them it symbolized so much about their own strength and identity. During colonial times, the image of this noble bird was used on war shields and banners to challenge European colonists - a sign of resilience in challenging times. Today this majestic creature continues to serve both symbolic and practical purposes throughout North America - from protecting populations from predators to being an example