NATIONAL AMERICAN EAGLE DAY: THE SYMBOL OF FREEDOM


By akirschbaum
American eagle sitting on a branch representing the celebration of American Eagle day.

Once a year, on June 20, the country celebrates American Eagle Day; as a national symbol, the celebration aims to promote awareness to protect the bald eagle. The day also encourages educational outreach to care for the eagle's habitat. This is because it is the national bird and appears on America's seal. In the latter part of the 20th century, the bald eagle faced the brink of extinction. Unfortunately, this mighty, proud, and brave symbol of freedom is no match for poaching, deforestation, and pesticide kills. The good thing is that their population has started to recover. On July 12, 1995, the mighty bald eagle was removed from the government's list of endangered species, but their population remains low. However, in June 2007, the species was removed from the Endangered and Threatened Wildlife List and continued to thrive.

The History of National American Eagle Day

In the early days, this bird was the king of the great blue sky, witnessing the rise and fall of empires. With its striking beauty and strength, the Second Continental Congress selected it as a national symbol on June 20, 1782; thus, American Eagle Day was created. The bald eagle dominated the skies as there were 100,000 nesting pairs then, but everything changed in the 19th century.The rapid decline of the bald eagle alarmed Congress in 1940, which prompted the swift creation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act to protect the birds. But, the decline was still rapid until the species was deemed endangered. The main culprit was D.D.T., a pesticide used to kill other pests and mosquitoes. This chemical has reached various bodies of water and fish that the eagles eat. Once consumed, the chemical interacted with the calcium-secreting mechanism of the eagle and softened the eggshells, but they failed to hatch.Since then, the use of D.D.T. has been banned, which has allowed the bald eagle population to multiply. Today, there are around 300,000 recorded bald eagles. American Bald Eagle Day is celebrated yearly to raise awareness and understand this unique and powerful bird's significance to the ecosystem and American culture.

What Is American Eagle Day?

This day is celebrated to raise awareness and commemorate when the eagle was selected as a national symbol of the United States. During American Bald Eagle Day, people acknowledge the bird's exceptional return from extinction and the success of conservation efforts in keeping its habitat. It also intends to inspire ongoing efforts and encourage people to act and do the same. Some Americans consider the bald eagle to be more than just a national symbol; it embodies strength, resilience, and freedom ingrained in the nation's identity.

How to Observe the National American Eagle Day

There are many ways to observe this particular day; tag your friends and family to make the day more fun. You can also host a bird-watching event, which fits the American Bald Eagle Day. Prepare your binoculars and cameras and hike to your chosen spot. It would be helpful if you could jot down some notes on where you spot the bald eagle as a reference for next year. However, if hiking is not an option, check out the local zoo in your area.Volunteer in preservation groups, as the bald eagle is protected from human activities that can endanger its existence. Spend a day with an N.G.O., or you can work on your own initiative to clear some trash in your area that could harm the eagle. You can also look for local preservation groups in your area and offer your assistance. Whether you assist a charity supporting bald eagles or an association focusing on other species, your help can make a difference.Lastly, you can watch this bird from the comfort of your home. Learn more about it on American Eagle Day by watching the live stream of D.C. Eagle Cam. This allows anyone to have a sneak peek at the lives of bald eagles, as a video camera is fixed on their nest, offering snapshots of their lives.Related reads:


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