The bald eagle has been officially recognized as the national bird of the United States after President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas Eve. This designation cements the white-headed and yellow-beaked bird of prey as a symbol of the nation’s heritage.

Although the bald eagle has been a national emblem for over two centuries—gracing the Great Seal of the United States since 1782—it was never formally declared the national bird. Last week, Congress passed a bill to change that, and President Biden’s signature finalized the long-overdue recognition.

The Great Seal, designed in 1782, prominently features the bald eagle alongside an olive branch, arrows, a flag-like shield, the motto “E Pluribus Unum,” and a constellation of stars. It has been a cornerstone of American iconography, used on official documents and government insignias.

Not everyone in early America supported the bald eagle’s national status. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin famously criticized the bird, calling it a “bird of bad moral character.” However, many others in Congress admired its symbolic qualities. Eagles have long been associated with strength, courage, freedom, and immortality, and the bald eagle is unique to North America, making it a fitting representative of the United States.

The push to officially designate the bald eagle as the national bird was led by lawmakers from Minnesota, a state known for its thriving bald eagle population. Senator Amy Klobuchar highlighted the importance of this recognition, noting Minnesota’s role in preserving one of the country’s largest bald eagle habitats.

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The bald eagle has been protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940, which prohibits hunting or selling the bird. Decades ago, the species faced near extinction, but conservation efforts have helped its population rebound significantly since 2009.

This bill was one of 50 pieces of legislation signed into law by President Biden on Christmas Eve. Among the other laws was a federal anti-hazing measure aimed at addressing violence and deaths on university campuses.