Bald eagle, Tongass National Forest, Alaska

© Jaynes Gallery/Shutterstoc

Celebrating an American icon. American Eagle Day

Bald eagles are a symbol of strength, determination, and courage. The powerful bird is celebrated every year on June 20, the day it was made the national symbol of the United States in 1782. President Bill Clinton commemorated this date by declaring it American Eagle Day in 1995. The bald eagle, named for its white-feathered head, was once an endangered bird, but conservation efforts and the Endangered Species Act have helped boost its numbers.

Today's image was taken in the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska, which has the highest nesting density of bald eagles in the world. Eagles are picky when it comes to selecting a tree in which to nest. They like tall ones that offer a good view of their surroundings. This majestic bird stands as a proud reminder of the principles of liberty and independence that the nation was founded upon.