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Our Nation's Symbol Was Almost The Turkey

Our Nation's Symbol Was Almost The Turkey...

After the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a committee was formed to come up with an idea for the new country's seal. The committee members were Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. The idea they selected was of a woman representing liberty, and holding a shield that would represent the states. Congress didn't like it, and hired an artist that came up with a design that included an eagle.

Franklin didn't like the eagle idea, claiming the bird was of "bad moral character" because they had a tendency to 'steal' from other birds who had worked hard for their catch. Franklin argued that the turkey, being an American native as well, and much more respectable, would make a better symbol for the new United States.

Congress did not agree, and the bald eagle was decided upon.

Thank goodness.

Imagine eating bald eagles instead of turkeys on Thanksgiving.

American Bald Eagle

He doesn't look crazy about the idea either.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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Posted by Debi Boucher - "Realtor Showcase" Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours on 11/24/2009 09:06 AM

Comments (34)

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34 Comments on Our Nation's Symbol Was Almost The Turkey

NOV

2009

Hi Debi - Thanks for reminding me about the Turkey and our country's symbol. I am glad they picked the Bald Eagle myself. I will now remember to share this tidbit around the table as we enjoy our Turkey.

Debi - that is awesome, I had never heard that before. I agree, eating a bald eager would not be the same. Thanks for sharing that very fun tidbit. I will be sharing that with my family and looking oh so smart :) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ...geri

Debi, love your humor and imagine if we didn't have turkey for Thanksgiving celebrations!

Debi... its good thing they did too...I mean how would that song sound from the Eagles I mean Turkeys sound?

I want to fly like an turkey
To the sea
Fly like an turkey
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an turkey

See its a good thing they chose the eagle cause that song would never be a hit.......peace zane

Deb Great Photo, that eagle has a point on you. We have many eagles in our area too, they nest along the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Being a bird of prey and not a bird of sport as the turkey, I think our fore-fathers wanted to project the future strength of our country.

ToulaRosebrock.com

Hi Debi:

I had heard this a few years back...

So glad that they decided to go with the Eagle!

Hi Bob and Geri- Your families will be blown away by your trivia at the table! LOL Thank you for stopping by :)

Susan - Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed the post!

Zane - LOL! I would have to agree with you on that one! 'Fly like a turkey' just would not cut it!

Mary - This eagle was in a town called Monte Vista in the San Luis Valley of Colorado last March. I was thrilled to get several photos of him! Whatever their reasons, the eagle was a very controversial choice at the time.

Toula - Me too! What do you suppose eagle would taste like?

Debi

Debi, thanks for the reminder. I, too, am glad the bald eagle prevailed. Love the photo and I agree he doesn't look crazy about the idea...eating ealge instead of turkey.

Thanks for sharing this, Debi. Franklin had pretty good instincts but he was sure wrong with the turkey as our national bird. What could be more majestic than a bald eagle. I also like how our eagle is portrayed unlike that of Germany or Russia.

Debi - Glad as well they went with a Turkey... Has anyone ever tasted an eagle? I'm just sayin.....

Great picture...I did know that about the Turkey. I also went to college along the Mississippi River and the Bald Eagle Wintered there...unbelivable birds, very majestic. Much better choice than the wild turkeys rummaging for food along the banks :).

That is a great shot of an eagle. I had not heard that story before. That would have been awful to have the turkey as the national bird. Ick!

Rebecca - Could you pass the eagle gravy, please? LOL

Bruce - How would you make a turkey look good on a coin? :) Jeez.

Robert - No, but I'm sure there's someone out there that would tell us it's just like chicken!

Karen - I couldn't agree more! LOL

Debra - I'm with you 100%

Debi

I can understand why Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey ought to be the national bird. We do have an awful lot of 'em in this country. . .Both winged and unwingled, but both with two legs.

DEBI..It is such a beautiful bird..I am glad we don't eat it..Great Photo!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving Debi! I'm glad they decided on the eagle, despite his bad moral character! I love your photo of the eagle, they are so beautiful and fierce.

NOV

2009

Debi, I would hate to think of eating an Eagle! Turkey is much tastier! Happy Thanksgiving!

Nice picture of the eagle. Eagles would seem to be one tough bird to eat...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours ☺☺☺

Well, I had no idea, but I agree.... good thing they chose the eagle. It's a more 'regal' bird (and no, I wouldn't want to eat one).

And you're right. It doesn't look pleased. Great photo.

Happy Thanksgiving, Debi.

What a majestic bird the eagle is, a much better choice. I'm glad it went the way it did! Your photo is awesome, as usual!

I'm glad the eagle was left to peace and the Tureky is on the table... Thanks for the sharing

Hey, Debi. I think we would be a whole other nation if we had the turkey as our symbol. Lol, Jim

Hey Everyone! OK, it's unanimous! Not one of you opted for eagle.... This Thanksgiving, we are all grateful for our TURKEY!

Thanks for weighing in :)

Have a wonderful holiday!

Debi

Debi what a fun post! Enjoy your turkey dinner and be thankful for the eagle that represents your stong country. Happy Thanksgiving!

Debi,

I like the eagle as our symbol. It is majestic....

Happy Thanksgiving,

Ann

NOV

2009

Debi - That's an interesting tidbit I'll have to share. I agree with Zane - Fly like a turkey just doen't cut it. Can you imagine flying an F15 Turkey?

NOV

2009

Hello my friend-Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. Love the pic and I love eagles but I am glad we get to eat turkey instead. <SMILE>

picSIGN

Well Debi, being a vegetarian I must say pass the carbs & veggies....no carcass of any kind for me! Hope yo had nice peaceful Holiday.

Hi Debi, the turkey is tasty and the eagle is photogenic (could you imagine a stately looking turkey!). I hope you enjoyed your feast as much as I did.

NOV

2009

Al and Peggy - Glad you enjoyed it - Thank you for stopping by!

Ann - Me too!

John, I wouldn't get in an F15 Turkey....

Hi Sharon - I'm glad we get to eat Turkey too!

Hi Cynthia - NO TURKEY? LOL

Hi Teral - try as I might, I can't picture a turkey looking stately! LOL

Debi

Hi Debi, am certainly grateful that others did not like Ben's idea. Cool guy but no taste, LOL. The Bald Eagle happens to be one of my favorites in collectible. My finest piece is an signed original porcelain within the American Flag spread out across the front of him.

NOV

2009

Hi William - Sounds like quite a collection! And you are so right about Ben! LOL

Debi

Hey, Debi - Unfortunately, you're perpetuating a bad story, although your post does have true aspects in it but from different time periods.

True, a committee was formed to come up with a design. True, Congress didn't like it.

Franklin's quote about the turkey having a "bad moral character" is true but from many years after the national seal and the de factor Eagle were decided upon and not really related to the committee, Congress, or the design of the national seal.

I, and many others, keep writing about this year after year, but myths tend to get perpetuated because they make good soundbites. Read more at my Thanksgiving day blog post: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1356261/things-you-might-not-know-about-thanksgiving

Hope your Thanksgiving was full of fun and food with family and friends.

Hey Russel, Well, imagine that! And my information came from the National Wildlife Federation - guess you just can't trust anyone these days! LOL The story, however, with the exception of a glitch in the timeline, is basically the same as I read your post.

My holiday was great, and I hope yours was as well!

Debi

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