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Our Nation's Symbol Was Almost The Turkey

By
Real Estate Agent with Real Estate Showcase Photography

 

        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!

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (34)

Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Nov 24, 2009 01:56 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

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 24, 2009 02:08 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

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

Nov 24, 2009 08:13 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

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

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours ☺☺☺

Nov 24, 2009 08:48 PM
Sylvie Conde
Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage - Toronto, ON
Broker, Toronto Real Estate

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.

 

Nov 24, 2009 11:16 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

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!

Nov 24, 2009 11:23 PM
Diane Daley
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

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

Nov 25, 2009 01:07 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate

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

Nov 25, 2009 01:13 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

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

Nov 25, 2009 11:03 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

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

Nov 25, 2009 11:15 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Debi,

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

Happy Thanksgiving,

Ann

Nov 25, 2009 02:38 PM
John Mayer
Oikos Realty, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Florida - Cocoa Beach, FL
Your Beach Area Expert

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 26, 2009 10:26 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

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

Nov 26, 2009 04:15 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

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.

Nov 27, 2009 02:30 AM
Teral McDowell
Referral Patners LLC - Murphy, TX

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 27, 2009 02:24 PM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

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

Nov 29, 2009 05:26 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

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 29, 2009 03:45 PM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

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

Debi

Nov 30, 2009 02:29 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

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.

Nov 30, 2009 11:42 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

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

Nov 30, 2009 01:30 PM