The bird of brown and white feathers has long represented the United States as a majestic and soaring symbol, but only this week did a law make it official.

When the Founding Fathers of the U.S. started looking at symbols to represent the new country, the bald eagle became part of the official Great Seal of the U.S. when it was established in 1782.

President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that officially named the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. Though a longstanding symbol of 'independence, strength and freedom,' the bird of prey never received a formal designation.