Nation's Mascot Patrols I-91

For the second consecutive weekend, I saw a bald eagle patrolling the thermal air waves above New England's highway artery, I-91. Last weekend's sighting occurred in northern Vermont and today's baldy was spotted just South of Springfield, Massholeville. The more recent natural history of the United States' mascot is an impressive (and very American) story of rebounding from adversity given the massive population decline over the course of the 20th century that was the result of a classic culling and chemicals duo. Indeed, spotting such an impressive animal just outside of an absolute craphole of a city is a great sign.

The sighting prompted some investigation into the history of the bald eagle as our mascot. Not surprisingly, the Founding Fathers were struck by the bird's majesty, beauty, size, stealth killing abilities and its place among eagles as the only breed native to North America.

Very surprisingly, Ben Franklin was not cool with the selection of the bald eagle as our nation's symbol. According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Benjamin wanted the turkey to represent our country. As a result, Mr. Franklin has been taken down a peg or two on my list of epic all-time Americans. Obviously still a solid dude. But a turkey? Come on, Ben!

Other interesting bald-eagle-as-mascot facts:

The bald eagle first appeared as an American symbol on a Massachusetts copper cent coined in 1776. Since then it has appeared on the reverse side of many U.S. coins, notably the silver dollar, halfdollar and quarter, as well as the gold coins which were christened the eagle, half eagle, quarter eagle, and double eagle.

“Old Abe,” the mascot of a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil War, was a constant target of enemy riflemen, but survived 42 battle engagements relatively unscathed.

The American bald eagle is protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940

And finally, a very solid JFK quote related to eagles that illustrates the dire straights of the bird's population in the 1960s:

The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America. But as latter-day citizens we shall fail our trust if we permit the eagle to disappear.