Many of the National Day Calendar celebrations have a historical basis. Such is the case today where the celebration coincides with an event from this day in 1782. And it was born out of a political disagreement.
In 1776, the Continental Congress decided that our new nation needed an official seal. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams were given the task of designing the seal. Their initial design was rejected by Congress. To solve the problem, a new committee was formed. This committee also presented their design to Congress, only to suffer congressional rejection. The same thing happened to the next committee. Three up. Three down.
By now, it is the middle of 1782 and there is still no official seal. The Secretary of Congress, Charles Thomson, was now handed the task of creating the seal. Wisely, he took all three previous designs, studied them, and came up with a solution. He took the best elements of each, combined them, and created the seal.
“The front of the seal depicts a bald eagle clutching an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left. On its breast appears a shield marked with 13 vertical red and white stripes topped by a bar of blue. The eagle’s beak clutches a banner inscribed, E pluribus unum, a Latin phrase meaning “Out of Many One.” Above the eagle’s head, golden rays burst forth, encircling 13 stars.
“… The bottom of the shield (or pale) represents the 13 states united in support of the blue bar at the top of the shield (or chief), “which unites the whole and represents Congress.” The motto E Pluribus Unum serves as a textual representation of the same relationship. The colors used in the shield are the same as those in the flag: alternating red and white for the important balance between innocence and valor, topped by the blue of “vigilance, perseverance and justice.” The eagle’s talons hold symbols of Congress power to make peace (the olive branch) and war (arrows). The constellation of stars indicates that “a new State [is] taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers.”
“The reverse side of the seal bears the familiar … pyramid, which Thomson proposed as a symbol of “Strength and Duration.” The pyramid, like the new nation, is unfinished and frequently depicted as having 13 steps for the original states. The disembodied eye floating above the structure is that of providence, which Thomson believed had acted “in favour of the American cause.” Beneath the pyramid, the number 1776 appears in Roman numerals
as a reminder of the year of independence. The phrase Annuit Coeptis or “Providence has Favored Our Undertakings” appears above the providential eye; Novus Ordo Seclorum or “A New Order of the Ages” appears beneath the pyramid.”1
On this day in 1782, the Great Seal of the United States was adopted by Congress. In 1995, the American Eagle Foundation launched this day in celebration of our national bird, dubbing it National American Eagle Day. Today was chosen because of the acceptance of the Great Seal of the United States and the fact that after 28 years, the American eagle could be removed from the endangered species list and placed on the threatened species list. Now, there are over 300,000 bald eagles.2
It seems that much of the early forefathers’ designs were inspired by Scripture. The eagle in particular has long been viewed as a symbol of strength, grace, and beauty. This majestic bird is referenced often in the Bible.
Their “protected” species status began in Leviticus 11:13. “And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray…” This protected status came from the Lord’s determination of what was considered clean versus unclean animals.
God’s protection and care for Israel is compared to an eagle. Deuteronomy 32:11-12 says, “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: (12) So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.”
Something else about the nature of eagles is taught in Proverbs 23:4-5. “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. (5) Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” An eagle is not bothered by storms. They have the ability to fly at the height of 10,000 feet! Like fleeting riches, they disappear above the clouds and become imperceptible.
During the Tribulation Period, Israel will once again be protected by God. His providential care for them is compared to that of an eagle in Revelation 12:14. “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”
While the verses you’ve read may have been unfamiliar, there is one passage that we know and it provides great encouragement to us, especially in times where we feel the weakest. Cling to these verses today and apply them to your life.
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/june-20/congress-adopts-the-great-seal-of-the-united-states
2https://emflag.com/blog/history-of-american-eagle-day/
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