Celebrate America’s Living Symbol of Freedom

On June 20, 1782, our nation's Founding Fathers placed the bald eagle at the center of the Great Seal of the United States. Since then, the bald eagle has served as the living symbol of all that America stands for: freedom, courage, strength, spirit, independence, democracy, and excellence.

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Challenger, the celebrity bald eagle, poses majestically during a visit to the United States Capitol Building. This famous eagle is cared for by the non-profit American Eagle Foundation (www.eagles.org) of Tennessee. Photo © 2017 American Eagle Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Photo by Julia Cecere

On June 20, 2017, the American Eagle Foundation, along with the United States Congress and governors coast to coast, invite U.S. citizens to celebrate American Eagle Day by remembering the bald eagle’s dramatic comeback through conducting educational activities and ceremonies, while reflecting on its special symbolism.

Since 1995, the not-for-profit American Eagle Foundation (AEF) (www.eagles.org) has spearheaded the establishment of American Eagle Day. To date, more than 80 governors from 49 states have recognized “American Eagle Day” with proclamations and special documents, giving the USA’s National Bird its own official day in their states. This year marks the 10th year of American Eagle Day being recognized by U.S. Congress.

“We once almost lost this precious national treasure due to our own mistakes and neglect. Habitat destruction, illegal shootings, and the use of DDT caused the Bald Eagle population to drop to less than 500 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states in the early 60s,” says AEF Founder and President Al Cecere, “but we the people joined together, rose to the occasion, and vigilantly brought it back to America's lands, waterways and skies.”

The USFWS estimates that there are more than 143,000 Bald Eagles in the United States today. The Bald Eagle was removed from Endangered Species Act protection in 2007, but still remains protected by the Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940.

“On American Eagle Day, and every day, let us continue to treasure and protect the bald eagle all across this great land for future generations to enjoy,” says Cecere, who has been spearheading the effort for more than two decades.

About the American Eagle Foundation

The American Eagle Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to care for, restore and protect the USA’s living symbol of freedom, the Bald Eagle, and other birds of prey through the four pillars of Education, Repopulation, Conservation, & Rehabilitation. It is headquartered in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN. Learn more at www.eagles.org.

American Eagle FoundationLaura Sterbens, 865-256-0372laura@eagles.orgorAl Cecere, 865-809-2385al@eagles.org