• The Bald Eagle as National Emblem
• Suggested Activities for American Eagle Day
• School Letter-Writing Campaign
• Girl & Boy Scout Patch Activities

The Bald Eagle was selected as the U.S.A.'s National Emblem by our country's Founding Fathers on June 20, 1782 at the Second Continental Congress. For over 200 years now, it has served as the pride of America's skies and the living symbol of all that we Americans stand for . . . Freedom, Courage, Strength, Spirit and Excellence.

The Bald Eagle is deeply rooted in our nation's heritage, folklore and environment, and has special meaning to many Americans. Eagle images and references are woven into the very fabric of our society, including our architecture, music, literature, art, clothing and commercial products.

Since the founding of our country, there has never been a "national day" set aside to annually recognize our country's inspirational bird and the role that it has played in our lives, past and present. Together, we can make June 20th an annual day to remember and commemorate this majestic and important American symbol.

We almost lost America's precious eagles due to our own mistakes and neglect. Instead, our nation's citizens rose to the occasion and accepted the challenge and responsibility to save and protect it for future generations to enjoy. We have made encouraging progress, but must continue this commitment until the Bald Eagle has made a full and healthy recovery to our lands, waterways, and skies. It's important that every American get involved.

In 1995, at the request of the American Eagle Foundation (formerly National Foundation to Protect America's Eagles), President Bill Clinton and Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist each proclaimed June 20th a special day to commemorate the anniversary of the Bald Eagle as our country's National Symbol.

In 1997, the American Eagle Foundation initiated a campaign to convince the President and Congress of the United States to officially establish June 20th as a special day to annually commemorate the Bald Eagle's selection as our National Symbol, celebrate its physical recovery to America's skies, and observe the values, ideals and attributes for which it stands.

On May 1, 2007, the Senate unaminously passed a special resolution naming June 20, 2007 "American Eagle Day". A similar resolution was unaminously approved by the House on June 5, 2007. Read more.

To kick off its effort to have a permanent and annual "American Eagle Day" recognized and declared by the U. S. Government, the Foundation has enlisted the help of school children (and youth in various organizations) coast to coast to write thousands of letters asking our nation's governors and elected representatives in Washington to support the "American Eagle Day" vision and make it a reality for the American people.

American Eagle Day" has not yet been officially established by our federal government and all 50 state governments.

In the meantime, the Foundation has itself declared June 20th "American Eagle Day", while it continues its efforts to convince the President, Governors and representatives in the U.S. Congress to do the same.

On "American Eagle Day", the Foundation is asking the American people to do the following:

1. Observe the principles upon which our country's greatness was founded.
2. Challenge ourselves to strive toward quality and excellence.
3. Renew the American spirit or pride and patriotism, etc.
4. Recognize people in communities across the nation who have made significant contributions in improving the lives of others.
5. Tell the story of how our National Symbol came to be, how we almost lost its living presence in the wild to extinction (the Bald Eagle), and how we rallied together to save and protect it.
6. Emphasize the need to restore and protect all endangered species.

By late 2007, students have established "American Eagle Day" in 25 states by writing to their Governors. Please help us reach our 50 state goal by June 20, 2008.

American Eagle Day Governor Proclamations
Updated by Bob Hatcher, American Eagle Foundation, 7/25/07

We are asking teachers and students in schools nationwide (and other youth organizations and their members) to celebrate the recovery and delisting of the Bald Eagle - its homecoming to America's lands, waterways and skies - by participating in our "American Eagle Day" letter writing campaign.

We encourage participants to write letters to their Governor and President Bush. We would like all 50 states involved before 2008 - the 35th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act.

The American Eagle Foundation has alread introduced "American Eagle Day" resolutions in Congress (Senate and House) to get the process moving forward on a federal level.

Letters written by teachers and students (and other organization leaders and members) to request the establishment of a permanent annual "American Eagle Day" should be sent to their respective Governors and the President as soon as possible.

You should follow the instructions below to do so - and send your Governor the Sample Letter and Proclamation we have provided. The same letter format can be used to write to the President.

How To Participate!

IMPORTANT: This section explains in detail the exact directions for participation

We request that teachers (and organization leaders) write a very brief letter to the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) to inform us that their students (or members) will participate in the letter writing campaign.

Please make sure to provide the following information on that letter to the AEF:

• Name of teacher(s)/principal in charge of letter writing campaign
• Name of school
• Telephone number
• E-mail address
• Fax number
• Grade level(s)
• Number of students or members participating in letter writing campaign
• Complete name and mailing address of school

Then, the sample letter to Governors (and the President) that we provide to you should be retyped, printed and signed by the teacher(s)/principal (or organization leader) in charge of the letter writing campaign at each school (or organization).

This letter should be sent to your Governor along with the sample Proclamation that we also provide (click the following links).

• Sample Letter in PDF Format (for easy printing and mailing)
• American Eagle Day Proclamation
• American Eagle Day Proclamation in PDF Format (for easy printing and mailing)

Students (or organization members) will also write letters to their respective Governors, but these letters do not need to have any specific format or wording, except that they must mention the following two things:

1. The student's desire to see American Eagle Day established on June 20, 2007 in their state and nationally
2. The student's own feelings about the American Bald Eagle as an animal and as America's national symbol

Student letters can be as creative as a student wants it to be and can include pictures and drawings.

Next, send the recommended teacher(s)/principal letter, American Eagle Day proclamation, and all student letters to your Governor.

Also send a copy of this letter to:

American Eagle Day" Letter Campaign
American Eagle Foundation
P. O. Box 333
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

Finally, as soon as you receive an official signed Proclamation from your Governor, we ask that you send us a copy right away, so we can keep our record-keeping of participating schools and states.

IMPORTANT: June 20, 2008 is approaching quickly, so please be sure to start this project as early as possible in 2008. The letter writing should only take an hour or so, and it provides a fun learning activity and civics lesson for students.

We would like letters from all participating schools to arrive at your State Capitol Building and the White House as soon as possible.

Thank you very much!