American Eagle Day
June 20, Friday
History and significance
* Originally, National Eagle Day was proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan on January 28, 1982, to honor the 200th anniversary of the eagle's adoption as a symbol.
* Thanks to an order by Bill Clinton in 1995 and subsequent gubernatorial and Senate resolutions, the holiday gained official status in 41 states and at the federal level.
* The main goal of the celebration is to raise awareness about the need to protect the bald eagle and its habitat as a strong example of nature conservation.
How American Eagle Day is celebrated
* Organizations like the American Eagle Foundation initiate official proclamations and conduct educational campaigns.
* Lectures, seminars, workshops, and public events are held to increase interest in eagles and protection methods.
* Popular activities include eagle watching, eagle cams, bird exhibitions, and volunteer work in protected natural areas.
Why it matters today
* The bald eagle is a vivid symbol of freedom, strength, and independence of the United States; it was adopted in 1782.
* The species was on the brink of extinction due to hunting, habitat loss, and pesticide use (like DDT); thanks to conservation efforts, its population recovered significantly by the mid-1990s.
* American Eagle Day illustrates a successful environmental achievement and inspires care for other endangered species.