Official Kids Mag www.kidscoop.com © Vicki Whiting November 2022
6
Congress
As the national symbol of the United States,
the bald eagle appears in many government
buildings and on official documents, making it
the most pictured bird in all of America. The
eagle also appears on the President's flag and
billions of bills and coins.
Which would make a better
of the United States – a bald eagle or a
turkey?
More than 200 years ago, the Founding
Fathers wanted to choose an animal for
the great seal of the United States. They
wanted an animal that would
what the newly formed United States of
America was all about.
For six years, bitterly
debated which animal would be the
country's symbol. Finally in 1782, the
bald eagle was selected.
Not everyone thought the bald eagle was
the right animal. Benjamin Franklin
thought the turkey was a better symbol.
Franklin wrote to his daughter, referring
to the eagle's "bad moral character,"
saying, "I wish the bald eagle had not
been chosen as the representative of
our country! The turkey is a much
more respectable bird, and withal a
true original native of America."
The bald eagle supporters finally had
their way and it has been the national
bird of the United States since 1782,
when it was placed with
wings on the great seal of our country.
But, Ben Franklin's words remind us
that the turkey is also a special creature.
In truth, if someone calls you a turkey,
take it as a compliment!
Unscramble the letters in each leaf pile to discover the answer
(four words).
Standards Link: History: Students recognize national
symbols such as the bald eagle.
L
O
B
G
E
B
Y
U
K
T
S
R
E
L
M
E
A
L
O
N
Y
Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.
Tim Turkey
removed
some of the
words in this
story. Can you
figure out
where each
one belongs?
symbol
represent
outspread
