In a 1784 letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin criticized the bald eagle’s moral character and praised the turkey as a more respectable and courageous bird, sparking the enduring myth that he preferred the turkey as America’s national symbol. While Franklin never formally proposed the turkey, his comments reflected his belief in honesty, hard work, and moral virtue. After several failed design attempts by committees including Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams, Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United States in 1782 featuring the bald eagle, a choice that continues to invite reflection on the values America seeks to represent.

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