Do you recognize the Presidential Seal? It’s used on the lectern when a president gives a speech to the press. It decks the Air Force One plane and presidential limousines. You’ll also spot it on the Oval Office rug in the White House. Take a look at what it means.
- America’s national bird, the eagle, is in the center. It represents strength and freedom.
- The banner in the eagle’s beak says E Pluribus Unum. That’s Latin for, “Out of Many, One.” This means America is one unified nation, made of many states.
- The eagle’s right talon holds an olive branch, symbolizing peace. Its left clutches arrows, symbolizing military might.
- In 1945, the eagle’s head was changed so it faces to its right. This expresses the nation’s preference for peace.
- Also in 1945, a surrounding circle of 48 stars was added around the eagle. These represented the number of states in the union.
- Another star was added to the circle of stars in 1959. Yet another was added in 1960. These stood for newly added states: Alaska and Hawaii.
Ben Franklin’s Seal?
The Presidential Seal is based on another seal designed shortly after the founding of the United States: The Great Seal. Benjamin Franklin helped design that original symbol.
A legend says that Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as the national symbol instead of the eagle. That’s not quite true. Mr. Franklin actually imagined the Great Seal like this: a picture of Moses standing on a shore while waves crash onto Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. (Exodus 14) The 13 colonies breaking away from Great Britain reminded Mr. Franklin of the Israelites escaping Pharaoh’s cruelty. Would that scene have made a good Great Seal? Members of the Continental Congress didn’t think so. They picked the eagle instead. Mr. Franklin didn’t approve of the choice. His argument? Eagles steal food from other birds. Besides, he said, the eagle is a coward. Even a tiny bird can scare it away.
Many items in the Presidential Seal and the Great Seal appear in groups of 13. Can you spot them? Why do you think the number 13 was chosen?
