Updated: Aug. 19, 2023
Originally Published: November 27, 2023
Approximately 240 years ago, as the founding figures of the United States deliberated over the design of the Great Seal, they ultimately decided on the bald eagle as their emblem. However, one prominent voice, Thomas Jefferson, advocated for the adoption of the wild turkey instead. Although he didn’t prevail in this debate, the eagle secured its status as a national icon.
As I reflect on this intriguing historical divergence, I can’t help but wonder what life might look like if Jefferson had triumphed and the turkey had taken flight as our national symbol. Would our culinary traditions surrounding the turkey be as celebratory? Would it have become a playful target for lighthearted jests?
Delving Deeper into National Symbols
Can the symbols we choose shape our national identity and trajectory? The bald eagle, a bird of prey, embodies strength and dominance as it hunts for food. In contrast, turkeys are foragers, primarily consuming acorns and nuts rather than preying on other creatures. How might this preference for a foraging bird over a predatory one have influenced our national values? Would it have altered our 19th-century views on Manifest Destiny or our approach to foreign intervention in the 20th and 21st centuries?
Colors of Our Nation
Consider our national colors. The red, white, and blue of the American flag stem from the original colonies’ ties to the British Empire, which featured similar hues. Initially devoid of explicit meaning, these colors have since been imbued with significance. Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, noted that white represents purity and innocence, red symbolizes hardiness and valor, and blue reflects vigilance and justice.
Even the stars and stripes convey deeper meanings. According to Time.com, a 1977 publication by the House of Representatives states that the stars symbolize the heavens and humanity’s aspirations, while the stripes represent the rays of light from the sun. What if we had interpreted these colors differently? Perhaps white could signify gratitude for our vast resources, while blue might embody the commitment to peaceful coexistence, either among ourselves or with other nations.
Our National Anthem
Let’s also examine our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Originally a battle song from the War of 1812, its martial lyrics can influence our national mindset. Would our identity be different if we had chosen a more peaceful anthem, such as “God Bless America”? However, it’s worth noting that the latter was only composed in 1918, long after the adoption of our current anthem.
Perhaps our choices of symbols are merely coincidental, or merely the whims of those in power, without any real effect on our national self-perception. Yet, it’s an engaging thought experiment. Interestingly, while Jefferson supported the turkey, his original choice in 1775 was the rattlesnake, a symbol of vigilance and defense.
Conclusion
In summary, the symbols we adopt can potentially reflect and shape our national character. The hypothetical choice of a turkey over an eagle may have led to different cultural practices, values, and even interpretations of our national identity.
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