Happy 4th of July!

On July 4th of 1776, the Declaration of Independence was ratified by Congress. Six years later, on June 20 1782, Congress chose the Bald Eagle as the emblem of the United States of America because of its long life, great strength, majestic appearance, and presence in Roman symbology.

We will forever be in awe of the beauty and splendor of our eagles and the landscapes – the rivers, hills, plains, and purple mountains majesty! – that they live in. On behalf of all of us at RRP, we thank you for watching, sharing, learning, and caring…and for all that you do to keep America beautiful by supporting wild lives and wild lands in your own places.

Happy 4th of July!

The bald eagle’s role as a national symbol is linked to its 1782 landing on the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress in 1776 originally commissioned Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to create a national seal that reflected the independence and aspirations of the new nation. When they failed to do so, Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson submitted the final design for the Great Seal. In heraldry, eagles have long been considered a symbol of power, authority, and ambition. Thomson’s design specified the North American Bald eagle over Roman Imperial or European eagles, meeting the charge to represent the new nation with a symbol uniquely its own. You can read more about that (and see the original design) here: http://bit.ly/2xpyDqn.

Iowa’s state bird is the lovely (and really engaging) American Goldfinch! The Iowa state flower is the Wild Rose. The Iowa state rock is the Geode. The Iowa state tree is the Oak. And the Iowa state song is the Iowa Waltz. What is your favorite state song, bird, tree, flower, rock, muffin, beverage, or reptile? What do you love about where you live? Help us celebrate by letting us know! Happy 4th of July, everyone!