The bald eagle, a symbol of the power and strength of the United States for more than 240 years, earned an overdue¹ honor on Tuesday: It officially became the country's national bird.

The bald eagle has appeared on the Great Seal of the United States, which is used in official documents, since 1782, when the design was finalized². The seal is made up of the eagle, an olive branch, arrows, a flag-like shield, the motto “E Pluribus Unum” and a constellation³ of stars.

But it had never been officially designated to be what many had just assumed it was — the national bird.

The bald eagle is indigenous⁴ to North America.