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When you sign up for a social media account, once you’ve established your username and profile, what’s one of the first things you do? Choose a profile picture. Well, in 1776, after the Declaration of Independence was signed, what was one of the first things the founding fathers wanted to do? Establish a national seal -- basically the profile picture of the United States. But it’s not like they could just grab ye olde selfie stick and pose for one, they wanted something strong, a symbol of America’s fortitude and pride. I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind America’s Bald Eagle. The role of Benjamin Franklin was played by Paul Csomo, co-host of the Varmints podcast at BlazingCaribouStudios.com. Join The Story Behind Discussion Group on Facebook! Follow The Story Behind: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest *NEW* | Website *NEW* Get Gear from The Story Behind at our TeePublic Store! Check out #PodernFamily on Twitter to find other great indie podcasts like this one. If you enjoy podcasts about history, literature, archeology, and the arts, check out the hashtag #HumanitiesPodcasts on Twitter to find more podcasts like this one. Looking for more female-hosted podcasts? Find them by searching #LadyPodSquad on Twitter. Click here to support this podcast on Patreon. Media: Music for Makers VIDEO - Sesame Street: The National Bird Sources: Ben Franklin And The Great Seal Of America - The New York Times Benjamin Franklin on the Rattlesnake as a Symbol of America - GreatSeal.com Charles Thomson - NNDB Did Benjamin Franklin Really Say the National Symbol Should Be the Turkey? - Slate Eagle vs. Turkey: America's First Bird Controversy - National Wildlife Federation How Did The Bald Eagle Become America’s National Bird? - History.com Eagle on the U.S. Presidential Seal - Snopes.com Samuel Adams - History.com The Debunker: Does the Presidential Eagle Ever Turn Its Head? - Woot.com American Myths: Benjamin Franklin’s Turkey and the Presidential Seal - Smithsonian.com