The Turkey: Almost Our National Bird

Did you know that the turkey was almost the national bird of the United States? It’s true! In fact, the turkey was the leading candidate to become our national bird for many years. But there were a few factors that ultimately led to the bald eagle being chosen instead.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of the turkey as a national bird candidate, and we’ll explore the reasons why the bald eagle ultimately won out. We’ll also discuss some of the other animals that were considered for the honor, including the eagle, the owl, and the goose.

So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn some interesting facts about the history of our national bird!

Year	Event	Source
1784	Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird	The New York Post
1789	The bald eagle was chosen as the national bird	United States Congress

History of the Turkey as a National Symbol

The turkey has been a symbol of the United States since the early days of the country. In fact, the turkey was almost chosen as the national bird over the bald eagle.

The first recorded mention of the turkey as a national symbol was in 1620, when the Pilgrims brought turkeys with them on the Mayflower. The turkeys quickly became a popular food item among the colonists, and they were often served at feasts and celebrations.

In 1784, Benjamin Franklin proposed that the turkey be adopted as the national bird of the United States. Franklin argued that the turkey was a more noble bird than the bald eagle, which he considered to be a “bird of prey.” However, his proposal was rejected by Congress, and the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird instead.

Despite being rejected as the national bird, the turkey remained a popular symbol of the United States. In 1877, the National Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner was established as a way to honor the Pilgrims and their tradition of eating turkey. The dinner is now held every year on the fourth Thursday of November.

The turkey has also been featured on many American coins and stamps. In 1947, the United States Mint issued a commemorative coin featuring a turkey. And in 1986, the United States Postal Service issued a stamp featuring a turkey.

Today, the turkey remains a popular symbol of the United States. It is a symbol of Thanksgiving, of abundance, and of American patriotism.

The Campaign to Make the Turkey the National Bird

In 1784, Benjamin Franklin proposed that the turkey be adopted as the national bird of the United States. Franklin argued that the turkey was a more noble bird than the bald eagle, which he considered to be a “bird of prey.” However, his proposal was rejected by Congress, and the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird instead.

Despite being rejected as the national bird, the turkey remained a popular symbol of the United States. In 1877, the National Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner was established as a way to honor the Pilgrims and their tradition of eating turkey. The dinner is now held every year on the fourth Thursday of November.

In the early 20th century, there was a renewed push to make the turkey the national bird. In 1939, the National Turkey Federation launched a campaign to have the turkey declared the national bird. The campaign was successful, and in 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation declaring the turkey to be the national bird of the United States.

The turkey has been the national bird of the United States ever since. It is a symbol of Thanksgiving, of abundance, and of American patriotism.

Arguments for and Against the Turkey as the National Bird

There were a number of arguments put forth for and against the turkey as the national bird of the United States.

Arguments in Favor of the Turkey

* The turkey is a native bird of North America. The turkey was one of the first birds to be domesticated by Native Americans, and it has been a part of the American landscape for centuries.
* The turkey is a symbol of strength and courage. The turkey is a large and powerful bird, and it is often associated with strength and courage. In some cultures, the turkey is even seen as a warrior bird.
* The turkey is a versatile bird. The turkey can be eaten in a variety of ways, and it is a popular source of food for both humans and animals. The turkey is also a valuable source of feathers, which can be used for clothing, bedding, and other purposes.

Arguments Against the Turkey

* The turkey is not a particularly beautiful bird. Some people argue that the turkey is not a particularly beautiful bird, and that it is not worthy of being the national bird of the United States.
* The turkey is a messy bird. The turkey is a messy bird, and it is known for its droppings. Some people argue that this makes the turkey an undesirable choice for the national bird.
* The turkey is not a particularly intelligent bird. Some people argue that the turkey is not a particularly intelligent bird, and that this makes it an undesirable choice for the national bird.

Ultimately, the decision of which bird to choose as the national bird of the United States was a subjective one. There were valid arguments to be made for both the turkey and the bald eagle. In the end, the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird, but the turkey remains a popular and beloved bird in the United States.

The Final Decision on the National Bird

The debate over which bird to choose as the national bird of the United States began in the early 1800s. In 1782, the Continental Congress considered a proposal to make the bald eagle the national bird, but the proposal was not approved. In 1787, the United States Constitution was ratified, and the bald eagle was officially designated as the national bird of the United States.

The bald eagle was chosen as the national bird for a number of reasons. The bald eagle is a large and powerful bird, and it is a symbol of strength and courage. The bald eagle is also a native bird of North America, and it has been a part of the American landscape for centuries.

The decision to make the bald eagle the national bird was not without controversy. Some people argued that the turkey should have been chosen instead. The turkey is a native bird of North America, and it is a popular and beloved bird. However, the bald eagle was ultimately chosen as the national bird because it is a symbol of strength and courage.

Q: Was the turkey almost the national bird of the United States?

A: Yes, the turkey was almost the national bird of the United States. In 1782, the Continental Congress was considering several candidates for the national bird, including the bald eagle, the turkey, and the goose. The turkey was a popular choice because it was a common bird in the United States and it was associated with Thanksgiving. However, the bald eagle was ultimately chosen as the national bird because it was seen as a more majestic and powerful bird.

Q: What were the arguments for and against choosing the turkey as the national bird?

A: The arguments for choosing the turkey as the national bird included:

* It was a common bird in the United States.
* It was associated with Thanksgiving.
* It was a hardy bird that could survive in a variety of climates.

The arguments against choosing the turkey as the national bird included:

* It was not a particularly majestic or powerful bird.
* It was associated with gluttony and laziness.
* It was a messy bird that could be difficult to clean.

Q: What happened after the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird?

A: The turkey was not forgotten after the bald eagle was chosen as the national bird. It remained a popular symbol in American culture and it is still celebrated on Thanksgiving. The turkey is also the official state bird of South Carolina and Delaware.

Q: Do any other countries have the turkey as their national bird?

A: Yes, several countries have the turkey as their national bird, including:

* Mexico
* Honduras
* Guatemala
* El Salvador
* Nicaragua
* Costa Rica
* Panama
* Colombia
* Venezuela
* Ecuador
* Peru
* Bolivia
* Chile
* Argentina
* Uruguay
* Paraguay

the turkey was almost the national bird of the United States. This is a fascinating story that shows how our national symbols can be influenced by a variety of factors. It also highlights the importance of compromise and the role that public opinion can play in the political process.