The American Eagle and the Thanksgiving Turkey
"May one give us peace in all our states,
The other a piece for all our plates --"
-from a nineteenth century postcard
Contrary to folklore, Benjamin Franklin never lobbied for the turkey to appear on the Great Seal. It was never mentioned in the meetings on the design of the Great Seal, which, when adopted in 1782, honored the bald eagle. Franklin wanted the illustration for the seal to show the parting of the Red Sea and destruction of the Pharoah's chariots, which the inscription "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God."
1 comment:
I love the illustration! Some great artist I bet!
Love ya,
Mimi
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