The United States won its independence after 1782.
The United States won its independence before 1782.
American leaders wanted the eagle to be a symbol of their country.
They chose the bald eagle because it was found all over South America.
They chose the bald eagle because it was found all over North America.
A little over 200 years later, the bald eagle had almost disappeared.
In 1972, there were only 30,000 bald eagles.
Unfortunately, rain often washes crops into rivers.
The eggs have very thin shells and do not hatch.
Today, the American government and the American people are trying to pollute the bald eagle.
