© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The bald eagle was never officially named the national bird

Season 2024 Episode 340 | 4m 17s

Despite centuries on the national seal and widespread assumption, the bald eagle has never officially been designated as the national bird. John Yang reports on the effort to change that and why it matters.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Consumer Cellular and Cunard Cruise Line. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
November 17, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Questions linger in a Georgia town more than a year after the toxic BioLab fire
News Wrap: Border Patrol agents make more arrests on 2nd day of Charlotte surge
Key takeaways from COP30 halfway through the UN climate summit
November 16, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
How the bill that ended the shutdown could threaten the U.S. hemp industry’s future
Italy’s oldest barista, who has served coffee since WWII, turns 101
November 15, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
How sanctions imposed by Trump are taking a toll on the International Criminal Court
News Wrap: Federal agents begin making immigration arrests in North Carolina