The bird of brown and white feathers has long represented the United States as a majestic and soaring symbol, but only this week did a law make it official.

President Joe Biden signed into law legislation sent to him by Congress that amends the United States Code to correct what had long gone unnoticed and designate the bald eagle — familiar to many because of its white head, yellow beak and brown body — as the national bird.

The bald eagle has been synonymous with the U.S. since the dawn of the country more than 240 years ago. But it wasn't until President Joe Biden signed a bill into law on Christmas Eve that the bald eagle officially became the national bird of the U.