Back around 240 years ago, when the founding figures were deliberating over the design of the United States’ great seal, they ultimately chose the bald eagle as its centerpiece. However, Ben Franklin, a notable dissenter, argued passionately for the wild turkey as a symbol. His stance didn’t prevail, and thus the eagle was established as our national emblem.
As a child, I might have indulged in one too many alternate history tales, but the idea that a seemingly trivial decision could have profound implications intrigues me. What if Franklin had triumphed in his argument for the turkey? Would we still celebrate Thanksgiving with the same exuberance? Would throwing turkey legs become a lighthearted way to exchange playful jabs?
Symbols and National Identity
Let’s delve a bit deeper. Can the symbols we choose influence our national identity and trajectory? For instance, the bald eagle, a predator, embodies a certain ferocity, capable of hunting fish, birds, and mammals. In contrast, the wild turkey is a forager, more inclined to munch on acorns and nuts rather than chase after smaller creatures. What if adopting a foraging bird instead of a hunter had altered our national ethos? Would our 19th-century ideas of Manifest Destiny or our approach to international conflicts in the 20th and 21st centuries have shifted?
If the turkey doesn’t sway you, consider our national colors. The red, white, and blue of the American flag was an obvious choice, reflecting the colonies’ ties to the British Empire, which used the same hues. Initially devoid of specific meanings, these colors gradually acquired significance.
“White represents purity and innocence. Red stands for hardiness and valor, while blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance, and justice,” noted Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress. Over time, even the stars and stripes have been imbued with deeper meanings. For example, it’s often taught that red signifies the blood shed by soldiers. During the “Year of the Flag” in 1986, President Carter elaborated, saying, “The colors of our flag represent the qualities of the human spirit we Americans hold dear.”
What if we had interpreted these colors differently? Could the white reflect gratitude for the bountiful resources of our nation? Might the blue suggest a commitment to peaceful coexistence both domestically and globally?
The National Anthem
Then there’s our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which was adopted by President Wilson in 1916 but was originally a military song from the War of 1812. Do its battle-focused lyrics shape our national psyche? Would a more peaceful anthem like “God Bless America,” penned in 1918 by Irving Berlin, have fostered a different national character?
Perhaps I’m overthinking it. Maybe our symbols are simply arbitrary choices made by those in power, carrying no real weight in how we perceive ourselves as Americans. But it’s worth pondering that Franklin’s initial preference wasn’t even for the turkey; he had first suggested the rattlesnake.
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In summary, the symbols we choose can shape our national narrative in profound ways, influencing everything from our self-image to our interactions with the world. Even the most seemingly trivial decisions can have lasting effects.
Keyphrase: National Symbols and Identity
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