If you didn’t know, the bald eagle’s story is about as American as it gets… Chosen as U.S. national symbol in 1782 Populations plummeted due to hunting, habitat loss, and DDT Only 412 nesting pairs remained by the 1950s 1940 law banned harming eagles and their nests 1972 DDT ban reversed eggshell thinning and decline Listed as “endangered” in 1973 under federal protection Populations steadily increased through habitat and legal protections Over 71,000 nesting pairs reported by 20211 The bald eagle fought its way back from the brink of extinction… overcame great obstacles… and is now thriving. You don’t get any more American than that.