The bald eagle has been lauded as a symbol of the United States, but it wasn't officially the national bird until Tuesday.

The bald eagle, a symbol of the power and strength of the United States for more than 240 years, earned an overdue honor on Tuesday: It officially became the country’s national bird.

The bald eagle, a symbol of the nation for more than 200 years, returned from near extinction to become America's official bird.

The National Eagle Center says after campaigning for months to make the bald eagle the official national bird, seeing a bill pass the president's desk is great to see.