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

The House of Representatives has officially passed a bill to reaffirm the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States. The unexpected move sparked a wave of mixed reactions, with critics questioning the

President Joe Biden signed into law a bill that amended title 36 of the United States Code and designated the bald eagle as the official national bird. The bill

The bald eagle is emblematic of America. It's on coins and bills, graces the Great Seal and inspired conservation efforts that brought the species back from the brink of extinction. Though it was first used as the national symbol more than 240 years ago,