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 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 nation for over 200 years, returned from near extinction to become America's bird − officially − this week.