WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden on Thursday signed legislation designating an overdue honor on Tuesday, naming the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.

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.

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,