Why Did Ben Franklin Favor the Turkey Over the Eagle for America’s National Bird?

Thanksgiving is the time of year when turkeys get their moment of popularity. It’s also the season when a familiar piece of American myth reappears in some corner of the national conversations: the claim that Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey—rather than the bald eagle—to be the national bird of the United States.

Americans know Franklin to be many things because he was many things: one of the most influential Founding Fathers, a former leader of Pennsylvania, a pioneering scientist who famously experimented with lightning, and much more. But one thing he did not do was propose the turkey as the national bird.

In a 1784 letter to his daughter Sarah, Franklin expressed his disapproval of selecting the bald eagle as the nation’s emblem. He described the bald eagle as having “bad moral Character” and contrasted it with the American turkey.  Franklin penned,

For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours … though a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage.

While many have taken this as an endorsement for the turkey, Franklin’s letter was more a critique of the eagle than a serious proposal to elevate the turkey. Although the idea of a harvest celebration is not uniquely American, the turkey as the centerpiece of Thanksgiving certainly is.

Regardless of the myths that shape this holiday, today offers us an opportunity to reflect on what we’re thankful for.

For the Commonwealth Foundation, we are thankful for our policy wins—both big and small. We are grateful for our staff, our allies, our supporters, and the Pennsylvanians who want what’s best for our state. We are especially thankful for the lawmakers who secured meaningful victories for Pennsylvania this year, including advancing educational choice, reforming regulations, and championing affordable, reliable energy.

There is still much work ahead to make Pennsylvania the best state in the nation. But today, we pause to recognize the progress we’ve made and to express our gratitude to all of you.

From all of us at the Commonwealth Foundation, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!