The bird of brown and white feathers has long represented the United States as a majestic and soaring symbol, but only this week did a law make it official.

The bald eagle is featured on American military insignia, currency, stamps and even the helmets of an NFL team. However, the government has never officially recognized it as the United States’ national bird—until now.

The United States has used the bald eagle as a national symbol since George Washington was president. But it only became the national bird on Dec. 24, and only after a Minnesota man caught the oversight.

With the United States just making the bald eagle the national bird, here's what you need to know about them living in Pennsylvania.

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.

Though a longstanding symbol of "independence, strength and freedom," according to Congress, the bird of prey never received a formal designation

President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill officially designating the bald eagle as the national bird of the United

Among the 50 bills signed by President Joe Biden on Christmas Eve was S.4610,  which amends title 36, United States Code, to designate the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States.

The bald eagle is on the United States' national seal, on U.S. currency. However, until Christmas Eve it wasn't on the books as the national bird.