What If the Turkey Were Our National Emblem?

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Hey there! Let’s take a fun trip down history lane. You might remember that around 240 years ago, when the Founding Fathers were deciding what should represent the United States, they picked the bald eagle for the great seal. But did you know that Ben Franklin wasn’t on board with that? He actually thought the wild turkey would make a better national symbol. In the end, though, the eagle soared into its role, leaving Franklin’s turkey dreams behind.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I find it fascinating to think about how a single choice might ripple through time and impact our lives. Imagine if Franklin had won the debate—would we still celebrate Thanksgiving with the same gusto? Would we toss turkeys at each other in friendly banter?

Symbols and National Identity

Let’s dig deeper. What if our symbols shaped our national identity? The bald eagle is a fierce predator, while wild turkeys are more of peaceful foragers, munching on acorns and nuts. How might that choice have influenced our mindset as a nation? Would adopting the turkey have changed our attitudes toward Manifest Destiny or our military actions across the globe?

Our National Colors

Speaking of symbols, let’s chat about our national colors. The red, white, and blue of the flag were influenced by the British flag, but over time, they’ve developed their own meanings. Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, shared that white stands for purity, red for bravery, and blue for justice. But what if those colors represented something different? Maybe white could symbolize gratitude for our resources, or blue could mean living harmoniously with others.

The National Anthem

And then there’s our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Written during the War of 1812, its martial lyrics certainly set a tone. What if we had chosen something calmer, like “God Bless America,” instead? Sure, that song came along a bit later, but it makes you wonder how our identity might shift with different songs.

Maybe I’m overthinking it, or maybe our symbols are just random whims of history without any real effect on how we see ourselves. But let’s not forget, while Franklin championed the turkey, he actually had a different favorite in 1775—a rattlesnake!

Further Reading

If you’re curious about more thoughts on this topic, check out this other blog post. And for those looking into pregnancy or home insemination, this resource is super helpful. Plus, if you’re exploring ways to boost your fertility, Make a Mom has some great tips!

In short, our national symbols and choices might not just be random. They could shape our culture and identity in ways we haven’t even considered. What do you think?