St. Paul, MN – The Bald Eagle is a true American icon, and in recognition of its special status as our National Bird and living national symbol, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed June 20 as Bald Eagle Day in the State of Minnesota.
June 20 commemorates the date in 1782 when the Second Continental Congress chose the Bald Eagle to be the national symbol.
“This is not the first time June 20 has been proclaimed as Bald Eagle Day in the state of Minnesota,” said Ed Hahn, Director of Advancement and Marketing Communications at the National Eagle Center. “This proclamation has happened several times in the past. Both Governors Pawlenty and Dayton made previous proclamations. However, 2025 marks the first time that Bald Eagle Day is happening with the Bald Eagle as our official National Bird, so it is special.”
Despite the general belief that the Bald Eagle was already our National Bird, no official Congressional declaration existed until last year, when Congress passed legislation unanimously making the status of National Bird official. The law was signed by then-President Joe Biden on December 23, 2024.
“The Bald Eagle has an incredible to tell and many lessons to teach us,” said Hahn. “We hope Minnesotans will use the day as an opportunity to learn about eagles and connect with the incredible natural resources we enjoy here in Minnesota.
The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN will be commemorating the occasion on Saturday with two free public live eagle programs at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in St. Felix Auditorium in downtown Wabasha, MN. Other activities and exhibits are also planned throughout the day. Details are available online at nationaleaglecenter.org/bald-eagle-day or by calling 651.565.4989.
The National Eagle Center is a nature center and museum located in Wabasha, MN. It is open daily and offers up-close eagle experiences, daily programs, wild eagle viewing, and the Preston Cook American Eagle Collection. For more information about the National Eagle Center, visit nationaleaglecenter.org or call 651.565.4989. The National Eagle Center is an equal opportunity provider.