If you watch the majestic American bald eagle fly above the treetops, it's easy to see why it stands for freedom and strength in the United States. As the national emblem, it's seen on government buildings and documents, and is often used to symbolize national pride. Readers learn how the American bald eagle came to be the national bird of the United States and the many ways its image is used. Full-color photographs of the American bald eagle highlight its fierce beauty. A timeline guides readers through its creation as a national symbol.