Great Seal of the United States - The Founding Fathers finalized the official seal of the United States on June 20, 1782. The Great Seal combines the power of our most famous raptor, the eagle, and other natural elements and universal symbols to convey the original spirit of America.

The shield in front of the eagle has thirteen vertical white and red stripes symbolizing the original states. In the eagle's right talon is an olive branch and in the left a bundle of thirteen arrows. In the beak is a scroll inscribed E Pluribus Unum, "Out of Many, One".

Adapted from information provided by GreatSeal.com. Artwork by Doris Rowe