The bald eagle, a powerful symbol of the U.S., has officially become the country’s national bird. The move came Tuesday with President Joe Biden signing a bill into law to amend the United States Code. The raptor had already served to represent American strength for nearly 250 years; Congress designated it the national emblem in 1782.

One prominent member of American society received a promotion with bipartisan support this holiday season: The bald eagle is now the official bird of the United States, a proclamation nearly 250 years in the making.