Oy, repeating consistently debunked stories seems to continue anyway despite history's best efforts. No, Betsy Ross didn't sew the first flag as far as we can determine and, no, the presidential eagle was not changed from the arrows of war to the olive branch of peace to signify peace over war. It was changed to adhere to heraldic custom of having the main charge to always face to its own right, the side of honor, by the US Army Institute of Heraldry where all military seals and symbols originate.
When did I mention Betsy Ross? Also, the Truman Library AND White House Historical Association agree with me regarding the reason why the eagle's head was turned towards the olive branches. I did a lot of research for this video, relying on official documents and not personal stories. Anecdotal accounts are nice but do not constitute decisive historical evidence, especially when contradicted by scholars and the Federal Government itself. Here is a link to the WHHA in case you are interested: www.whitehousehistory.org/a-brief-history-of-the-presidential-seal Furthermore, your assertion that the Army Institute of Heraldry is "where all military seals and symbols originate" is manifestly untrue. The Institute was founded in 1960 as a successor to the Heraldic Program Office, which was founded in 1919, well after the US had established a rich pantheon of symbols and seals for countless federal agencies and departments. The Presidential Seal itself predates the Institute and Heraldry Office, so your statement is de facto false and misleading.
Isn't there a story behind the Vice-Presidential seal and flag?
There's a story behind everything!
Oy, repeating consistently debunked stories seems to continue anyway despite history's best efforts. No, Betsy Ross didn't sew the first flag as far as we can determine and, no, the presidential eagle was not changed from the arrows of war to the olive branch of peace to signify peace over war. It was changed to adhere to heraldic custom of having the main charge to always face to its own right, the side of honor, by the US Army Institute of Heraldry where all military seals and symbols originate.
When did I mention Betsy Ross? Also, the Truman Library AND White House Historical Association agree with me regarding the reason why the eagle's head was turned towards the olive branches. I did a lot of research for this video, relying on official documents and not personal stories. Anecdotal accounts are nice but do not constitute decisive historical evidence, especially when contradicted by scholars and the Federal Government itself. Here is a link to the WHHA in case you are interested: www.whitehousehistory.org/a-brief-history-of-the-presidential-seal
Furthermore, your assertion that the Army Institute of Heraldry is "where all military seals and symbols originate" is manifestly untrue. The Institute was founded in 1960 as a successor to the Heraldic Program Office, which was founded in 1919, well after the US had established a rich pantheon of symbols and seals for countless federal agencies and departments. The Presidential Seal itself predates the Institute and Heraldry Office, so your statement is de facto false and misleading.