1 . The bald eagle has been an official symbol (象征) of the United States for more than 200 years. Now it will share the stage with another American animal—the bison. Last spring, this huge, hairy animal became the country’s national symbol.

Bison, also known as buffalo, are the biggest land animals in North America. They have played a big role in American history.

Long ago, millions of bison traveled across the U. S. Many lived in the grasslands of the Great Plains. For hundreds of years, American Indians in that area needed bison meat for food. They used the skins to make clothing and houses, and the bones to make tools.

Later, many settlers moved to the Great Plains to set up farms and towns. They hunted bison in large numbers. By 1900, bison had almost died out. Only about 1,000 bison were left. Since then, people have worked hard to save the bison. Today, there are more than 400, 000 bison in the U. S. They live in protected areas and all over the nation. Their comeback is seen as a great success.

To recognize the bison’s importance in U. S. history, wildlife groups and American Indian groups asked U. S. lawmakers to make the animal a national symbol. Lawmakers passed a bill, or plan for a law, to do that. The President then signed the bill into law.

U. S. Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota was one lawmaker who pushed to get the law passed. “The bison is an amazing animal,” he told Scholastic News. “It’s a great symbol for a great country.”