The Great Seal

Why does the State Department have possession of the Great Seal?

The Department of State acquired possession of the Great Seal through an Act of Congress on September 15, 1789, entitled, "An Act to provide for the safe keeping of the Acts, Records, and Seal of the United States, and for other purposes." In the fulfillment of its duties, the Department of State uses the Great Seal in the preparation, sealing, and recording of the commissions of Presidential appointees, on instruments of ratification of treaties and in the preparation and authentication of copies of records and authentication of copies under the Department's Seal.

Has the Seal always looked the same?

The Great Seal has had several different incarnations throughout U.S. history. A committee was formed to design the seal after a resolution was passed by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The committee, composed of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, proposed the first design of the seal. Congress turned that design over to a second committee which proposed another design. Yet a third committee was appointed, and Congress adopted a final design on June 20, 1782. The first die was cut in 1782, and when if became worn, a new die was engraved in 1841. The 1841 seal showed only six arrows in the eagle's claw, used five rather than six pointed stars, and added fruit to the olive branch. Another die was engraved in 1877 that enlarged the stars and lettering of the motto; this cast is considered the poorest Great Seal die. A new die was engraved in 1885 using the original 1782 description as a guideline. The 185 version was more formal and larger than previous additions. The eagle once again held 13 arrows, but now he also held an olive branch with 13 leaves and 13 olives. The clouds above the eagle also appeared in a circle for the first time. By 1904 the 1885 seal was worn out, and a new seal was engraved resembling almost exactly the die of 1885. This die was used for 26 years and then used to create a master die in 1986. From that time the Great Seal has remained the same.

What does the seal symbolize?

Originally the seal was meant to symbolize the beliefs and values of the founding fathers and the new nation. The red and white stripes of the shield represent the states united under and supporting the blue, representing the Chief and Congress. White symbolizes purity and innocence, red signifies hardiness and valor, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The shield is supported solely by the American eagle to denote that Americans should rely on their own virtue. The number 13, symbolic of the 13 original colonies, is displayed in the bundle of arrows, the stripes of the shield, and the stars in the constellation. The olive branch and the arrows display the power of peace and war. A new nation taking its place among established, sovereign states is represented by the constellation of stars. The motto E Pluribus Unum expresses the union of the 13 states.

Where can I get further information about the Great Seal?

For the online text of a booklet entitled "The Great Seal of the United States", go to http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/27807.pdf. More detailed information appears in Richard S. Patterson and Richardson Dougall, The Eagle and the Shield: A History of the Great Seal of the United States (Washington, Department of State, 1976), 637 pages, illustrated.