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Design for the Recto of the Great Seal of the United States

  • 1782

View the full document here: https://docsteach.org/document/design-recto-great-seal/

Description

The third committee to design the Great Seal met on May 4, 1782, and consulted William Barton, a student of heraldry. His designs, completed five days later, incorporated the eagle for the first time. They were sent to Congress for approval early the next month.

Citation

This primary source comes from the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.

National Archives Identifier: 595258

Full Citation: Design for the Recto of the Great Seal of the United States; 1782; Reports on Administrative Affairs of the Congress; Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 – 1789; Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, Record Group 360; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/design-recto-great-seal/, April 5, 2026]

Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.

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