User:Benjamin Dworkin/sandbox

Background and history
The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States. It assumed its role as a national symbol when it was featured on the Great Seal of the United States by the Continental Congress in 1782. The wild turkey, also a bird species native to North America, was argued by Benjamin Franklin to be a "bird of courage" and that it should be taken more seriously in consideration as the new nation's national symbol.

A debate on the merits and patriotism of these two birds was first done at Rider University in spring of 2017. Participants in this first debate included professor of biology, Dr. Jonathan Yavelow and senior Leah Corcillo representing the eagle and associate professor of English, Dr. Vanita Neelakanta and senior John Modica representing the turkey. The debate was moderated by the director of the Rider’s Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics, Dr. Benjamin Dworkin. Debate attendees were asked to donate canned goods and other supplies to vote for the winner of the mock academic debate. All donations went to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.