User:SacAttack12/sandbox

On the Great Seal of the United States, there is an eagle grasping an olive branch in its right talon. The olive branch traditionally has been recognized as a symbol for peace. Its history as a symbol for peace began in Ancient Greece. Legend has it that the Greek Gods Poseidon and Athena had a contest over who would be the patron for the city Athens. The winner would be chosen by the king of Athens at the time, Cecrops I, and he would evaluate them based on who could give a better gift to the city. Poseidon immediately struck the ground with his trident and a jet of water burst out. However, the water proved to be salty. Athena planted an olive branch in the ground and blessed the city with all of its uses. She was chosen as the winner and so Athens was named in her honor. Although peace was associated with the olive branch during the time of the Greeks, the symbolism became even stronger under the Pax Romana when envoys used the olive branch as tokens of peace. On July 4, 1776, a resolution was passed that allowed the creation of the Great Seal of the United States. It was added to the seal in March of 1780 by the second committee appointed by Congress to design the seal. The olive branch has thirteen olives and thirteen olive leaves to represent the thirteen original colonies. Later on, the bald eagle and bundle of arrows were added. The idea of the olive branch opposing the bundle of arrows was to "denote the power of peace & war which is exclusively vested in Congress." 