Olive branch adopted by the American Continental Congress in July 1775 in the hope of avoiding a full-blown war with Great Britain was called the Olive Branch Petition. On July 4, 1776, a resolution was passed that allowed the creation of the Great Seal of the United States. On the Great Seal, there is an eagle grasping an olive branch in its right talon. The olive branch traditionally has been recognized as a symbol for peace. It was added to the seal in March 1780 by the second committee appointed by Congress to design the seal. The olive branch has thirteen olives
Great Seal of the United States [[William Barton (heraldist)|William Barton]] were Masons and, while [[Francis Hopkinson]] has been alleged to have had Masonic connections, there is no firm evidence to support the claim. [[Category:1782 establishments in the United States|Great Seal]] [[Category:American heraldry|Great Seal of the United States]] [[Category:Birds in art]] [[Category:National coats of arms]] [[Category:National seals]] [[Category:National symbols of the United States|Great Seal]] [[Category:Ordinances of the Continental Congress|Great Seal]] Great Seal of the United States The Great Seal of the United States is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the federal government of the United States. The phrase is used both for the physical seal