Most will recognize the Seal of the President of the United States. It depicts an eagle with arrows in his right talon and olive branches in the left. There was a rumor that the seal was modified to show whether the U.S. was at war or peace. In times of war the eagle looked to the arrows, while in times of peace he stared at the olive branches.

The rumor is not true. According to the White House curator, Bill Allman, there is only one Seal of the President of the United States. And the eagle’s head always looks to the olive branch. This rumor may have begun in 1945. Then the eagle’s head did turn to the arrows. After World War II, President Harry S Truman had it modified to illustrate the eagle’s head always turned towards the olive branch.

Yes, I know. I didn’t put a period after the S in Harry “S” Truman. That is also correct. Harry Truman didn’t have a period after his middle initial. You can look that up if you want! Some very correct people simply add the period thinking that it must be a mistake not to have it.