This week, President Barack Obama signed a new piece of legislation declaring the American bison the “national mammal” of the U.S. While the nation has been represented by the bald eagle for over 200 years, the bison now joins its feathered friend as an official symbol, honored for its historical importance to the land and people of the United States.

Read more about the honor here, then talk about it at the dinner table with your family:

• What does it mean to be a symbol of something?
• Can you think of other symbols that are widely recognized as representing a certain country, group or event?
• What makes something a good symbol? What attributes or qualities should it have?
• If you were going to found a new country of your own, what animal would you choose to represent it and why?
• Do you agree with the choice of the bison to represent the U.S.? What about the bald eagle? If not, what animal would you have chosen?