Left to right: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin: for the birds--or were they? In the 1969 musical 1776 there is a passionate discussion about what America’s national symbol should be. Three of the delegates to the Continental Congress--Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams--argue with each other to support their favorite candidates. Before breaking out in song, you hear Jefferson advocating that the dove, the bird of peace, represent the new nation. John Adams advocates the majestic eagle. Benjamin Franklin pushes for the intelligent, indigenous turkey. If you’ll pardon the spoiler: John Adams wins the argument. The song “The Egg” from 1776 It’s a charming song, and an amusing scene, but I’m afraid it was just a myth. What the song refers to is an actual committee that the three men were on that was tasked to come up with a design for the Great Seal of the United States. It’s true that each man had his own idea what that