Transcript European Culture

European Culture
7th Grade Social Studies
European Union Flag
Flag of the European Union
• The European flag is the symbol not only of the
European Union but also of Europe's unity and
identity in a wider sense.
• The European flag consists of 12 golden stars in
a circle on a blue background. The stars
symbolise the ideals of unity, solidarity and
harmony among the peoples of Europe.
• The number of stars has nothing to do with the
number of member countries, though the circle
is a symbol of unity.
History of the E.U. Flag
• The history of the flag goes back to 1955. The Council of
Europe - defending human rights and promoting
European culture – adopted the present design for its
own use.
• Over the following years the Council of Europe
encouraged the emerging European institutions to adopt
the flag as well.
• In 1983, the European Parliament adopted the flag. In
1985, it was adopted by all EU leaders as the official
emblem of the European Union (called the European
Communities at the time). All European institutions now
use an emblem of their own.
American Flag
American Flag
• Congress first approved the flag on June 14, 1777.
This date is now observed as Flag Day throughout America. It was
first stated that there be a star and stripe for each state, making
thirteen of both. Over the years, the number of stars has been
changed to include one star for each of the 50 states, while the
stripes remained the same to represent the 13 original colonies.
Later, the colors of the flag were given special meaning. The red is
for valor and zeal - white is for hope, purity, and cleanliness of life and blue, the color of heaven, loyalty, sincerity, justice, and truth.
The name "OLD GLORY" was given to our National Flag on August
10, 1831.
• The flag means the spirit of liberty and human freedom.
European Union Anthem
• Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Ode to Joy.
For the final movement of this symphony,
Beethoven set to music the "Ode to Joy"
written in 1785 by Friedrich von Schiller.
U.S. National Anthem
• The Star Spangled Banner is the national
anthem of the United States. The words
are Francis Scott Key’s description of a
War of 1812 Battle in Baltimore
E.U. National Holiday
• On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman
presented his proposal on the creation of
an organized Europe, indispensable to
maintaining peaceful relations. This
proposal, known as the "Schuman
Declaration", is considered to be the
beginning of the creation of what is now
the European Union
US National Holiday
• The Declaration of Independence of the 13
British colonies was signed on July 4,
1776 and is celebrated as the beginning of
the United States of America as an
independent nation
Motto
• “United in diversity” is the motto of the
European Union.
• The motto means that, via the EU,
Europeans are united in working together
for peace and prosperity, and that the
many different cultures, traditions, and
languages in Europe are a positive asset
for the continent
U.S. Motto
• “E pluribus unum” (Latin for “out of many,
one” refers to the United States as a
nation of immigrants from across the globe
living together as a single nation.
E.U. Currency
• The Euro bank notes have color images of
windows and doorways on the front
symbolizing openness and transparency;
the reverse has images of bridges
symbolizing connectedness.
• As of Jan. 1, 2010, 17 out of 27 Member
States will be using Euro currency
U.S. Currency
• US currency features national leaders on
the front of notes, and prominent federal
buildings and monuments on the reverse.