Transcript US Symbols and Landmarks The Flag

U.S. Symbols and
Landmarks
The Flag
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The United States flag has 13 stripes. Seven are
red and 6 are white. It also has 50 white stars on
a blue background. The stripes represent the 13
original colonies. The 50 stars represent the 50
states in the U.S.
The first U.S. flag was designed in 1777. The flag
has been changed many times since then. New
stars are added each time new states join the
union.
Flag
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White: Signifies purity
and innocence
Red: Signifies valor and
bravery
Blue: Signifies Vigilance,
perseverance, and justice
The United States Seal
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On July 4, 1776, Benjamin Franklin, John
Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were given the
task of creating a seal for the United States of
America.
The Great Seal was finalized and approved six
years later on June 20, 1782. The seal reflects the
beliefs and values that the Founding Fathers
wanted to pass on to their descendents.
The Great Seal
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In the center of the seal is an
bald eagle, our national bird.
It holds in its beak a scroll
inscribed E pluribus unum,
which is Latin meaning "out
of many, one" and stands for
one nation that was created
from 13 colonies. In one claw
is an olive branch, while the
other holds a bundle of
thirteen arrows. The olive
branch and arrows "denote
the power of peace and war."
The United States Seal
Do you see a pattern of thirteen in the
Great Seal?
 13 stars in the crest above the eagle
 13 stripes in the shield upon the
eagle's breast
 13 arrows in the eagle's left claw
 13 olives and leaves in the eagles' right
claw
 13 letters in the motto carried by the
eagle, E Pluribus Unum
Why thirteen? Thirteen represents the
first thirteen states - Massachusetts,
Connecticut, Rhode Island, New
Hampshire, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia,
Maryland, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Georgia.
Back of the Seal
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The seal's reverse side is
sometimes referred to as the
spiritual side. It contains a
13-step pyramid with the year
1776 in Roman numerals at
the base. At the top of the
pyramid is the Eye of
Providence and above is the
motto Annuit Coeptis,
meaning "It [the Eye of
Providence] is favorable to
our undertakings" or "He
favors our undertakings."
Back of the Seal
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The Great Seal can be seen
on the back of a one-dollar
bill. The Secretary of State is
the official custodian of the
seal. It is only attached
(affixed) to certain
documents, such as foreign
treaties and presidential
proclamations. The Great
Seal is displayed in the
Exhibit Hall of the
Department of State, in
Washington, DC
Bald Eagle
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The bald eagle is a large,
powerful, brown bird
with a white head and
tail. The Founding
Fathers chose the bald
eagle to be the national
bird of the United States
in 1782. This majestic
bird can only be found in
North America.
Liberty Bell
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The Liberty Bell has become the symbol
of freedom in the United States. It rang
when the Continental Congress signed the
Declaration of Independence.
The Bell was cast in London, England in
1752. It is made mostly of copper and tin.
After it arrived in the U.S., the Bell
cracked. A new bell was made from the
metal in the old one, but this one also
cracked. A third bell was built from the
same metal, and now this one has a crack
too!
The last time the bell rang was on
February 23, 1846 for George
Washington's birthday celebration. Today,
the Liberty Bell hangs in Philadelphia for
all to see.
Statue of Liberty
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The Statue of Liberty is
located in New York. The
Statue of Liberty symbolizes
freedom throughout the
world. The Statue was
actually a gift from the
people of France.
The Statue represents a
woman escaping the chains
of tyranny. She holds a torch,
which represents liberty. The
Statue’s full name is Liberty
Enlightening the World.
The White House
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The White House is the home of the President
of the United States. It is located at 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Every
President except George Washington has lived
there.
The President’s office is called the Oval Office.
Here the President does the business of the
country. He signs bills and Executive Orders,
and he meets with staff, visitors, and guests.
Mount Rushmore
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In the Black Hills of South
Dakota, stands the national
memorial, Mount Rushmore,
created by Gutzon Borglum.
It was designed as a
testament to the growth of
the country and its great
leaders. This magnificent
rock carving depicts the 60foot high (18.3 m) faces of
four great U.S. Presidents.
Washington Monument
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At 555 feet 5 1/8 inches (169.29
meters) high, the Washington
Monument towers over everything
in Washington, DC and is one of
the tallest masonry structures in
the world. Fifty flags surround the
base of the Washington Monument
and symbolize the 50 states of the
Union. If you take the elevator to
the pyramid top, windows in the
observation room offer views of
the Lincoln Memorial, the White
House, the Thomas Jefferson
Memorial, and the Capitol building.
Lincoln Memorial
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Located on the National Mall
in Washington, DC, the
Lincoln Memorial honors
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th
President of the United
States. Lincoln was President
during the Civil War (186165). The memorial, which
was built between 1914 and
1922, symbolizes his belief
that all people should be free.
Jefferson Memorial
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Located in Washington,
DC, the Jefferson
Memorial honors
Thomas Jefferson -author of the
Declaration of
Independence, first
Secretary of State, and
third President of the
United States.