U.S. Symbols U.S. Symbols and and

LandmarksLandmarks

The FlagThe Flag

The United States flag has 13 stripes. The United States flag has 13 stripes. Seven are red and 6 are white. It also Seven are red and 6 are white. It also has 50 white stars on a blue has 50 white stars on a blue background. The stripes represent the background. The stripes represent the 13 original colonies. The 50 stars 13 original colonies. The 50 stars represent the 50 states in the U.S.represent the 50 states in the U.S.

The first U.S. flag was designed in The first U.S. flag was designed in 1777. The flag has been changed many 1777. The flag has been changed many times since then. New stars are added times since then. New stars are added each time new states join the union.each time new states join the union.

FlagFlag

White: Signifies White: Signifies purity and purity and innocence innocence

Red: Signifies Red: Signifies valor and bravery valor and bravery

Blue: Signifies Blue: Signifies Vigilance, Vigilance, perseverance, and perseverance, and justice justice

The United States SealThe United States Seal

On July 4, 1776, Benjamin Franklin, On July 4, 1776, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were given the task of creating a seal were given the task of creating a seal for the United States of America. for the United States of America.

The Great Seal was finalized and The Great Seal was finalized and approved six years later on June 20, approved six years later on June 20, 1782. The seal reflects the beliefs and 1782. The seal reflects the beliefs and values that the Founding Fathers values that the Founding Fathers wanted to pass on to their descendents.wanted to pass on to their descendents.

The Great SealThe Great Seal In the center of the seal In the center of the seal

is an bald eagle, our is an bald eagle, our national bird. It holds in national bird. It holds in its beak a scroll inscribed its beak a scroll inscribed E pluribus unumE pluribus unum, which , which is Latin meaning "out of is Latin meaning "out of many, one" and stands many, one" and stands for one nation that was for one nation that was created from 13 colonies. created from 13 colonies. In one claw is an olive In one claw is an olive branch, while the other branch, while the other holds a bundle of thirteen holds a bundle of thirteen arrows. The olive branch arrows. The olive branch and arrows "denote the and arrows "denote the power of peace and war."power of peace and war."

The United States SealThe United States SealDo you see a pattern of thirteen in Do you see a pattern of thirteen in

the Great Seal? the Great Seal? 13 stars in the crest above the 13 stars in the crest above the

eagle eagle 13 stripes in the shield upon the 13 stripes in the shield upon the

eagle's breast eagle's breast 13 arrows in the eagle's left claw 13 arrows in the eagle's left claw 13 olives and leaves in the 13 olives and leaves in the

eagles' right claw eagles' right claw 13 letters in the motto carried 13 letters in the motto carried

by the eagle, by the eagle, E Pluribus UnumE Pluribus Unum Why thirteen? Thirteen represents Why thirteen? Thirteen represents

the first thirteen states - the first thirteen states - Massachusetts, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, North Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.Georgia.

Back of the SealBack of the Seal The seal's reverse side is The seal's reverse side is

sometimes referred to as sometimes referred to as the spiritual side. It the spiritual side. It contains a 13-step contains a 13-step pyramid with the year pyramid with the year 1776 in Roman numerals 1776 in Roman numerals at the base. At the top of at the base. At the top of the pyramid is the Eye of the pyramid is the Eye of Providence and above is Providence and above is the motto the motto Annuit Annuit CoeptiCoeptis, meaning "It [the s, meaning "It [the Eye of Providence] is Eye of Providence] is favorable to our favorable to our undertakings" or "He undertakings" or "He favors our undertakings." favors our undertakings."

Back of the SealBack of the Seal The Great Seal can be The Great Seal can be

seen on the back of a seen on the back of a one-dollar bill. The one-dollar bill. The Secretary of State is the Secretary of State is the official custodian of the official custodian of the seal. It is only attached seal. It is only attached (affixed) to certain (affixed) to certain documents, such as documents, such as foreign treaties and foreign treaties and presidential presidential proclamations. The Great proclamations. The Great Seal is displayed in the Seal is displayed in the Exhibit Hall of the Exhibit Hall of the Department of State, in Department of State, in Washington, DCWashington, DC

Bald EagleBald Eagle The bald eagle is a The bald eagle is a

large, powerful, brown large, powerful, brown bird with a white head bird with a white head and tail. The Founding and tail. The Founding Fathers chose the bald Fathers chose the bald eagle to be the eagle to be the national bird of the national bird of the United States in 1782. United States in 1782. This majestic bird can This majestic bird can only be found in North only be found in North America. America.

Liberty BellLiberty Bell The Liberty Bell has become the The Liberty Bell has become the

symbol of freedom in the United symbol of freedom in the United States. It rang when the States. It rang when the Continental Congress signed the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.Declaration of Independence.

The Bell was cast in London, The Bell was cast in London, England in 1752. It is made mostly England in 1752. It is made mostly of copper and tin. After it arrived of copper and tin. After it arrived in the U.S., the Bell cracked. A new in the U.S., the Bell cracked. A new bell was made from the metal in bell was made from the metal in the old one, but this one also the old one, but this one also cracked. A third bell was built from cracked. A third bell was built from the same metal, and now this one the same metal, and now this one has a crack too!has a crack too!

The last time the bell rang was on The last time the bell rang was on February 23, 1846 for George February 23, 1846 for George Washington's birthday celebration. Washington's birthday celebration. Today, the Liberty Bell hangs in Today, the Liberty Bell hangs in Philadelphia for all to see.Philadelphia for all to see.

Statue of LibertyStatue of Liberty The Statue of Liberty is The Statue of Liberty is

located in New York. The located in New York. The Statue of Liberty Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom symbolizes freedom throughout the world. The throughout the world. The Statue was actually a gift Statue was actually a gift from the people of France.from the people of France.

The Statue represents a The Statue represents a woman escaping the woman escaping the chains of tyranny. She chains of tyranny. She holds a torch, which holds a torch, which represents liberty. The represents liberty. The Statue’s full name is Statue’s full name is Liberty Enlightening the Liberty Enlightening the World.World.

The White HouseThe White House

The White House is the home of the The White House is the home of the President of the United States. It is President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Every President Washington, D.C. Every President except George Washington has lived except George Washington has lived there.there.

The President’s office is called the Oval The President’s office is called the Oval Office. Here the President does the Office. Here the President does the business of the country. He signs bills business of the country. He signs bills and Executive Orders, and he meets and Executive Orders, and he meets with staff, visitors, and guests.with staff, visitors, and guests.

Mount RushmoreMount Rushmore In the Black Hills of In the Black Hills of

South Dakota, stands the South Dakota, stands the national memorial, national memorial, Mount Rushmore, Mount Rushmore, created by Gutzon created by Gutzon Borglum. It was Borglum. It was designed as a testament designed as a testament to the growth of the to the growth of the country and its great country and its great leaders. This magnificent leaders. This magnificent rock carving depicts the rock carving depicts the 60-foot high (18.3 m) 60-foot high (18.3 m) faces of four great U.S. faces of four great U.S. Presidents.Presidents.

Washington MonumentWashington Monument At 555 feet 5 1/8 inches At 555 feet 5 1/8 inches

(169.29 meters) high, the (169.29 meters) high, the Washington Monument Washington Monument towers over everything in towers over everything in Washington, DC and is one of Washington, DC and is one of the tallest masonry the tallest masonry structures in the world. Fifty structures in the world. Fifty flags surround the base of flags surround the base of the Washington Monument the Washington Monument and symbolize the 50 states and symbolize the 50 states of the Union. If you take the of the Union. If you take the elevator to the pyramid top, elevator to the pyramid top, windows in the observation windows in the observation room offer views of the room offer views of the Lincoln Memorial, the White Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Thomas Jefferson House, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, and the Capitol Memorial, and the Capitol building.building.

Lincoln MemorialLincoln Memorial Located on the National Located on the National

Mall in Washington, DC, Mall in Washington, DC, the Lincoln Memorial the Lincoln Memorial honors Abraham Lincoln, honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln United States. Lincoln was President during the was President during the Civil War (1861-65). The Civil War (1861-65). The memorial, which was memorial, which was built between 1914 and built between 1914 and 1922, symbolizes his 1922, symbolizes his belief that all people belief that all people should be free.should be free.

Jefferson MemorialJefferson Memorial

Located in Located in Washington, DC, the Washington, DC, the Jefferson Memorial Jefferson Memorial honors Thomas honors Thomas Jefferson -- author of Jefferson -- author of the Declaration of the Declaration of Independence, first Independence, first Secretary of State, Secretary of State, and third President and third President of the United States. of the United States.