9. Symbols that represent America

You can add more, but the U.S. Flag, Great Seal of the United States, The Statue of Liberty, The Liberty Bell, The Bald Eagle, Uncle Sam, Mount Rushmore, and the Pledge of Allegiance are all good symbols to start with.

The U.S. Flag

american flag
The Flag of United States of America

People in the United States of America swear allegiance to the American flag because it represents freedom and liberty. The Flag of United States of America symbolizes the pride and belief in U.S. Ideas. Citizens stand in salute to the flag, right hand over heart, and recite.
For more than 225 years, the American flag has served as a representation of liberty and justice. The American flag has served as a warning to enemies and a reassuring sign to friends throughout wars and times of peace. The Flag of United States of America is the only symbol that truly captures the strength and glory of the country.
The United States Flag is more than just a banner. It represents the very foundation of American society. It has travelled the world as an emblem of the freedom that Americans value so highly and as a symbol of American pride.

FAQs

The credit for making the flag of the United States of America goes to Elizabeth “Besty” Ross.

The pride in and adherence to American ideals are represented by the flag of the United States. All Americans take an oath when they are young to protect freedom and justice for everyone. They are reminded of this promise at every sporting event and public gathering they go to for the rest of their lives. 

Since the first one was made in 1777 with 13 stars and 13 stripes for the 13 American colonies, the flag has gone through a lot of changes. Every time a new state joined the union, a star was added to the flag. They now stand with 50 stars and 13 stripes, of course.

Federal law says that the flag should be out from sunrise to sunset (unless there is bad weather), but there are ways to make sure the flag is out for all 24 hours. All that needs to be done is make sure the flag is well lit so it can be seen at night.

It was not by chance that the colours red, white, and blue were chosen. The founders wanted the colours to represent something deeper than just aesthetics. The colour red represents bravery and honour, while white represents innocence and purity, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

After years of celebrations at the local level, President Woodrow Wilson officially declared May 30, 1916, Flag Day to commemorate the Flag Resolution of 1777.

The old saying has it that if a flag falls to the ground, it must be burned or otherwise discarded. Not entirely, no. A flag can be washed or dry cleaned if it gets dirty or falls to the ground, so it won’t have to be retired just because it got dirty.

The Great Seal of United States of America

The Great Seal of United States of America

The Great Seal, which can be found on official documents like proclamations, treaties, and correspondence from the President to the heads of other governments, represents independence and self-government.
The design shows an eagle with a scroll that says “E Pluribus Unum” in its beak. The eagle is holding an olive branch, which stands for peace, in one claw and thirteen arrows, which stand for war, in the other.
In 1782, the bald eagle was officially adopted as the national symbol by Congress. Since then, governmental structures, documents, currency, and other items have all featured a bald eagle with an olive branch and arrows in its talons. 

FAQs

The design shows an eagle with a scroll that says “E Pluribus Unum” in its beak. The eagle is holding an olive branch, which stands for peace, in one claw and thirteen arrows, which stand for war, in the other. 

No official symbol of the United States, like the Great Seal of the United States or the seal of the Department of State, can be used or copied without the Department of State’s written permission. The Great Seal of the United States is governed by Public Law 91-651, Chapter 18 of the United States Code.

The official symbol of the President of the United States is the Presidential Seal. It has the President’s coat of arms, an eagle on the great seal, a ring of stars, and the words “Seal of the President of the United States.”

It is an official symbol, a way to identify the government of a country or state, and a sign of its power. People often call the coat of arms of a country or state the national or state arms.

It was not by chance that the colours red, white, and blue were chosen. The founders wanted the colours to represent something deeper than just aesthetics. The colour red represents bravery and honour, while white represents innocence and purity, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

A document’s validity or execution can be attested to by the use of a seal. Government offices, businesses, and notaries public all use seals, which are exclusive to the sealer, to prove that a document has been properly executed, acknowledged, or witnessed. The Wex Definitions Team last updated this in June 2022.

The Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island closeup with blue sky in New York City Manhattan
The Statue of Liberty

“Liberty Enlightening the World” was a French gift to the U.S. 1886 saw a dedication.
Her broken shackles at her feet represent freedom from oppression, and the seven-pointed crown on her head represents the seven continents and seven seas.
Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, is depicted holding a tablet and a torch. It represents liberty and fairness to many. Its proximity to Ellis Island, the port of entry for millions of immigrants, makes it a symbol of optimism.
When we look to the Statue of Liberty for guidance, we see a path illuminated by her torch that leads us to freedom and independence. The official name for the Statue of Liberty is “Liberty Illuminating the World,” which perfectly captures the meaning she represents.

FAQs

This enormous architecture represents equality, freedom, and hope to everyone who chooses to immigrate to the United States and become a part of this great country.

A gift from the French, she has watched over New York Harbor since 1886. The words “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore” by Emma Lazarus were inscribed on a tablet at the statue’s base in 1883.

The broken shackles at her feet represent freedom from oppression, while the seven-pointed crown on her head represents the seven continents and seven seas.

The green patina on the Statue of Liberty’s exterior is the result of oxidation of the copper used to create it. Copper, as a noble metal, has almost no chemical reactions with other elements or compounds. The copper of the statue is remarkably pure and extremely thin, measuring only 0.3 of an inch in thickness.

The White House

Washington, DC at the White House in spring season at twilight.
The White House

The White House has been a symbol of America since 1800. While constructing the White House, George Washington never actually moved in. Although it suffered fire damage, it has served as the presidential residence throughout the years. It serves as a symbol of Washington, DC, and a major government complex. The Oval Office is where the President of the United States conducts his official business. The structure has become an international icon of democracy.
In addition to being the president’s official residence, the White House also serves as his office. Every president of the United States since John Adams in 1800 has called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., home. The president and his cabinet are often referred to by the euphemism “White House.”

FAQs

When the house was done, it was whitewashed with a mixture of lime, rice glue, casein, and lead. The sandstone walls were porous.

The President and First Family of the United States reside in the White House, but it is also the People’s House, where we hope all Americans feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.

The White House features 16 bedrooms for visitors. It also has a whopping 35 restrooms to make sure each guest has their own private space. Except when the First Family has guests staying with them, most of the bedrooms are usually empty.

The bedroom that the president sleeps in is located on the second floor of the White House. The bedroom, along with the adjacent sitting room and the smaller dressing room, all make up the southwest corner master suite in the White House.

The first president and first lady to reside in the White House were John Adams and Abigail Adams, after they waited until 1800, when construction was nearly finished. From then on, every president has added his own twist.

U. S. Capitol

Capitol building Washington DC east facade US
U. S. Capitol

The Capitol Building, along with the White House, has been a prominent symbol of the United States since 1800. As the home of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Capitol is where the legislative branch of government conducts its business. The Capitol’s magnificent dome is the landmark that people most often associate with the building.
The United States Capitol, which is also called just “The Capitol” or “the Capitol Building,” is where the U.S. Congress, which is the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government, meets. It is near the eastern end of the National Mall on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

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The Statue of Freedom stands on top of the U.S. Capitol. Thomas Crawford’s Statue of Freedom, a huge bronze statue that sits on top of the U.S. Capitol dome, towers over both the Capitol and the city of Washington, D.C., because it is so high up. But people often mistake this symbol of freedom for an Indian.

The United States Capitol has been home to Congress since 1800. It is the most well-known symbol of a democratic government in the world. Congress meets in the Capitol to write the laws of our country. It is also where presidents are sworn in and give their annual State of the Union addresses.

Even though there are many ghost stories and legends about the U.S. Capitol, no one is buried there, even though there is a room called the Crypt.

From north to south, the U.S. Capitol is 751 feet, 4 inches long and 350 feet wide at its widest point. The Statue of Freedom is 288 feet tall from the base line on the east front to the top.

The General Ulysses S. Grant Memorial is made of bronze and marble. It is in Union Square at the edge of the reflecting pool and faces the U.S. Capitol. It is a tribute to Grant, who led the Union armies during the Civil War and was President for two terms (1869–1877).

The Liberty Bell

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The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a significant symbol of American independence that dates back to the time of the Revolutionary War.
After the Second Continental Congress voted to break away from England on July 4, 1776, the bell became famous after a short story claimed an elderly man rang it, giving it its unique crack.
Historians now believe the bell broke sometime in the early 1800s. The bell has nevertheless come to symbolise the Declaration of Independence.
The bell was rung in April 1775 to announce the beginning of the American Revolution at the sites of the battles of Lexington and Concord. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was called to order by its most famous tolling on July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia.

FAQs

According to popular belief, history was changed forever when, on July 8, 1776, the Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of Independence Hall, calling Philadelphians to hear Colonel John Nixon read the Declaration of Independence for the first time in public.

The bell, which was crafted in London at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, was shipped to Philadelphia in August 1752. During a test strike, the metal cracked and had to be recast twice due to its fragility.

After the Liberty Bell cracked three times, it was put into permanent preservation. The first break appeared during the 1752 testing phase, after it had been freshly hung. After that, it was sent to a foundry in Philadelphia, where it was recast by John Pass and John Stow.

The exhibit area’s replica of the Liberty Bell’s inscription invites visitors to touch it.

Pennsylvania is misspelt as “Pensylvania” on the Liberty Bell. At the time, there were a number of acceptable ways to spell the name.

A tons or more is the weight of the Liberty Bell (approximately 2,080 pounds). broken, possibly due to flaws in the casting or, as was originally believed, due to its brittleness. The broken bell was given to two men named John Pass and John Stow, who worked at a foundry in Philadelphia.

John Marshall, the Chief Justice, The bell got its distinctive large crack in the early 1800s. A myth says that it happened when the bell was being rung soon after Chief Justice John Marshall died in 1835. 

Additionally, it has the biblical verse “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” inscribed on it (Leviticus 25:10). Some anti-slavery activists in the early 1800s dubbed it the “Liberty Bell” and used it as a rallying cry.

As part of a nationwide U.S. Savings Bond campaign in the 1950s, a replica of the Liberty Bell was presented by the federal government to each state and territory.

The Bald Eagle

Eagle With American Flag on sunset river background
The Bald Eagle

When they selected the bald eagle as the nation’s symbol, the Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice. The strength and freedom of the United States are a lot like the fierce beauty and proud independence of this beautiful bird.
Since 1782, when it was first depicted on the Great Seal of the United States with its wings spread, the bald eagle has served as the country’s official national bird. It’s the most frequently shown bird in American official documents and government buildings.
Since eagles are the highest-flying birds, Native Americans believe they are the closest to the Creator. In their culture, the eagle symbolises strength, wisdom, and bravery.

FAQs

In 1782, when it first appeared on the Great Seal of the United States with its wings spread, the bald eagle was officially declared the country’s national bird. It is the most common bird in American art because it is often shown in government buildings and on official documents.

Some interesting facts about The Bald Eagle are –

Eagles have a top speed of 30 miles per hour in the air and can dive at 100 miles per hour.

Between 4 and 6 years of age, bald eagles start to get their signature white head and tail feathers.

At three months of age, eaglets begin to take flight.

Eagles have a life expectancy of 30 years or more in the wild.

Eagles form permanent pair bonds and frequently revisit the same nesting site.

Uncle SAM

A stock photo of Uncle Sam pointing against a USA flag in the background with the iconic "I WANT YOU" pose.
Uncle sam

The term “Uncle Sam” was first used in reference to the United States of America on September 7, 1813. Samuel Wilson was a meat packer from Troy, New York, who was acknowledged for his part in supplying the U.S. Army with beef in barrels during the War of 1812.
You can think of Uncle Sam as the United States government personified. While the personification is sometimes used to symbolise the United States as a whole, his primary purpose is to represent the government’s policies as opposed to more abstract concepts like freedom and independence.
Uncle Sam has been a potent symbol of the United States government and an expression of American patriotism since the early 19th century. While Uncle Sam stands for the federal government, Columbia symbolises the nation as a whole.

FAQs

A different moniker for the United States government is “Uncle Sam.” To symbolise the United States government, “Uncle Sam” has become a popular figure of speech. Although in some contexts the personification does stand for the United States as a whole, his primary purpose is to represent the government’s ideas as opposed to, say, liberty or freedom.

Sam Wilson, a businessman during the War of 1812, was said to be the inspiration for Uncle Sam.

Uncle Sam has been a cultural icon representing the United States government and an expression of American patriotism since the early 19th century. Whereas Uncle Sam stands for the federal government, Columbia is a female symbol of the United States as a nation.

Samuel Wilson, a businessman from Troy, New York, was known as “Uncle Sam” and is widely regarded as the originator of the term. During the War of 1812, he supplied the army with beef from barrels labelled “U.S.” to indicate that they were government property.

Uncle Sam was a meat packer who is now buried in Troy, New York.

Uncle Sam is a fictional superhero appearing in DC Comics’ American comic books. Uncle Sam is a fictional character created by Will Eisner based on the popular American icon. He made his debut in National Comics #1 (July 1940).

Uncle Sam’s wife was Betsy Mann. In September 1961, the United States Congress designated Samuel Wilson as “the progenitor of America’s national symbol, Uncle Sam.” Wilson died in 1854 at the age of 87 and was buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York, which bills itself as “The Home of Uncle Sam.”

It was in this crater in 1924 that the largest diamond ever discovered in the United States, known as the “Uncle Sam” diamond, was discovered. In 1971, a private collector paid $150,000 for the 40.2-carat diamond, which is more than $1 million now.

Mount Rushmore

"Mount Rushmore National Monument, South Dakota."
The Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore has become increasingly well-known over the years as a symbol of the United States of America as well as a symbol of liberty and hope for people of all different cultures and backgrounds. The memorial and the Black Hills that surround it are representative of all the different cultures that contribute to making up the fabric of this country.
In an effort to increase tourism in the Black Hills, South Dakota’s state historian, Doane Robinson, had the idea to carve Western heroes into “the Needles,” a group of enormous granite pillars, in the early 1920s.

FAQs

South Dakota’s state historian, Doane Robinson, had the idea to carve Western heroes into “the Needles,” a group of enormous granite pillars, in the early 1920s in an effort to increase tourism in the Black Hills.

Mount Rushmore was sculpted by master craftsman Gutzon Borglum to celebrate the United States’ first 150 years of independence. As Borglum puts it, the four presidents were selected to “commemorate the founding, growth, preservation, and development of the United States of America.”

It is a tribute to the ideals of freedom and democracy as well as the leadership of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Mount Rushmore is more than just a monument to the past; it is also a symbol of hope for the future.

Behind the structure is a cave called the “Hall of Records.” There’s a vault with 16 porcelain enamel panels inside that detail American history, from the Declaration of Independence to the lives of the four presidents and Borglum.

These four presidents were chosen by Gutzon Borglum because, in his opinion, they encapsulate the most pivotal moments in American history.

A fatal embolism claimed Borglum’s life in March of 1941. Lincoln Borglum, his son, carried on with the construction. There was supposed to be enough money to carve the figures down to their waists, but that plan was scrapped.

The granite that makes up Mount Rushmore loses about an inch to erosion every 10,000 years. Each nose is about 240 inches long, which means they have the potential to last for up to 2.4 million years before showing any signs of wear.

Important historical documents, like the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, would be housed in the bronze and glass cabinets in the alcoves of this hall. The hall would also feature busts of notable Americans and a list of the many scientific, industrial, and artistic contributions made by the United States.

The Pledge of Allegiance

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The Pledge of Allegiance

The pledge of allegiance is a promise of loyalty to the United States of America by its citizens. In 1892, to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus, the explorer, to America, Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge was improvised, and the one in current usage was created in 1954.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
They are exercising their right to free speech by reciting the pledge. They have a positive outlook on freedom and the brave men and women who fought for it.
They truly mean “liberty” when they use that word. They have the right to freely express themselves, receive an education, and practise their religion.

FAQs

A formal pledge of allegiance to the United States of America, the “Pledge of Allegiance” is a short speech that every citizen is expected to memorise and recite on a regular basis. In the vast majority of American classrooms, this is the first thing kids say each day. The teacher asked the children to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Why Pledge of Allegiance is Important:

In its original form, the pledge of allegiance read as follows: “I will always be loyal to my flag and the Republic it stands for. We really are one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.

The first version was written in 1885 by Captain George Thatcher Balch, a Civil War Union Army officer who later wrote a book on teaching patriotism in public schools. 

Francis Bellamy changed Balch’s poem in 1892 for a magazine promoting the World’s Columbian Exposition, which celebrated Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. 

Bellamy wrote the original Pledge of Allegiance. Francis Bellamy’s original pledge differs slightly from the current one. 

Congress adopted Bellamy’s version of the pledge in 1942. In 1945, the Pledge of Allegiance was renamed. Most recently, on Flag Day (June 14) 1954, “under God” was added.

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