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THE NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF THE USA

The Flag: the “Stars and Stripes” is a popular name for the red, white and blue flag of the United States. Another popular name is the “Star-Spangled Banner”. This is also the name of the National Anthem of the United States.

In 1776 the thirteen colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. So the United States was born.

George Washington was a general of the American Army. He decided that the United States also needed a flag. There is a story that General George Washington asked Betsy Ross to make the flag. She used three colours: red, white and blue. The red colour was for courage, white was for liberty, and blue was for justice. She sewed thirteen red and white stripes and thirteen white stars in a circle on a blue square. The thirteen stars and stripes stood for the number of states at the beginning of the United States. On June, 14, 1777, the Congress confirmed this flag as the National Flag.

Later new states joined the United States. This was a problem for the flag. In 1818 the Congress made another law about the flag. The thirteen stripes stayed the same, but for each new state there was a new star. Today there are fifty stars on the flag. Hawaiian Islands were the last star in 1959.

Americans enjoy their flag. They sometimes use the stars and stripes as popular design on shirts, shoes, hats, but there are laws prohibit using the flag in inappropriate ways. But Americans are patriotic, too. Many of them think that America is the best, the first and the greatest nation in the world, and that their flag is the flag of freedom. The Stars and Stripes are flown on government offices and public schools; they stand by the President’s desk. The flag hang in every classroom in America, and every day at school children salute it before the school day begins. On the 4th of July, Independence Day, the Stars and Stripes can be seen everywhere – in the streets, on the houses, and in the big parades.

The National Emblem of the USA: the Great Seal of the USA is the official seal (special circle-shaped design) printed on important documents and used to prove that a document is from the US government. The seal has two sides. On one side there is a picture of a White-Headed Bald Eagle, the national bird of the USA that has an olive branch – a symbol of peace – in one claw and 13 arrows, according to the number of the original 13 states, in the other. Above the eagle’s head there is a motto in Latin “E Plurilous Unum” which means “Many United” or “One Out Of Many”. On the other side there is picture of a Pyramid with an eye above. Both designs are printed on the back of a one-dollar bill.

The National Anthem of the USA: the words of the National Anthem of the USA “The Star-Spangled Banner” were taken from a poem by Francis Scott Key which was written about a battle between Britain and the USA in 1812. The Anthem is usually sung at the beginning of large public events and especially at professional sports events such as a baseball or a football game. People are expected to stand up and put their right hand over their hearts while the song is being sung in order to show respect and support for their country.



The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of American democracy. It stands on Liberty Island in New York. This National monument was a present from France to the USA as a symbol of friendship. Liberty carries the torch of freedom – in her right hand. In her left hand she is holding a tablet with the inscription “July 4, 1776” – American Independence Day.


Date: 2015-12-11; view: 2542


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