Symbols of the USA

The American flag is a symbol of the country. It is recognized instantly, whether it is a big banner waving in the wind or a tiny emblem worn in a lapel. The flag is so important that it is a major theme of the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” One of the most popular names for American flag is the “Stars and Stripes.” It is also known as “Old Glory.” The American flag has 13 stripes – 7 red and 6 white. In the upper left corner is the union – 50 white stars against a blue background. The 13 stripes stand for the original 13 states, and the 50 stars represent the states of the nation today. According to the United States Department of State, the colors of the flag are symbolic, too. Red stands for courage. White symbolizes purity. Blue is the color of vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

The Statue of Liberty, one of the best-known symbols of the United States, stands at the entrance to New York Harbor, on Liberty Island. The full name of this colossal figure is Liberty Enlightening the World. Slightly over 150 feet (45 meters) tall, it is the largest statue ever made. The statue was a gift from the people of France to the United States. It was presented as a symbol of friendship and in honor of the 100th anniversary of American independence. It was designed by Frederic Bartholdi and constructed by Alexandre Eiffel. The statue represents a woman dressed in long flowing robes and wearing a crown with seven spikes. At her feet are the broken chains of tyranny. Her right arm holds a torch high in the air. In her left hand is a law book with the date of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. An elevator in the pedestal brings visitors to the foot of the statue. From there they may climb a narrow, spiral staircase to the statue’s crown, which provides a beautiful view of the harbor.

The Liberty Bell has been a symbol of American freedom ever since it rang on July 8, 1776 to announce the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This giant bronze bell was made in England in 1752 for the State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia. The bell’s inscription – “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” – Is from the Bible. The Liberty Bell cracked soon after its arrival in Philadelphia and had to be recast. It rang at every anniversary of the Declaration of Independence until 1835. In that year it cracked again while tolling after the death of John Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Finally, while ringing in honor of George Washington’s birthday in 1846, the bell was damaged so badly that it could not be tolled again. It was on view in Independence Hall until 1976. Then, in celebration of the nation’s 200th anniversary, the Liberty Bell was moved to its own glass building. There it is viewed by many thousands of visitors each year.

The figure of Uncle Sam is an American symbol as widely recognized as American flag. He has symbolized the United States since the War of 1812. During that war, a store yard in Troy, New York, stamped the initials “U.S.” on barrels of salted meat for American soldiers. The “U.S.” stood for United States. Workers, though, jokingly claimed that the initials really stood for “Uncle Sam” (Samuel) Wilson, who managed the store yard. The idea of equating Uncle Sam with the United States spread rapidly. After all Great Britain already had a personal symbol of its own – the figure of an English farmer, John Bull. Uncle Sam was first drawn in the 1860’s by the American cartoonist Thomas Nast. The symbol of Uncle Sam usually has long hair and a white beard. His pants have red and white stripes, his stovepipe hat is decorated with stars, and he wears a cutaway coat.