U.S. SYMBOLS, BUILDINGS, AND

MONUMENTS

Tuesday, May 14, 13

SYMBOLS

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE BALD EAGLE

The bald eagle represents freedom because he lives on the tops of the mountains and has unlimited freedom

Is prominent on the U.S. seal

Appears on the seals of many U.S. states and on most of the gold and silver coins

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Tuesday, May 14, 13

UNCLE SAM

Historians are not really sure how the character was created

“Uncle Sam” refers to the government

The single and most famous portrait of Uncle Sam is the “I WANT YOU” poster from 1916. Were painted to make more people join U.S. Army

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE LIBERTY BELL

Was ordered by the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1751 to commemorate William Penn

It became cracked when it was tested for sound

It rang out in July 1776 to summon new U.S. citizens to Independence Hall to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE U.S. FLAG

The flag has 13 stripes and 50 stars.

It is a symbol of national unity (the union)

The flag is raised and lowered on certain occasions

During the National Anthem, when the flag is displayed, everyone except those in uniform put their right hand on their heart.

Tuesday, May 14, 13

OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE US

Adopted in June 1782 and symbolizes the sovereignty of the US

Eagle with a shield = self-reliance

The 13 stripes = 13 original colonies

Horizontal = Congress

Olive branch = peace

Arrows = US can wage war

Tuesday, May 14, 13

E pluribus unum

Latin for “out of many, one”

Tuesday, May 14, 13

BUILDINGS

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE WHITE HOUSE

The official residence/office of the President of the United States (POTUS)

John Adams was the first president to live there

1814 - British soldiers set it on fire, president’s wife at the time stayed behind and saved all the important papers

Important rooms include The Oval Office

Has a total of 132 rooms, 32 bathrooms, and 6 levels

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE CAPITOL BUILDING

The statue on top is called the Statue of Freedom

Congress meets in this building on Capitol Hill

Used for the first time in 1800

In 1814, British troops set fire to the Capitol building

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE SUPREME COURT

Houses the highest court in the nation - 9 Justices total

The court did not have its own building until 1935, even though it was given authority in 1787. Chief Justice Taft persuaded Congress to give them its own building

Tuesday, May 14, 13

MONUMENTS

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

The statue was presented to the US by France in 1884 as an expression of friendship and ideal of liberty shared by both peoples

She wears a crown of 7 spikes that stand for light of liberty on the 7 seas and 7 continents

A chain that represents tyranny or unjust rule lies broken at her feet

She holds a glowing torch in her right hand, the Declaration of Independence in her left

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

Was built to honor George Washington

The monument has the shape of the obelisks in ancient Egypt, but is several times larger

Inside are stairs that lead to the top, people can visit the monument

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE LINCOLN MEMORIALBuilt in honor of Abraham Lincoln

The 36 Doric columns represent the 36 states in the Union when Lincoln died in 1865

The inscription above says “"In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham in enshrined forever."

MLK gave his “I have a Dream” speech from the Lincoln Memorial

Tuesday, May 14, 13

THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL

Created to commemorate President Thomas Jefferson

Designed so his statue faces the White House

The site is decorated with pink blossom trees, a gift from Tokyo in 1912. They bloom every year for two weeks

Quotation on the statue “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against any form of tyranny over the mind of man."

Tuesday, May 14, 13