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