American Symbols

Symbol

Something that stands for something else.

Liberty Bell• The bell weighs 2,000 pounds

and is 12 feet wide.

• The bell has cracked every time

it has been rung.

• The bell is now silent.

• On July 4, 1776 the colonies

met in Philadelphia, PA and

approved the Declaration of

Independence.

• They rang the bell so people

would gather together to listen

to the Declaration be read out

loud.

• There are words on the bell

that mean freedom all over

the land and to all its people.

Statue of Liberty• She stands on Liberty Island In New York.

• She was a gift from France.

• It was meant to celebrate the 100th

birthday of the Declaration of

Independence.

• It took 10 years to make.

• It is made of copper.

• It takes 335 steps to get all the way to the

top!

• About 20 million immigrants arrived in the

60 years after it was built. It was their first

glimpse of America.

• It stands for the freedom America offers

to all people.

Bald Eagle• The Founding Father’s argued for 6

years about our emblem.

• Ben Franklin wanted it to be a wild

turkey.

• Congress thought the eagle was a

symbol of high-flying freedom,

strength and courage.

• It is only found in North America.

• Its wings can get up to 12 feet long

and it can fly up to 200 mph.

• They almost became extinct, but in

the last 20 years they have made a

comeback!

The Star Spangled BannerBy Francis Scott Key 1814

*written during the Revolutionary War*Originally a poem that was later put to music to be used as a

song*In 1931 it became our national anthem

http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/spangle.htm

American Flag• There have been 27 versions of our flag.

• It represents the United States of America.

• The sight of the flag on the battlefield gives troops courage and reminds

them what they’re fighting for.

• The flag has traveled to the North Pole and the moon!

• There are 13 red and white stripes for the 13 original colonies and 50

stars for the 50 states.

• There are rules on how to care for our flag.

• We say the pledge to promise to be faithful to the United States

Political Parties

The Donkey

• Used to represent democrats

• Created when Andrew Jackson was president

The Elephant• Used to represent republicans• Created by political cartoonist

Thomas Nast

The Democrats think of the elephant as stupid, pompous and conservative -- but the Republicans think it is dignified, strong and intelligent.

On the other hand, the Republicans regard the donkey as stubborn, silly and ridiculous -- but the Democrats claim it is humble, homely, smart, courageous and loveable.