National Symbols

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 501.

The National Flag of the USA is red, white and blue. The red stripes proclaim courage, the white – liberty, the field of blue stands for loyalty. The 50 stars represent the 50 states. The 13 red and white stripes represent the first 13 colonies. The Flag symbolizes American people, American land, and American way of life. The first American flag was approved by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on June 14, 1777. The US flag is known as “Old Glory”, “The Stars and Stripes”, “Star-Spangled Banner” («Звездное знамя»). Americans enjoy their flag. They sometimes use the stars and stripes as popular designs on shirts, shoes, hats, jeans, but there are laws that prohibit using the flag in appropriate ways. The Stars and Stripes are flown on government offices and public schools, they stand by the president's desk. The flags hang in every classroom in America, and every day children salute it before the school day begins. On the 4^th of July, Independence Day, the Stars and Stripes can be seen everywhere – on the streets, on the houses and big parades.

The official emblem of the USA is the American eagle. It appears on the Presidential flag and on some coins. The coat of arms //герб of the US represents an eagle with wings outspread, holding a bundle of rods// пучок стрел (symbol of administering) in the left claw and an olive twig// оливковая ветвь (the emblem of love and peace) in the right claw. The motto on the coat of arms is “E Pluribus Unum” // Едины в многообразии.

The National Anthem of the USA was written by Francis Scott Key during the war of 1812 between the USA and Great Britain.

The symbol of freedom is the Statue of Liberty. It is a 225-ton steel female figure, 150 ft in height, facing the ocean from Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The right hand holds a torch and the left hand carries a tablet upon which is written: ”July 4, 1776”. The Statue symbolizes the alliance of France and The USA in the American Revolution and their friendship.