Patriotic Symbols of America
4 primary works • 5 total works
Book 20
Tells the story of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, with background information about the causes and effects of the war in Vietnam, the development and creation of the Memorial, and the impact of the monument on veterans and others.
Book 20
In September of 1814, the United States was a relatively young country engaged in a war with the most powerful nation of the time, Great Britain. A British fleet launched a devastating overnight bombardment of the American fort that defended Baltimore harbor. As the sun rose the next morning, a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key who had observed the battle saw that the American flag was still flying. Inspired, he wrote a poem that would later be set to music as "The Star-Spangled Banner"—our national anthem. Today, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is often performed before sporting events and other public functions. The national anthem is an important patriotic symbol because it reminds us about a critical moment in American history, and how our flag—which represents American democracy and values—has continued to fly proudly despite all attacks and outside pressures.
Book 20
The third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, was much more than just a politician—he was a writer, scientist, architect, and scholar who was considered one of the most brilliant figures of his age. To commemorate Jefferson's numerous accomplishments, a rotunda was constructed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Within is a statue of Jefferson, while on the walls nearby are quotations from some of his most famous writings, including the Declaration of Independence. The Jefferson Memorial is a symbol of American liberty. Surrounded by cherry blossom trees, it remains a popular site for reflection and inspiration.
Book 20
By whatever name it is called—the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, the Star-Spangled Banner—the American flag is the ultimate symbol of American freedom. But why stars, why stripes? What is the significance of the elements of the flag? The American flag went through several incarnations before the design we recognize today was established. From a banner based on a British flag and a colonial rattlesnake flag that read, "Don't Tread on Me" to the enormous 15-star flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem, this symbol of America has inspired music and joy in the hearts of people around the world. It is a beacon to those who long for liberty, as well as a representation of the unity of our great nation.
Patriotic Symbols of America
by Not Applicable, Hal Marcovitz, and Joseph Ferry
Published 31 January 2015