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Official Symbols of the USA
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The flag of the United States is commonly known as the “Stars and Stripes” or “Old Glory”. It was adopted on June 14, 1777. The 50 stars on the blue field stand for 50 states and the 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 colonies the USA emerged from. There is a legend that the first American flag was made by Betsy Ross, a seamstress (швея) from Philadelphia, and it was she who changed the stars on the flag from 6-pointed to easier-to-produce 5-pointed stars. The current 50-star flag is the 27th “edition” of the flag and the one that has been in use the longest, since 1960.
The Great Seal of the United States is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the United States federal government. The Great Seal was first used publicly in 1782.The obverse of the great seal is used as the national coat of arms of the United States. It is officially used on documents such as United States passports, military insignia, embassy placards, and various flags. The Seal depicts a bald eagle holding 13 olive branches in one talon and 13 arrows in the other. The olive branch stands for the power to make peace, while the arrows stand for the power to make war.
Other official national symbols are:
National anthem: “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
National mottos: “In God We Trust”, “E Pluribus Unum” (лат. «из многих – единое»).
National bird: Bald Eagle.
National floral emblem: Rose.
National tree: oak.
Unofficial Symbols of the USA
Uncle Sam (initials U.S.) is a common national personification of the American government. The first use of Uncle Sam in literature was in the 1816 allegorical book “The Adventures of Uncle Sam in Search After His Lost Honor” by Frederick Augustus Fidfaddy, Esq. An Uncle Sam is mentioned as early as 1775, in the original “Yankee Doodle” lyrics of the Revolutionary War. It is not clear whether this reference is to Uncle Sam as a metaphor for the United States, or to an actual person named Sam.
Other unofficial national symbols are:
Sights: the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Mount Rushmore.
Sports: baseball, football.
Food: apple pie, hot-dog, bourbon whiskey.
Check yourself. Answer the questions:
1. What city was the 1st capital of the USA?
2. What state is the US capital situated in?
3. What is the largest US state? The smallest one?
4. What language has the status of the official one at federal level?
5. What is the nickname of the American Flag?
6. What do the 13 stripes on the US flag stand for?
7. What is American national bird, national tree, and national flower?
III. US Sights and Cities
Look at the pictures below. Say which US sights you know and what cities they are located at.
1. _______ 4. ________ 7.________ 10._______ 13. _____
2. _______ 5. ________ 8.________ 11. _______ 14. _____
3. _______ 6. ________ 9.________ 12. _______
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The Top 10 Places to Visit in the USA
(tourist’s guide)
The United States has so many diverse cities and attractions that it is difficult to narrow down the list to only 10 US destinations. The following list of top 10 places to visit in the U.S.A. is an introduction to the best and most popular places to go in the United States.
New York City
American icons, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square, are just a few of the attractions to see in New York City, America’s most populous and most popular city. Also known as the “Big Apple”, New York City is a favorite destination for both domestic and international visitors.
Los Angeles
The lure of Hollywood, international celebrities, and the mild breezes from the Pacific Ocean make Los Angeles one an obvious addition to the list of top US tourist destinations. LA is famous for beaches, such as Malibu or Santa Monica, shopping on Rodeo Drive, touring Beverly Hills, and more.
Chicago
Chicago has long been called the “Second City”, coming in second to New York City in both size and population. A beacon in the Midwest, Chicago is actually third in population these days but it has a skyline, restaurants, shopping, museums, and activities to easily rival NYC and LA.
Washington, DC
The United States’ capital city, Washington, DC, has miles of museums and monuments – almost all of which are free – thereby making it one of the most visited cities in the United States, especially for families and school groups.
Las Vegas
Most tourists go to Las Vegas to try their luck at its famous casinos. But Las Vegas also has blockbuster shows, world class shopping, and top notch restaurants, all of which make this city a true desert oasis and a top U.S. travel destination.
San Francisco
Symbolized by the red rafters of the Golden Gate Bridge, this legendary city on the San Francisco Bay is known for its neighborhoods, such as Chinatown and the hippie-turned-haute enclave of Haight-Ashbury. While San Francisco is an ideal city for nature lovers as well as the jet set, it is also a great jumping-off point for trips to the vineyard estates in Napa Valley or to the colossal tech campuses of Silicon Valley.
Hawaii
Say “Aloha” to Hawaii, a top U.S. destination that is also an island paradise. From the natural beauty of its beaches and volcanoes to its rich South Pacific culture, Hawaii is the perfect U.S. destination if you’re looking to really get away from it all.
Grand Canyon
An incredible geological wonder stretching over 200 miles, the Grand Canyon is a deep ravine carved out by the Colorado River over thousands of years. Located in the state of Arizona, the Grand Canyon is a top destination to visit in the Southwest United States and one of the most popular of U.S. National Parks.
Florida
Beautiful beaches, family-friendly attractions like Disneyworld, and the Latino culture and style of Miami make Florida, also known as the “Sunshine State”, one of the most popular states in the U.S. for visitors. Learn more about the cities, theme parks, and everything else that Florida has to offer.
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Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States. It is also the name of the city, where the waterfalls are located. From largest to smallest, the three waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.
Follow Up (for these tasks you may need additional material):
1. Find out why New York City is nicknamed “Big Apple”.
2. The city of Niagara Falls is situated partly in the USA and partly in Canada. Find out what side (American or Canadian) the waterfalls are located at.
3. Choose one of the US destinations (New York, LA, Hawaii, Florida, etc.) and get ready with its presentation (e.g. “10 Must-Visit Places in NYC”). For the presentation both the English and Russian languages are welcome.
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