Lesson 3

Symbols of the United States

 Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

Lesson 3
Symbols of the United States of America

Enduring Understandings:

To inspire patriotism in all citizens regardless of age, meaningfully and every day

Essential Questions:
How can we respect the symbols of our country and patriotism?
How can everyone be patriotic?
How can a community show respect and patriotism?
How can a person do to show their patriotism through flag etiquette?
How can students show respect and patriotism using the American Flag?

Vocabulary/Targeted Skills:
Symbols, symbolism, Uncle Sam, United States Flag, Great Seal of the United States, bald eagle,
Stars Spangled Banner, Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty

Compare and contrast

Unit Assessment/Culminating Unit Activity:

Create an action plan sponsored by students and teachers for the school to develop and maintain
proper flag etiquette and education for the school and community.

Students will identify the symbols that represent The United States and of an understanding of
why these items were chosen.
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

Lesson: Symbols of the United States Time: 60 minutes

Standard(s):
SS.4.C.2.3 – Explain the importance of public service, voting and volunteerism.
SS.4.A.1.1 – Analyze primary and secondary resources to identify significant individuals and
events throughout Florida History.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.5 Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison,
cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a
text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.4.4a Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding

Content Purpose:
Students will understand the meaning and analyze the symbols of the United States and how they
represent the values of the country.

Language Purpose:

Students will recognize the symbols of the United States: The Statue of Liberty, The Liberty
Bell, The Great Seal, The Reverse of the Great Seal, The Flag, The National Anthem, and the
bald eagle. They will understand why each was chosen and what they represent.

Assessment/Evaluation (for this lesson):

Students will match the symbols to their names. They will also write an essay on which symbol
they consider the most important and why.

Reading Materials/Primary Source links:

http://www.nps.gov/inde/liberty-bell-center.htm

http://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-nicknamed-uncle-
samhttp://www.loc.gov/teachers/
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm015.htmlhttp://www.state.gov/documents/organization/
135450.pdf
The story of the American Flagg, Wayne Whipple (1910)
Flag, Marc Leepson, (2005)
http://franklinpapers.org/franklin/framedVolumes.jsp
http://www.nps.gov/stli/forteachers/upload/Celebrating-a-symbol-FINAL.pdf
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

Suggested Procedures:
1. Pass out the flashcards to groups of twos. Have the students discuss the symbols and
sort them into the category they think they should go in to.
2. Read the Historical Context together.
3. In their groups of two, have students look at cards and use appropriate name.
4. Take the two pictures of Uncle Sam and compare and contrast.
5. Take the two pictures of the Great American Seal and compare and contrast.
6. Look at the letter from Thomas Jefferson to his daughter and discuss. Have students
decide if the national bird should be the bald eagle or the turkey.
7. Complete worksheet matching the picture to the title of the symbol. Students will
complete the essay on which symbol they think is most important and why.
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

Historical Context
Symbols of the United States
The Flag
“The Stars and Stripes”, and “Old Glory” are common nicknames for the American flag.
The first flag was adopted by the Continental Congress June 14, 1777. The resolution adopted
by the Continental Congress stated: “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen
stripes, alternated red and white; that the union thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a
new Constellation.”
Throughout the years, the flag has changed as states have been added to the Union.
President Eisenhower signed a proclamation admitting Hawaii to the Union on August 21, 1959.
It was the 50th and final state to be added to the Union to date. During the ceremony to add
Hawaii, Eisenhower presented the new flag. It was the nation’s twenty-seventh version. It is the
flag that we now use. It has nine rows of stars with five or six stars per row and 13 stripes. On
July 4, 2007, it became the longest serving flag of the United States.
This version of the flag was designed by Bob Heft when he was a 17-year-old high
school student. He redesigned the flag for a history project at Lancaster High School in Ohio.

Our flag carries American ideas, American history and American feelings. It is not a
painted rag. It is a whole national history. It is the Constitution. It is the Government.
It is the emblem of the sovereignty of the people. It is the NATION.
~Henry Ward Beecher, 1861
Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam began during The War of 1812, and it became a nickname for the United States.
Barrels of beef were supplied to the United States military by Samuel Wilson, a meat packer,
from Troy, New York. Meat packers would stamp the barrels with the abbreviation U.S. because
the meat was packed in the United States. Soldiers nicknamed the food as “Uncle Sam’s.”
Newspapers began reporting about it and was soon widely accepted that Uncle Sam was a
nickname for the U.S. federal government.
Political cartoonist, Thomas Nast, began the popular image of Uncle Sam. These
beginning pictures depicted Uncle Sam with a white beard and stars-and-stripes suit. The most
familiar image of Uncle Sam was created by James Montgomery Flagg during World War I.
The image of Uncle Sam pointing with the caption “I want you for U.S. Army,” has become a
national icon. There were more than 4 million copies printed of this picture between 1917 and
1918.
In 1961, Samuel Wilson (1766-1854) was recognized as Uncle Sam’s namesake. He was
fair, reliable, honest and devoted to his country, according to those who knew him.

The National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner

The Star Spangled Banner was written in 1813 by Francis Scott Key, who watched the
bombardment of Ft. McHenry from a British ship. It was eventually set to music from a club
song. “The Anacreontic Society,” was a gentlemen’s club in London and this melody was from
their club.
There were 15 different bills introduced in the U.S. Congress between 1912 and 1917 to
make it the official National Anthem. A National Anthem Bill did not pass both houses until
1931. The President, Herbert Hoover, signed the bill into law March 3, 1931.
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

The national anthem can be heard at sports functions, military occasions, and official
government meetings. It is recognized by most Americans as the song representing the United
States. When heard members of the audience hear this music being played, they should remove
any head covering and stand holding their hands over their heart. If you are in military uniform
or a veteran, you should stand at attention and salute the flag.
The Great Seal of the United States
The Great Seal of the United States is used on official documents. It is used to
authenticate the signature of the President. It also appears on proclamation, warrants, treaties,
and commissions of high officials of the government.
The idea for a national seal began at the same time as the Declaration of Independence,
July 4, 1776. It was a resolution to create a seal. However, it took another six years before the
seal became a reality on July 20, 1782.
Charles Thomason, secretary of congress, and Lawyer William Barton, the artist, are
credited for creating this first approved version of the seal. Thomas submitted a report to
Congress and descried it this way: “The red and white stripes of the shield represent the several
states….supporting a [blue] Chief which unites the whole and represent Congress.” The
American flag is the source for these colors. “White signifies purity and innocence, Red,
hardiness and valour and Blue, the colour of the Chief, signifies vigilance, perseverance and
justice.” The shield is “born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters to
denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue.”
The thirteen arrows, thirteen stripes on the shield, and 13 stars in the constellation
represent the original 13 colonies. The power of peace and war is denoted by the olive branch
and the arrows. The motto “E Pluribus Unum” which is Latin for “out of many, one” is on the
scroll clenched in the eagle’s beak. This represents the union of the 13 states into one nation.
Reverse side of the Great Seal
The reverse side of the seal is the pyramid that signifies strength and duration. Annuit Coeptis is
over the eye and translates to mean, “He has favored our undertakings.” The date underneath is
the date of the Declaration of Independence and the word under it Novus Ordo Seclorum
translates to mean “A new order of the ages.” This was used to signify the beginning of the new
American era in 1776.
The Eagle
The founding fathers debated over whether the national bird should be the Imperial Eagle
or the turkey. Benjamin Franklin believed it should be the turkey and wrote to his daughter
Sarah Bache in January 1784 the following in a letter:
“Others object to the Bald Eagle as the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral
Character. He does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him perch’d on some dead Tree near the
River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that
diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young
Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case
but like those among Men who live by Sharping and Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy.
Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives
him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati
of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country, tho’ exactly fit for that Order of Knights
which the French call Chevaliers d’Industrie. I am on this account not displeas’d that the Figure is not
known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For in Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much
more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America. Eagles have been found in all
Countries, but the Turkey was peculiar to ours, the first of the Species seen in Europe being brought to
France by the Jesuits from Canada, and serv’d up at the Wedding Table of Charles the ninth. He is besides,
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

tho’ a little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British
Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on. eagle in the design.”
Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress in 1782, was tasked with the responsibility of
creating a Seal for the young country. The previous recommendations had included a crested
imperial eagle. Thomson decided the symbol should be strictly American and chose the bald
eagle. The bald eagle is native to North America. It has a wingspan of 7 feet, and can fly 30
miles and hours. It was chosen for its majestic beauty.
The Liberty Bell
William Penn created Pennsylvania’s government, and he allowed citizens to choose their
own religion. In many countries during that time, it was mandated that citizens had to be a
certain religion. William Penn gave Pennsylvania colonist the freedom to choose their own
religion. In 1751, a new bell was ordered by the Pennsylvania Speaker of the house. The bell
was in scripted with “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto inhabitants thereof.” The
bell housed at the Pennsylvania Assembly, which is now Independence Hall, rang many times
for public announcements. It was first referred to as the “Liberty Bell” by a group trying to
outlaw slavery in the 1830s because of its inscription. In the late 1800s, it began traveling
around the country to help it after the Civil War. It reminded people the days when they had
united to fight for Independence against Great Britain.
The Statute of Liberty
The proper title is Liberty Enlightening the World. Edouard de Laboulaye was a Frenchman and
his idea of the Statue began around 1865. He recognized that democracy was a viable
government and one that he wished for France. The United States had just survived the Civil
War and had abolished slavery. In 1874, Frederic-August Bartholdi was commissioned to design
this sculpture. Bartholdi found the perfect location for the sculptor at Bedloe’s Island in New
York Harbor because his statue would always have an audience of ships passing by in the harbor.
The statute is made from copper skin that is only 3/32 of an inch thick. Alexandre Gustave, a
French engineer, designed a massive iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework. This design
allows the statue’s skin to move independently and yet stand upright. This was necessary
because of the violent harbor winds.
This was considered a joint effort between the American people and the French people.
The Americans would build the pedestal and the French would build the Statue and assembly. In
July of 1884, the Statue was completed, and she arrived in New York in 1885. The pedestal was
completed and the statue was re-assembled in four months. The dedication of the Statue of
Liberty was held on October 28 1886.
The Statue of Liberty has many different symbols on her. The broken chains and
shackles are at her feet and represent America’s liberation from Great Britain as well as the
emancipation of the slaves after the Civil War. She is dressed in traditional Greco-Roman Pala
and Stoll which is the clothing that the Greeks who were free wore in Rome. The table has the
date July 4, 1776 inscribed on it in Roman numerals. The tablet is shaped like a keystone which
is important in architecture. It is the critical stone in the design of an arch. It holds the arch
together. Liberty is the keystone that holds a free society together. The crown is made of two
parts with the part that is touching her head called the diadem. This is similar to a halo and
represents that her ideas are above all. The top part of her crown is called the nimbus, or seven
rays. A nimbus represents enlightened thought. There are seven rays in her crown representing
the seven continents and the seven seas of the world. She is a world citizen. The torch in her
right arm is one of the most significant symbols. The torch lights the way to liberty and freedom.
The basket surrounding the torch is a Native American basket and includes spearheads and corn.
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

Sources
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/united-states-nicknamed-uncle-
samhttp://www.loc.gov/teachers/
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm015.htmlhttp://www.state.gov/documents/organization/
135450.pdf
The story of the American Flagg, Wayne Whipple (1910)
Flag, Marc Leepson, (2005)
http://franklinpapers.org/franklin/framedVolumes.jsp
http://www.nps.gov/stli/forteachers/upload/Celebrating-a-symbol-FINAL.pdf
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/92522168/resource
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

Name _____________________________________
Comparing Pictures of The Great Seal

Questions to Consider Great Seal 1782 Great Seal currently used today

Observe
What do you see?

What do you notice first?

What people and objects are

seen?
How are they arranged?
What is the physical setting?

What word if any?

What other details do you see?

Reflect
Why do you think this image
was made?

Who do you think was the

audience?

If someone made it today,

would it be different? What
would be the same?
Question
What do you wonder about?
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States Symbols Flashcards
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States
Symbols Matching Quiz
Draw lines to connect the picture with the correct name of the symbol.

The National Anthem

The Liberty Bell

The Statue of Liberty

The Bald Eagle

Uncle Sam

The Great Seal of the United States

The Great Seal of the United States—

Reverse side

“Old Glory,” or “The Stars and Stripes”

Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

Name _____________________________________

Questions to Consider Uncle Sam Picture from 1876 Uncle Sam Picture from 1917

Observe
What do you see?

What do you notice first?

What people and objects are

seen?
How are they arranged?
What is the physical setting?

What word if any?

What other details do you see?

Reflect
Why do you think this image
was made?

Who do you think was the

audience?

If someone made it today,

would it be different? What
would be the same?
Question
What do you wonder about?
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

Uncle Sam 1876

By Thomas Nast

Uncle Sam, standing by sign "civil service reform", talking to man who is cutting off dogs tail
"salaries."
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/92522168/resource/
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

http://greatseal.com/committees/finaldesign/index.html
http://americanart.si.edu/collections/search/artwork/?id=35637
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

This an excerpt of a letter Benjamin Franklin wrote to his daughter discussing the Great Seal.

To Sarah Bache (unpublished) his daughter

Passy, Jany. 26th. 1784
My dear Child
The Gentleman who made the Voyage to France to provide the Ribbands and Medals has
executed his Commission. To me they seem tolerably done, but all such Things are criticised.
Some find fault with the Latin, as wanting classic Elegance and Correctness; and since our Nine
Universities were not able to furnish better Latin, it was Pity, they say, that the Mottos had not
been in English. Others object to the Title, as not properly assumable by any but Gen.
Washington, who serv’d without Pay. Others object to the Bald Eagle, as looking too much like a
Dindon, or Turkey. For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the
Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living
honestly. You may have seen him perch’d on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to
fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at
length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the
Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case
but like those among Men who live by Sharping and Robbing he is generally poor and often very
lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him
boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the
brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country,
tho’ exactly fit for that Order of Knights which the French call Chevaliers d’Industrie. I am on
this account not displeas’d that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a
Turkey. For in Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a
true original Native of America. Eagles have been found in all Countries, but the Turkey was
peculiar to ours, the first of the Species seen in Europe being brought to France by the Jesuits
from Canada, and serv’d up at the Wedding Table of Charles the ninth. He is besides, tho’ a
little vain and silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the
British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.
I am ever, Your affectionate Father
B Franklin

Abridged Version
I am not going to criticize the usage of Latin. Many criticize for the use of Latin as the motto
and the eagle looking like a turkey. I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen to represent our
country. He is of bad moral character. He does not make an honest living. He is to lazy and
steals fish from others. He is a coward: The Little King Bird not bigger than a sparrow will
attack him and drive him away. He is not a proper symbol because he not brave or honest. I am
pleased the bird in the symbol looks more like a turkey than an eagle. The turkey is much more
respectable bird. Eagles have been found in many countries, but the turkey is only in ours. The
Lesson 3 Symbols of the United States

turkey is a little silly and vain, but he is a bird of courage who would not hesitate to attack a
British soldier who would enter his farmyard.

Charles Thomson, The Secretary of Congress, defended his choice of the Bald Eagle in the
following explanation:
“The shield is on the breast of the American eagle without any other supporters to denote that the
United States of America ought to rely on their own virtue.” The American Eagle is referring to
the Bald Eagle. He also stated that he thought it should be a bird that was native to the United
States and that it was chosen for its majestic beauty.

Paragraph Writing
Considering the letter that Benjamin Franklin wrote and Charles Thomson’s defensed of the Bald
Eagle in the Seal. Reflect on what you believe about the turkey and the bald eagle and decide
which you think should be the national bird and why.

http://franklinpapers.org/franklin/framedVolumes.jsp