Vocabulary

anthem — гимн

patchwork quilt — лоскутное одеяло

reflection — отражение

Star-Spangled Banner — Звездное знамя

stripe — полоса

upper — верхний

Text 2 uncle sam

There are several stories about the beginning of Uncle Sam, but the one Congress officially recognized in 1961 is the story that follows.

Samuel Wilson was born in Arlington, Massachusetts in 1766. He fought in the Revolutionary War with his father and brothers. When the war was over, he moved to Troy, New York. He started a meatpacking business and was well-respected in his community.

During the war of 1812, Sam Wilson supplied meat to the U. S. Army in barrels marked U. S. When asked what the U. S. stood for, one of Wilson's workers said, Uncle Sam Wilson, the meatpacker. This story gained popularity when it was printed in a New York City Newspaper. Soon many things labeled U. S. were being called Uncle Sam's, not just meat!

After the war, Uncle Sam became the symbol of the nation. People drew him and dressed up like him. Uncle Sam is a United States' symbol that is middle recognized throughout the world. He has appeared in magazines, newspapers, and on posters for the last 150 years.

Text 3 the bald eagle

This magnificent bird can be found on many things in the United States.

Since ancient times, eagles have been a sign of power. Eagles have great size and strength, and because of this, many have claimed this bird as their emblem and symbol. When it came to choosing a national bird for America after the Revolutionary War, many wanted this bird to be chosen. It was a great and powerful bird, just as the new nation was great and powerful.

But, not all in Congress wanted this bird as theirs. Benjamin Franklin proposed that the turkey be the national bird, because it was a true native of the country. It was finally decided that the bald eagle, which was unique to North America, be the choice. In 1782, the bald eagle was finally adopted as the national bird for the country.

The bald eagle is not really bald. The head of the adult bird if white, and was called "bald" by the people from England who first settled in America. To them, "bald" meant "white" or "white-streaked", not hairless! This bird also has white tail feathers.

The bald eagle still serves as the American national bird, a symbol of the size and strength of the nation.

Text 4 The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a splendid statue, which stands on the east side of Manhattan Island (on a small Bedloe's Island) at the entrance to New York harbour. It has become a symbol of the city and of the whole country. Its top reaches 305 feet (nearly 100 metres) above the water level.

The Statue of Liberty was France's gift to America. It was designed by the well-known 19th-century French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi. It was built on funds collected in France and symbolizes the friendship of the United States and France of those days. The statue was presented to the United States of America in 1884 and became national monument in 1924.

The figure shows a young woman freeing herself from shackles. In her uplifted right hand, she holds a torch, which lights up at night and in her left hand, there is a tablet with the date “July 4th, 1776” on it, which symbolizes the Declaration of Independence. She wears a crown with seven spikes that stand for the light of liberty shining on the seven seas and seven continents.

The statue is made from copper sheets and it is hollow inside. 225 tons of metal were used for its construction. Inside there is a circular stairway with 365 steps leading from the entrance to the observation area in the crown. There is also a lift inside the statue. In the base there is a museum devoted to the history of immigration to the United States.