2. The usa flag and its history.

Since 1777, there have been 27 official versions of the U.S. flag, each reflecting the addition of new states. (Note: Some count minor design variations, leading to estimates of over 70 versions, but officially there are 27 distinct designs). Red symbolizes valor and bravery,White stands for purity and innocence, Blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice (these meanings were assigned by the Continental Congress in 1782 for the Great Seal, and later applied to the flag). The U.S. Flag Code outlines proper handling and display of the flag, including not letting it touch the ground, not using it as clothing or drapery, and properly retiring worn flags (often by ceremonial burning).While violations of the Flag Code are not punishable by law (due to First Amendment protections), many Americans follow the guidelines out of respect. The current 50-star flag was designed by Robert G. Heft, a 17-year-old high school student from Ohio, in 1958 as a school project. He received a B– initially, but his grade was changed after President Eisenhower selected his design. It became official on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state—and it’s the longest-used version of the U.S. flag, surpassing the 48-star flag in 2007.

3. American symbols: the Pledge of Allegiance, the Great Seal of the US, the Washington Monumen, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore.

1. The Pledge of Allegiance. Written as a marketing stunt: The Pledge was penned in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister and socialist, for Youth’s Companion magazine to promote patriotism and boost flag sales to schools during the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival. Originally accompanied by a salute: The original gesture—called the "Bellamy Salute"—had the right arm extended toward the flag. It was discontinued during World War II because it resembled the Nazi salute.“Under God” was added in 1954: During the Cold War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add “under God” to distinguish American values from “godless communism.” The phrase doesn’t appear in the Constitution.

2. The Great Seal of the United States. Adopted in 1782, it appears on official documents, passports, and the back of the one-dollar bill.Obverse (front): Features the American bald eagle holding an olive branch (peace) in one talon and 13 arrows (war) in the other—symbolizing the power to choose between peace and war. The eagle faces the olive branch, showing a preference for peace.Reverse (back): Shows an unfinished pyramid with 13 layers, representing the original colonies and the idea of ongoing growth. Above it floats the “Eye of Providence” (the all-seeing eye of God) with the Latin motto “Annuit Cœptis” (“He [God] has favored our undertakings”).“E Pluribus Unum” (“Out of many, one”)—first used on the seal—was the de facto national motto until “In God We Trust” was adopted in 1956.

3. The Washington Monument. Tallest stone structure in the world at completion (1884): Standing 555 feet, 5⅛ inches tall, it was the world’s tallest building until the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889.Construction was paused for 20+ years: Begun in 1848, work halted in 1854 due to lack of funds and political turmoil (including anti-Catholic sentiment after Pope Pius IX donated a stone). It resumed in 1876 and finished in 1884.Two different shades of marble: Because of the long gap, the quarry stone used before and after the pause came from different sources—resulting in a visible color change about one-third of the way up.No foreign stones allowed after controversy: Early on, groups and nations worldwide donated commemorative stones to be embedded in the monument. After a stolen stone sparked backlash, the practice stopped.

4. The Liberty Bell. Famous crack wasn’t from 1776: Despite popular myth, the Liberty Bell did not ring on July 4, 1776, to announce independence. It likely rang on July 8 to summon Philadelphians for the first public reading of the Declaration.The crack evolved over time: The bell was cast in 1752 in London but cracked on its first test ring. It was recast twice in Philadelphia. The iconic large crack probably appeared in the 1840s—possibly during Washington’s Birthday celebrations.Abolitionists gave it its name: In the 1830s, the bell was adopted as a symbol by anti-slavery activists, who named it the “Liberty Bell” and used its inscription—“Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof” (Leviticus 25:10)—to advocate for emancipation.

5. The Statue of Liberty. A gift from France—but America had to build the pedestal: France provided the statue (designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi) to celebrate U.S. independence and Franco-American friendship. However, the U.S. struggled to fund the pedestal—until publisher Joseph Pulitzer launched a public campaign in his newspaper The World, raising over $100,000 from more than 120,000 ordinary citizens.Originally a lighthouse: From 1886 to 1902, the statue functioned as a U.S. Lighthouse Board aid to navigation—its torch illuminated ships entering New York Harbor. (It’s no longer a lighthouse; the light was too weak.)Symbol of immigration—but not originally intended as one: While it later became a beacon for millions of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, Bartholdi initially conceived it as a symbol of republican ideals and abolition of slavery.The broken chains at Lady Liberty’s feet (often hidden from view) symbolize emancipation.

Copper skin, not green originally: The statue was shiny copper when unveiled in 1886. It turned green over 30 years due to oxidation (verdigris).

6. Mount Rushmore. Carved into sacred Native land: The sculpture is in the Black Hills of South Dakota, land sacred to the Lakota Sioux. It was seized by the U.S. government after the discovery of gold, violating the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie.

Designed by Gutzon Borglum, who also had ties to the Ku Klux Klan. Despite controversy, he envisioned Rushmore as a “Shrine of Democracy.”

Originally planned to show full bodies: Borglum intended to carve each president down to the waist, but the project was halted in 1941 after his death and lack of funding—leaving only the heads completed.

Hidden chamber behind Lincoln’s head: Borglum designed a “Hall of Records” behind the sculpture to store important U.S. documents. It remained unfinished until 1998, when a titanium vault with porcelain enamel panels detailing American history was installed.