The stars and stripes

The history of Old Glory goes back to early colonial days. The first banner used in the colonies was, of course, the Standard English flag, consisting of a red cross on a white field. The flags of the separate colonies followed the same lines except that occasionally a pine tree, or a hemisphere, was figured in the upper left quarter of the cross.

The beginning of the Revolution brought a flood of suggestions as to the design for a new standard. But it was not until June 14, 1777, that official action was taken, when the Continental Congress passed a resolution fixing the design as thirteen alternate red and white stripes, and thirteen white stars on a blue field. Each star and each stripe represented a state. As each new state was admitted to the Union, a star and a stripe were added, but it was soon realized that the addition of many more stripes would make the flag too bulky. Consequently, after having been increased to fifteen, the number of bars was reduced to the original number. But the number of stars steadily increased, until the present number of 50 equals the same number of states. The story goes that Betty Ross sewed the first flag, and it was at her suggestion that five-pointed, instead of six-pointed, stars were used.

While controversy continues as to why Congress selected this design, there is good reason to believe that the coat of arms of the Washington family, which contains both stars and stripes, furnished the inspiration. It is interesting to note that, prior to the adoption of an official flag; a banner frequently used bore the figure of a rattlesnake, coiled to strike, with the motto, «Don’t tread on me».

15. Answer the following questions:

1. What do people often call American flag?

2. What are the colours of the American flag?

3. How many stripes has the flag got?

4. What is the national emblem?

5. Where is the statue of Liberty placed?

6. What country did gift to the USA?

16. Translate into English:

1. Американский флаг часто называют “звезды и полосы”.

2. Государственный гимн Америки – это “Усыпанный звездами флаг”.

3. У каждого штата есть свой собственный флаг.

4. Орел стал национальной эмблемой страны в 1782 году.

5. Орла можно увидеть на обратной стороне доллара.

6. Статуя Свободы – символ американской демократии.

7. В правой руке у Свободы – факел свободы.

8. Статуя Свободы стоит на острове Свободы в Нью-Йорке.

17. Learn the following words by heart:

to be made up from – быть составленным, состоять из

to border – граничить

to divide – делить

to head – возглавлять

to pass – проходить через

to represent – представлять

to symbolize – символизировать

District of Columbia – округ Колумбия

marble – мраморный

empty – пустой, полый

indication – указание

piece of land – участок земли

two storey – двухэтажный

Declaration of Independence – Декларация независимости

18. Give a summary of the text.

AMERICAN CHARACTER

American society seems to be much more informal than the British and, in some ways, is characterized by less social distinction. Students do not rise when a teacher enters the room. One does not always address a person by his title, such as «Major» or «General» or «Doctor». The respectful «Sir» is not always used in the northern and western parts of the country.

However, it is best to use a person's title when first meeting him/her, and then allow the person to tell you how he/she wishes to be called.

They use first names when calling each other, slap on the back, joke and are much freer in their speech, which is slangier than the conventional British English. You will often hear the word «Hi» (a form of greeting among friends) used instead of the usual «Hello» and «Howdy instead of «How do you do? ».

Yet, in spite of all the informality, Americans, even in the way they address each other, show consciousness of social distinction. For example, one is likely to use somewhat more formal language when talking to superiors. While the informal «Hello» is an acceptable greeting from employee to employer, the employee is more apt to say «Hello, Mr. Ferguson», while the employer may reply «Hello, Jim».

Certain other forms of politeness are observed on social occasions. Women may wear hats in church, in restaurants, and often when attending luncheons in public places and other public social functions expect those that take place in the evening. Men who do wear hats ordinarily remove them in elevators, churches, restaurants, private homes, business offices – in fact, in most public situations when they wish to show respect