Immediately after declaring independence on July 4. 1776. The Continental Congress constituted a -

committee consisting of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and.Tnomas Jefferson to propose a design for a 1 ■ j"J|

seal for the new United States of America. It was not until June 20, 1782, however, following the fruitless aj^^fflffffl^v?^y.^

efforts of this and two other committees, that Congress approved a design recommended by its Secretary, --...• '''

Charles Thomson. * ^ЩЬ т

The latin motto E Pluribus Unum translates to "Out of Many, One" in reference to the many states making one nation. The olive branch in the eagle's right claw symbolises peace; there are 13 leaves and 13 olive berries on the branch, symbolizing the 13 original British colonies. Likewise, in the eagle's left claw are 13 arrows symbolizing the power for war. The 13 stars above the eagle and the 13 red and white stripes on the shield also symbolise the original 13 British colonies.

The Eagle, National Emblem

The bald eagle is a magnificent bird of prey that is native to North America. This majestic eagle is not really bald; white feathers cover its head. The derivation of the name "bald" is from an obsolete English word meaning white. The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the USA since 1782.

The bald eagle was chosen June 20. 1782 as the emblem of the United States of American, because of its iong lire, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.

On the backs of our gold coins, the silver dollar, the half dollar and the quarter, we see an eagle with outspread wings. On the Great Seal of the United States and in many places which are exponents of our nation's authority we see the same emblem.

The eagle represents freedom. Living as he does on the tops of lofty mountains, amid the solitary grandeur of Nature, he has unlimited freedom, whether with strong pinions he sweeps into the valleys below, or upward into the boundless spaces beyond.

It is said the eagle was used as a national emblem because, at one of the first battles of the Revolution (which occurred early in the morning) the noise of the struggle awoke the sleeping eagles on the heights and they flew from their nests and circled about over the heads of the fighting men, all the while giving vent to their raucous cries. "They are shrieking for Freedom," said the patriots. Thus the eagle, full of the boundless spirit of freedom, living above the valleys, strong and powerful in his might, has become the national emblem of a country that offers freedom in word and thought and an opportunity for a full and free expansion into the boundless space of the future ( Maude M. Grant).

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The official flower

The rose was designated the official flower and floral emblem of the United States of America in 1986. The rose has been around for about 35 million years and grows naturally throughout North America. The petals and rose hips are edible and have been used in medicines since ancient times.

Roses are red, pink, white, or yellow and can have a wonderfully rich, almost intoxicating aroma. The rose is a symbol of love and beauty (as well as war and politics) the world over. Each of the 50 states has also adopted an official state flower, including the rose in New York, the Oklahoma rose in Oklahoma, Cherokee rose in Georgia, and the wild prairie rose in Iowa and North Dakota.

Canada

Canada is the second largest country in the worlcjjOnly Russia has a greater land area. Canada is situated in North America. Canada is slightly larger than the United States, but has only about a tenth as many people. About 28 million people live in Canada. About 80%* of the population live within 320 km of the southern border. Much of the rest of Canada is uninhabited or thinly populated because of severe natural conditions.

Canada is a federation of 10 provinces and 2 territories. Canada is an independent nation. But according to the Constitution Act of 1982JBriti_s_h Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is recognized as Queen of Canada.

This symbolizes the country's strong ties to Britain") Canada was ruled by Britain completely until 1867, when Canada gained control of its domestic affairs. Britain governed Canada's foreign affairs until 1931, when Canada gained full independence.

Canada's people are varied. About 57% of all Canadians have some English ancestry and about 32% have some French ancestry. Both English and French are official languages of the country.

French Canadians, most of whom live in the provinces of Quebec, have kept the language and customs of their ancestors, "^Jfrsr large ethnic groups are German, Jrish and Scottish people. Native people — American Indians and Eskimos — make up about 2% of the country's population. 77% of Canada's people live in cities or towns. Toronto and Montreal are the largest urban areas. Ottawa is the „capital of the country. 5

Today, maintaining a sense of community is one of thejriajor problems in Canada because of differences among the provinces and temtoriejs/Many Canadians in western and eastern parts of the у / country feel that the federal government does not pay enough attention to their problems. 80% of / Quebec's population are French Canadians. Many of them believe that their province should recieve a, special recognition in the Canadian constitution.

Канада

Канада является второй по величине страной в мире. Только Россия имеет большую площадь. Канада расположена в Северной Америке. Канада является немного больше, чем Соединенные Штаты, но лишь около 1/10, как многие люди. Около 28 миллионов человек живут в Канаде. Около 80% населения проживает в пределах 320 км от южной границы. Большая часть остальной Канады необитаемых или малонаселенных из-за суровых природных условиях.

Канада является федерацией из 10 провинций и 2 территории. Канада является независимым государством. Но в соответствии с Конституцией закон 1982 года британский монарх, королева Елизавета II Соединенного Королевства признана королевой Канады.

Это символизирует тесные связи этой страны в Великобритании. Канада правит Великобританией полностью до 1867 года» когда Канада получила контроль над ее внутренние дела. Британия управляется Канада иностранных дел до 1931 года, когда Канада получила полную независимость.

Люди Канаде разнообразны. Около 57% всех канадцев есть английского происхождения и около 32% у некоторых французских предков. И английский и французский языки являются официальными языками страны.

Франко-канадцев, большинство из которых живут в провинции Квебек, сохранили язык и обычаи своих предков. Другие крупные этнические группы немецких, ирландских и шотландских людей. Коренные жители - индейцы и эскимосы - составляют около 2% населения страны. 77% людей, Канады живут в городах или поселках. Торонто и Монреаль являются крупнейшие городские районы. Оттава является столицей страны.

Сегодня, сохраняя чувство общности является одной из основных проблем в Канаде из-за различий между провинциями и территориями. Многие канадцы в западной и восточной частях страны считают, что федеральное правительство не уделяет должного внимания к их проблемам. 80% населения Квебека являются франко-канадцев. Многие из них считают, что их провинция должна получать особое признание в канадской конституции.