The United States has a rich history of symbolism. From the American flag to historical monuments, there are meanings and history to the various symbols that the United States is known for.

1. The American Flag The American Flag was officially recognized by the Flag Act, a resolution passed by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The resolution decreed that the flag would have 13 alternating red and white stripes, with white stars on a blue field. The stars on the flag represent the 50 states in the Union. The white strips symbolize purity and innocence, the red stripes symbolize valor and bravery, and the blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

2. The Bald Eagle For six years the Founding Fathers entered into a debate over what animal would be chosen to represent the nation on the nation emblem. In 1782, the Bald Eagle became the national bird of the United States. The Bald Eagle is said to represent strength, courage, freedom, and immortality.

3. The Great Seal of the United States In 1782, the Great Seal was officially adopted as the coat of arms of the United States. Symbolically, the Seal was designed to represent the beliefs of the Founding the Fathers. The Bald Eagle, the nation bird, is in the center of the Seal. In its beak in a scroll with the words E pluribus unum, which means “out of many, one.” The Great Seal can be found on dollar bills, coins, government issued documents, and government buildings. The official custodian of the Seal is the Secretary of State. There is a distinct pattern of 13 on the Great Seal. There are 13 stars on the crest above the eagle, 13 stripes in the shield on the eagle, 13 arrows in the left claw, 13 olives leaves on in the right claw, and 13 letters in the motto E pluribus unum.

4. The Liberty Bell The Liberty Bell was originally made in London in 1751 to commemorate William Penn’s founding of the 1701 Charter of Privileges. The Liberty Bell was rung every 4th of July until 1846. By then, a crack had appeared on the side of the Bell. Today, it is located in Philadelphia at the Liberty Bell Pavilion on Market Street. The inscription on the Liberty Bell reads: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof - Lev. XXV, v. x. By order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania [sic] for the State House in Philada.”

5. The Rose The rose is one of the newest symbols of the United States. On November 20, 1986, President Reagan had issued Proclamation 5574. This proclamation had granted the rose as The National Floral Emblem of the United States of America.

6. The Statue of Liberty The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States as a recognition of friendship from the French. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and was officially recognized as a National Monument in 1924. The Statue has come to symbolize freedom and liberty. The Statue has greeted immigrants to Ellis Island signifying their journey to the United States has come to an end. The Statue portrays a woman escaping the chains of tyranny. The torch in her right hand represents liberty. In her left hand, she holds a tablet on which is inscribed in July 4, 1776. Her crown contains seven spikes, which symbolizes the seven seas and continents.

7. The Washington Monument Built in honor of the first President of the United States, George Washington, the Washington Monument is an obelisk shaped tower located in Washington, D.C. Architect Robert Mills had designed the monument in 1836. Work on the monument began in 1848, and construction was halted during the Civil War. on December 6, 1884 and was opened to the public on October 9, 1888 . The interior of the Monument contains an elevator and a 897-step stairway. At the top of the monument, is an tall aluminum pyramid nine inches tall. There are also lightning rods at the top in order to protect it from lightning strikes.

8. Citations American Flag Image: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1205746 Information: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ The Bald Eagle Image: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1011793 Information: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/eagle The Great Seal of the United States Image:http http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/27807.pdf Information: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/27807.pdf The Liberty Bell Image: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/830 Information: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/libertybell.html www.nps.gov The Rose Image: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1327762 Information: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/rose.html The Statue of Liberty Image: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1335327 Information: http://www.nps.gov/stli/historyculture/index.htm The Washington Monument Image: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1268685 Information: http://www.nps.gov/wamo/historyculture/index.htm; http://www.enchantedlearning.com/history/us/monuments/washingtonmonument/