Symbols of America
Symbols of America
Once the United States declared its independence, the Continental Congress focused on a different task. A committee was appointed to design the Great Seal of the United States. The seal was first displayed publicly in 1782, & it is still used today. The original design for the front of the seal can be seen below, as well as the approved design for the reverse side. A little symbolism hidden on the seal: Front Side Symbols • The Bald Eagle (shown with its wings stretched out) is the • • • • •
official bird of the United States. In one talon, the eagle holds an olive branch. In the other, it holds a bundle of arrows. This is symbolic of war and peace. The eagle’s head is turned towards the olive branch, showing that it prefers peace (but still carries the arrows for good measure). The eagle holds 13 arrows in its left talon, representing the 13 original colonies. There are also 13 stars above the eagle’s head. The shield in front of the eagle is similar to the United States flag with 13 stripes (although there are no stars) . In its mouth, the eagle holds a banner reading, “E Pluribus Unum”—“Out of Many, One”.
Reverse Side Symbols • The unfinished pyramid (with 13 tiers) shows that the vision of the United States is never complete. • The watchful eye of God hovers over the pyramid with the motto, “ANNUIT CŒPTIS”—“God • •
nodded at our beginnings”. On the bottom of the pyramid are the Roman Numerals MDCCLXXVI, or 1776. In that year, America declared its independence. At the bottom of the seal is a quotation from Virgil, “Novus Ordo Seclorum”—“New Order for the Ages.”
The Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of Independence Hall on July 8, 1776, announcing the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. At the time, it did not have the famous crack that makes it so recognizable today.
The basic design for the United States flag became “official” through an act of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. Of course, over the next few decades the number of stars on the flag routinely changed with the addition of new states. Prior to 1912, there were no set guidelines for the proportions of the flag, or for the layout of the stars in the blue field (i.e. the stars could appear in any pattern).
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Once the United States declared its independence, the Continental Congress focused on a different task. A committee was appointed to design the Great Seal of the United States. The seal was first displayed publicly in 1782, & it is still used today. The original design for the front of the seal can be seen below, as well as the approved design for the reverse side. A little symbolism hidden on the seal: Front Side Symbols • The Bald Eagle (shown with its wings stretched out) is the • • • • •
official bird of the United States. In one talon, the eagle holds an olive branch. In the other, it holds a bundle of arrows. This is symbolic of war and peace. The eagle’s head is turned towards the olive branch, showing that it prefers peace (but still carries the arrows for good measure). The eagle holds 13 arrows in its left talon, representing the 13 original colonies. There are also 13 stars above the eagle’s head. The shield in front of the eagle is similar to the United States flag with 13 stripes (although there are no stars) . In its mouth, the eagle holds a banner reading, “E Pluribus Unum”—“Out of Many, One”.
Reverse Side Symbols • The unfinished pyramid (with 13 tiers) shows that the vision of the United States is never complete. • The watchful eye of God hovers over the pyramid with the motto, “ANNUIT CŒPTIS”—“God • •
nodded at our beginnings”. On the bottom of the pyramid are the Roman Numerals MDCCLXXVI, or 1776. In that year, America declared its independence. At the bottom of the seal is a quotation from Virgil, “Novus Ordo Seclorum”—“New Order for the Ages.”
The Liberty Bell rang out from the tower of Independence Hall on July 8, 1776, announcing the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. At the time, it did not have the famous crack that makes it so recognizable today.
The basic design for the United States flag became “official” through an act of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. Of course, over the next few decades the number of stars on the flag routinely changed with the addition of new states. Prior to 1912, there were no set guidelines for the proportions of the flag, or for the layout of the stars in the blue field (i.e. the stars could appear in any pattern).
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