What Are the Symbols of the United States?

National symbols are objects, images, or expressions that represent a country's values, history, and identity. The United States has many national symbols that students encounter from kindergarten onward. Learning these symbols builds civic knowledge and a sense of shared American identity.

The American Flag

The American flag is the most recognized symbol of the United States. It has three components:

50 stars - one for each of the 50 states
13 stripes - 7 red and 6 white, representing the original 13 colonies
Colors - Red (valor and courage), White (purity and innocence), Blue (vigilance, perseverance, justice)

The current 50-star flag was adopted on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state.

Flag etiquette (taught at the elementary level): The flag should be treated with respect. It should be raised quickly and lowered slowly. When a flag becomes worn, it should be retired ceremonially.

The Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is the national bird and national animal of the United States. It was chosen as the national emblem in 1782 because:

It is found only in North America
It is known for its strength, majesty, and independence
It is long-lived (up to 30 years in the wild)

The bald eagle appears on the Great Seal of the United States, holding:

An olive branch in its right talon (symbol of peace)
13 arrows in its left talon (symbol of military strength)

The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, was a gift from France to the United States, dedicated on October 28, 1886. She represents:

Freedom and democracy
Welcome to immigrants arriving in America

The statue depicts a robed woman holding a torch (enlightenment) in her raised right hand and a tablet inscribed with July 4, 1776 in her left. She wears a crown with seven rays, representing the seven continents and seven seas.

The poem The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus, inscribed on the pedestal, includes the famous lines:

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was originally cast in 1752 and is famous for the crack that developed over time. The bell became a symbol of freedom and was used by abolitionists and civil rights activists to represent the American ideal of liberty - for all people.

The inscription reads: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof." (Leviticus 25:10)

The White House and U.S. Capitol

White House (Washington, D.C.) - home and office of the President of the United States. Every president since John Adams (1800) has lived there.
U.S. Capitol Building - where the U.S. Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) meets to make laws. Its dome is one of the most recognizable landmarks in American architecture.

The National Anthem

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. Written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the Battle of Fort McHenry (War of 1812), it was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1931. The song describes the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a British naval bombardment.

The Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance is a statement of loyalty to the flag and to the United States:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, the phrase "under God" was added by Congress in 1954.

Practice Activities

Match-up activity: connect each symbol to what it represents (e.g., bald eagle → national bird, 50 stars → 50 states).
Draw and label the American flag, explaining what the stars and stripes represent.
Research one national symbol in depth and create a mini-poster with key facts.
Compare national symbols from the United States and another country - how are they similar? Different?
Discuss: why do nations have symbols? What values do American symbols express?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the American flag have 13 stripes if there are 50 states?

The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Britain in 1776 (Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia). The 50 stars represent today's 50 states. Stars have been added each time a new state joined the union - the most recent addition was Hawaii in 1960.

Why is the bald eagle the national bird?

The bald eagle was chosen as the national emblem in 1782 because it is found only in North America (making it uniquely American), is long-lived, and is known for its strength, majesty, and independence. Benjamin Franklin famously preferred the wild turkey, but the bald eagle won. The eagle appears on the Great Seal of the United States, holding an olive branch (peace) in one talon and arrows (strength) in the other.

What does the Pledge of Allegiance mean?

The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise of loyalty to the United States and its flag. Written by Francis Bellamy in 1892, it was originally recited in schools to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's voyage. The phrase 'one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all' expresses the ideals of unity, religious acknowledgment (added in 1954), and equal rights. 'Indivisible' means the nation cannot be divided.