Good morning! I’m Uncle Sam! I will be your guide through this adventure of our country.

What is a symbol? A symbol is a word, phrase or picture that represents something else. What does these symbols tell you?

Our Country’s Symbols Our country has many symbols. I will share some of those with you today and we will take a look at what they mean.

Uncle Sam ► A tall white haired man with a goatee ► Usually wearing red, white and blue I’m a symbol of the United States

The American Flag - 13 stripes stand for the original colonies - 50 stars represent the 50 states - Red is for bravery - White is for purity - Blue is for justice

The Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise of loyalty to the United States.

The Star Spangled Banner The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem or song of the United States. The words were written by Francis Scott Key in He watched a night-time battle between England and America. He was very excited when the American flag was still flying in the morning. He wrote these words about the flag.

The Bald Eagle ► The bald eagle is a large, powerful. ► The Founding Fathers chose the bald eagle to be the national bird of the United States in ► This majestic bird can only be found in North America. ► The word "bald" does not mean that this bird has no feathers, but that it’s marked with white.

The Great Seal ► Holds an olive branch and a bundle of thirteen arrows ► In his beak he holds a scroll ► Seen on the back of a one dollar bill ► E pluribus unum means “out of many, one” Look carefully. Can you see a pattern? Why do we see this pattern?

Welcome Aboard VCS Flight 482 San Marcos – Washington DC Please enjoy your in-flight entertainment and refreshments.

Welcome to Washington D.C.

The Capital City Every country has a capital. This is where the government makes important decisions, such as laws. It is also where the President lives and Congress meets. The Supreme Court judges work here too.

Washington DC ► Capital city of the U.S.A. ► George Washington chose this site as the future capital in 1791 ► Washington D.C. became the nation’s capital on June 11, 1800

John Adams was the first President to live in Washington D.C.

Let’s Explore the City! First to

Monuments Our country has many monuments. A monument is a building or statue that honors a person or something that happened.

The Washington Monument

This monument honors our 1 st president, George Washington.

The Washington Monument ► Stands 555 feet tall ► It’s against the law to build any other buildings in DC that are taller. ► Fifty flags encircle the base of the monument ► there are 36,491 stones that make up the monument

The Reflecting Pool ► Located between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial lies the Reflecting Pool. ► contains 7 million gallons of water ► The design of the pool minimizes wind ripples and sharpens the watery image of the monument.

The Lincoln Memorial

This monument honors our 16 th President Abraham Lincoln.

Look at the other places I can find the Lincoln Memorial! The Lincoln Memorial is on the back of the penny The Lincoln Memorial is on the back of the penny and on the back of the five dollar bill.

The Lincoln Memorial This monument symbolizes his belief that all people should be free.

Let’s Take a look inside. ► a statue of Abraham Lincoln ► 19 feet tall sitting ► made from marble and limestone

The Jefferson Memorial

This monument honors our 3 rd President and the author of the Declaration of Independence.

The White House

This is where the President lives and works.

► Every President except George Washington has lived there. ► The President’s office is called the Oval Office. Here the President does the business of the country. He signs bills and Executive Orders, and he meets with staff, visitors, and guests.

The president is the most important leader of our country. This is our President, Barack Obama.

The Capitol Building

► This is where the government meets. ► Laws are made in the capitol building.

Arlington National Cemetery ► Honors men and women who served in the armed forces ► Over 260,000 people buried there

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier marks the grave of an unidentified American soldier from World War I Here rests in honored glory an American Soldier known but to God

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independence Hall ► At this building, colonial leaders met to plan the future of the new nation. ► Many of the most important documents in U.S. history were written at Independence Hall. ► Independence Hall was also the home of the Liberty Bell for over 200 years.

The Liberty Bell ► The Liberty Bell has become the symbol of freedom in the United States. ► It rang when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. ► Symbol of freedom ► Weighs about 2000 Lbs. ► Made mostly of copper and tin

The Liberty Bell ► The Liberty Bell rang when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

The Liberty Bell ► The Bell was cast in London, England in ► It is made mostly of copper and tin. ► After it arrived in the U.S., the Bell cracked. ► A new bell was made from the metal in the old one, but this one also cracked. ► A third bell was built from the same metal, and now this one has a crack too!

The Liberty Bell The last time the bell rang was on February 23, 1846 for George Washington's birthday celebration. Today, the Liberty Bell hangs in Philadelphia for all to see.

Independence Day ► We celebrate our independence every year on July 4 th. ► The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4 th, ► The Liberty Bell is still gently rung every year. ► Many people celebrate July 4 th with parades, barbecues and fireworks. ► Fireworks have been associated with the 4 th since 1777.

The Black Hills of South Dakota

Mount Rushmore ► Symbolizes the growth of the country and its great leaders ► 60 foot high faces of U.S. Presidents

Who was the 1 st President carved into stone?

Who is this?

Who is this President?

New York

Statue of Liberty ► Symbolizes freedom throughout the world ► A gift from France ► Made of copper ► 151 feet tall ► Holds a burning torch and a tablet

The Statue of Liberty Seven rays of her crown symbolize the seven seas and continents

Thank you for Flying VCS Flight 482 We look forward to serving you on your next exciting social studies adventure.