AMERICAN HERITAGE LESSON
LESSON
In one
day
What Unites Us as Americans?
Overview
Students work as archivists at the National Archives to
place artifacts into appropriate collections.
Preview In a preview, students hear an early recording of
the song “God Bless America” by Kate Smith while they
analyze the lyrics.
Activity During a Social Studies Skill Builder activity,
students work as archivists at the National Archives. Pairs
of students are given primary sources or artifacts related
to our heritage and are tasked with placing the archives
into the appropriate collection (i.e. famous people,
famous documents, etc.). Groups get an opportunity to
present their sorted collections in a whole class debrief.
Processing Students design a display that would be
suitable for public viewing at the National Archives in
Washington D.C.
Objectives
In the course of this lesson and participating in the
classroom activity, students will
• study primary sources related to our shared American
heritage.
• analyze a variety of primary sources including visuals,
text, and audio archives.
• create a display showcasing one primary source and
how it helps to unite us as Americans.
Primary Sources
Materials
• Audio recording and lyrics
to Irving Berlin’s “God Bless
America” performed by
Kate Smith:
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=b1rKQReqJZg
• Interactive Student Notebook
pages Preview, Notes, and
Processing pages.
1 per student
• Copy of “Ideas that Unite Us
as Americans” pp. 274-285
copied off at least one per
pair if you do not use Social
Studies Alive! Regions of
Our Country.
• Student Handout 1:
Archiving Directions—1 per
group
• 4 to 5 copies of each artifact
A-I
• Smart phone or iPod Touch
with a QR code scanner
app—1 per group
OR
Declaration of Independence, “I Have a Dream” speech
by Martin Luther King, Pledge of Allegiance,
Constitution, Bill of Rights, Statue of Liberty, bald eagle,
“Four Freedoms” speech by FDR, and the Great Seal of
the United States
• The last page of the lesson
guide with links to the
research websites
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Procedures
Preview
Suggested time: 10 minutes
1. Distribute lyrics. As students enter the class, give each a
copy of the lyrics and music analysis questions on page 1
of the Interactive Student Notebook while you project the
Preview.
2. Play Kate Smith's rendition of “God Bless America.”
Follow the link to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1rKQReqJZg (YouTube) for
a recording of the first time that “God Bless America”
was sung. Tell students to listen to the music and follow
along with the lyrics on their handout.
3. Have students answer music analysis questions. Tell
students to answer the three questions on the bottom of
their preview page in their Interactive Student Notebook.
Interactive Student
Notebook—P review
4. Debrief student responses. Select a few students to
share their answer. Explain that while “God Bless
America” is a famous song it is not the National Anthem.
The National Anthem, the “Star Spangled Banner,” was
written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812.
Social Studies Skill Builder
Suggested time: 60 minutes
1. Prepare materials for activity. Make sure each to create
enough materials for each group prior to class. Each
group should have the following:
• Interactive Student Notebook—1 per student
• Artifacts printed separately on card stock to make
placards—3 artifacts per pair
• Student Handout 1: Archiving Directions—1 per pair
2. Divide the class into pairs. Put students into
heterogeneous pairs. Have them arrange their desks so
that they can easily see each other and the front of the
class.
Classroom arrangement
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Procedures
3. Introduce the activity. Explain to students that artifacts
like the first radio recording of “God Bless America” are
usually cataloged by archivists working at the National
Archives in Washington D.C. Tell them that they will be
pretending to be archivists preparing for an exhibit
entitled, "Ideas That Unite Us as Americans." Their task
will be to categorize three artifacts into different
collections for the exhibit. Explain that a collection is a
group of artifacts that share a theme, author, or topic.
4. Model for the students. Using Kate Smith’s recording as
an example, practice categorizing by helping students
determine which collection the recording best fits into.
Project the model artifact of the lyrics to “God Bless
America” and have the class vote on only ONE of the
three possible collections:
A. Artifacts related to early radio
B. Artifacts related to the life of Kate Smith
C. Artifacts related to the work of Irving Berlin
5. Allow students to begin. Pass out Student Handout B:
Archiving Directions. Review the steps:
1. Start with one artifact found on a placard given to
your pair.
2. Find the appropriate page in the text that displays
an image or information regarding the topic of the
artifact.
3. Go to the website to learn more about the artifact
topic.
4. Complete all the boxes in the appropriate row of
the matrix.
5. Discuss and select one collection to place this
artifact in.
6. Be prepared to explain your pair’s choice to the
class.
7. Repeat steps for the remaining two artifacts
assigned to your group.
Lyrics to “God Bless America”
by Irving Berlin
Student Handout 1
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Procedures
6.
Debrief the artifacts. After most pairs have
completed sorting three artifacts, project the image
of each artifact. Ask one pair to quickly share, while
the remaining groups fill in their matrix:
• What is this artifact?
• What person or group of people is related to
this artifact?
• What topic best describes this artifact?
7.
Challenge pairs to share their collection choice.
After a pair shares correct information to the
questions above, challenge each group who
completed sorting that artifact to quickly share
which collection they chose and their reasons.
Processing
To be completed outside class
1. Students design an artifact exhibit. Direct students
to the processing directions in their Interactive
Student Notebook. Students will design a display for
one artifact that would be suitable for public viewing
at the National Archives in Washington D.C. Tell
students they should be creative and to be sure to
include:
• A colorful sketch of the artifact.
• Three important facts that should be in the
display.
• One paragraph that describes the reason that this
artifact is an example of an idea that unites us as
Americans.
Processing
Struggling Writer
Suggestion
Allow students to record key
words instead of a paragraph
explaining why the artifact
unites us as Americans.
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Procedures
Websites for Artifacts
If internet is spotty at your school, consider printing out information from the following
websites for this activity.
The Declaration of Independence
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html
The Constitution of the United States
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html
The Bill of Rights
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights.html
Four Freedoms Speech
http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/index.html?dod-date=106
The Pledge of Allegiance
http://www.legion.org/flag/pledge
Statue of Liberty
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/charters_of_freedom_zoom_pages/charters_of_freed
om_zoom_12.1.1.html
Bald Eagle
https://www.msu.edu/~thelenam/natsig.html
Great Seal of the United States
http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/index.html?dod-date=620
“I Have a Dream Speech”
http://www.archives.gov/northeast/nyc/exhibits/mlk.html
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Procedures
Professional Enrichment
Want to know how to use QR codes in class? Visit this blog post:
http://blog.teachtci.com/your-secret-code-to-class
Want to know more about Social Studies Skill Builders?
To learn more about this lesson strategy and how to implement it in your classroom:
• Visit TeacherGenius and view teacher-submitted ideas related to Social Studies Skill Builders
http://teachergenius.teachtci.com/social-studies-skill-builder-2/
• Watch a four-minute video to see a Social Studies Skill Builder in action
http://bcove.me/5rvbw46j
• View the on demand webinar “Social Studies Skill Builders in Five Easy Steps”
http://www.teachtci.com/webinars/social_studies_skill_builders_in_five_easy_steps.html
Want more free lessons?
We publish free lessons on timely topics on the TCI Blog. Find them all here:
http://blog.teachtci.com/tag/free-lesson-plans
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Lyrics to "God Bless America” by Irving Berlin
MODEL ARTIFACT
God Bless America
Words and music by Irving Berlin
© Copyright 1938, 1939 by Irving Berlin
© Copyright Renewed 1965, 1966 by Irving Berlin
© Copyright Assigned to the Trustees of the God Bless America Fund
International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
Which collection would this song BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to early radio
B. Artifacts related to the life and works of Kate
Smith
C. Artifacts related to the life and works of Irving
Berlin
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Archiving Directions
STUDENT HANDOUT 1
1. Start with one of the artifacts found on
a placard given to your group.
2. Find the appropriate page in the text
that displays an image or information
regarding the topic of the artifact.
3. Go to the website to learn more about
the artifact topic.
4. Complete all the boxes in the
appropriate row of the matrix.
5. Discuss and select one collection to
place this artifact in.
6. Be prepared to explain your pair’s
choice to the class.
7. Repeat steps for the remaining two
artifacts assigned to your group.
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ARTIFACT A
Quill used to sign the Declaration of Independence
Which collection would this quill used to sign the
Declaration of Independence BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to early writing instruments
B. Artifacts related to the life and works of
Thomas Jefferson
C. Artifacts related to famous American
documents
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ARTIFACT B
Constitution of the United States, found rolled up
Which collection would this rolled up copy of the
U.S. Constitution BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to famous American
documents
B. Artifacts related to the life and works of James
Madison
C. Artifacts related to the idea of popular
sovereignty
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ARTIFACT C
James Madison’s personal copy of the Bill of Rights
Which collection would this James Madison’s
personal copy of the Bill of Rights BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to the Constitution
B. Artifacts related to the life and works of
James Madison
C. Artifacts related to famous American documents
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ARTIFACT D
Audio of “Four Freedoms” speech by FDR
Listen to FDR’s “Four Freedoms” speech at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iHKtrirjlY
Which collection would this recording of FDR’s
“Four Freedoms” speech BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to early radio
B. Artifacts related to the administration of FDR
C. Artifacts related to American ideas of freedom
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ARTIFACT
E
Portrait of Francis Bellamy, Author of the Pledge of Allegiance
Which collection would this portrait of Francis
Bellamy BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to American authors
B. Artifacts related to the life of Francis Bellamy
C. Artifacts related to the Pledge of Allegiance
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ARTIFACT F
Refurbished Blueprints to the Statue of Liberty
Which collection would this set of blueprints for a
refurbished Statue of Liberty BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to symbols of America
B. Artifacts related to New York City
C. Artifacts related to the relationship between the
French and American governments
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ARTIFACT G
Bald Eagle Sculpture by Lorenzo Ghigliere
Which collection would this statue of a bald eagle
given to President Bill Clinton in 1994 BEST fit
into?
A. Artifacts related to the administration of Bill
Clinton
B. Artifacts related to the life and works of
sculptor Lorenzo Ghigliere
C. Artifacts related to symbols of America
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ARTIFACT H
Early Copy of the Great Seal of the United States
Which collection would this early copy of the
Great Seal of the United States BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to the 2nd Continental
Congress
B. Artifacts related to the work of Charles
Thomson (principal designer of the seal)
C. Artifacts related to the Declaration of
Independence
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ARTIFACT I
Poster Promoting the March on Washington, 1964
Which collection would this poster from the early
1960s BEST fit into?
A. Artifacts related to civil rights for AfricanAmericans
B. Artifacts related to the life of Martin Luther
King Jr.
C. Artifacts related to famous American speeches
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Interactive Student Notebook
PREVIEW
God Bless America
Words and music by Irving Berlin
© Copyright 1938, 1939 by Irving Berlin
© Copyright Renewed 1965, 1966 by Irving Berlin
© Copyright Assigned to the Trustees of the God Bless America Fund
International Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God Bless America, Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
Kate Smith (1907-1986)
Kate Smith, singer, was the
first to sing Irving Berlin’s
“God Bless America” in
1938. Smith had a long and
distinguished career before
and following her famous
rendition. This song stirs
patriotic feelings among
many Americans. “God
Bless America” is not,
however, our National
Anthem. That distinction is
held by Francis Scott Key’s
“Star Spangled Banner.”
Answer the following questions while you listen to the song
and study the lyrics:
1. Who was the composer of this song?
2. How would you describe the song to a friend?
3. Why do the ideas expressed in the song unite us as
Americans?
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Interactive Student Notebook
ARTIFACT NOTES
Text pages and
archive link
What is the artifact? Draw a
simple visual to help you
remember it.
Page 274-275
The Declaration
of Independence
What are three important
facts about the artifact?
Which collection did your pair
decide to place this artifact in?
1.
2.
3.
Page 276-277
The Constitution
1.
2.
3.
Page 278
Bill of Rights
1.
2.
3.
Page 279
“Four Freedoms”
1.
2.
3.
Page 281
Pledge of
Allegiance
1.
2.
3.
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INTERACTIVE STUDENT NOTEBOOK
ARTIFACT NOTES
Text pages and
archive link
What is the artifact? Draw a
simple visual to help you
remember it.
Page 282
Statue of Liberty
What are three important
facts about the artifact?
Which collection did your pair
decide to place this artifact in?
1.
2.
3.
Page 282
Bald Eagle
1.
2.
3.
Page 283
Great Seal of the
United States
1.
2.
3.
Page 285
“I Have a Dream”
1.
2.
3.
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Interactive Student Notebook
PROCESSING
DIRECTIONS
Use the space below to design a rough draft for a display that would be
suitable for public viewing of one of your artifacts at the National
Archives in Washington D.C. Be creative and include the following:
• A colorful sketch of the artifact
• Three important facts that should be in the display
• One paragraph that describes the reason that this artifact is an
example of an idea that unites us as Americans.
1.
2.
3.
Artifact Sketch
Three Important Facts
Why is this artifact an example of an idea
that unites us as Americans?
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272
State Facts
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Ideas That Unite
Us as Americans
What connects Americans are shared ideals. Ideals are ideas
that seem very good and worth trying to achieve. Our country
is based on ideas about freedom and equality for everyone.
State Facts
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The Declaration of Independence:
Creating a New Country
People have lived in our land for thousands of years.
But the United States is less than 250 years old. It was
founded in 1776.
At that time, our country was a group of 13
colonies. The colonies belonged to country called
Great Britain. They were ruled by the British king.
Many colonists grew unhappy with British rule.
They felt the British did not treat them fairly. They had
little say in their own government.
In 1775, colonial leaders met in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. This group was called the Second
Continental Congress. For over a year, they discussed
what to do about the conflict with Great Britain. In
July 1776, they decided the colonies should
form their own country. They declared
From the Declaration of
independence from Great Britain.
Independence
This was a huge step. It was a crime to be
disloyal to the British king. But the colonists
We hold these truths to be
believed in something more powerful than
self-evident, that all men are
British law. They believed they had basic
created equal, that they are
rights. No government or king could take
endowed by their Creator
these rights away.
with certain unalienable
A man named Thomas Jefferson
Rights, that among these are
explained this thinking. He did so in the
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit
Declaration of Independence.
of Happiness.
274 Items that Unite Us as Americans
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American Ideals
The Granger Collection, New York
The Declaration of Independence describes the ideals
of the new country.
Thomas Jefferson wrote, “All men are created
equal.” This was a new idea in 1776. In most
countries, people were not born equal. But the
United States was founded on the ideal of
equality.
It has taken time to live up to this
promise. Until 1865, most African
Americans lived in slavery. Women
could not vote until 1920.
Jefferson also wrote that all
people have basic rights. These
rights are “unalienable.” This means
they cannot be taken away.
Our basic rights include the
right to life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness. Liberty is another
word for freedom. We believe in
the freedom to make choices. We
decide what we will do for a living. We
choose how we will worship. We make
other basic choices. We are free to pursue
sue
happiness.
Jefferson believed that government should
Thomas Jefferson
get its power “from the consent of the governed.”
In other words, power belongs to the people. They
can choose to let the government use it. The United
States is a democracy. We choose our leaders. We
give them the power to make laws. Over time, our
democracy has grown. More and more people have
been invited to take part. Today, nearly all citizens
aged 18 or older can vote.
Items that Unite Us as Americans 275
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The Constitution of the United States:
Creating a Government
The Declaration of Independence listed the ideals
that would guide the nation. But it did not create a
government.
In 1787, a group of leaders
again met in Philadelphia. They
met to create a plan for the new
government. The plan they wrote
is the Constitution of the United
States of America.
The Constitution begins with
a special paragraph. We call this
the Preamble. The words make
clear that “we the people” are
forming the government. It exists
to serve us. The words also tell
the purposes of our government.
These are to:
• create a more perfect union
• establish justice
• insure domestic tranquility—
peace among the people
• provide for the common defense
• secure the blessings of
liberty.
Preamble to the
United States Constitution
In 1789, the states
adopted the plan.
We the people of the United States, in order to
form a more perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves
and our posterity, do ordain and establish this
Constitution of the United States of America.
276 Items that Unite Us as Americans
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How Government Achieves Its Purposes
The Preamble tells us the purposes of the
government. But how does the Constitution
achieve them?
One way is by giving government power.
The Constitution gives government power to
create an army. The army helps defend us.
It keeps us safe.
The Constitution allows government to coin
money. With this power, government helps
people do business. It helps them build better
lives.
The Constitution gives government the
power to tax. Taxes are how government raises
money. Money allows government to offer
important services. For example, government
helps give people medicine. It helps the needy.
Government helps keep our air and water
clean. Such services promote our welfare.
The Constitution meets the purposes of the
Preamble by putting limits on government
power, too. One way it does this is with
elections. The people can change leaders if
they do not like the ones they have. This gives
the people great power.
The Constitution also gives power to the
states. For example, states make their own
laws. They run schools. They build roads.
The states have power. And the federal
government has power. But nobody has too
much.
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The Bill of Rights:
Protecting the Rights of Individuals
The Constitution achieves the purposes of the
Preamble in another way. It promises to protect
people’s rights. It does so in the first ten amendments
to the Constitution. Together, these amendments are
called the Bill of Rights.
What rights does the Bill of
Rights guarantee? They include:
• The freedom of speech and
freedom of the press
Government cannot stop us
from sharing our ideas and
views. We can even criticize
the government.
• The freedom of religion
This means we can worship in
any way we want.
• The right to bear arms
People are allowed to own guns.
• The right not to be searched
or arrested without good reason
Government must follow certain
rules.
• The right to a speedy public
trial in front of a jury
Everyone who is arrested has
the right to a trial.
Our rights have limits. For example, we do not have
the freedom to say things that might create danger.
We cannot shout out “Fire!” in a crowded place and
cause a panic. We cannot put hurtful lies about a
person in a newspaper.
With our rights come responsibilities. We hear the
ideas of different candidates in an election. We must
choose wisely when we vote.
We are free to practice any religion we like. We are
responsible for respecting other people’s choices.
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Four Freedoms
The Granger Collection, New York
Americans believe in freedom. We also believe
in helping others enjoy freedom and equality.
Sometimes, this is not easy. Sometimes, we must
fight for freedom. We must resist those who would
take freedom away.
The United States faced this kind of challenge in
1940. The country was about to go to war—World
War II. Our enemies were dictators. In a dictatorship,
people have no freedom.
Our president was Franklin Roosevelt. He gave a
speech to help prepare the country for the challenge
ahead. This speech is called the Four Freedoms
speech.
Roosevelt reminded Americans of their own
freedom. He challenged them to spread American
ideals. “In the future days, which we seek to make
secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four
essential human freedoms.”
These four freedoms included the freedoms
eedoms of
speech and religion. Roosevelt also named
med
two other freedoms. One he called the
“freedom from want.” People should be
e
free to work and earn a good living.
The fourth freedom was “freedom
from fear.” This was the fear of one
country taking away the freedom of
another.
Roosevelt’s ideas still ring
true today. Americans want their
freedom. They want freedom for the
people of the world.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Items that Unite Us as Americans 279
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Respect for the Flag
The flag should never be displayed with the union (the
blue portion) down, except as a signal of dire distress.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such
as the ground.
The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally,
but aloft and free.
The flag should not be used as wearing apparel,
bedding, or drapery.
The flag should never be fastened, used, displayed,
or stored in a way that would allow for easy tearing,
soiling, or damage.
The flag should never be used to cover the ceiling.
The flag should never have placed upon it any mark,
letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any
nature.
The flag should never be used as a container for
receiving, holding, or carrying anything.
The flag should never be used for advertising or
printed on anything designed to be thrown away.
No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume
or athletic uniform.
When a flag is in such condition that it is no longer fit
for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way,
such as by burning.
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The Pledge of Allegiance
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.
Items that Unite Us as Americans
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Symbols of the United States of America
France gave the Statue of Liberty to the
United States in the 1800s as a sign of
friendship. The world has come to see the
statue as a symbol of freedom and democracy.
It has welcomed millions of people to the
United States.
The bald eagle became a national symbol in
1782. The powerful bird was chosen because it
was found only in North America. To our early
leaders, the bird stood for strength, courage,
and freedom.
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The Great Seal of the United
States shows the main ideas of
the nation’s founding. The colors
come from the American flag.
The eagle represents strength,
freedom, and courage. The
13 arrows and the olive branch
show the power of war and
peace. The cluster of stars in
the sky stand for a new nation
taking its place among the
other nations. The motto
E Pluribus Unum means “from
many, one.” It means that we
are one people made up of
many different types.
The pyramid stands for strength.
The eye over the pyramid stands
for a greater power watching over
people. Latin words celebrate
the start of a new time in history.
The letters on the pyramid’s base
are Roman numerals for 1776, the
year of the nation’s founding.
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National Holidays in the United States
Fourth of July—Independence Day
This holiday celebrates the day that the Continental
Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
It is celebrated across the United States with picnics,
parades—and, of course—fireworks.
Thanksgiving
In 1621, the Pilgrims of the Plymouth colony and local
American Indians celebrated the harvest. Presidents
Washington and Lincoln later called for national days
of thanksgiving. Today we hold this celebration on the
fourth Thursday in November.
President’s Day
In February, the country notes the birthdays of two
of our greatest presidents: George Washington and
Abraham Lincoln. Americans today honor both of
these great leaders with the celebration of President’s
Day. It takes place on the third Monday in February.
Memorial Day
Americans remember the men and women who died
in the service of our country on Memorial Day. The
holiday began in the years following the Civil War.
It was called Decoration Day, after the practice of
placing flowers on the graves of the war dead. Today,
it is celebrated on the last Monday in May.
Labor Day
On the first Monday in September, Americans
celebrate the contributions of the American worker.
Flag Day
The first Flag Day was in 1877. It honored the adoption
of the American flag by the Continental Congress.
That took place 100 years earlier, on June 14. Now,
each year on that date, we honor the great symbol of
our nation.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day falls on September 17. It celebrates
the signing of the United States Constitution on that
day in 1787.
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I Have a Dream
Reverend Martin Luther
King Jr. fought hard for
equality for all Americans.
On August 28, 1963, he
spoke before a huge
crowd in Washington, D.C.,
about his dream for our
country. This speech is
remembered today as the
“I Have a Dream” speech.
Here are some parts of
that speech.
I say to you today, my friends, so even
though we face the difficulties of today and
tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream
deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will
rise up and live out the true meaning of
its creed: “We hold these truths to be selfevident: that all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that my four little children
will one day live in a nation where they will
not be judged by the color of their skin but
by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day… little black
boys and black girls will be able to join
hands with little white boys and white girls
as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
And if America is to be a great nation, this
must become true… Let freedom ring…
from every mountainside, let freedom ring.
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