Symbols & Monuments

George Washington was the Continental army’s Commander in Chief during the Revolutionary War and he was also the first President of the United States. Known for his unfailing honesty and integrity, he was beloved by almost everyone and is still considered one of our best leaders. After the Revolutionary War,…

Mount Rushmore, which is found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, was once just a towering granite cliff. In 1924, Doane Robinson, secretary of the South Dakota Historical Society, suggested carving famous Wild West figures out of the mountain to draw tourists to the area. Sculptor John Gutzon de…

The Statue of Liberty has long been a symbol of freedom and hope to people all over the world, but have you ever wondered where she came from? France has often been called “America’s oldest ally.” France helped America during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. American troops…

The War of 1812 between the Americans and British lasted for three years. Only a few weeks after the British burned Washington D.C., destroying the Capitol, the President’s House, and the Treasury, they headed toward Baltimore. The only thing that stood in their way was Fort McHenry, which lay on…

Sometimes ordinary objects become special over time. The Liberty Bell is just such an object. The Liberty Bell began its life as an ordinary bell, ordered from London, to ring at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. Everyone was excited when the bell was delivered to the State House in…

During Medieval times and even earlier, important people added a seal made of wax to letters and documents. These seals proved that the letter was really written by the person who signed it. Seals were sometimes used to close letters to keep them secret.Today, seals are still used on official…

After the United States became a nation, the Founding Fathers wanted to choose a national emblem. The task was more difficult than they probably expected. Some people suggested the eagle. Benjamin Franklin disagreed because many other countries had previously chosen the eagle as their emblem. Franklin also said that eagles…

Schools, government buildings, libraries, churches, and even many homes display our flag, especially on patriotic holidays like the 4th of July, but have you ever wondered how we got the flag? “Old Glory” is one of the oldest symbols of our country, but she wasn’t the first flag. Old Glory,…