U.S. SymbolsSOL K. 9

Laura Matthews

The American Flag

• Betsy Ross was credited with making the first American Flag in May of 1776.

• Was first approved by Congress on June 14th, 1777-That is why we celebrate Flag Day.

• At that time, the flag only had 13 stars, one for each of the 13 original colonies.

• Today there are 50 stars on the American Flag-one for each of the 50 states. There are still 13 stripes on the American Flag, one for each of the 13 original colonies.

• What colors do you see on the American Flag? What do they mean?

The meaning of the colors on the American Flag

• Red-represents bravery• White-hope and purity• Blue-loyalty, sincerity, justice, and truth.

• www.usconsulate.org.hk/pas/kids/sym_flag.htm.

Historical Timeline of the American Flag

• www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html.

The Pledge of Allegiance

• Was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who was a minister from New York.

• The original version was written like this:• “ I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which

it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

• It was changed in 1924, when the words “my flag” were changed to “the United States of America”.

• Congress added the words “Under God” in 1954. • The new version and the one we say today:• “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”.

• www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_pledge.html

Why do we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

• Why do we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

• A. We say the Pledge of Allegiance to honor our flag, which is a symbol of freedom and peace. By saying the Pledge, you are saying how much you enjoy living in America, where you have freedom to make choices.

• Why do we put our hands over our hearts when we say the Pledge?

• A. Did you know that we have what’s called a “Flag Code”. And it says that when we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we have to put our right hand over our hearts. We have to do it.

Original version of the Pledge of Allegiance

Today’s version of 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.

• June 14, 1954• www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1

st_floor/flag/1bfc_pledge.html

The President of the United States

• Is Leader of the people of the United States• Is elected every four years by the people of the United States.• Can only serve for 8 years-no more than that.

• Lives in the White House, which is located in Washington D.C.• The current and 44th President is Barack Obama• The first President of the United States was George

Washington.

George Washington

• George Washington-1st President of the United States

Barack Obama

• 44th President of the United States

The White House-Where the President Lives

Other U.S. Symbols-The Bald Eagle

The Statue of Liberty-New York City, NY

The Liberty Bell-Philadelphia, PA