National Symbols

National Symbols represent pride and values of the country.

US is 3rd largest country by land area and world’s largest economy. It is also one of the most powerful countries of the world and one of the five permanent members of United Nations Security Council.

US has varied National symbols representing its culture, values and pride.

The current version of National Flag of USA was adopted on July 4, 1960.

The National Flag of USA has thirteen equal horizontal stripes with alternate colours red and white. It has a blue rectangle in the top left corner of the flag with 50 white pointed five-stars arranged in nine horizontal rows. The stars are six and five in numbers alternately and 50 in number representing different states.

"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

National Anthem of USA

“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the National Anthem of United States of America.

The lyrics of the National Anthem are taken from “Defence of Fort McHenry”, a poem written by Francis Scott Key in 1914 and music is given by John Stafford Smith. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was adopted as the National Anthem on Mar 3, 1931.

Great Seal

The Great Seal of United States of America was adopted in June 20,1782.

The Great Seal is used for various documents, treaties, commissions, United States passports, military insignia, embassy placards and many other places.

The centre of the Seal has Bald Eagle (National Bird), in the beak of the bird is a scroll with “E pluribus unum” inscribed meaning “out of many, one”. The two claws of Eagle holds a bundle of olive branch and thirteen arrows respectively. The front of the Eagle contains a shield of red and white stripes. Above the Eagle is cloud with blue field having thirteen stars in it.

The reverse of thee Seal contains 13 step Pyramid with 1776 inscribed (in Roman Numerals). Below the Pyramid is a scroll “Novus Ordo Seclorum” meaning “New Order of the Ages”. Above the Pyramid is the Eye of Providence and motto “Annuit Coeptis”.

New Year’s Day: Celebrates the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Honors Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.

President’s Day: The original name of this holiday was designed to commemorate the first president of the U.S., George Washington. More recently, this holiday is more commonly referred to as Presidents’ Day. It is considered a day that honors all American presidents.

Memorial Day: Honors those lost in war from the American Civil War to the present day. It also marks the unofficial start of the summer season.

Independence Day: Also referred to as the Fourth of July, this holiday celebrates the Declaration of Independence, which gave America independence from Great Britain.

Labor Day: This holiday celebrates the social and economic achievements of workers and the labor movement. It also marks the unofficial end of the summer season.

Columbus Day: Celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in America in 1492.

Veterans Day: Honors military veterans. Traditionally, a moment of silence is observed at 11:00 a.m. to remember those killed in war.

Thanksgiving Day: Celebrates the giving of thanks for the autumn harvest and traditionally includes a turkey dinner.

Christmas Day: Commemorates the birth of Jesus, the central figure of Christianity.