American Symbols

            As you prepare to celebrate Independence Day on July 4, you may be noticing a lot of symbols of  America and freedom.  You'll see them in advertising, in decorations and in artwork.
            Many of these symbols stand for the ideals, or beliefs and goals,  we have about our country.  They make us feel patriotic about the United States.
            This week, The newspaper highlights some of our American symbols and explains how they came to be so important to our country.
Types of symbols
            A symbol is something that represents or stands for something else.  But it doesn't always have to be something we see.
            For example, a song, such as "The Star-Spangled Banner," or spoken words, such as the Pledge of Allegiance, are symbols of our patriotism and loyalty to the United States.
The Statue of Liberty
            On July 4,1884, France gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States as a gift of friendship.  It is a symbol of freedom throughout the world.  Two years later, in 1886, the statue was opened to vistors.
            She holds a tablet with the date of the Declaration of Independence.
Uncle Sam
            During the War of 1812, a man named Sam Wilson was a supplier of food to the U.S. Army.  One of his workers referred to him as Uncle Sam, and soon Uncle Sam came to symbolize the U.S. government.
            Later, during World War 1 and World War 2, a poster showing Uncle Sam was used to recruit, or attract, soldiers for the Army.
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.