American Symbols, Flag, and Monuments
Grade 2 · Social Studies · Study Guide
Learn about the important symbols and monuments that represent the United States of America.
The United States has many special symbols and monuments that stand for our country and its values. These symbols remind us of what America means — freedom, courage, and hope.
The American flag is one of the most important symbols. It has 13 red and white stripes that stand for the original 13 colonies. It also has 50 white stars on a blue background, one for each state. We call it the Stars and Stripes.
The Statue of Liberty is a giant statue that stands in New York Harbor. It was a gift from France to the United States. Lady Liberty holds a torch and stands for freedom. Millions of immigrants saw her when they arrived in America, hoping for a better life.
The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States. It stands for strength and freedom and appears on the Great Seal of the United States.
The Lincoln Memorial is a monument in Washington, D.C. that honors President Abraham Lincoln. He helped end slavery and worked to keep the country together during the Civil War.
The Washington Monument is the tallest structure in Washington, D.C. It is a tall, pointed tower built to honor our first president, George Washington.
These symbols help connect all Americans and remind us of our shared history and values.
Key terms
- symbol
- An object or image that stands for something else, like a flag standing for a country
- monument
- A building or statue built to honor an important person or event
- Statue of Liberty
- A large statue in New York Harbor that stands for freedom; a gift from France
- Bald Eagle
- The national bird of the United States, standing for strength and freedom
- stripes
- The 13 red and white lines on the American flag, representing the 13 original colonies
- stars
- The 50 white stars on the American flag, representing the 50 states
Flashcards
- symbol
- An object or image that stands for something, like a flag for a country
- monument
- A building or statue built to honor an important person or event
- American flag
- The flag of the United States with 50 stars and 13 stripes
- Statue of Liberty
- A large statue in New York Harbor that stands for freedom; given by France
- Bald Eagle
- The national bird of the United States, representing strength and freedom
- Lincoln Memorial
- A monument in Washington, D.C. that honors President Abraham Lincoln
- Washington Monument
- A tall pointed tower in Washington, D.C. that honors President George Washington
Questions
How many stripes are on the American flag?
- 50
- 13
- 25
- 10
Show answer
Answer: 13
The American flag has 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies that became the first states.
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States.
Show answer
Answer: True
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States in 1886.
The national bird of the United States is the Bald ______.
Show answer
Answer: eagle
The Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States and stands for strength and freedom.
What do the 50 stars on the American flag represent?
- 50 years of freedom
- 50 original colonies
- 50 states
- 50 presidents
Show answer
Answer: 50 states
The 50 stars on the American flag represent the 50 states in the United States.
The Lincoln Memorial honors George Washington.
Show answer
Answer: False
The Lincoln Memorial honors Abraham Lincoln, not George Washington. The Washington Monument honors George Washington.
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