American Symbols and Landmarks
Grade 3 · Social Studies · Study Guide
Discover the symbols and landmarks that represent the United States and what they mean to Americans.
Every country has symbols that represent who they are and what they believe in. The United States has many powerful symbols that you can see on money, buildings, and flags all across the country.
The American flag is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. It has 50 stars — one for each state — and 13 stripes representing the original 13 colonies that became the first states. The colors have meaning too: red for bravery, white for purity, and blue for justice. We call it the Stars and Stripes or Old Glory.
The Statue of Liberty stands on an island in New York Harbor. France gave it to the United States as a gift in 1886. Lady Liberty holds a torch representing freedom and a tablet with July 4, 1776 — Independence Day — written on it. For millions of immigrants arriving by ship, she was the first thing they saw and represented hope and a new life.
The bald eagle is the national bird. It was chosen because it appears strong, free, and lives only in North America. The eagle appears on the Great Seal of the United States, which you can see on the back of a dollar bill. The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument in Washington D.C. honor two great presidents and remind us of the nation's history and values.
| Symbol | What It Is | What It Represents |
|---|---|---|
| American Flag | 50 stars, 13 stripes | 50 states; original 13 colonies |
| Statue of Liberty | Giant copper statue in NYC | Freedom and welcome to immigrants |
| Bald Eagle | National bird | Strength, freedom, and independence |
| Liberty Bell | Cracked bell in Philadelphia | American independence and freedom |
| Great Seal | Official government symbol | Used on documents, currency, passports |
Key terms
- symbol
- Something that stands for or represents an idea, belief, or group
- Statue of Liberty
- A giant statue in New York Harbor given by France, representing freedom
- bald eagle
- The national bird of the United States, representing strength and freedom
- Great Seal
- The official symbol of the U.S. government, featuring a bald eagle
- Independence Day
- July 4, 1776 — the day the U.S. declared independence from Britain
Flashcards
- symbol
- Something that stands for or represents an idea or group
- Statue of Liberty
- A giant statue in New York Harbor representing freedom, given by France in 1886
- bald eagle
- The national bird of the U.S., representing strength and freedom
- Independence Day
- July 4, 1776 — the day the U.S. declared independence
- Liberty Bell
- A famous bell in Philadelphia that represents American freedom
- Great Seal
- The official symbol of the U.S. government featuring a bald eagle
Practice questions
How many stars are on the American flag?
- 13
- 48
- 50
- 52
Show answer
Answer: 50
There is one star for each of the 50 U.S. states. When a new state joined the country, a star was added to the flag.
France gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States as a gift.
Show answer
Answer: True
France gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship and shared values of freedom and democracy.
The national ___ of the United States is the bald eagle.
Show answer
Answer: bird
The bald eagle was chosen as the national bird in 1782 because it is native to North America and represents freedom, strength, and independence.
What do the 13 stripes on the American flag represent?
- 13 presidents
- 13 original colonies
- 13 wars
- 13 states today
Show answer
Answer: 13 original colonies
The 13 stripes honor the 13 original British colonies that declared independence and became the first American states.
The Statue of Liberty has always been green since it was built.
Show answer
Answer: False
The Statue of Liberty was originally a shiny copper color like a new penny. It slowly turned green (called a patina) over about 30 years due to weather and oxidation.
Fun facts
- The Statue of Liberty was originally a copper color — like a shiny penny! It turned green over 30 years because of weather.
- The Liberty Bell cracked the very first time it was rung after arriving from England in 1752!
Get a personalized course on American Symbols and Landmarks built around your child.