American Symbols, Landmarks, and Monuments Chapter Notes | Social Studies for Grade 3 PDF Download

Introduction

American Symbols

American symbols are things that represent the United States and its values.

• The American flag is a symbol of freedom and unity with its stars and stripes.
• The Bald Eagle is a symbol of strength and courage because it is a powerful bird that soars high.
• The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and welcome to people coming to America.
• The Liberty Bell is a symbol of independence because it was rung when America became free.
• The Great Seal is a symbol used on official papers to show the country’s authority.
• The Uncle Sam character is a symbol of the U.S. government and patriotism.
• The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem and a symbol of American pride.

American Landmarks and Monuments

Part I

• Landmarks are important places that people recognize and visit in America.
• Monuments are structures built to honor special people or events in history.
  • The White House is a famous landmark where the President lives and works.
  • The Washington Monument is a tall monument built to honor George Washington, the first President.
  • The Lincoln Memorial is a monument to remember President Abraham Lincoln, who helped end slavery.
• These places are important because they tell us about America’s leaders and history.

Part II

• The Statue of Liberty is a landmark that stands for freedom and welcomes people to America.
• The Empire State Building is a tall landmark in New York City known for its height and beauty.
• The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous bridge in San Francisco that connects two places over water.
• Mount Rushmore is a monument with the faces of four Presidents carved into a mountain.
• These landmarks and monuments show America’s achievements and history.

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Famous Symbols and Landmarks of the United States

The American Flag

The American flag is a symbol of the United States.

• It has 50 white stars on a blue background, one for each state.
• It has 13 red and white stripes for the original 13 colonies.
• The colors red, white, and blue stand for courage, purity, and justice.
• The flag is flown at schools, homes, and government buildings to show pride.
• It is called the "Stars and Stripes" or "Old Glory."
• People show respect to the flag by standing and saluting it.

The White House

The White House is the home and office of the President of the United States.

• It is located in Washington, D.C.
• It was built in 1800 and has 132 rooms.
• The White House is where the President meets with leaders and makes important decisions.
• It has a famous garden called the Rose Garden.
• People can visit parts of the White House to learn about its history.
• It is painted white and is a symbol of the U.S. government.

The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument is a tall structure built to honor George Washington.

• It is in Washington, D.C., and is shaped like an obelisk, a tall pointed pillar.
• It is 555 feet tall, making it one of the tallest stone structures in the world.
• It was finished in 1884 and took many years to build.
• People can go inside and take an elevator to the top to see the city.
• It is made of white marble and stands in a large park called the National Mall.
• It shows respect for George Washington, the first U.S. President.

The Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is a monument to honor President Abraham Lincoln.

• It is in Washington, D.C., on the National Mall.
• It has a large statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting in a chair.
• It was built in 1922 to remember Lincoln’s work to keep the country together.
• Lincoln helped end slavery in the United States.
• The memorial has 36 columns, one for each state in the U.S. at the time Lincoln was President.
• Famous speeches, like Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, were given there.

The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is a large statue in New York Harbor.

• It was a gift from France in 1886 to celebrate friendship and freedom.
• It shows a woman holding a torch and a tablet with the date of America’s independence.
• The torch stands for freedom, and the tablet shows the law.
• It is 305 feet tall, including its base.
• People can climb inside to the crown for a view of the city.
• It welcomes immigrants and visitors to America and is a symbol of hope.

The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a tall skyscraper in New York City.

• It was built in 1931 and was the tallest building in the world for many years.
• It has 102 floors and is 1,454 feet tall, including its antennas.
• It is used for offices and has places for visitors to see the city from high up.
• Its lights change colors for special events and holidays.
• It is a symbol of America’s growth and success in building big cities.
• Many movies and stories feature the Empire State Building.

The Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous bridge in San Francisco, California.

• It was built in 1937 and connects the city to Marin County.
• It is painted red-orange and is 1.7 miles long.
• It crosses the Golden Gate Strait, where the Pacific Ocean meets San Francisco Bay.
• It is one of the longest and tallest suspension bridges in the world.
• People walk, bike, or drive across it, and it is a popular place for visitors.
• It is a symbol of America’s engineering and beauty.

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is a monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

• It has the faces of four U.S. Presidents carved into a mountain.
• The Presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
• It was carved between 1927 and 1941 by workers using tools and dynamite.
• Each face is about 60 feet tall.
• It honors the Presidents for their work in building and leading America.
• Many people visit Mount Rushmore to learn about history and see the giant carving.