The USA: National Symbols & System of Government

Stripes & Stars In May of 1776, Betsy Ross reported that she sewed the first American flag. On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act Back

The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

The National Anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry’ a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry

The Lyrics Oh say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The Coat of Arms The Great Seal of the United States is the coat of arms of the United States. Adopted by the Continental Congress, June 20, 1782 Back

June 20, 1782, Secretary Charles Thomson The Olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace & war which is exclusively vested in Congress. The Constellation denotes a new State taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers. The Escutcheon is born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue. “Reverse. The pyramid signifies Strength and Duration: The Eye over it & the Motto allude to the many signal interpositions of providence in favour of the American cause. The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the New American Era,”

The Chronicle of the National Symbols The Star- Spangled Banner (national anthem) -June,14 1777 The Stars and Stripes (the flag of the USA) - 1814 The Coat of Arms (Great seal of the USA) - June,20 1782

The Political System The USA is a federal union of 50 states. The basic law is the constitution, adopted in 1787, which prescribes the structure of national government Back

The System of Government The political system of the USA is divided into three branches: judicial, legislative and executive. Back

“Uncle Sam” It was in 1812 when the nickname of the US government "Uncle Sam" appeared. 'Uncle' Samuel Wilson supplied beef to the American army, during the war of 1812, standing his barrels with the letters 'U. S.’ The army as ‘Uncle Sam’s’ knew this beef, and later on this familiar name became associated with the US government. Back

The Constitution The constitution of the US was adopted after the War of Independence on the 17th of September 1787. The main principle underline the constitution was as follows: "Private property is the backbone of liberty" Back

The Constitution The constitution consists of Preamble and seven articles.. The first 10 amendments, known as "the Bill of Rights', were added in a group in 1791. These amendments establish the individual rights and freedoms to all people of the states, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of worship etc.

The Legislative Power . Supreme legislative power in the American government lies with Congress: the Senate, the upper house; and the House of the Representatives - the Lower House. Each state has its own government

The Congress The main task of Congress is to make federal laws, to levy federal taxes, to make rules for trade, to corn money, to organise Armed forces, to declare war, to make amendments to the constitution or put foreign treaties into effect. Back

The Senate is composed of 100 members - two from each of 50 states, The House of representatives has 450 members. Back

Two Systems of Government – 5 differences

The President The executive branch. The executive power in the USA belongs to the President and his Administration. The Presidency in the USA is the highest governmental office. President in the USA is the head of the state and the government, and also the commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces.

How to Become the President of the USA? President must be a natural-born citizen of the USA and at least 35 years old, and for at least 14 years resident of the USA. The term of office of the President begins on the 2nd of January. Presidential elections are head in two stages - in November and December. Before the elections the candidates for Presidency tour the country, meeting people and delivering speeches.

The Cabinet A Cabinet of 12 members assists the US President. Cabinet secretaries correspond to European ministers. They are heads of different departments and are responsible to President. Today these 13 departments are

Impeachment The House of Representatives may bring charges against the President, it is called 'impeachment' - a formal accusation against a public official by a legislative body, for treason, bribery and other high crimes.

The First Presidents 1. George Washington, 1789-1797 2. John Adams 1797-1801 3. Thomas Jefferson 1801-1809, 4. James Madison 1809-1817,5. James Monroe 1817-1825

Rushmore Mount The faces of 4 US Presidents .What were their names? What were they famous for?

The 44-th President of America Barack Obama (1961- )Democrat 2009-

Test Yourself 1. The United States is a federal a) republic b) democracy c) union a) 1787 b) 1797 c) 1776 2. The basic law is the constitution, adopted in 3.The political system of the USA is divided into a) three branches: b) two branches c) four branches Answer Answer Answer

Test Yourself The flag. It is called the stars and the stripes old glory. Old Banner The coat of arms of the US represents an eagle with wings outspread a bison An eagle with folded wings The nickname of the US government "Uncle Sam" appeared In 1825 In 1812 In 1787 Answer Answer Answer

Test yourself A father of the constitution. James Madison Thomas Jefferson George Washington The main task of Congress is a) to make federal laws, b) to make the impeachment c) to elect the President The Senate is composed of a)100 members b)150 members c) 200 members Answer Answer Answer