"Stars and Stripes" is the nickname for the flag of the United States of America.
The flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, which are red and white. These 13 stripes represent the thirteen colonies which became the first states in the union in 1776.
The white color stands for "purity and innocence" and the red one for "valor and hardiness".
In the canton you can see 50 white stars in a blue field. Each star represents one U.S state.
In this field the blue color stands for " vigilance and justice".
The Independence Day is also known as "the Fourth of July".
This day is a federal holiday in America, on which the Americans commemorate July 4th, 1776.
On this date the thirteen colonies of America declared their independence from the King of Great Britain.
The Americans celebrate this day for example with fireworks, parades or barbecues.
Ellis Island is an island at the mouth of the Hudson River in the harbor of New York, which
used to be the first station for immigrants entering the United States of America.
Between 1892 and 1954 about 12million people were checked on Ellis Island for their health and their behaviour and 98% of them were allowed to enter the USA, the other 2% were sent back or to another continent, so Ellis Island was also called “isle of tears” when families were divided. For the health check, doctors often just watched the immigrants going up the stairs from the baggage area to the great hall. Obviously sick immigrants were sorted out then, by a chalk sign on their clothes and the doctors started a “six-second medical examination” which finally decided if the immigrant was sent back.
Nowadays Ellis Island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and since 1990 its a museum of immigration comparable to the “Deutsche Auswandererhaus” in Bremerhaven.
Next to the Statue of Liberty 'Uncle Sam' is one of the most important national personifications of the USA. His appearance represents the American state, nation and citizens. He is often depicted as an elderly white man with white hair (which shall express his experiences) and a goatee, wearing a dark blue jacket and red-white trousers, the colors of the US.
He's best known from the “We want YOU for U.S.(United States/Uncle Sam) Army!” poster, which was used to recruit soldiers for the two world wars.
Individualism was an important topic for immigrants, who were often surpressed in their religions or other personal fields in their former states. Influenced by the European thoughts of “egalitarianism” and “fraternity” the framers of the US constitution decided to protect individual rights, which later led to the “Bill of Rights”. The US wanted everyone to have the chance to develop in an individual way, to become unique, which is different from the European way of thinking at that time, for example in France.
Many people that immigrated to the USA and also the Americans themselves want to live the American Dream! It seems to be that easy to live the American Dream but there are some conditions you have to fullfill to achieve your goal and live your own American Dream. One of those conditions is that you have to play by the rules. In every country and every community rules do exist and so do they for the American Dream. You have to work hard, you have to be
Hello...aware of what your dreams are and you have to be ambitious to make your dreams and desires come true. If you follow these rules you can try reaching your own life as an American Dream!
The statue is 43m tall (with podest and foundation it is 93m tall).
The Statue of Liberty is a woman holding a torch...Did you ever see that the torch is made of gold?
At least, I'm going to tell you something about the function of the statue... It welcomes immigrants, visitors and returning Americans!
Industrial RevolutionI'd like to present you the Industrial Revolution. It was a period in the late 18th and early 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing and transportation happened. Due to major improvemennts, like the development of the steam machine, it was possible to manufacture goods faster and in greater amount. This change started in England in is called a "revolution" because it had an enourmous effect on the people's lifes. Eventhough it brought a lot of improvements (like a higher living standard), it also caused great suffering, because of unemployment. The Industrial revolution led finally to the Industrialization. Jan :)
Here are a few facts about the Highland clearances which took place in the 18th century. It was the force of displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands. In consequence, it led to emigration, for examlpe to the USA and was a part of the progress of agricultural change in Scotland. Unfortunately, there was a lack of legal protection, so the peopl concerned were ruthlessly exposed to the clearances and had to leave the country.
From the 16th century, the law required the clan leaders to appear in Edinburgh to provide the bonds. These clan leaders saw themselves as THE landlords.
Later on, as the potato famine began in 1846, the landlords saw in the starvation another for forcing emigration and depopulation.
by Irina
Hello, here are some facts about John D. Rockefeller and James Truslow Adams :)
John D. Rockefeller was born July 8, 1839 in Richford, New York and he was the second of six children. Rockefeller was an American industrial and founded the Standart Oil Company in 1870 and made a lot of money - in fact, John D. Rockefeller became the world's richest man and first American billionaire and he is also often regarded as the richest person in history.
In 1864 he married Laura Celestia Spelman and they had 4 daughters and one son, John D. Rockefeller, Jr..
Rockefeller died May 23, 1937 at the age of 97.
James Truslow Adams was born October 18, 1878 and was an American writer and historian. He made his bachelor's degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1898 and in 1900 he made his masters from Yale University. By late 1918, James Truslow Adams was selected for the US delegation to the Paris Peace Conference.
He was the first one who used the expression 'American Dream' in his book 'The Epic of America'.
James Truslow Adams died May 18, 1949.
by Lisa C.
James Truslow Adams 18.10.1878- 8.5.1949
was born in Brooklyn, New York.
He was an American writer and historian, so he coined the term 'American Dream' in his book 'The Epic of America' but his coinage of the phrase had an entirely different meaning than what it has come to mean today.
John D. Rockefeller 8.7.1839- 23.5.1937
was an American industrialist and philanthropist. He revolutionized the petroleum industry an defined the structure of modern philanttropy.
- petroleum industry: inclueds the global processes of exploration,
extraction, refining, transporting and marketing petroleum products.
His largest products are fuel, oil and gasoline (petrol).
Katherine Lee Bates 12.8.1859- 28-3.1929
K.L.Bates was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts.
She is remembered as the author of the words to the anthem 'America the Beautiful'. She lived in Wellesley with Katharine Coman, who herself was a history an political economy teacher and founder of the Wellesley College Economies departement. The pair lived together for 25 years until K.C.`s dead in 1915.
by L.Lux
The Transcontinental Railroad
The First Transcontinental Railroad connects the railroad network of the Eastern United States to the West Coast. It was completed on May 10, 1869. This is the Transcontinal Railroad Route which linked - as you can see - Nebraska with California. It has often been referred to as the greatest technological feat of the 19th century and was a milestone for the development of transportation networks.
The railroad was planned since 1830; among other aspects in order to bind the Union together during the strife of the American Civil War.
Of course, the railroad was built without much machinery! Mainly foreign laborers were employed who had to work hard and weren't paid well.
The Statue Of Liberty
The Statue of liberty is a statue standing on Liberty Island in New York. It is of a woman holding a torch with a flame on its top. In 1886 the USA recieved the Statue as a present from France.
The Statue of Liberty is very well known worldwide and an important icon of the United States of America.
It should welcome immigrants, visitors and returning Americans and is a symbol of friendship and freedom.
Highland Clearances
The Highland Clearances were forced displacements of crofters living in the Scottish Highlands. They took place in the 18th century and basically were an agricultural changing throughout the UK.
From that point on, sheep were bred in that area because the British people wanted to increase the economical profit by that.
It all happened due to a lack of legal protection and also very quickly, ruthless and brutal. The consequence was mass emigration to the USA.
by Rebekka
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most significant buldings that you see when you enter New York City via the harbour.
The Statue was biult in 1886 and was a present of the French people as a gesture of friendship.
The Statue of Liberty underlines the idea of the Americans who present themselves as the country of freedom that is welcoming foreign people.
The Statue also signifies the American Dream!
The Indutrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period of an immense growth of industry in the late 18th and early 19th with it's origin in Great Britain. The I R brought over a big change in people's life and spread from GB all over Europe and finally most part of the world.
It was a big change in agriculture manufacturing and transportation.
Highland Clearances
The Highland Clearances took place in the 18th century in the Scottish Highlands. A lot of the population was displaced by violent methods to the Lowlands to change the agricultural system. Most of the displaced people escaped from Great Britain and immigrated to different countries especially the USA.
by Marek
In the American Revolutionary War the Britains fought against 13 of their colonies in the north of America. As it was the highlight of the period of time in which the Americans struggled to be independend, it is also called the American War of Independence. The Declaration of Independence , mostly composed by Thomas Jefferson, was published on the 4th July 1776. It is the foundation of the development of the United States of America, and therefore it is still one of the most important documents in history.
by Lisa F
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is standing on Liberty Island in New York Habor and welcomes visitors, immigrants and returning Americans. The statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi sculpted the statue and Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, who was the designer of the Eiffel Tower engineered the structure of it. The Statue of Liberty is a gesture of friendship from France to the United States of America.
John D. Rockerfeller (July 8, 1839 - May 23, 1937)
John D. Rockerfeller was an very popular American industrialist. He revolutionized the petroleum industry and founded the Standard Oil Company. With this foundation he became the world's richest man and was the first American billionaire.
Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 - 5 May 1821)
Napoleon was a French military and political leader. He was a general during the French Revolution. Later he became the First Consul of the French Republic, the Emperor of the French , King of Italy, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation and the Portector of the Confederation of the Rhine. With that he plays a very important role in history and is one of history's greatest commanders.
by Lena V
America as an imigration country
In the course of the time America became an imigration country for several people. Political, personal and economic grounds mainly led people to leave their country.
For instance several western Europeans, asian Americans and Jews emigrated to America in search of a better standard of living, work or freedom of worship.
The Industrial Revolution
Some historical events considerably contributed to America´s standard of living. Since it is thanks to them that the American Dream with it´s idea of success and free enterprise was able to develope, I want to present you the presumable most important event in a few words
-the Industrial Revolution-:
The Industrial Revolution led to the changeover from agrarian to industrial society in the 18th and 19th century. It resulted in the change of the conditions of living and of work and of the economic and social situation. For instance the technology and the productivity enormously developed.
John D. Rockefeller
John Davison Rockefeller click here to see a picture of him was the co- founder of an oil refinery named Standard Oil Company and is with a capital of 900 million dollars regarded as the richest employer and the first American billionaire.
Rockefeller was born in 1839 in Richford and died in 1937 in Florida at the age of 98.
In his lifetime he financed several benefits. In 1890, he founded the University of Chicago, one year later the Rockefeller Institute For Medical Research an in 1913 the Rockefeller Foundation.
by Christine K.
Statue of Liberty
In the following paragraph I'm going to tell aou something about the Statue of Liberty. We all know what the statue looks like: It is a robed woman with a crown, holding a torch in her right hand.
The Statue of Liberty is 93m (305 ft) high, from the bottom (including the pedestal) to the top.
It is presented to the United States by the French in 1886 to commemorate the signing of the US declaration of independence. Standing in New York harbor the statue welcomes visitors, immigrants an returning Amreicans.
The 7 spikes of the crown represent the 7 continents and the 7 seas. The torch signifies enlightenment.
Today, The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable icons of the United States worldwide.
It represents liberty and escape from oppression. It is also an icon of the American Dream, a dream of living a successful life with opportunities and prosperity.
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution took place in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is a period of major changes in agriculture, manufacturing and transportation. This had a great effect on socioeconomic and cultural conditions in Britain. Later it spread throughout Europe and North America.
The Industrial Revolution began with the mechanisation of textile industries and the increased usage of refined coal. Soon there had been the introduction of canals and railways had been improved to manage better trading conditions.
This time was big turning point in human society because previously manual-labor-based work became machine-based-manufacturing.
This was good for the industries of course, but not for the people because the machines replaced them at work and this ment a high rate of unemployment.
Though, the industrialisation spread throughout Wester Europe and North America and finally affected most of the world. This meant a great increase in production capacity and an enormous change in society.
James Truslow Adams - 'The Epic of America'
James Truslow Adams was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1878.
During the Worldwar I he fighted as a member of the US Army until he was selected for the US delegation to the Paris Peace conference in 1918.
After the war he lived in New York as a writer and historian. Soon 'The Epic of America' was published as one of his books. It is believed that he coined the term 'American Dream' in this book. But James Truslow Adams had a totally different meaning of the term 'American Dream than what it has come to mean today.It is still said that everyone could live the 'American Dream', if you are full of dreams and desire and if you work hard for it.
Later he lived in southport in Connecticut, where he died on 18th may 1949.
by Jenny
John Davison Rockefeller
John Davison Rockefeller was born in July 8, 1839 and died in May 23, 1937.
He was an American industrialist and revolutioned the petroleum industry by working very efficently.
In 1870 he founded the Standard Oil Company and became the world richest man with a total net worth of 900 Mil. Dollar, which would be in 2008 about 192 Bil. Dollar.
Furthermore John D. Rockefeller founded some Universitys and defined the structure of modern philantrophy by supporting the development of medical research with foundations.
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution is a great force between the late 18th and the early 19th century that started in Great Britan and developed the American Dream. The Development of great business, the Transcontinental Railroad, the increase in oil production and the step from Manual-labour-based economy to machine-based manufacturing increased the American standard of living. Furthermore there were major changes in agriculture and transportation which changed nearly everyones daily life.
by Konstantin
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. From there it welcomes visitors, immigrants and returning Americans. It was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and is a gesture of friendship to the United States from France.
The massive statue, which shows a gigantic woman holding a torch, is made of a framework of steel with its sheeting of pure copper.
This representation of liberty and escape from oppression is probably the most recognizable icon of the United States.
John D. Rockefeller
John Davison Rockefeller who was an American industrialist that is today regarded as the richest man in history was born on July 8, 1839 an died on 23 May, 1937. He revolutionized the petroleum industry and is the founder of the Standart Oil Company (1870). The reason for his enormous wealth is that he kept his stock when gasoline grew in importance and that is why he became the first American billionaire.
Katherine Lee Bates
Katherine Lee Bates lived from August 12, 1859 to March 28, 1929.
She was interested in history and politics which she also studied and that is why she was elected a member of the newly formed Pi Gamma Mu honor society while teaching at Wellesley.
Bates is remembered as the author of the words to the anthem 'America the Beautiful'.
by Johanna
Katherine Lee Bates
Katherine Lee Bates was born in 1859 (Falmouth, Massachusetts) and died in 1929 (Wellesley). She is remembered as the author of the famous words to the anthem ‘America the Beautiful’.
After she had graduated from Wellesley College in 1880, she became a professor of English literature at Wellesley. She also studied history and politics. K.L. Bates lived together with Katherine Coman, another history and political economy teacher. After Coman’s death, Bates wrote poems about their lesbian relationship.
A street was named after her, K.L.Bates-Road, and she was also inducted into songwriters Hall of Fame.
John D. Rockefeller
John Davison Rockefeller was born in 1839 (Richford, New York) and died in 1937, aged 97 (Ormond Beach, Florida).
He was an American industrialist and philanthropist who revolutionized the petroleum industry and founded the Standard Oil Company in 1870.
Rockefeller was a devoted Northern Baptist and supported many church-based institutions. He is still regarded as the richest person in history.
What is more he is the founder of the University of Chicago and (of course) the Rockefeller University.
He married Laura Celestia Spelman in 1864 and they had four daughters and one son.
John D. Rockefeller is a good example of living the American Dream.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty (a woman holding a torch) stands on Liberty Island in New York harbour and welcomes immigrants (sign of freedom), visitors and Americans returning back to their home country.
It was inaugurated in 1886 and was a gesture of friendship from France.
Most people in the world think of the Statue of Liberty as a symbol for the United States of America.
by Svenja
