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Enter the Access ID and Passcode provided by your school to access Britannica School.

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Enter the Access ID and Passcode provided by your school to access Britannica School.

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Welcome to Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

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Welcome to Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

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Welcome to Britannica School , a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

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Enter the Access ID and Passcode provided by your school to access Britannica School.

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Welcome to Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

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Enter the Access ID and Passcode provided by your school to access Britannica School.

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Welcome to Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

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Welcome to Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School.

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Password: broncos

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The Liberty Bell stands for freedom. Freedom is being able to act and speak as you want.

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We live in the United States of America.

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Our National Anthem | Kids Discover Online

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Our national anthem is our country’s song. The words say we love our country.

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We live in the United States of America.

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The bald eagle is the national bird. It stands for strength.

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The bald eagle is the national bird. It stands for strength.

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This is Mount Rushmore. Mount Rushmore honors four presidents. Which ones do you know about?

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Statue of Liberty | Kids Discover Online

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The Statue of Liberty stands for freedom.

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Washington, D.C., is the nation’s capital. Our country’s government is here.

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Washington, D.C., is the nation’s capital. Our country’s government is here.

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Washington, D.C., is the nation’s capital. Our country’s government is here.

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Washington, D.C., is the nation’s capital. Our country’s government is here.

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Washington, D.C., is the nation’s capital. Our country’s government is here.

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Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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The United States flag is a symbol of freedom and patriotism for many Americans. It stands for the values and history of the United States, and serves as a reminder of the importance of national unity. It is one of the most recognisable symbols in the world and has a long history. Here are the top 10 facts about the US flag that may surprise you.

There are 50 stars and 13 stripes on the flag of the United States of America.

The stars represent all of the 50 states of the country and the stripes represent the 13 original colonies that became the first states of the Union.

The colours mean something too

Red, white and blue were chosen as the colours to represent valour (red), liberty and purity (white), and justice and loyalty (blue).

As more states joined the union, more stars were added.

That means that there have been 27 versions of the flag over the years. There's only one that's considered the current, correct version though.

Someone who likes flags is called a vexillologist.

One who designs flags is a vexillographer, and the art of flag-designing is called vexillography!

George Washington's seamstress made the first flag

Betsy Ross was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington. In June, 1776, Washington approached her to make the first American flag, and the rest is history!

There are six US flags on the Moon

Only one of the six are not standing - the very first one, placed by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission.

The flag was designed as part of a homework project

When Alaska and Hawaii become states 49 and 50, President Eisenhower received thousands of ideas for an updated flag.

One school in Ohio set homework to come up with the new flag.

Robert G. Heft, a 17-year old high school student, submitted his version and it was accepted and remains in use today.

Harshly, Robert got a B- on his project!

The flag can be displayed 24/7

According to Federal flag laws and regulations, the flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset, except during inclement weather.

It may be displayed 24 hours a day as long as it's "properly illuminated" while it's dark out...

Presidential proclamations and laws demands the display of the flag 24 hours a day at some places across the country, including the White House!

Flag burning takes place

Some people burn flags to be disrespectful but it's also how you're supposed to dispose of them.

If a flag can no longer be used or repaired, it must be destroyed in a respectful manner, such as by burning. There are even ceremonies!

There's a day dedicated to it

President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing Flag Day as the anniversary of the Flag Resolution. On August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress that designated June 14 of each year as National Flag Day!

Send us your favourite facts!

Is there something we've missed? Got a fact you're dying to tell us? Submit it below and we could use it on a future Top 10 Facts page!

Remember to always ask an adult before filling out forms online.

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10 top facts about the US flag! - Fun Kids - the UK's children's radio station

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The United States flag is a symbol of freedom and patriotism for many Americans. It stands for the values and history of the United States, and serves as a reminder more "

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What Is the American Flag? - Beginning Social Studies 1 for Kids!

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Edpuzzle video lesson. Make any video your lesson. Take a video and crop it, add your voice or embed questions at any point.

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When you think of Washington D.C., what do you think of? Chances are, the White House, official home to the President, is near the top of the list. George Washington is the only U.S. President who never lived in the White House, although he helped choose the land and the home design.

Today, the White House is a stately, dignified place, the location of frequent state dinners, official business, and of course, the President's residence. But for many years, it was anything but luxurious.
Fun Facts

In 1791, French architect Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant was asked to design the new home. He suggested a great palace, similar to those found in Europe. Washington disagreed. The people had just won their freedom from queens and kings. They certainly didn't want their new leader living in such a place.

Thomas Jefferson suggested they hold a contest, asking for designs for the home. Architect James Hoban won $500 for his design, which was based on Washington's preferences for a simple, yet dignified home.

The work began in 1792. The stones used for the house soaked up rainwater. The builders were afraid that they would crack in freezing weather. They solved the problem by painting them with white wash.

Second President of the United States, John Adams, moved into the White House with his family in 1800 but was disappointed. The rooms were cold and poorly furnished. Servants had to walk over a mile and a half to fetch water from a spring. The swampy grounds attracted mosquitoes.

During the War of 1812, British soldiers invaded Washington D.C. James Madison was president at the time. Before fleeing Washington D.C. with her husband, Dolly Madison retrieved the Declaration of Independence and a portrait of George Washington from the White House. Good thing too, because the British soldiers set the presidential home on fire. While it didn't burn to the ground, it was extensively damaged and these precious historical artifacts might have been lost.

The White House was first enlarged in 1902. Later, Franklin D. Roosevelt added a modern kitchen and an indoor swimming pool.

In 1948, a major expansion and renovation doubled the size of the White House. The building was fireproofed and updated. Jacqueline Kennedy refurnished the White House again in the 1960s.

Vocabulary

1. Dignified: having a noble, serious manner, worthy of respect

2. Preference: Inclination, liking, or taste

Questions and Answers
Question: Can I visit the White House?

Answer: Today, the White House includes rooms for the President and his family, offices, guest rooms, a library, and a china room. These rooms are not open to the public. If you visit the White House, you can see the East Room, the oval Blue Room, the Green Room, the Red Room, and the State Dining Room, which is used for formal dinners.

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When you think of Washington D.C., what do you think of? Chances are, the White House, official home to the President, is near the top of the list.

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What Is Our National Bird? - Beginning Social Studies for Kids!

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Edpuzzle video lesson. Make any video your lesson. Take a video and crop it, add your voice or embed questions at any point.

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After the United States became a nation, the Founding Fathers wanted to choose a national emblem. The task was more difficult than they probably expected. Some people suggested the eagle. Benjamin Franklin disagreed because many other countries had previously chosen the eagle as their emblem. Franklin also said that eagles didn't represent integrity because they steal food from other animals.
Fun Facts

In 1782, the Founding Fathers chose the bald eagle as our national emblem. Bald eagles live only in North America and they represent strength and dignity.

For many years, bald eagles were endangered. In 1783, there were between 25,000 and 75,000 eagles in the U.S. By 1963, only 800 eagles remained. In 1940, Congress passed a law making it illegal to capture or kill a bald eagle. In 1973, Congress banned the use of DDT, a pesticide that was known to kill birds, frogs, and other animals.

Today, the bald eagle has made a comeback. Bald eagles are no longer endangered.

Wild bald eagles live 30 to 35 years. They have a wingspan of up to 7 feet and can fly up to 35 miles per hour.

Fish is a main food source for eagles. They also eat small mammals or even snakes.

Bald eagles mate for life. Both the mother and father incubate the eggs and take care of the chicks.

Vocabulary

1. Emblem: an object or animal that represents a country, organization, or family

2. Dignity: a sense of self-respect, nobility, or pride

3. Endangered: at risk of becoming extinct

Questions and Answers
Question: What emblems have other countries chosen to represent them?

Answer: Many countries have chosen animals or flowers that are special to their country as emblems. Australia's emblem is the kangaroo; Ireland's emblem is the shamrock; and India's emblem is the peacock. You can see our national emblem, the bald eagle, on our money, as well as the Presidential seal.
Learn More
Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more about how the bald eagle became our national emblem.

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United States Bald Eagle Symbol Facts for Kids -

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After the United States became a nation, the Founding Fathers wanted to choose a national emblem. The task was more difficult than they probably expected. Some people suggested the eagle. Benjamin Franklin disagreed because many other countries had previously chosen the eagle as their emblem.

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Fun Facts About The American Flag for Kids - Old Glory

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Schools, government buildings, libraries, churches, and even many homes display our flag, especially on patriotic holidays like the 4th of July.

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During Medieval times and even earlier, important people added a seal made of wax to letters and documents. These seals proved that the letter was really written by the person who signed it. Seals were sometimes used to close letters to keep them secret.

Today, seals are still used on official documents. A notary is a government official that has a special seal used to verify documents, such as legal agreements. The Great Seal of the United States is sometimes added to very important documents.
Fun Facts

The Continental Congress began planning a seal as soon as the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Great Seal wasn't approved by Congress until 1782.

The Great Seal is a round piece of metal with designs on both the front and back. You can see both sides of the Great Seal printed on the back of a dollar bill.

On the front of the seal is bald eagle with the shield of the United States. The shield has thirteen red and white stripes, representing the thirteen original colonies.

The shield is unsupported, symbolizing that America stands on its own for virtue and justice.

A blue stripe at the top of the shield stands for Congress.

The eagle holds an olive branch, symbolizing peace, in one talon.

The other talon holds the arrows of war.

The eagle holds a ribbon in its beak which contains the Latin words, "E. pluribus unum," which means "From many, one." (from many states, one nation)

The back of the seal bears a pyramid with thirteen layers, representing the thirteen original colonies.

On the bottom step of the pyramid is the Roman date MDCCLXXVI-1776.

The top of the pyramid is an all-seeing eye, which represents God. Above the eye are the Latin words, Annuitcoeptis, which means "God has favored our undertaking." Below the pyramid, is inscribed, "Novus ordo seclorum," which means, "A new order of the ages is created."

Vocabulary

1. Shield: a protective device used in battle

2. Talon: a bird's claws

3. Pyramid: triangular-shaped structure

Questions and Answers
Question: Why did the Founding Fathers add so many words and images to the Great Seal?

Answer: They hoped that the Great Seal would inspire future generations and help them remember the Founding Fathers' love of freedom, virtue, honesty, courage, sacrifice, and belief in God.
Learn More
The Founding Fathers quickly drafted some ideas for the Great Seal as soon as the Declaration of Independence was signed. Visit PBS to see one of their first designs.

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The Great Seal of the United States Facts for Kids -

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During Medieval times and even earlier, important people added a seal made of wax to letters and documents. These seals proved that the letter was really written by the person who signed it. Seals were sometimes used to close letters to keep them secret. Today, seals are still used on official documents.

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Sometimes ordinary objects become special over time. The Liberty Bell is just such an object. The Liberty Bell began its life as an ordinary bell, ordered from London, to ring at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. Everyone was excited when the bell was delivered to the State House in 1751. But when the bell was rung, it made a terrible sound and a wide crack appeared in its side. So, how did this bell get to become a patriotic symbol?
Fun Facts

After the bell cracked, John Pass and John Stow offered to fix it. They used sledgehammers to break the bell into pieces. Then they melted it and recast it, adding some copper to strengthen it.

The bell was completed in 1753, but when it was rung, it had a harsh, dull tone. The people were disappointed again. Pass and Stowe were determined to fix it. They took the bell down, melted it once more, and added some tin. The new bell sounded better, but still didn't have the beautiful tone the people had hoped for.

On July 8, 1776, Congress read the newly signed Declaration of Independence to the people. Imagine their joy as they heard the words, "All men are created equal."

The bell rang out after the reading of the Declaration. On the bottom of the bell was written the words, 'Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof," a phrase which comes from the Bible. The bell suddenly seemed more important and special.

During the Revolutionary War, the bell was hidden from the British under the floor of a church. After the British left Philadelphia, the bell was retrieved. It rang when Britain surrendered York Town and when the peace treaty was signed in 1783.

After the war, the bell was only used for special occasions. It was rung in 1835 at the death of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall's death. Unfortunately, it cracked once again. A new bell was ordered and the old bell was largely forgotten.

Then in 1846, a newspaper writer suggested the cracked bell be rung to celebrate George Washington's birthday. Suddenly, the old bell was beloved again. It was named the Liberty Bell.

Since then, the State House in Pennsylvania has been renamed Independence Hall. The bell is now kept in a glass case across the street. It is rung every 4th of July and on special occasions.

Vocabulary

1. Inhabitants: citizens or people who live in a specific place

2. Retrieve: bring back

Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How big is the Liberty Bell?

Answer: The bell is 3 feet high. It measures 12 feet in circumference around the base. The bell weighs just over a ton - 2080 pounds.
Learn More
Visit Constitution Daily to learn more about the Liberty Bell.

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Sometimes ordinary objects become special over time. The Liberty Bell is just such an object. The Liberty Bell began its life as an ordinary bell, ordered from London, to ring at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. Everyone was excited when the bell was delivered to the State House in 1751.

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Lincoln Memorial Facts for Kids - American History

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After Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, many people felt a memorial should be made in his honor. Getting it built took more than 50 years. Fun Facts The first memorial was built in 1868, three years after Lincoln’s death. Later, Clark Mills proposed a design for a larger memorial but it was so extravagant that raising enough … Continue reading Lincoln Memorial →

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Mount Rushmore, which is found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, was once just a towering granite cliff. In 1924, Doane Robinson, secretary of the South Dakota Historical Society, suggested carving famous Wild West figures out of the mountain to draw tourists to the area. Sculptor John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum was hired for the job. In the end, Borglum sculpted George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt instead. The project took fourteen years to complete. Millions of people still visit Mount Rushmore every year to pay tribute to four of our most influential presidents.

To learn more, head over to PBS Learning Media and join Wilson and Ditch in South Dakota.
The Capitol
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. After the war, the capitol was moved to Washington D.C. In 1791, President George Washington chose a site for the new capitol building, now known as Capitol Hill.

Work on the new capitol building began on September 18, 1793. The trowel George Washington used to lay the cornerstone for the capitol was also used to lay the cornerstone for the Washington Memorial. Work on the building was slow. In 1814, the building was set ablaze as British armies marched on Washington D.C. A rainstorm doused the flames before the building was completely ruined. Construction continued after the war, and finally, in 1829 the building was complete.

Congress soon outgrew the building and new construction began to enlarge it. During the Civil War, the Capitol served as a hospital, bakery, and army barracks. Construction was finally completed in 1870.

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Mount Rushmore, which is found in the Black Hills of South Dakota, was once just a towering granite cliff.

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Fun Facts About The American Flag for Kids - Old Glory

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Schools, government buildings, libraries, churches, and even many homes display our flag, especially on patriotic holidays like the 4th of July.

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The War of 1812 between the Americans and British lasted for three years. Only a few weeks after the British burned Washington D.C., destroying the Capitol, the President's House, and the Treasury, they headed toward Baltimore. The only thing that stood in their way was Fort McHenry, which lay on an island in the Chesapeake Bay.

On September 13, 1814, the fort was attacked by sixteen British ships. It seemed likely that the British would be victorious. Major George Armistead, commander of the fort, wasn't going to give up without a fight, which went on throughout the night. The British lobbed 200-pound bombshells at the fort. The bombshells often went off in the air and the sky was red and smoky. Would the British win?
Fun Facts

Major Armistead knew that Fort McHenry would probably be a target for the British navy. He requested a flag be made to fly over the fort. He wanted the flag to be huge - big enough for the British to see from miles away.

Mary Young Pickersgill, a widowed flagmaker, was hired to sew the flag. With the help of several family members, she completed the flag in six weeks. The flag measured 42 feet long by 30 feet high - the size of a very, very large room. Each stripe was two feet wide and the stars measured two feet from point to point. Mary used 300 yards of English wool bunting cloth to make the flag. She was paid $405.90 for her work.

A few days before the attack, a young American lawyer, Francis Scott Key, boarded a British ship to negotiate the release of an elderly doctor. The British agreed, but kept Francis and the doctor under guard so they couldn't warn the Americans of the impending attack.

All through the night of the attack, Francis stood aboard a ship, watching the attack on the fort. At times, it was hard to see clearly through the smoke, but it was very noisy. He knew that as long as he heard noise, the fighting continued and the fort hadn't surrendered.

At dawn, the fighting stopped. Francis was afraid that the British had won. As the sun came up and the smoke cleared, he saw the American flag - the huge American flag - still waving proudly. He was overcome with happiness.

That night in his hotel room, Francis wrote a poem to express how he felt. A few days later, the poem was published in a Baltimore newspaper, along with instructions to sing it to the tune of "Anacreon in Heaven," a well-known song at the time. People loved the song!

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson decreed that the song, now known as, "The Star Spangled Banner" be played at all state occasions. In 1931, it became our national anthem.

Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What happened to the flag that Mary worked so hard to make?

Answer: The Armistead family owned it for many years. Sometimes they cut pieces off the flag to give to family members or honored soldiers. Eventually the flag was donated to the Smithsonian. The flag has recently undergone a renovation. The entire flag can be seen at the Smithsonian Museum.
Learn More
Visit an online exhibit of the Star-Spangled Banner. Here, you'll find pictures, games, and interesting facts about the flag.

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The War of 1812 between the Americans and British lasted for three years. Only a few weeks after the British burned Washington D.C., destroying the Capitol, the President's House, and the Treasury, they headed toward Baltimore. The only thing that stood in their way was Fort McHenry, which lay on an island in the Chesapeake Bay.

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The Statue of Liberty has long been a symbol of freedom and hope to people all over the world, but have you ever wondered where she came from? France has often been called "America's oldest ally." France helped America during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. American troops helped defend France during World War I and II. The French built "Lady Liberty" as a gift to America.

Poet Emma Lazarus wrote the poem, "The New Colossus," about America and the Statue of Liberty:
Give me your tired, your poor; Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! Fun Facts

In 1865, at a dinner party in France, French leaders were talking about the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln's death. They wanted to make a monument to honor America's fight for liberty. The sculptor, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, attended the dinner party. He began working on a small clay model of a woman to represent freedom. He presented it to French and American leaders.

Although the French had hoped to present the statue to America on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Statue of Liberty took 10 years to build.

Bartholdi began working on the statue in 1876, in a studio in Paris. He modeled the statue's face after his mother's. Jeanne-Emilie Baheux de Puysieux, who later became his wife, also served as a model.

The statue was 111 feet tall - as tall as a fourteen-story building. It needed to be light, yet strong. Engineer, Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who engineered the Eiffel Tower, designed an iron framework for the statue. Thin sheets of copper were laid over the framework.

The statue was built outdoors, disassembled, and packed in 214 boxes before it was shipped to America.

The French agreed to pay for the statue; Americans would pay for the land and granite pedestal that the statue stands on. Both countries asked for donations from their people.

On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland prepared to dedicate the statue. Thousands of people gathered in New York City for a huge parade. On Liberty Island, a smaller crowd gathered for the dedication. A French flag lay over the statue's eyes and face. Inside the crown, stood Bartholdi, ready to pull the flag off at the right time, unveiling the statue.

William M. Evarts, President of the American Committee, began his speech. He paused briefly, and Bartholdi was given the sign to unveil the statue. The crowd cheered when the statue was revealed; Evarts didn't get the chance to finish his speech!

Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Did women attend the dedication?

Answer: At this time, women weren't always allowed at public gatherings. Only two or three women were invited to the dedication. But a group of angry women rented a boat and sailed to the island. They said that the statue was a woman, yet if she was alive, she wouldn't be allowed to vote or have many other liberties.
Learn More
Visit the Liberty Ellis Foundation to learn more about the statue of liberty.

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Statue of Liberty Fun Facts for Kids - Where She Came From

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The Statue of Liberty has long been a symbol of freedom and hope to people all over the world, but have you ever wondered where she came from? France has often been called "America's oldest ally." France helped America during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

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George Washington was the Continental army's Commander in Chief during the Revolutionary War and he was also the first President of the United States. Known for his unfailing honesty and integrity, he was beloved by almost everyone and is still considered one of our best leaders. After the Revolutionary War, Congress wanted to honor Washington, often called the Father of His Country, with a memorial statue of him astride a horse.

Unfortunately, no money was available to build the statue and George Washington's memorial was largely forgotten. In 1836, the Washington National Monument Society held a contest for a design for the memorial. Architect Robert Mills won the contest and construction soon began. Work began over 10 years later, in 1848, but halted in 1854 when money ran out once again. Cows grazed around the monument during the Civil War.

Finally, in 1876, the work began and was completed in 1884 - almost 40 years after it was started. The monument is a simple, white structure rising 555 feet 5 1/8 inches tall. Visitors can take an elevator to the top. The Washington Monument stands at the western end of the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Vocabulary

1. Commander in Chief: the top leader, usually in a military or governmental organization

2. Astride: having a leg on each side

3. Graze: to feed on grass

Questions and Answers
Question: Was Washington sad that no one built him a statue while he was alive?

Answer: Washington was a simple man with a deep love for his country. When he became President, he refused to fund the project because he didn't think it was important. He felt that public funds should be used to serve the people.
Learn More
Visit the National Park Service to learn more about the Washington Monument.

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Fun Washington Monument facts for Kids -

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George Washington was the Continental army's Commander in Chief during the Revolutionary War and he was also the first President of the United States. Known for his unfailing honesty and integrity, he was beloved by almost everyone and is still considered one of our best leaders.

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Since 1800, the White House has served as both a home and an office to U.S. presidents and their families. Fun Facts John Adams was the first U.S. president to live in the White House. George Washington lived in two homes in New York, followed by a home in Philadelphia, which was originally to … Continue reading The White House →

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The History of the Star-Spangled Banner for Kids: Francis Scott Key and Fort McHenry - FreeSchool

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Edpuzzle video lesson. Make any video your lesson. Take a video and crop it, add your voice or embed questions at any point.

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The Great Seal of the United States is a symbol of our independent Nation and self-government. It appears on official documents such as proclamations, warrants, treaties, and commissions of high officials of the Government.

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The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is located in Washington, DC, on the banks of the Potomac Tidal Basin and next to the Potomac River. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was our third President (1801-1809) and one of our Nation’s Founding Fathers. Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence and served as the first Secretary of State under President George Washington and served as Vice President under President John Adams. The memorial was dedicated on April 13, 1943, the two-hundredth anniversary of Jefferson’s birth.

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The Liberty Bell is a well-known symbol of freedom in the United States.

The bell was first made in 1752 for the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The bell was cast in London, England, and shipped to Pennsylvania. Soon after it arrived, the bell cracked. In 1753, a new bell was cast from the same metal by John Pass and John Stow. Their names and the year in Roman numerals, MDCCLIII, are marked on the bell. It also has a Bible verse written on it: "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof" (Leviticus 25:10).

In the early 1800s, people who wanted to outlaw slavery called it the "Liberty Bell" and used it as a symbol for their cause. In 1846, another crack began to develop in the bell and it was repaired. It rang for George Washington's birthday in that same year, but then it cracked again and has not been rung since. The bell traveled around the country after the Civil War (1861-1865), and since 1915 it has stayed in Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell is now on display in a visitor center next to Independence Hall, where many people come to see it each year.

To learn more, see the National Park Service site.

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The Liberty Bell is a well-known symbol of freedom in the United States. The bell was first made in 1752 for the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. The bell was cast in London, England, and shipped to Pennsylvania. Soon after it arrived, the bell cracked.

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The White House is the name given to the official home and workplace of the President of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Every President except George Washington has lived there.

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O say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?

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The Statue was a gift from the people of France to the United States. Planning for the statue was started not long after slavery was abolished in the United States, but the statue was not completely assembled and dedicated until 1886.

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Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.

The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the Bell in 1751 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, Pennsylvania's original Constitution. It speaks of the rights and freedoms valued by people the world over. Particularly forward thinking were Penn's ideas on religious freedom, his liberal stance on Native American rights, and his inclusion of citizens in enacting laws.

The Liberty Bell gained iconic importance when abolitionists in their efforts to put an end to slavery throughout America adopted it as a symbol.

As the Bell was created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn's Charter, the quotation "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," from Leviticus 25:10, was particularly apt. For the line in the Bible immediately preceding "proclaim liberty" is, "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year." What better way to pay homage to Penn and hallow the 50th year than with a bell proclaiming liberty?

Also inscribed on the Bell is the quotation, "By Order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada." Note that the spelling of "Pennsylvania" was not at that time universally adopted. In fact, in the original Constitution, the name of the state is also spelled "Pensylvania." If you get a chance to visit the second floor of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, take a moment to look at the original maps on the wall. They, too, have the state name spelled "Pensylvania" (and the Atlantic Ocean called by the name of that day, "The Western Ocean"). The choice of the quotation was made by Quaker Isaac Norris, speaker of the Assembly.

Centered on the front of the Bell are the words, "Pass and Stow / Philada / MDCCLIII." We'll get to Pass and Stow in a bit.

The Crack

There is widespread disagreement about when the first crack appeared on the Bell. Hair-line cracks on bells were bored out to prevent expansion. However, it is agreed that the final expansion of the crack which rendered the Bell unringable was on Washington's Birthday in 1846.

The Philadelphia Public Ledger takes up the story in its February 26, 1846 publication:

"The old Independence Bell rang its last clear note on Monday last in honor of the birthday of Washington and now hangs in the great city steeple irreparably cracked and dumb. It had been cracked before but was set in order of that day by having the edges of the fracture filed so as not to vibrate against each other ... It gave out clear notes and loud, and appeared to be in excellent condition until noon, when it received a sort of compound fracture in a zig-zag direction through one of its sides which put it completely out of tune and left it a mere wreck of what it was."

The Bell as Icon

The Bell achieved its iconic status when abolitionists adopted the Bell as a symbol for the movement. It was first used in this association as a frontispiece to an 1837 edition of Liberty, published by the New York Anti-Slavery Society.

It was, in fact, the abolitionists who gave it the name "Liberty Bell," in reference to its inscription. It was previously called simply the "State House bell."

In retrospect, it is a remarkably apt metaphor for a country literally cracked and freedom fissured for its black inhabitants. The line following "proclaim liberty" is, "It shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." The Abolitionists understood this passage to mean that the Bible demanded all slaves and prisoners be freed every 50 years.

William Lloyd Garrison's anti-slavery publication The Liberator reprinted a Boston abolitionist pamphlet containing a poem about the Bell, entitled, The Liberty Bell, which represents the first documented use of the name, "Liberty Bell."

The Bell and the Declaration of Independence

In 1847, George Lippard wrote a fictional story for The Saturday Currier which told of an elderly bellman waiting in the State House steeple for the word that Congress had declared Independence. The story continues that privately he began to doubt Congress's resolve. Suddenly the bellman's grandson, who was eavesdropping on the doors of Congress, yelled to him, "Ring, Grandfather! Ring!"

This story so captured the imagination of people throughout the land that the Liberty Bell was forever associated with the Declaration of Independence.

The truth is that the steeple was in bad condition and historians today highly doubt that the Bell actually rang in 1776. However, its association with the Declaration of Independence was fixed in the collective mythology.

Bell as Symbol

After the divisive Civil War, Americans sought a symbol of unity. The flag became one such symbol, and the Liberty Bell another. To help heal the wounds of the war, the Liberty Bell would travel across the country.

Starting in the 1880s, the Bell traveled to cities throughout the land "proclaiming liberty" and inspiring the cause of freedom. We have prepared a photo essay of its 1915 journey to the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco.

A replica of the Liberty Bell, forged in 1915, was used to promote women's suffrage. It traveled the country with its clapper chained to its side, silent until women won the right to vote. On September 25, 1920, it was brought to Independence Hall and rung in ceremonies celebrating the ratification of the 19th amendment.

To this day, oppressed groups come to Philadelphia to give voice to their plight, at the Liberty Bell, proclaiming their call for liberty.

History of the Bell

On November 1, 1751, a letter was sent to Robert Charles, the Colonial Agent of the Province of Pennsylvania who was working in London. Signed by Isaac Norris, Thomas Leech, and Edward Warner, it represented the desires of the Assembly to purchase a bell for the State House (now Independence Hall) steeple. The bell was ordered from Whitechapel Foundry, with instructions to inscribe on it the passage from Leviticus.

The bell arrived in Philadelphia on September 1, 1752, but was not hung until March 10, 1753, on which day Isaac Norris wrote, "I had the mortification to hear that it was cracked by a stroke of the clapper without any other viollence [sic] as it was hung up to try the sound."

The cause of the break is thought to have been attributable either to flaws in its casting or, as they thought at the time, to its being too brittle.

Two Philadelphia foundry workers named John Pass and John Stow were given the cracked bell to be melted down and recast. They added an ounce and a half of copper to a pound of the old bell in an attempt to make the new bell less brittle. For their labors they charged slightly over 36 Pounds.

The new bell was raised in the belfry on March 29, 1753. "Upon trial, it seems that they have added too much copper. They were so teased with the witticisms of the town that they will very soon make a second essay," wrote Isaac Norris to London agent Robert Charles. Apparently nobody was now pleased with the tone of the bell.

Pass and Stow indeed tried again. They broke up the bell and recast it. On June 11, 1753, the New York Mercury reported, "Last Week was raised and fix'd in the Statehouse Steeple, the new great Bell, cast here by Pass and Stow, weighing 2080 lbs."

In November, Norris wrote to Robert Charles that he was still displeased with the bell and requested that Whitechapel cast a new one.

Upon the arrival of the new bell from England, it was agreed that it sounded no better than the Pass and Stow bell. So the "Liberty Bell" remained where it was in the steeple, and the new Whitechapel bell was placed in the cupola on the State House roof and attached to the clock to sound the hours.

The Liberty Bell was rung to call the Assembly together and to summon people together for special announcements and events. The Liberty Bell tolled frequently. Among the more historically important occasions, it tolled when Benjamin Franklin was sent to England to address Colonial grievances, it tolled when King George III ascended to the throne in 1761, and it tolled to call together the people of Philadelphia to discuss the Sugar Act in 1764 and the Stamp Act in 1765.

In 1772 a petition was sent to the Assembly stating that the people in the vicinity of the State House were "incommoded and distressed" by the constant "ringing of the great Bell in the steeple."

But, tradition holds, it continued tolling for the First Continental Congress in 1774, the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775 and its most resonant tolling was on July 8, 1776, when it summoned the citizenry for the reading of the Declaration of Independence produced by the Second Continental Congress. However, the steeple was in bad condition and historians today doubt the likelihood of the story.

In October 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia. Weeks earlier all bells, including the Liberty Bell, were removed from the city. It was well understood that, if left, they would likely be melted down and used for cannon. The Liberty Bell was removed from the city and hidden in the floorboards of the Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which you can still visit today.

Throughout the period from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the nation's capital, uses of the Bell included calling the state legislature into session, summoning voters to hand in their ballots at the State House window, and tolling to commemorate Washington's birthday and celebrate the Fourth of July.

The Bell Today

The Liberty Bell Center was opened in October, 2003. From the southern end, the bell is visible from the street 24 hours a day.

On every Fourth of July, at 2pm Eastern time, children who are descendants of Declaration signers symbolically tap the Liberty Bell 13 times while bells across the nation also ring 13 times in honor of the patriots from the original 13 states.

Each year, the bell is gently tapped in honor of Martin Luther King Day. The ceremony began in 1986 at request of Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King.

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Tradition tells of a chime that changed the world on July 8, 1776, with the Liberty Bell ringing out from the tower of Independence Hall summoning the citizens of Philadelphia to hear the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.

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Samuel Wilson was a businessman from Troy, NY, that supplied beef in barrels to the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. The barrels were labeled “U.S.” When asked what the initials stood for, one of Wilson’s workers said that it stood for Uncle Sam Wilson. The suggestion that the meat shipments came from “Uncle Sam” led to the idea that Uncle Sam symbolized the U.S. Federal Government.

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A Brief History of the Pledge of Allegiance

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A brief history of the US Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the changes it has gone through since first written in 1892.

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Jefferson Memorial - Top Things to Make Your Visit Kid-Friendly

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The Jefferson Memorial will not only open the eyes of children to history but will teach appreciation of the architectural beauty of the structure

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Go here to find pictures for your project.