The Flag

The national flag of the United States of America (or the American flag) consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton (referred to specifically as the "union") bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars. The fifty stars on the flag represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen colonies that rebelled against the British monarchy and became the first states in the Union. Nicknames for the flag include the "Stars and Stripes", "Old Glory", and "The Star-Spangled Banner" (also the name of the national anthem).

 

National coat of arms

Immediately after declaring independence on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress constituted a committee consisting of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson to propose a design for a seal for the new United States of America. It was not until June 20, 1782, however, following the fruitless efforts of this and two other committees, that Congress approved a design recommended by its Secretary, Charles Thomson.

The latin motto E Pluribus Unum translates to "Out of Many, One" in reference to the many states making one nation. The olive branch in the eagle's right claw symbolises peace; there are 13 leaves and 13 olive berries on the branch, symbolizing the 13 original British colonies. Likewise, in the eagle's left claw are 13 arrows symbolizing the power for war. The 13 stars above the eagle and the 13 red and white stripes on the shield also symbolise the original 13 British colonies.

 

The Eagle, National Emblem

The bald eagle is a magnificent bird of prey that is native to North America. This majestic eagle is not really bald; white feathers cover its head. The derivation of the name "bald" is from an obsolete English word meaning white. The bald eagle has been the national symbol of the USA since 1782.

The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of American, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.

On the backs of our gold coins, the silver dollar, the half dollar and the quarter, we see an eagle with outspread wings. On the Great Seal of the United States and in many places which are exponents of our nation's authority we see the same emblem.

The eagle represents freedom. Living as he does on the tops of lofty mountains, amid the solitary grandeur of Nature, he has unlimited freedom, whether with strong pinions he sweeps into the valleys below, or upward into the boundless spaces beyond.

 

The official flower

The rose was designated the official flower and floral emblem of the United States of America in 1986. The rose has been around for about 35 million years and grows naturally throughout North America. The petals and rose hips are edible and have been used in medicines since ancient times.

Roses are red, pink, white, or yellow and can have a wonderfully rich, almost intoxicating aroma. The rose is a symbol of love and beauty (as well as war and politics) the world over. Each of the 50 states has also adopted an official state flower, including the rose in New York, the Oklahoma rose in Oklahoma, Cherokee rose in Georgia, and the wild prairie rose in Iowa and North Dakota.

 

Match the right way of translation of the following words and word combinations. Memorize them.

1)to rebel	a) прозвище, уменьшительное имя
2) nickname	b) лапа с когтями
3) fruitless	c) поднимать восстание
4) claw	d) независимость
5) freedom	e) случаться, происходить
6) to occur	f) безрезультатный
7) five-pointed star	g) пятиконечная звезда

 

Fill in the missing forms of the words. Give Russian equivalents.

Verb	Noun
to rebel
to live
	symbol
to think
	design
to propose
to believe
	shriek