America the Beautiful National Monuments, Landmarks and Symbols AMERICANA SEPTEMBER 2010 DOHA QATAR

Today let’s “fly” around our nation and see some of the most important sites!

WASHINGTON DC

THE WHITE HOUSE

The Oval Office The White House has: 6 levels 412 doors 147 windows 8 staircases 3 elevators

The Lincoln Memorial Built to honor Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States. Contains 19-foot white marble statue of Abraham Lincoln

The Jefferson Memorial stands as a symbol of liberty endures as a site for reflection and inspiration for all

The Capitol Building where the United States Congress meets HERE”S THE SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK VIDEO ON HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

The Washington Monument built to honor George Washington, commander-in-chief of continental army, and first president of the United States was completed and dedicated in 1885

The Smithsonian Institution largest museum in Washington, D.C. consists of several museums including: National Museum of Natural History National Air and Space Museum National Museum of American Art National Museum of African Art

New York

The Statue of Liberty made to honor centennial of the U.S., but it arrived 10 years late so they made it a statue to celebrate America and France's friendship.

Pennsylvania

PENNSYLVANIA The Liberty Bell at Independence Hall changed the world on July 8, 1776 Rung from tower of Independence Hall summoning citizens of Philadelphia to hear first public reading of Declaration of Independence

Missouri

Gateway Arch, St. Louis Gateway Arch and the Museum of Westward Expansion Thomas Jefferson’s vision of the spread of freedom and democracy from “sea to shining sea

SOUTH DAKOTA

Mount Rushmore Located in South Dakota. Carved into side of Mount Rushmore are faces of 4 presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Lincoln

Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

Yellowstone National Park Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park.

Old Faithful A geyser is similar to a fountain but is a natural spring that is characterized by intermittent spurts of water accompanied by a vapor (steam)

Arizona

Grand Canyon Grand Canyon National Park Contains very old human artifacts --some nearly 12,000 years old! Area has been in continuous use and occupation for those 12,000 years. htm

Colorado Rocky Mountains

Animals in the Rocky Mountains Bighorn Sheep Otter Moose PorcupineBadger Red Fox

Rocky Mountains Elevations range from 8,000 feet in wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS What other things did you see if you went home this summer?

BALD EAGLE The eagle, is the national emblem of a country that offers freedom to all! The Presidential Seal That Might Have Been

UNCLE SAM Uncle Sam is the cartoon embodiment of the government of the United States of America He’s a character who appeared in newspapers and magazines beginning in the first part of the 19th century.

FLAG The U.S. flag is a strong symbol of American identity and national pride. Where do you see it flying?

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!

HANDS ON ACTIVITY Making a flag poster

You’re a Grand Old Flag You're a grand old flag, you're a high flying flag; And forever in peace, may you wave; You're the emblem of the land I love, The home of the free and the brave. Every heart beats true 'neath the Red, White and Blue, Where there's never a boast or brag; But, should auld acquaintance be forgot, Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

STATE OF THE MONTH: Washington, D.C.

AMERICA (MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE) My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died! Land of the Pilgrims' pride! From ev'ry mountainside, Let freedom ring!

Websites and fun activities to explore America the Beautiful 1) Become a “Web Ranger” ! Explore our national parks through online games 2)Park Fun Guide(includes most sites in US) On line fun in our National Parks!

REFERENCES