America is an incredible nation, offering hope and opportunity to all. Throughout its history, many symbols of freedom have arisen, inspiring people across the country and capturing the American spirit. These symbols motivate citizens to “take up the mantle of freedom and hope” and pursue the American dream.

But what makes something a symbol of freedom? It must represent the nation’s core values of equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It should be a light that encourages Americans to chase their dreams and never give up.

The United States is full of these meaningful emblems that continue to inspire generation after generation. In this article, we’ll explore the history behind some of the most beloved American symbols that showcase the bravery and resiliency of the American spirit.

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The Washington Monument

Robert Mills built the Washington Monument from 1848 to 1884. He chose to make an obelisk standing 555 ft (169 m) tall to honor President George Washington. President Washington was a symbol of American bravery, being called "the greatest character of the age" by King George III.

Since Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, the first president of the United States, and a founding father, Mills chose the obelisk, a symbol of respect, permanence, and strength, for his monument. The towering figure was considered a groundbreaking achievement of its day. Created out of granite, marble, and bluestone gneiss, the Washington Monument is still the world's tallest structure predominantly made from stone. 

The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, inside the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park. Originally named the Old State House Bell or the State House bell, it was commissioned in 1751 with the words "Proclaim Liberty Throughout all the Land Unto all the Inhabitants Thereof." Lawmakers initially used it to summon each other to their legislative sessions and alert the public to meetings and proclamations.

No one knows exactly how the Liberty Bell got its infamous crack. Some say the bell cracked in 1824 during a visit from French war hero Marquis de Lafayette. Others believe it happened while signaling a fire. Still others claim the crack occurred in 1835 during the funeral of Chief Justice John Marshall.

The Liberty Bell marked America's Independence by signaling the reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. Soon after, the bell was decommissioned until the 1830s, when abolitionist societies began using it as a symbol of liberty and freedom and gave it the name we know it by today, the Liberty Bell.  

The Rose

President Ronald Reagan declared the rose the national flower on November 20, 1986. He chose the flower for its beauty and how beloved it was by people across North America. The White House is home to a large rose garden, and even President Washington was the first American to breed these colorful flowers.

Americans have long celebrated the beauty of the rose. From the Rose Parade to the Rose Bowl, it continues to be a national treasure.

The United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the document that serves as the supreme law of the country. Written in 1787 at the Philadelphia Convention, the United States Constitution became law in 1789. It outlines the government's structure and contains amendments known as the Bill of Rights, which protects the freedoms and rights of American citizens. The U.S. Constitution is comprised of a preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments, including the Bill of Rights.

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is a giant sculpture carved into the side of a granite mountain. It contains the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Each of these presidents played a vital role in ensuring America's freedom from outside nations or civil infighting.

The sculpture was designed by Gutzon Borglum, who oversaw its execution, which took place from 1927 to 1941. Each head is sixty feet tall and stands 5,725 feet (1,745 m) above sea level.   

The Star-Spangled Banner

The Star-Spangled Banner is America's national anthem and is derived from a poem written by Francis Scott Key on September 14, 1814, called "Defense of Fort McHenry." Key wrote the poem while being held captive aboard a British ship, watching as the Battle of Baltimore raged on.

Through the dust and smoke, he spotted the American Flag, which continued to fly, eventually signaling American victory. Set to the tune of the British song "To Anacreontic Society," it is sung before sporting events as a sign of respect. Along with being a powerful song, the Star-Spangled Banner also refers to the flag that flew over Fort McHenry.

The exact flag is still on display today at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Learn more about iconic historic American flags in our blog, "Famous American Flags Displayed Throughout History." Secure your own replica of the star-stangled banner by purchasing a 15-Star U.S. flag from Carrot-Top Industries.

The Bill Of Rights

The Bill of Rights is a part of the United States Constitution and details the inherent rights of every American citizen. The U.S. government adopted the Bill of Rights in 1789 and ratified it in 1791. It was designed to protect these rights from infringement by both private citizens and public officials. The Bill of Rights cannot be repealed or amended without a supermajority or a referendum vote. 

Uncle Sam 

Uncle Sam is a personification used to symbolize the American government and the United States in general. His character, which signifies patriotism and American culture, is commonly used for military recruiting. Although Uncle Sam's origin is unclear, it's believed the character gained popularity in the War of 1812 and was designed after a man named Samuel Wilson.  

The White House

The White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, is the official workplace and residence of the president of the United States. It has been the residence of every president since John Adams in 1800 and is often used to describe the president and his advising staff.

Designed by James Hoban, an Irish-born architect, the residence was constructed between 1792 and 1800 using Aquia Creek Sandstone, which was then painted white.

In 1814, the British army burned down the residence as they attacked the city in a move later referred to as "the burning of Washington." The fire completely destroyed the interior and severely damaged the exterior, causing a massive reconstruction effort that would take years to complete.

Currently, the White House complex includes an Executive Residence for the president, the West Wing for official government business, the East Wing, the Eisenhower Executive Office building, and the Blair House, a guest residence.

The Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle is America's national bird and is a symbol of freedom and power. Originally used to replace the smaller white eagle on the Great Seal of the United States on June 20, 1782, it quickly gained popularity and is used on American currency, public buildings, official documents, flags, and many other governmental items.

Although the American bald eagle is viewed as a national treasure, it has faced the threat of extinction multiple times in the past. Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940, making it illegal to kill, sell, or own the birds. Their numbers also dwindled in the 1960s as they began dying after eating prey contaminated with a pesticide called DDT, commonly used in World War II. The combination of federal protection and DDT regulation allowed the wild population to recover and begin thriving again.  

The Pledge Of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance is an oath used to signify citizens' allegiance to the United States Flag and its republic. Composed by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and adopted into Congress in 1942, it received its official name in 1954 when "under God" was added. The pledge is used to open congressional sessions, governmental meetings, school days, US naturalization ceremonies, and more. There are four versions, with the current one in use since 1954. The Pledge of Allegiance is viewed as an act of patriotism and national pride.  

The Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is a monument built to honor Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States of America. Located on the west end of the National Mall in Washington, DC, President Lincoln sits on a chair with inscriptions from two of his best-known speeches, his second inaugural address and the Gettysburg Address. Dedicated in 1922, the Lincoln Memorial has since been a symbol of racial freedom and bravery. 

The Great Seal 

The Great Seal is America's national symbol and refers to the physical seal, which is located in the office of the United States Secretary of State, and the design itself. One side of the seal depicts the national arms, while the other shows an unfinished pyramid with an eye in a triangle surrounded by glory proper. The Great Seal was first used in 1782 to authenticate federal government documents and was added to the one-dollar bill in 1935.  

The Statue Of Liberty

Perhaps one of the most commonly recognized symbols of America, the Statue of Liberty is a copper statue gifted to the U.S. by France in 1886. It features the figure Libertas, a Roman liberty goddess with a torch in her right hand raised above her head and a tabula ansata inscribed with July IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776) in her left hand.

A broken shackle and chain are lying at her feet, commemorating freedom from slavery. The Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor. For centuries, it was seen as a welcome to immigrants seeking the freedoms and prosperity America offered.

The American Flag

The American Flag, also known as Old Glory, has thirteen red horizontal stripes alternating with white stripes. It contains a blue rectangle on the upper left-hand side with fifty stars, one for each state located within the country.

The original version of the U.S. flag, known as the Grand Union, was adopted on December 3, 1775, and was replaced by a thirteen-star version on June 14, 1777. Robert G. Heft designed the version now in use, and it was adopted in 1960. It is common to see the stars and stripes of the American flag flown throughout the nation, on schools, shops, houses, and alongside highways.  

Celebrate American Symbols with Carrot-Top

The symbols above are an important part of America’s identity. They represent the legacy of those who came before, inspiring new generations to pursue the American dream. These powerful symbols signify courage and resiliency and stand as reminders of the many sacrifices it took to ensure America remains the land of the free and the home of the brave.

You can hang your own symbol of freedom with your very own American flag from Carrot-Top Industries. We proudly offer a wide selection of top-quality U.S. flags that are always made in America! Celebrate the beauty, resiliency, and strength of the American spirit. Shop today!