Symbols
Questions and answers
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What is the capital of the United States?
- Washington, D.C.
The capital is named after George Washington, the first president. D.C. stands for District of Columbia: the city is not part of any state and lies between Maryland and Virginia under federal control.
Study guide · Washington D.C. ↗ -
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
- New York (Harbor)
- Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
France gave the statue to the United States in 1886 as a symbol of friendship, and it stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, where more than 4 million people visit it every year.
Study guide · American Symbols ↗ -
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
- (Because there were) 13 original colonies
- (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies
The red and white stripes stand for the 13 colonies England created in North America during the Colonial Period, the colonies that became the first states.
Study guide · American Symbols ↗ -
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
- (Because there is) one star for each state
- (Because) each star represents a state
- (Because there are) 50 states
The blue field of the flag carries one star for each of the 50 states, so the stars have changed as states joined the Union while the stripes stayed at 13.
Study guide · American Symbols ↗ -
What is the name of the national anthem?
- The Star-Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key wrote the song after seeing the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a battle in the War of 1812. "Spangled" refers to the shining stars and "banner" means flag.
Study guide · American Symbols ↗ -
The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
- Out of many, one
- We all become one
The Latin phrase says that one nation was made out of many states and many peoples. USCIS also accepts the wording "We all become one".
128 questions · A: Symbols ↗