American Symbols Worksheets

Answer Keys Here

A symbol is anything that hints or points directly at something else. There are symbols that that have been well known to represent cultures and civilizations throughout history. For example, the sphinx and pyramids have pointed to the Ancient Egyptian civilization for well over 4,000 years. While the American culture is barely two and half millennia old there are plenty of well-known symbols that point to this culture. In this section we will explore all of the different symbols that frequently thought of to represent the American culture.

American Symbol Worksheets:

The Statue - The Statue of Liberty is a 30-story tall statue in New York Harbor. It was a gift from France.

Match Up - Match each symbol to what it represents.

Circle It - Circle the items that are American symbols.

Picture It - Match the picture to its description.

Regal - The Bald Eagle is America's national bird.

The American Flag - Betsy Ross is usually credited with sewing the first American flag based on a sketch by George Washington, but it is unknown whether this actually happened or is just a myth.

What Does It Symbolize? - Some lesser known thoughts of what is presented here.

Name It - Match each symbol to its name. In the box, write what each symbol represents.

Come Correct - This will require some coloring.

The Washington Monument - It is shaped like an Egyptian obelisk. The Washington Monument weighs over eighty-one thousand tons and is over five hundred and fifty-five feet tall. Its interior is lined with 193 inset memorial stones gifted by individuals, societies, cities, states, and nations all over the world.

Who is Uncle Sam? - Uncle Sam the symbol is based on a man name Samuel Wilson, who owned a mean packing business in New York that supplied food for American soldiers during the War of 1812.

What's It Mean? - Explain what each thing means.

Your Favorite - Why is this your favorite?

Flag Stats - How much do you know about the flag?

Cornerstones - These are the most well known symbols.

What Are the Best Known American Symbols?


Symbols associated with a country represent the principle and beliefs the country was built on. Every nation has symbols. Symbols are a way to remind people of their history, traditions, and customs.


By teaching children and adults the meaning of the iconic symbols associated with the United States, you can create a sense of unity and help them understand America’s history, principles, and foundation. Symbols can change over time, but some act as touchstones for great American history.


The American Flag


An enduring symbol of America, the American flag, is often referred to as "Old Glory" or "Stars and Stripes." On June 14, 1977, the Continental Congress passed the first flag act. It stated, "Resolved, That the flag of the United States is thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union is thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."


There have been many variations. In 1818, a law was passed that a new star was added for each new state. The current flag has been in use the longest since 1960.


Facts About the American Flag


50 stars represent each of the 50 U.S states.


13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies.


Red symbolizes valor, white symbolizes purity, and blue symbolizes justice.


The Statue of Liberty


The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. The statue shows Libertas, the goddess of freedom, dedicated in 1886. The statue has an iron framework with copper skin and weighs around 450,000 pounds. The Statue became a national monument in 1924 and symbolized freedom, democracy, liberty, and hope.


The Great Seal of the United States


The Great Seal is the recognized symbol of America, and the Secretary of the state authorizes its use. This emblem is used on all important U.S documents, such as passports and treaties. The seal was adopted on June 20, 1782, and has since been used.


The seal is composed of the national American bald eagle holding a ribbon in its beak, with the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" written on it. It means, "out of many, one." The eagle is also clutching an olive branch in one foot and 13 arrows on the other. The branch represents peace, and the arrows represent war.



The Liberty Bell


The Liberty Bell is kept in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ‘s Independence Hall. Many legends are surrounding this bell. It is rumored that this bell was rung to mark to tell everyone the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. The bell also has a crack in the middle that runs up the bell’s lip.


There are many other well-known American symbols, such as the White House, Bald Eagle, Uncle Sam, etc., each of these symbols represents America in its own way. Learning and understanding what the symbol means can help you learn about the country's history, struggle, and aspirations.