Happy Independence Day, America

What does The United States of America, or being American, mean to you?

A Place on the Map

A collection of geographically disparate territories, districts, and states that cover almost 4 million square miles, bounded by the mighty Atlantic, Pacific, & Arctic Oceans on 3 sides and the Canada in the north.

The Star-Spangled Banner, The American National Anthem

With stiff competition from the more peaceful and idealistic themes expressed in America the Beautiful, The Star-Spangled Banner became the official national anthem of the USA in 1931, 117 years after Francis Scott Key first wrote the lyrics in his Defence of Fort M’Henry poem (1814).

(American Flag Wrapped Around Children Photo: Courtney Hedger via Unsplash)

American Oak Trees

Over 90 species of oak trees grow in the U.S., and the mighty oak tree is the national tree of America. Oak trees are prized in natural settings for their tall beauty and glorious fall colors, and oak furniture is equally cherished for it’s durability.

Rose, National Flower of the United States

Thousands of rose cultivars exist across the world, but the native North American delicate pink wild rose is the national flower.

Birds & Animals of America

The Bald Eagle, as the national bird and animal of The United States of America. A majestic bird of prey that builds big tree nests for it’s family.

american independence day, american bald eagle, birds of prey, raptors, american birds (Bald Eagle Photo: Sue Tucker via Unsplash)

Grizzly Bears, also known as the North American brown bear, were first identified by explorers Lewis & Clark in the 1800s as “grisley”. Male grizzly bears along the coast are larger than their inland peers (900 lbs vs 600lbs). Although they roam all over north western areas of North American as far south as Wyoming & Montana in the U.S., the biggest population of grizzly bears on the continent can be found in Alaska (30,000+).

North American Bison (Buffalo), the national mammal that roam the national parks and reserves of America in herds. Below, some baby bison play under the watchful eye of their mother and protective herd.

American Sports

Football, the national passion of the U.S., is a full-contact sport with an oval shaped ball. Usually played in full protective gear in America’s NFL, it’s a combination and evolution of the international sport of soccer (which the Mayan Indians in Mexico may have been playing as early as 1400 B.C.) and the English sport of rubgy (another full-contact sport played with minimal protective gear).

Baseball, often referred to as the national pastime of the Unites States, evolved from ball & bat games that came to the U.S. with European immigrants. The modern day version of MLB baseball as played by the professional teams in the American League and the National League in big stadiums, culminates with a World Series Championship each fall between the two leagues. But across the U.S., North America, and in distant places of the world, baseball can be enjoyed with a group of people in an open space.

baseball game, nature scenery, ambleside united kingdom, pick up game of baseball, national pastime, leisure sports, american sports (Ambleside, United Kingdom Photo: Joseph Pearson)

Basketball, invented by Canadian Dr. James Naismith (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame) in 1891, is a ball and hoop game best played by tall people. Now played worldwide, the American NBA is the largest professional basketball league.

American Visual & Performing Arts (and Entertainers)

garden of praise painting, grandma moses paintings, rural landscape paintings, american rural painters, 20th century american painters (Garden of Praise Painting: Grandma Moses)

Visual artists, like the Hudson River School painters, folk artist Grandma Moses, Frederick Remington, Grant Wood, Georgia O’Keefe, and others.

Singers, songwriters & musicians, from Marian Anderson, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Paul Robeson, Elvis Presley, …and the list goes on. Below, American folk-rock singer-songwriter Linda Ronstadt sings the traditional cowboy song I Ride An Old Paint. Is there anything more American than the cowboys that helped to tame the wild west?

Comedians, dancers & actors of stage, television, and movies – Robert De Niro, Fred Astaire, Meryl Streep, Humphrey Bogart, Eddie Murphy, Katharine Hepburn, Maria Tallchief, Jimmy Stewart, Robin Williams, Lucille Ball, Clint Eastwood, Ginger Rogers, Steve Martin, Marlon Brando, Jodie Foster, Joan Crawford, Jane Fonda, and many more.

American Foods & Farmers

Apple pie, grits, hot dogs & hamburgers, Buffalo wings, Chicago-style pizza, New York bagels, pecan coffee, and others.

Corporate and family-owned farms with fields of corn, cotton, soybeans, rice, fruits & berries, peanuts, and more.

cotton fields, fields of cotton, cotton balls, cotton farming, cotton farms, american cotton farmers (Cotton Fields Photo: Trisha Downing via Unsplash)

American Culture, Customs & Laws

Founded by immigrants, America is a melting pot with international flavors. A strong focus on individual rights, the right to bear arms, religious freedom, a democratic system of government, and military strength, to name a few cultural signposts.