Great Seal of the United States

Begin by closely examining the Great Seal of the United States

• Count and list the different objects on the seal. Is there a pattern? (arrows, leaves on the olive branch, olives, stars, and stripes)
• Why does that number keep recurring? 
• What are some interesting details that you can see? 

Now look at the dollar bill.  Can you see the Seal?

The illustration of the pyramid on the left side of the dollar bill is the reverse side of the Great Seal. However, other than being printed on the dollar bill, it is not used on official documents or commonly used for display. 

Now study the following vocabulary and information about the seal and complete the graphic organizer Links to an external site. below.

emblem - a symbol used as a badge or mark

passports - a document that shows citizenship and lets a person travel to another country

motto- a short sentence or phrase chosen as express a person or country's beliefs  

peace - a time in which there is no war or conflict

constellation - a group of stars that form a pattern

hardiness - the ability to do make it through hard things

valor- great courage in the face of danger 

purity -  clean, without spot or flaw 

innocence - free of guilt, pure, not involved in a crime .   

vigilance - looking out for danger, being careful

perseverance -  keep working even when it's hard

justice - fair treatment

Before it adjourned on July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress of the newly created United States of America passed a resolution: "Resolved, that Dr. Franklin, Mr. J. Adams and Mr. Jefferson, be a committee, to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America."

The new country needed a symbol that would represent the United States and be recognized around the world. However this task was easier said than done. In the end, it would take six years and two more committees before the Great Seal of the United States was adopted on June 20, 1782. The purpose of the Great Seal is to serve as the recognized symbol of America, and for more than 200 years it has been used as the official emblem displayed and stamped on important documents, including US passports. However, it is probably most recognized as the illustration on the back of the one-dollar bill. The metal die and counter die of the Great Seal and its press are housed at the State Department in Washington, DC, and can only be used with the permission of the Secretary of State.

While the Great Seal is a symbol of America, it is comprised of many other symbols:

• The American bald eagle, our national bird, symbolizes Liberty, Freedom, and Independence.
• The shield held by the eagle shows that we can protect and defend our country independently, without aid from others.
• Just as on the American flag, the stripes on the shield represent the first thirteen colonies, and just as on the flag, the colors themselves are symbolic. Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor. White symbolizes Purity and Innocence.
• The blue field on top of the stripes represents the US Congress and how it binds the states together. In addition, the color blue is symbolic. Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.
• The banner in the eagle’s beak bears the country’s motto, "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of many, one), meaning that while we are many individual states and people, we are one country.
• The olive branch represents Peace.
• The arrows represent War.
• The eagle is facing the olive branch, meaning that peace is always the first choice, but we can fight if we must.
• The stars in the cloud represent the new constellation of the United States surrounded by rays of light (called a "glory") shining through as America takes its place among the countries of the world.

Graphic Organizer Links to an external site.