Symbols
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell has several inscriptions; however many are unfamiliar with the reference to LEV XXV v X or Leviticus 25:10 which reads "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family." The same reference can be found on the statue of liberty adorned on one of the 4th floor plaques.
The Great Seal of the U.S.
(Runner Up)
Did you know that there was more than one option presented for the official seal of the United States of America? On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress assigned Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson the task of creating an official seal for the United States of America. Franklin and Jefferson then took the lead on the project with Franklin proposing the following description of the Great Seal in August of 1776:
" Moses standing on the Shore, and extending his Hand over the Sea, thereby causing the same to over-whelm Pharoah who is sitting in an open Chariot, a Crown on his Head & a Sword in his Hand. Rays from a Pillar of Fire in the Clouds reaching to Moses, to express that he acts by Command of the Deity. Motto Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God." Considered the least "religious" of all of the Founding Fathers, it is clear that Franklin and Jefferson took no issue allowing such a Biblical references ( in this case, the Exodus) to be included in American symbolism.
No design was actually created for this option, the above depiction was created by Benson J. Lossing in July of 1856 based on the above description provided by Franklin & Jefferson in 1776.
Folds of the U.S. Flag
If you’ve ever attended a military funeral, perhaps you noticed that the honor guards pay meticulous attention to folding the U.S. flag that once draped the casket. Guards make crisp, precise folds a total of 13 times to complete the ceremony. Much like every other aspect of our nation’s greatest symbol, each of the 13 folds holds a special significance.
-
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
-
The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life.
-
The third fold is made in honor and tribute of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
-
The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
-
The fifth fold is an acknowledgement to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
-
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
-
The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies.
-
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
-
The ninth fold is an honor to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
-
The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.
-
The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
-
The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
-
The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
[Emphasis added]