Have you ever wondered how the Liberty Bell got cracked? Did you know the wild turkey almost became the national bird of the United States? And who is Uncle Sam, anyway? Answer all these questions and many more as you explore the history behind seventeen well-known monuments and symbols of the United States of America--including the Great Seal, the Pledge of Allegience, the Capitol Building and more. Descriptions of each symbol include the history behind it, the people involved in creating it, and intriguing trivia. Important dates are highlighted, helping to create a timeline of when these patriotic symbols became accepted parts of our nation''s history. John O''Brien''s black-and-white cartoon illustrations on nearly every page add a touch of humor to the engaging text. An index is included.

Autorentext
Teresa Bateman is a school librarian, a storyteller and the author of many lively stories and poems for children. She has won both the Storytelling World Award and the Anne Izard Storyteller's Award. Her books include Job Wanted and Keeper of Soles, an ALA Notable Children's Book. She lives in Tacoma, Washington.

John O'Brien is a cartoonist whose work appears in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications. He is the creator of many children's picture books and the illustrator of many more, including Washington D.C. from A-Z by Alan Schroeder.