The Great Seal of the United States (1131)

The newly independent United States needed an emblem and national coat of arms. The Continental Congress charged this important mission to the three of the best minds of the Age of Enlightened – Franklin, Adams and Jefferson. The task proved far more difficult than anticipated; it took six years and the combined efforts of 14 men before the Great Seal of the U.S. became a reality on June 20, 1782.

Symbolically the seal reflects the beliefs and values that the Founding Fathers attached to the new nation and wished to pass on to their descendants. The red and white stripes of the shield represent the several states. The colours are adopted from the American flag. The shield on the breast of an American Bald Eagle without any supporters denotes that the United States of America ought to rely on their own virtue. The number 13, denoting the 13 original states, is represented in the bundle of arrows, the stripes of the shield and the stars of the constellation.

The olive branch and the arrows denote the power of peace and war. The constellation of stars symbolizes a new nation taking its place among other sovereign states. Two important buildings in Washington, D. C. are also famous national symbols of the country. They are the U.S. Capitol, a symbol for the legislative branch of government, and the White House – the symbol of the executive branch.