America

America [for Amerigo Vespucci], the lands of the Western Hemisphere—North America, Central (or Middle) America, and South America. The world map published in 1507 by Martin Waldseemüller is the first known cartographic use of the name. In English, America and American are frequently used to refer only to the United States.

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America

apple pie

typical, wholesome American dessert. [Am. Culture: Flexner, 68]

bald eagle

national bird of the U.S.; native only to North America. [Am. Culture: EB, I: 753]

baseball

traditional American sport and pastime. [Am. Sports: EB, I: 850]

Brother Jonathan

the original Uncle Sam. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 110]

Crossing of the Delaware

Washington’s beleaguered army attacks Trenton; famous event in American history (1776). [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 138]

e pluribus unum

motto of the U.S.: Latin ’one out of many.’ [Am. Culture: RHD, 481]

Fourth of July

Independence Day; traditional U.S. holiday; anniversary of adoption of Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776). [Am. Culture: EB, V: 326]

Liberty Bell

symbol of American freedom; at Independence Hall, Philadelphia. [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 284]

Mayflower

ship that brought the founding Puritans. [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 313]

melting pot

America as the home of many races and cultures. [Am. Pop. Culture: Misc.]

Old Ironsides

the frigate Constitution, symbol of U.S. success in War of 1812, now preserved as a museum. [Am. Hist.: Benét, 733]

Peoria

typical mid-American town. [Am. Culture: Misc.]

Pledge of Allegiance

statement of loyalty to the U. S., inaugurated in 1892 upon 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. [Am. Hist.: WB, P: 508]

Plymouth Rock

site of Pilgrim landing in Massachusetts (1620). [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 395–396]

pumpkin pie

traditional dish, especially at Thanksgiving. [Am. Culture: Flexner, 68]

Red, White and Blue,

the colors of the U. S. flag, used in reference to the flag itself and ideals of patriotism. [Am. Hist.: Misc.]

Silent Majority

average Americans of middle class. [Am. Culture: Flexner, 375]

Star-Spangled Banner, The

U.S. national anthem. [Am. Hist.: EB, IX: 532]

Stars and Stripes

nickname for the U.S. flag. [Am. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 8567]

Statue of Liberty

great symbolic structure in New York harbor. [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 284]

Thanksgiving

annual U.S. holiday celebrating harvest and yearly blessings; originated with Pilgrims (1621). [Am. Culture: EB, IX: 922]

Uncle Sam

personifies people or government of the United States. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 870–871]

Vespucci, Amerigo

(1454–1512) Italian navigator-explorer from whose name America is derived. [Am. Hist.: EB, X: 410]

Washington, D.C.

focus of U.S. government, policies, etc. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 899]

Washington, George

(1732–1799) “the Father of our country”; first U.S. President (1789–1797). [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 535–536]

White House

official residence of the president of the U.S. in Washington, D.C. [Am. Culture: EB, X: 656]

Yankee

to an American, a New Englander; to a Southern American, any Northerner; to a foreigner, any American. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 953]