No matter what country you’re from, chances are, your country will probably have at least one representative landmark or monument, that “thing” people envision when they think of your country. Take France for example. As someone who has hardly any background in the country (other than knowing that’s where baguettes are from), I think of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Not that I know a lot about it, but it’s something I’ve learned about as a kid. The Great Wall of China. The Colosseum. Machu Picchu. I can’t name them all, but landmarks and monuments are what represent your country; it’s part of your country’s identity because there’s going to be some sort of history behind it.
People from other countries probably remember America by the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge (it’s not gold), or maybe something entirely different. As other worldwide landmarks have their own special story, several famous American landmarks do, too. After all, they’re the symbols that have helped shape America into what it is today.
Long before the existence of the Golden Gate Bridge, people relied on ferries to travel between San Francisco and Marin County, California. The idea of connecting the two parts of California originally began as early as 1916, however, the project didn’t officially begin until 1933. Due to restrictions of immigrants in Ellis Island , New York, immigrants from Asian countries began to come through Angel Island in San Francisco, California. Hence, the Golden Gate Bridge, named after the Golden Gate strait, also serves as a symbol of hope for these immigrants that arrived through the passageway. Although 11 men passed away during the construction of the bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge stands today as a connection and monument in America.
Located in New York City, the Statue of Liberty originally came into existence as a gift from France that represented the alliance made between the United States and France during the Revolutionary War. When the French originally sent the statue, it was a coppery color. However, it slowly turned into the greenish color it is now due to the chemical reactions of oxygen and pollutants. The Statue of Liberty arrived in America in June 1885 and was completed by the following October. While it represents numerous things, one of the main purposes of the statute was to represent the hope of liberty and democracy for all in America.
While there are various landmarks and national monuments that represent America, the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge are particularly memorable. These two American monuments both connect people, literally and symbolically. While the process of assembling these monuments was not easy, these two landmarks have helped to shape America’s identity and have become a beacon of hope for people all over the country.
