American Symbols

When I was a sophomore in High school I wrote a paper about how four symbols of America were created/chosen, and how they helped unify different groups. The four symbols were the National Anthem, the Liberty Bell, the American Flag, and the Bald Eagle. Although reading it now, it isn't the best writing, it is interesting that I choose the topic. Essentially, how did inanimate objects affect the cultural and political climate in the nascent period of our country.
Last week some of my family and I were in the Washington DC Area (hence I'm slightly behind in posts). We went to the National History Museum where we saw the flag that flew over Ft. McHenry, and which inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star Spangled Banner." The day after we actually toured Ft. McHenry. While we were there we also spent a day in Philadelphia where we saw the Liberty Bell, and Betsy Ross' home. She is the supposed seamstress of the first flag. On the last day of our trip we visited the Patuxent Research Refuge, which is the only wildlife preserve who's first mission is research not preservation. They are known for the discovering the harmful effects of DDT on eagles, and were instrumental in helping save the Bald Eagle from extinction. So in one trip I was able to relive my paper.
In the exhibit for the Ft. McHenry Flag there was one thing that said the flag is important because of the memories and meanings each of us put into it. And indeed that is how symbols work. They are meaningless by themselves but with the strength of collective understanding, memory, fervor, and belief they can be powerful influences for good (or evil). In a sense I think that's what I hinted at in my original paper. Objects, can help create a feeling of unity for people by representing larger ideals.