History

Before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in North America in 1492, the continent was inhabited by peoples thought to have been descended from nomadic Mongolian tribes. The first wave of European settlers, mainly English, French and Dutch, crossed the Atlantic in the 17th century and colonised the Eastern Seaboard. The restrictions on political rights and the punitive taxation which the British government imposed on the American colonists led to the American War of Independence (1775–1783), with the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776.

A period of settlement, purchases from the French and Spanish, and annexation of Indian and Mexican lands followed. By 1853, the boundaries of the United States were, with the exception of Alaska andHawaii, as they are today. Economic activity in the southern States centred on plantation agriculture dependent on slavery. Attempts to end slavery were fiercely opposed. The election of Lincoln to the presidency in 1861 precipitated a political crisis in which seven southern States (joined later by three others) seceded from the Union, leading to the American Civil War. The more powerful and better equipped Union forces prevailed over the rebel Confederacy after four years of fighting.

Reference from www.worldtravelguide.net/united-states-america/history-language-culture

The national flag 

The U.S. flag has undergone many changes since the first official flag of 1777. On June 14, 1777 , the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, which said that the flag would be made up of thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. Stars have been added to the flag as new states join the union. Currently, the flag contains 50 stars.

White: Signifies purity and innocence

Red: Signifies valor and bravery

Blue: Signifies Vigilance, perseverance, and justice

There are 50 stars representing the 50 states and there are 13 stripes representing the 13 original states.

Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico.

Reference from www.usconsulate.org.hk/pas/kids/americans1.htm

The capital city 

Washington, D.C., is the capital city of the United States, located between Virginia and Maryland on the north bank of the Potomac River. The city is home to all three branches of the federal government, as well as the White House, the Supreme Court and the Capitol Building. More than 500,000 people live in Washington, D.C.

The city of Washington was named for George Washington (who picked the location), while the District of Columbia was named for explorer Christopher Columbus.

Reference from www.history.com/topics/us-states/washington-dc 

The population 

As of 1 January 2016, the population of United States of America (USA) was estimated to be 323,025,335 people. This is an increase of 0.75 % (2,414,202 people) compared to population of 320,611,133 the year before. In 2015 the natural increase was positive, as the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 1,397,865. Due to external migration, the population increased by 1,016,337. The sex ratio of the total population was 0.975 (975 males per 1,000 females) which is lower than global sex ratio. The global sex ratio in the world was approximately 1,016 males to 1,000 females as of 2015. See also map of the world by sex ratio of total population.

Below are the key figures for United States of America (USA) population in 2015:

4,039,700 live births

2,641,836 deaths

Natural increase: 1,397,865 people

Net migration: 1,016,337 people

159,469,031 males as of 31 December 2015

163,556,304 females as of 31 December 2015

Reference from countrymeters.info/en/United_States_of_America_(USA) 

The religion 

PRINCETON, NJ -- The large majority of Americans -- 77% of the adult population -- identify with a Christian religion, including 52% who are Protestants or some other non-Catholic Christian religion, 23% who are Catholic, and 2% who affiliate with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Another 18% of Americans do not have an explicit religious identity and 5% identify with a non-Christian religion.

This breakdown is essentially the same as it was in 2011. Compared with last year, Protestant and Catholic identification dropped.

The 2012 findings on the breakdown of religious identification in the American population are based on more than 326,000 Gallup Daily tracking interviews conducted between Jan. 2 and Nov. 30. (Frank Newport)

Reference from www.gallup.com/poll/159548/identify-christian.aspx

The language

Although the country has no official language, English is the most commonly spoken language within the United States, and the explanation for this is very simple. America, before gaining its independence, was a British colony. The country therefore inherited much of its culture as well as language from the British. A majority of the country’s population has British ancestry which, along with other factors, has contributed to English standing strong within American language and culture. English is used in official platforms across most states, and almost the entirety of the population has basic knowledge regarding English language usage. Still, other languages are gaining traction as being frequently used within America’s borders, and we look at some of the most prominent influences on this trend.

Reference from www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-most-spoken-languages-in-america.html

The landmark and tourist area 

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

Presented to the United States in 1886 as a gift from France, Lady Liberty is a near-universal symbol of freedom and democracy, standing 152 feet high atop an 89-foot pedestal on Liberty Island. You can get a sense of the thrill millions of immigrants must have experienced as you approach it on the ferry from Battery Park and see the statue grow from a vaguely defined figure on the horizon into a towering, stately colossus. 

HOOVER DAM

Holding back the mighty Colorado River, this massive feat of engineering creates hydroelectric power and helps provides water for seven states. In 2010, the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge opened to allow for faster travel through the area. But it's still worth stopping to admire the Art Deco wonder and tour the facilities.

THE FREEDOM TRAIL

This path through central Boston provides a chance literally to walk in the footsteps of America’s forefathers. It leads past locations where much of the drama that would bring about the American Revolution unfolded, from Faneuil Hall to the Old North Church to the site of the Boston Massacre.

ST. LOUIS ARCH

Part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park, this iconic structure symbolizes the importance of St. Louis as the Gateway to the West. Be sure to ride to the top for great views of the city and the Mississippi.

INDEPENDENCE HALL

In this building the Declaration of Independence was signed, George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army, and the Constitution was ratified. In other words, there’s no other structure in the United States that’s loaded with more historical significance. The Hall is part of Independence National Historical Park, where you’ll also find the Liberty Bell and several museums.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

The suspension bridge connecting San Francisco with Marin County, completed in 1937, is a triumph in just about every way. With its 2-mi span and 750-foot towers, it’s both beautiful and durable—it was built to withstand winds of more than 100 mph and was undamaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta quake. The bridge's walkway provides unparalleled views of the Bay Area.

MOUNT RUSHMORE

In the midst of South Dakota’s Black Hills, 60-foot-high likenesses of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt are carved into a massive granite cliff; the result is America’s most famous memorial. From June through mid-September, the majestic faces are dramatically illuminated at night.

THE ALAMO

This one-time Franciscan mission stands as a monument to the 189 Texan volunteers who fought and died here during a 13-day siege in 1836 by Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The Texans lost the battle, but they ultimately won their bid for independence with "Remember the Alamo" as their rallying cry.

THE NATIONAL MALL

Washington’s Mall is surrounded by a collection of great American landmarks, with the Capitol at one end, the Washington Monument at the other, and the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Memorial (among many others) near at hand. There are also nearly a dozen museums bordering the Mall. 

FORT SUMTER

The first shots of the Civil War were fired on this fort on a man-made island in Charleston’s harbor. The 34-hour battle that ensued would result in defeat for the Union and turn Fort Sumter into a symbol of Southern resistance. Today the National Park Service oversees it, with rangers giving interpretive talks and conducting guided tours.

Reference from www.metro.us/top-10-all-american-landmarks/xFYpgd---ce_TlUIPgEB9ScIDb_49xw/

 

The currency

Paper Money American paper currency is issued in several denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing manufactures paper money. It also redesigns money, with new appearances and enhanced security features to prevent counterfeiting. You can purchase commemorative or bulk versions of American currency through the Bureau's Money Store. The United States no longer issues bills in larger denominations, such as $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills. However, they are still legal tender and may still be in circulation.  Coins The United States issues several denominations, with the most common being: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, and $1. The U.S. Mint is responsible for manufacturing and circulating coins to pay for goods and services. It also issues collectible and commemorative coins that honor a person, place, or event and are available for purchase. Mutilated Money If you have paper money that is extremely damaged, you can redeem it with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Examples of damaged paper money include bills that are less than one half of the bill, or in such a condition that you are unable to tell the denomination of the bill. If you have paper money that is dirty, defaced, torn, or more than half of the original size, you can take it to your local bank to exchange it for a bill that is in better shape. If you have any coins that are fused, melted, or mutilated in any other way, you can send them to the U.S. Mint for evaluation. You can exchange other coins that aren't severely damaged at your local bank. Reference from www.usa.gov/currency

The national costume 

In many regions of the world, people wear traditional costumes at festivals or holidays, and sometimes more regularly. Americans, however, do not have distinctive folk attire with a long tradition. Except for the varied and characteristic clothing of Native American peoples, dress in the United States has rarely been specific to a certain region or based on the careful  preservation of decorative patterns and crafts. American dress is derived from the fabrics and  fashions of the Europeans who began colonizing the country in the 17th century. Early  settlers incorporated some of the forms worn by indigenous peoples, such as moccasins and  garments made from animal skins (Benjamin Franklin is famous for flaunting a raccoon cap  when he traveled to Europe), but in general, fashion in the United States adapted and  modified European styles. Despite the number and variety of immigrants in the United  States, American clothing has tended to be homogeneous, and attire from an immigrant's  homeland was often rapidly exchanged for American apparel.

Reference from www.countriesquest.com/north_america/usa/culture/ways_of_life/dress.htm

The traditional and culture 

Traditions  

Although in the grand scheme of things, America is a relatively young nation, in its 237 year (as of 2013) history it has created and nurtured its own flourishing traditions and customs. Thanksgiving and the 4th July are known the world over, but there are other peculiarities that make up American culture.

For example, the voting of the presidential election only ever takes place on a Tuesday. The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, confused? Therefore November 2nd is the earliest date it can fall on and November 8th the latest.

Groundhog Day, made famous by the 90s comedy film of the same name, is the 2nd February. Folklore has it that if, when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on the 2nd of February it is cloudy, then spring will come early. If it is sunny, however, the groundhog will upon seeing its shadow retreat back underground and winter weather will continue for another 6 weeks.

Cultural

Cultural aspects of everyday life are often difficult for people of dominant cultures to discern because their practices, traditions, values, and understandings are taken for granted as the norm. For them, there’s no apparent need to examine cultural difference, and thus, no inclination to do so. In the US, middle-class European Americans are typically so unaware of their own culture they believe that American culture is a melting pot of other cultures. This misperception is further complicated by confusion over terms such as Caucasian, the dominant majority, mainstream, middle class, western, and so on. For our purposes here specifically, where we use the terms “American and American culture” we refer to “cultural ways of the group that in recent decades has held a mainstream position in North America. These are people who are primarily of Western European descent, with a social position that is often characterized as middle class on the basis of having participated in high levels of formal schooling and associated occupations.” (Rogoff 2003)

Now that we’ve established what the term American points to in this article, let’s begin to look at some specific dimensions of American culture. A dimension of culture is a recognizable point of comparison used to explain how different cultures prefer to approach and solve a universal problem. There are more cultural dimensions than we can possibly address here, so we will focus on a few that seem especially relevant to patient/provider interactions.

Reference from www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/10/eight-dimensions-of-american-culture/ www.justlanded.com/english/United-States/Articles/Culture/US-social-customs

The traditional food 

American cuisine has been influenced by Europeans and Native Americans in its early history. Today, there are a number of foods that are commonly identified as American, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and meat loaf. "As American as apple pie" has come to mean something that is authentically American.

There are also styles of cooking and types of foods that are specific to a region. Southern-style cooking is often called "American comfort food" and includes dishes such as fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas and corn bread. Tex-Mex, popular in Texas and the Southwest, is a blend of Spanish and Mexican cooking styles and includes items such as chili and burritos and relies heavily on shredded cheese and beans.

Jerky, dried meats that are served as snacks, is also a food that was created in the United States, according to NPR.

Reference from www.livescience.com/28945-american-culture.html

The local animal 

The bald eagle, with its snowy-feathered (not bald) head and white tail, is the proud national bird symbol of the United States—yet the bird was nearly wiped out there. For many decades, bald eagles were hunted for sport and for the "protection" of fishing grounds. Pesticides like DDT also wreaked havoc on eagles and other birds. These chemicals collect in fish, which make up most of the eagle's diet. They weaken the bird's eggshells and severely limited their ability to reproduce. Since DDT use was heavily restricted in 1972, eagle numbers have rebounded significantly and have been aided by reintroduction programs. The result is a wildlife success story—the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has upgraded the birds from endangered to least concern.

Reference from animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/bald-eagle/

The national flower 

The rose was designated the official flower and floral emblem of the United States of America in 1986.

The rose is a symbol of love and beauty (as well as war and politics) the world over. Each of the 50 states has also adopted an official state flower, including the rose in New York, the Oklahoma rose in Oklahoma, theCherokee rose in Georgia, and the wild prairie rose in Iowa and North Dakota. All State Flowers

The rose has been around for about 35 million years and grows naturally throughout North America. The petals and rose hips are edible and have been used in medicines since ancient times.

Rose hips (the fruit of the rose which forms at base of the flower) are a nutritional treasure chest - rich in vitamins (C, E, and K), pectin, beta-carotene, and bio-flavinoids. These elements produce a strong antioxidant effect which protects and enhances the immune system. Rose hips improve blood cholesterol and pressure, digestive efficiency, and weight management (and are also a special winter treat for birds and wild animals).

Roses are red, pink, white, or yellow and can have a wonderfully rich, almost intoxicating aroma. 

Reference from www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-or-officially-designated-item/state-flower/rose

The country leader 

Barack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States.

His story is the American story — values from the heartland, a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work and education as the means of getting ahead, and the conviction that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others.

With a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, President Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. He was raised with help from his grandfather, who served in Patton's army, and his grandmother, who worked her way up from the secretarial pool to middle management at a bank.

After working his way through college with the help of scholarships and student loans, President Obama moved to Chicago, where he worked with a group of churches to help rebuild communities devastated by the closure of local steel plants.

He went on to attend law school, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Upon graduation, he returned to Chicago to help lead a voter registration drive, teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago, and remain active in his community.

President Obama's years of public service are based around his unwavering belief in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose. In the Illinois State Senate, he passed the first major ethics reform in 25 years, cut taxes for working families, and expanded health care for children and their parents. As a United States Senator, he reached across the aisle to pass groundbreaking lobbying reform, lock up the world's most dangerous weapons, and bring transparency to government by putting federal spending online.

He was elected the 44th President of the United States on November 4, 2008, and sworn in on January 20, 2009. After being re-elected in 2012, President Obama is currently serving his second and final term, which will end in January 2017. See photos from the President's second inauguration here.

President Obama and his wife, Michelle, are the proud parents of two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Reference from www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama