Icons of American culture

American football

Icons of American culture encompass many kinds of cultural expression. Iconic status is hard to define but readily recognized as symbolizing the culture, history and heritage of the United States. Images, music, historic events and legends, vehicles, places and ideas may all be symbolic of the American way of life, its roots and the contemporary national identity. Icons deal not just with nostalgia, although that is an important component. The United States developed as a melting-pot of different cultures, and symbols of the new nation played a vital part in developing a sense of unity as a nation. In the twentieth century, regardless of political reality, American culture influenced every country in the world by exporting powerful symbols of unity and gratification: a comfortable life with many desirable possessions. A more cynical modern world sees through some of this, but with the reach of the internet and published media, iconic images remain hugely important.

Themes

This article is not a list of icons, but an outline for expansion.

• Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free". America as a refuge from poverty and religious persecution: despite stringent immigration control, the myth persists.
  Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free". America as a refuge from poverty and religious persecution: despite stringent immigration control, the myth persists.
• The home and folk art: 'As American as apple pie'. Apple pie is common worldwide, but connotations of family and home are strictly local.
  The home and folk art: 'As American as apple pie'. Apple pie is common worldwide, but connotations of family and home are strictly local.
• Untamed wilderness: a fresh start with limitless possibilities.
  Untamed wilderness: a fresh start with limitless possibilities.
• The pioneers: westward expansion, prevailing over hardship.
  The pioneers: westward expansion, prevailing over hardship.
• The Wild West, where imported values of civilization regulated a society living with extreme change and primitive conditions.
  The Wild West, where imported values of civilization regulated a society living with extreme change and primitive conditions.
• The Depression and Prohibition: surviving adversity.
  The Depression and Prohibition: surviving adversity.
• Consumption and commerce: bigger and better.
  Consumption and commerce: bigger and better.
• Vehicles and transportation: Henry Ford pioneered the production line and thereby the affordable personal automobile.
  Vehicles and transportation: Henry Ford pioneered the production line and thereby the affordable personal automobile.
• Buildings and places: Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Images of America are widely promoted by film and television.
  Buildings and places: Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Images of America are widely promoted by film and television.
• Superior force: the US military, instantly recognizable.
  Superior force: the US military, instantly recognizable.
• Humvee: the most desirable, coolest military vehicle ever. The popularity of the civilian Hummer is no coincidence. Rock stars and music stations can afford the real thing.
  Humvee: the most desirable, coolest military vehicle ever. The popularity of the civilian Hummer is no coincidence. Rock stars and music stations can afford the real thing.
• Gangsters and outlaws: the chopper, once confined to dirty, dangerous bikers living on the margins of legality, now a full-blown American icon.
  Gangsters and outlaws: the chopper, once confined to dirty, dangerous bikers living on the margins of legality, now a full-blown American icon.
• 
  The urban jungle: danger and decay. The 'hip city' as mythologized by Chester Himes among others.
• 
  Hollywood: the film industry has produced more icons than any other branch of American culture.
• Literature: 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, still studied in schools, represents fairness in conflict with prejudice.
  Literature: 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, still studied in schools, represents fairness in conflict with prejudice.
• 
  Music: Chuck Berry in concert, 1997. The development of black music into jazz and then rock and roll established US artists in the forefront of popularity worldwide.
• 
  The flag, a national obsession. Compare with the Union Jack, displayed only on government buildings and by fringe nationalist groups.

See also

• Culture of the United States
• Americana

References

Stub

The Icons of American culture module is a stub. You can help Wikademia by expanding it.