Black illustration of the statue of liberty with black text above and below on a bright pink background

Located in New York Harbor, New York, the Statute of Liberty is a copper based monument designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and Richard Morris during the late nineteenth century. However, neither of the two developed the idea for it, but rather the French Anti-Slavery Society head, Edouard Rene de Laboulaye. Opened in 1886, the Statute of Liberty was given to the U.S. by France to signify their comaraderie and promote freedom and democracy. 1986 marked the hundredth anniversary of its opening.

Blue text on a white background over an illustration of an American flag with one star shaped like a bird

Founded in 1961 under the Kennedy administration, the Peace Corps is an U.S. governmental agency dedicated to establishing global peace and camaraderie through acts of volunteering. However, during its first operational year, it received a great deal of public scrutiny from young Americans as they saw this agency as a ploy to promote neocolonialism based on its global involvement with developing countries. It took people like R.Sargent Shriver, the agency's first appointed director, to combat this negative image by establishing programs to promote social and economic growth in these participating developing countries. With these ongoing positive efforts, 1981 became the year that marked the Peace Corps' 20th anniversary. 

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The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world. It is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio.    

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The "bright spot" that is Milwaukee began in 1846, it is the biggest city in Wisconsin, located on the Western shore of Lake Michigan. The Native Americans called it, Millioke (i.e., good, beautiful, & pleasant land), evolving into the English form of what we now call; Milwaukee. During the early twentieth century, the city was in search of a catchy slogan to attract more people to the area, and came up with ‘A Bright Spot’ in efforts to increase tourism and new residents. The slogan has been through tremendous ups and downs, yet did not stick with the locals as it was on again/off again from 1901 to the 1930s. Today, despite not having an official slogan, Milwaukee is considered a bright spot to the 22.5 million people who visit the city each year.  

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Maine, also known as “The Pine Tree State” and “Vacationland”, was the 23^rd State to enter the Union on March 15, 1820. Maine is located at the most northeastern point of the United States. It’s best known for its rocky coast, low mountains, heavy forests, and waterways. As a coastal state it is also known for its seafood. An image of a lighthouse is also featured on the Maine state quarter. 

Illustration of a fort with black text above and below on a light yellow background

Fort Mackinac is one of the many attractions that is featured at the Mackinac Island State Park in Michigan. It sits on a limestone bluff 150 feet above the Straits of Mackinac. Originally constructed between 1780-81, it is one of the oldest and most complete forts in the United States. The fort stands as one of the only American Revolutionary War forts remaining. In 1895, the fort was transferred over to the state of Michigan and it became part of the first state park in that state, Mackinac Island State Park. Today 14 original buildings remain open as a museum for guests and visitors to the fort.

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“From the heart of” was a slogan trademarked by Lucy’s Canvas in 1978. By 1982, the trademark was abandoned. Lucy’s Canvas started as a canvas tote bag retailer in Boston but the owner quickly created other themed specialty stores, including “have a heart” gift stores, full of merchandise with hearts on it, and “from the heart of” stores which celebrated a particular city with a wide range of products.

Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and the largest city in New England with a population of 694,583. The city was settled by Puritans from England in 1630, although Native Americans had inhabited the area since 2400 B.C.. Boston is known historically for several famous events that preceded the American Revolution such as the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Today, the city is known for its educational institutions which have a focus on law, science, and technology.

Photograph of a house that is the main offices of the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology at Indiana University

Located at Indiana University Bloomington, the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology is an academic department that promotes the study of vernacular arts and their historical, social, and cultural contexts. Previously, the Folklore Institute and the Ethnomusicology Institute functioned as two separate units but were brought together into one academic department in the early 2000s due to their closely aligned disciplines. Students who are part of this department can take classes that highlight topics such as cultural diversity, different mythologies, and also the types of music that are enjoyed by different cultures around the globe.

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Since 1791, Washington, D.C. has served as the nation’s capital. It was named after Revolutionary War hero and first U.S. president George Washington, and created by combining donated land from Virginia and Maryland. It continues to represent the hub of U.S. government and remains the central location where American politics is handled. Today, Washington, D.C. is the sixth most populous metropolitan area in the country and has a sizeable African-American population.

Along with the White House and U.S. Capitol, a number of national monuments and museums call Washington, D.C. home, including the Lincoln Memorial and Washington National Cathedral. The city is also responsible for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which is celebrated every spring. The event commemorates the March 1912 gift of cherry blossom trees extended by Tokyo’s mayor Yukio Ozaki. The gift was offered to strengthen the budding friendship between the United States and Japan. Interestingly, the first batch of cherry blossom trees sent over in 1910 had to be burnt after they were found to be infested with agricultural pests.

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The American Folklore Society was created in 1888 in Cambridge, Massachusetts by students of folklore. Members of the Society consist of scholars, anthropologists, teachers, librarians, and private citizens from all over the world. The society provides resources to its members to assist them in endeavors that involve curriculum development, museum exhibitions, festivals, and other educational programs.