ICONS

The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island, near Manhattan in New York. Though she is often thought to be resident of New York, Liberty Island is actually federal property, which means that the Statue of Liberty belongs to the whole country. The Statue of Liberty is not only the tallest statue in America, it is also one of the most recognizable American symbols.
Though America financed and built the pedestal on which the Statue of Liberty stands, the statue itself was a gift from France. In this way the complete work, much like the United States, is a product of both American and French contributions. At one time America was ruled by the British. The founding fathers of America chose to fight against Great Britain for the independence of their country. France supported America by providing money, men, and weapons of war. Had it not been for French contributions during the Revolutionary War, America would not exist in the way that it does today; therefore, it is quite fitting that the Statue of Liberty, which represents freedom, came to being by a joint American and French effort. On October 28th, 1886, just over one-hundred years after America declared its independence from Great Britain, the Statue of Liberty was completed and dedicated by its designer, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.

 

The Union Jack

Since 1801, the Union Flag - more commonly known as the Union jack - has symbolized the unity between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. In fact, it is the combination of three national flags - England's, Scotland's and Ireland's - that gives the Union Jack its characteristic blue, red and white pattern.

The Kilt

One aspect of British culture - more specifically Scopttish culture - that often makes foreigners smile is the use of kilts, that is, skirts that can be worn by both men and women. Typically associated with Scotland, the kilt was also worn in ancient times by people living in various parts of northern Europe. 
The word kilt derives from the Old NOrse (the language spoken by Svandinavians in the 8th century) kjilt, which means "pleated", from a pleated garment similar to the kilt that the Viking settlers used to wear. From that derived the Scots word kilt, meaning "tucked around the body". 

Today, there are still people who wear a kilt in day-to-day life, but most people tend to save them for special occasions, like weddings and important celebrations. 

The Beatles

Considered the most influential British pop band ever in the modern history of music, the Beatles were once nothing more than four young boys who came from the noth-west coast of England. 
Their professional musical career started in local clubs in 1960, like the now legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool. Then they got an offer to go to Hamburg, where bands were said to earn up to 15£ a week.
When they got back to England, they soon caught the attention of Brian Epstein, a businessman who was to be their manager till 1967, when he committed suicide. They started to have their first hits in UK in 1962 and in 1964 they became big in America. 
The Beatles lasted ten years together, till 1970, when they broke up because of personal differences.

London

"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life"

says Samuel Johnson, one of England's greatest literary figures of the 18th century. London conjures up so many different ideas in the collective imagination that it is impossible to do justice to the city in just a few paragraphs. For some it's simply the most cosmopolitan city in the world, for others it's a tourist attraction with the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, its red double-decker buses and the London Eye. 

At the same time it's a thriving cultural centre with some of the world's renowned museums and theatres. So here are just a few of the most characteristic features of the most populous city of the European Union.

The BIG BEN

It is a colloquial name for the Clock Tower at the north-eastern end of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The towe was built after the Palace of Westminster had bemm destroyed by fire in 1834, but was not fully completed until 1858. 

HYDE PARK

Right in the middle of London you can fine Hyde Park, covering 142 hectares, with over 4000 trees, a lake, and acres of grass where people can go horse-riding or rollerblading, or simply go for a stroll. 

The LONDON UNDERGROUND

With its characteristics logo - known as the "roundel"- consisting of a red circle and a blue bar across it on a white background, the Underground is one of the most iconic features of England's capital.