The Declaration Of Independence By Allen Martinz

Messages about American identity and what it means to be “American” are both explicitly and subtly taught in everyday life. The historical document, “The Declaration of Independence” by our founding fathers and the article “America” by Kristen Silva Gruesz lay a foundation for how current people understand ideas about America. The Declaration of Independence talks about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, whereas “America” discusses the complexities of the word, “America” itself. Advertisements, both current and old, have consistently shown ideas of what it means “to be” American. The American Baking Powder advertisement from the 1940s tells its consumers that a “good American” is free like an eagle, patriotic, and the light of the world. The American Baking Powder advertisement tells

The Declaration of Independence makes it clear that Liberty is one of the most important rights an American has. The eagle symbolizes a free spirit, which aligns with the idea that Liberty is one of the most important rights. The American Baking Powder company strategically uses the eagle because it evokes ideas of liberty and patriotism. In addition to using the symbol of an eagle for America, the baking powder advertisement also uses the American flag to show consumers that by buying their product, they are being patriotic. Our grocery shelves are lined with products that have American symbols like the eagle, flags, and red, white, and blue. In “America” Kristen Silva Gruesz argues, “Foodways, cultural practices, and even consumer products are readily made to symbolize the nation’s essence (‘baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet,’),” (Silva Gruesz