The USA is made up of 50 states and the District of Columbia, a special federal district for the capital of the country. The largest state is Alaska, while the Rhode Island is the smallest American State. Hawaii became the fiftieth and last state in 1959.
On July 4, thirteen North American colonies declared their independence; they finally gained independence from Britain in1783. They formed the United States of America. In 1789 the American democratic government was established and George Washington was elected the first president of the USA.
There is no state church in the USA, and there is a strict separation of church and state. But the freedom of religion became a basic right in America, according to the First Amendment to the Constitution (1791).
WASHINGTON (D.C.)
Washington is the capital of the USA. It is situated in the District of Columbia. A special district, named after Christopher Columbus, was created for the American capital. The city was named so in the memory of George Washington, the first president of the USA. Washington is also called as ‘one-industry city’, because it is the home of the federal government.
The White House, where the US President lives and works, the Capitol, the home of the US Congress, and the Supreme Court, are all situated in Washington. The largest library of the USA, the Library of Congress, is also there. International organizations such as the Organsation of American States and the World Bank are in Washington too.
There are several universities in Washington; the oldest one is Georgetown University. It is private.
Washington has a subway and public buses but private cars are the most important means of transport.
International Organisations in details
Europe day, 9 May
On 9 May 1950 the first move was made towards the creation of what is now known as the European Union. The French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman read to the international press a declaration calling France, Germany and other European countries to pool together their coal and steel production as "the first concrete foundation of a European federation". What he proposed was the creation of a supranational European Institution, charged with the management of the coal and steel industry, the very sector which was, at that time, the basis of all military power.
Everything, therefore, began that day. That is why during the Milan Summit of EU leaders in 1985 it was decided to celebrate 9 May as "Europe Day".
Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.
The European Flag
It is the symbol not only of the European Union but also of Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense. The circle of gold stars represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe.
The number of stars has nothing to do with the number of Member States. There are twelve stars because the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. The flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of the EU enlargements.
