Icons of American culture

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