United States - Land of Opportunity

Most people have heard of the United States being the land of opportunity and it is which is why this country is one of the greatest in the world! Although the United States is just 229 years old, it already has an amazing, rich history. Being comprised of every ethnic group in the world, a place where people can work, practice religion of choice, wear clothing that ranges from traditional to trendy, and enjoy a life of freedom is what makes this country so incredible.

In the United States, people are free to choose their life path. Although the country has made mistakes such as racism, destruction of Native American cultures, and imperialism, the country is learning and continually striving to right any wrongs. The United States is known for many things such as free speech, electric light, high school proms, jazz, the space shuttle, assembly line automobiles, and much more. Again, while still young, this country has turned out to be a powerful leader for other countries much older.

The United States offers great diversity that runs from the Southwest to the East Coast. This country is also bathed in novelties that include drive through banks, fast food restaurants, 24-hour grocery stores, ice cream trucks, and home newspaper delivery. Because of the great strides made, many people coming to America find it a little overwhelming and frightening, yet incredibly friendly, inviting, and intriguing. Today, more than 285 million people live in America, which is made up of 51 states. The capital city of Washington DC has a population of 570,000, which is not even close to being the largest city in the country. While English is the primary language spoken, you will commonly hear Spanish as well.

The first inhabitants of the United States made their way across the current day Bering Straight on their way from Asia. Over the following 20,000 years, these settlers developed unique and powerful cultures. Descendants included Pueblo Indians who established communities in New Mexico, the Hopi, and Navajo Indians in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, Crow Indians in Montana, Iroquois, and Mohawk Indians in New York State, and Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. However, about 500 years prior to Columbus making his discovery of Hispaniola Indians, a Norwegian explorer by the name of Leif Eriksson was the first European to reach this country.

During the mid-16th century, a number of explorers from England, France, Portugal, and Spain had come to settle. These first colonies were home to many immigrants looking for a way to get rich, taking the wealth back home to their native country. However, other people migrated to the United States simply to establish colonies. The first permanent European settlement in Florida was established by the Spanish but by the start of the 17th century, Maine was settled by the French and some areas of Virginia by the British.

English Puritan pilgrims established the colony at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, bringing with them the first Africans as laborers. In fact, it was in 1620 when the Mayflower Compact was signed, later echoed as the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Sadly, when the British tried to take control of 14 colonies, the French and Indian War of 1757 broke out. Being victorious, the British found themselves in debt, which resulted in high tax laws. As you can imagine, the colonies all resented the taxes, bringing them to unanimously, dump cargo over ships in what is called the Boston Tea Party. This led to the British surrendering to commander George Washing in 1781, who would go on to become the country’s first president.

Then in the 19th century, the occurrences of diplomacy, land purchase, and wars helped shaped today’s country. Then in 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte left all of the Great Plains and Spain began claiming chunks of Florida. By 1835, the Battle of the Alamo has erupted during which Texan Revolution paved the way for the state of Texas to win independence from the state of Mexico. By 1846, another war with Mexico resulted in the majority of the southwest to include California being secured.

Unfortunately, the Indians living on the Plains lost their land, buffalo were annihilated, and treaties meant nothing. With this, the Native Americans were forced onto reservations, being parted from their beloved land and livelihood. The cultural landscape was again altered in the 19th century when British settlers joined the Chinese and Central Europeans to mine for California gold. During this time, the south still depended heavily on reluctant slave labor and when Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States in 1860, the country was at great unrest. Soon, the Civil War began, which was by far the bloodiest war in the country’s history. With the South and North fighting, the North finally won in 1865 at which time slaves were freed.

Although President Lincoln had great vision for the country, he was assassinated before anything could happen. From that time forward, the country experienced a number of devastating blows to include World War I, the banning of alcohol in the country, the stock market crash of 1929 known as Black Tuesday, the Great Depression following the crash, the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in 1941 starting World War II, and more.

Even with such horrific situations, the country continued to grow and thrive. In the 1960s, the United States saw the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, race boycotts, the rise and assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., the assassination of both President Kennedy and his brother Bobby Kennedy, the landing on the Moon, Malcolm X, and of course, rock and roll. The United States has had numerous Presidents elected over the years, each bringing some type of reform and disruption.

While visiting this country, you will enjoy the most amazing melting pot ever. The culture of America is what you will fall in love with. The music includes everything including Rap, Jazz, Classical, and Salsa, plus everything in between. Literature is very important, which ranges from poetry to medical journals. Then you have shopping, an experience of a lifetime. In the United States, you can shop for literally anything you want, food, clothing, statues, art, pets, perfume, furniture, electronics, cars, etc. In California, you can visit the famous Rodeo Drive, which is an affluent area often shopped by movie stars or find a number of boutiques that are very affordable.

Finally, the food of the United States is whatever you want. Whether Chinese, Italian, Polish, French, Vietnamese, Thai, or any kind of food, you will find millions of restaurants across the country. Typically, restaurants are not expensive, which vary from corner cafes to plush, five-star restaurants. You could stop at a burger joint for a juicy cheeseburger, French fries, and milk shake, or walk a block away to a fabulous restaurant to eat a steak and lobster dinner with all the fixings. Diversity and opportunity best describe this country. Everything is in abundance and the opportunities are limited only to drive and imagination.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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