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 Travel
America
Learn before you travel. This section of Fun Easy
English focuses on facts and other cool stuff about
your favorite U.S. state. This is great English
reading practice. This page focuses on the United
States capital, Washington
DC. |
 Hey
if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English
dictionary
(opens in a new window) |
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 Washington
DC
Although New York City and Philadelphia each served
briefly as the capital of the United States, in
1790, Congress chose the District of Columbia as the
permanent seat of government. George Washington
helped select the site for the city. Situated on the
Potomac River, Washington, D.C., was originally
carved out of land transferred from Maryland and
Virginia (Virginia's portion south of the river was
returned to that state in 1846). French-born
American engineer, architect, and urban designer
Pierre-Charles L'Enfant designed the city's basic
plan, which features wide avenues radiating from the
Capitol building through a grid of streets with
numerous circles and parks. Congress first met in
Washington in 1800, although construction of the
first phase of the Capitol was not completed until
1826. Today, millions come to Washington, D.C. each
year to see the Capitol, the White House, the
Library of Congress, and the city's many museums and
monuments. The flower is the American beauty rose. |
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Source:
Library of Congress |
|
 Washington DC
Flag
Read the following information about Washington DC. Use the
Fun Easy English
dictionary
to look up any words you do not know.
Official Flag of The District of
Columbia
The flag of the District of Columbia was approved in 1938.
The D.C. flag has a beautifully simple design of three red
stars above two red bars on a field of white.
According to the Office of the Secretary, "It is based on
the design of the coat of arms of George Washington, first
used to identify the family in the twelfth century, when one
of George Washington's ancestors took possession of
Washington Old Hall, then in County Durham, northeast
England."
Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States. It is also one
of the country's most beautiful and historic cities and the site of
many of its most popular tourist attractions. These include the
White House, where the President lives and works; the United States
Capitol, where the Congress meets; the Washington Monument, the
Lincoln Memorial and other historic structures; as well as a wide
range of museums which together house an enormous collection of
items from America's past. Although New York City and Philadelphia
each served briefly as the capital of the United States, in 1790,
Congress chose the District of Columbia as the permanent seat of
government. George Washington helped select the site for the city.
Situated on the Potomac River, Washington, D.C., was originally
carved out of land transferred from Maryland and Virginia.
French-born American engineer, architect, and urban designer
Pierre-Charles L'Enfant designed the city's basic plan, which
features wide avenues radiating from the Capitol building through a
grid of streets with numerous circles and parks. The name District
of Columbia honors Christopher Columbus, and the city's better-known
name of Washington, honors the first president. Congress first met
in Washington in 1800, although construction of the first phase of
the Capitol was not completed until 1826. Today, millions come to
Washington, D.C. each year to see the Capitol, the White House, the
Library of Congress, and the city's many museums and monuments.
New York City was the first capital of the United States once the
Constitution was ratified. This is where Congress (that was formed
under the Articles of Confederation) met. It is also where George
Washington took the oath of office from the balcony of the old City
Hall to become the first President of the United States.
One of the issues the President had to deal with was a permanent
location for the country’s seat of government. As part of a
compromise, it was decided that the capital would move to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1791 for ten years and then to a
suitable permanent location on the Potomac River. Washington chose
an area that included land from the states of Maryland and Virginia.
At this time the area was primarily farm and marsh lands.
Nevertheless, Congress was scheduled to meet in the new capital on
the first Monday in December 1800.
Pierre Charles L’Enfant was hired to design the "Federal City" and
within three months the plans were completed. Problems had to be
overcome, but on June 11, 1800, Philadelphia was no longer the seat
of government. The capital of the United States now had a permanent
home in Washington, D.C.
Travel and tourism site for Washington D.C. -
This state travel and territorial tourism site provides ideas for
your vacations, meetings, and more. |
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National Monuments |
 Belmont-Paul
Women's Equality
Home of the National Woman's Party since
1929, it was the home where party leader
Alice Paul and others lived and worked. |
 President
Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home
President Abraham Lincoln and his family
resided seasonally on the grounds of the
Armed Forces Retirement Home, which was
founded in 1851 for homeless and disabled
war veterans. The national monument and
adjacent visitor center are preserved and
operated by President Lincoln’s Cottage at
the Soldiers’ Home, a 501(c)(3) public
charity, on behalf of the Armed Forces
Retirement Home. |
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Cool America |
 About the U.S.A.
About the U.S.A. is an American
Studies reader that examines the customs, government, and history of the
United States of America. The text provides a wealth of information on U.S.
geography and history; the roles of local, state, and federal government;
national holidays and symbols; the Constitution; and citizenship. The book,
which was written for intermediate to advanced learners of English, contains
a range of activities for language students to practice listening, speaking,
reading, and writing. (opens to a new PDF window)
Great English reading
practice. |
 About
America
Learn about the fascinating history and government of
the United States of America. Lessons include content on
American Government, American History, and Integrated
Civics. Handouts with interactive games and
student-centered activities encompass all four language
skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Great English reading practice for
beginning to intermediate students. |
 American Teens Talk!
Americans Teens Talk! is a collection of interviews of
American high school students. Each interview is accompanied by vocabulary
notes and discussion questions. The interviews in American Teens Talk! give
learners a view into the lives of adolescents in the U.S. Through the
written format of the interviews, learners are able to increase their
vocabulary, practice their reading and listening skills, engage in
discussions, and learn more about U.S. culture. These
interviews come with audio programs.
Great English listening and
reading |
 Sing Out Loud Children's Songs
Sing Out Loud Children's Songs includes popular children's songs in the U.S.A. Posters accompany the
individual Sing Out Loud Children's Songs. These
songs come with audio programs.
Great English listening and reading
practice. |
 Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs
The Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs
collection contains 13 traditional American folk songs and song lyrics.
Listen to the songs online, read the lyrics, and collect the posters that
accompany the songs. These
songs come with audio programs.
Great English listening and reading
practice. |
 Sing Out Loud American Rhythms
Do you love music? Want to use it
to learn English? Check out the hip-hop inspired song "Peace" from Sing Out
Loud American Rhythms. American Rhythms includes a variety of musical genres
from many different artists in the U.S.A. These songs will appeal to teens
and young adults. These
songs come with audio programs.
Great English listening and reading
practice. |
 Route
66 - Famous American Road
U.S. Route 66 (US 66 or Route 66), also known as the Will Rogers Highway, the
Main Street of America or the Mother Road, was one of the original highways in
the U.S. Highway System. The highway, which became one of the most famous roads
in the United States, originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri,
Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona before ending in Santa Monica,
California, near Los Angeles, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km). It was
recognized in popular culture by both the hit song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route
66" and the Route 66 television show in the 1960s. |
Route 66: The Highway That's the Best
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Chicago: The Start of Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Going West for Decades on Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Arizona: The Spirit of Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Route 66 California: The End of the Trail
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Ten Must-See Route 66 Attractions
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
Four Famous Foods On Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
International Tourists Drawn to Route 66
(Beginner - Listening)
A video lesson which shows you an interesting place in America.
The English is
spoken at 75% of normal speed.
Great English listening practice.
This video shows travel along Route 66, the most famous road in
America. |
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