In today’s In society, the United States of America is considered a “melting pot” because of the diversity. Citizens of every race and ethnicity now inhabit the US. Most Americans have become citizens because their ancestors traveled here and made a home. Early settlers in America came for various reasons and from a range of locations. America has traditionally welcomed people from many different countries, races, and religions, all hoping to find freedom, new opportunities, and a better way of life. American history began with waves of immigrants, bringing their own cultures and traditions to a vast new country. No other place in the world has such a diverse population. It is this diversity that makes America what it is and, at the same time, creates the challenges it faces.

Besides the red, white, and blue of “Old Glory,” there are many things that represent America and patriotism that are not as obvious as our flag. For instance, what would America be without Aunt Jemima, the Morton Salt girl, and the Michelin Man? The can of Coke you drink and the American Eagle sweatshirt you wear are symbols of American culture. When we think of freedom, most people remember the Liberty Bell or the Statue of Liberty. Did you know that the national flower of the U.S. is the rose? While it may represent love and romance, it also is a demonstration of nationalism! Cheeseburgers and hot dogs have also become known as staples that represent the American lifestyle. Americans are also represented by diversity, fresh attitudes, trendsetting, and products we use. Famous American movies, songs, and pop starts are also symbols of our culture!

Becoming an American citizen is a dream for many people who are born outside of the United States. However, changing U.S. immigration laws and restrictions have made it more difficult for foreign born people to legally enter the United States and gain American citizenship. While it is more difficult to become an American citizen, there are three legal ways in which a person can become a full-fledged American citizen: naturalization, jus soli (right of birthplace), and jus sanguinis (right of blood).To become a citizen at birth, you must: have been born in the United States or certain territories or outlying possessions of the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; OR had a parent or parents who were citizens at the time of your birth (if you were born abroad) and meet other requirements To become a citizen after birth, you must either: apply for “derived” or “acquired” citizenship through parents or apply for naturalization.

A 114-year-old South Carolina woman who was the oldest living U.S. citizen has died, two of her daughters said Saturday. Mamie Rearden of Edgefield, who held the title as the country's oldest person for about two weeks, died Wednesday at a hospital in Augusta, Ga., said Sara Rearden of Burtonsville, Md., and Janie Ruth Osborne of Edgefield. They said their mother broke her hip after a fall about three weeks ago. Gerontology Research Group, which verifies age information for Guinness World Records, listed Mamie Rearden as the oldest living American after last month's passing of 115-year-old Dina Manfredini of Iowa. Rearden's Sept. 7, 1898, birth was recorded in the 1900 U.S. Census, the group's Robert Young said. Rearden was more than a year younger than the world's oldest person, 115-year-old Jiroemon Kimura of Japan.

The rainforest is one of the unlikely places one might think would house the cure to a variety of diseases. When you look closely, you will see natural cures and remedies in the thick of the rainforest. Plants in the rain forest grow very close together and contend with the constant threat of insect predators. They have adapted by making chemicals that researchers have found useful as medicines. “Bioprospecting,” or going into the rain forest in search of plants that can be used in foods, cosmetics, and medicines, has become big business during the past decade, and the amount that native communities are compensated for this varies from almost nothing to a share in later profits.

Bengal tigers live in India and are sometimes called Indian tigers. They are the most common tiger and number about half of all wild tigers. Over many centuries they have become an important part of Indian tradition and lore. These tigers are powerful nocturnal hunters that travel many miles to find buffalo, deer, wild pigs, and other large mammals. Tigers use their distinctive coats as camouflage (no two have exactly the same stripes). They lie in wait and creep close enough to attack their victims with a quick spring and a fatal pounce. A hungry tiger can eat as much as 60 pounds (27 kilograms) in one night, though they usually eat less.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 70 percent of the anti-cancer plants identified so far are rain forest plants. A new drug under development by a private pharmaceutical company, possibly for treating HIV, is Calanolide A, which is derived from a tree discovered on Borneo, according to NCI.

Despite their fearsome reputation, most tigers avoid humans; however, a few do become dangerous maneaters. These animals are often sick and unable to hunt normally, or live in an area where their traditional prey has vanished.

Samson, an African lion and long-term resident at The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona died today due to declining health.

Cindy Bowman didn’t know what hit her.

He came to the wildlife center as a 3-month-old in 2001 after being rescued from the exotic pet trade and an unlicensed owner who hoped to use the kitten as a profit-making prop, according to a statement from the center. Despite his physical deformities, likely a result of improper breeding, Samson enjoyed rolling on pine trees, roaring into a barrel to hear his own echo and supervising his domain from atop a platform, the center reported. A spokesperson for the center said the world African lion population is estimated between 23,000 to 39,000 and there has been a suspected population decline of nearly 50 percent over 22 years.

She was letting her dog into her county Route 2 home around noon Thursday when a large animal pounced on her, latching onto her face and biting and scratching her. She was able to fight it off by choking it, but not before it bit and/or scratched her head, shoulder, arms and thigh. “I turned around and it was leaping right for my neck,” Bowman recalled. “It went for my throat.” Bowman was mauled by a large bobcat, a cat that minutes later went after her daughter’s boyfriend, Nate Nadeau, and tried to attack him as well. Nadeau shot and killed it, but state tests later found the cat had rabies, so both Bowman and Nadeau — who was not hurt but did have contact with the cat — had to get two weeks of rabies shots. The incident has left Bowman shaken and afraid to go out of her house, and concerned that rabies is going to

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Big Cat on the Loose

Man-eating wildcats

Rainforest Remedies

Bidding Farewell to the King of the Jungle

Literacy Station Inspiration http://literacystationinspiration.blogspot.com/

Farewell to Nation’s Record-holder

Expressions of Patriotism in Unrecognized Places

Land of the Free, Home of the Diverse

Welcome to America