Designed by the Continental Congress, the Great Seal is the official emblem of the United States of America, a symbol of government authority and a mark of identification. The seal depicts a blue circle with another national symbol, the American bald eagle, holding a ribbon with the motto of U.S.A in its beak.

Great Seal of the United States, official seal of the United States of America. The design of the obverse is the coat of arms of the United States—an official emblem, mark of identification, and symbol of the authority of the government.

Uncle Sam, whose image appeared during the War of 1812, is a symbol of the U.S. government. He is portrayed as an older, bearded man dressed in clothes that evoke the U.S. flag. Uncle Sam is commonly used in political cartoons, as well as in advertising.

The Great Seal of the United States is a national symbol used in official documents such as treaties and commissions. The final design was approved in 1782 and includes a bald eagle, an olive branch, arrows, a flag-like shield, the motto E Pluribus Unum (which translates to "out of many, one") and a constellation of stars.

The Great Seal of the United States is the symbol of our sovereignty as a nation. Its obverse is used on official documents to authenticate the signature of the President and it appears on proclamations, warrants, treaties, and commissions of high officials of the government.