American money

The American dollar is subdivided into one hundred cents. The dollars are issued by the Federal Reserve System, established by Congress in 1913.

Here is the text on the face of an American dollar banknote:

· …dollars

· Federal Reserve Note

· The United States of America

· This note is legal tender for all debts public and private

· Washington, D.C.

· Treasurer of the United States

· Secretary of the Treasury

On the face of American dollars one can also see the portraits of the following famous persons:

- George Washington (1732-1799), the first President of the United States of America, who gave his name to the capital of the country. George Washington became the first President after the successful war of 13 British colonies for independence. After they won the war they formed 13 states and united to make the United States of America. Thus Independence was proclaimed on July 4, 1776.

- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) who was President from 1861 to 1865 after the war between the northern and southern states. It was he who proclaimed freedom of slaves of the south.

- Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), a famous American statesman, who fought in the Independence War together with general George Washington. Later he became the first Secretary of the Treasury.

- Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) who was President of the USA from 1829 to 1837, when Texas won independence from Mexico.

- Ulysses Grant (1822-1885) who was President of the USA from 1869 to 1877 when the Centennial Exposition was held in Philadelphia.

- Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) a very popular public figure, writer, diplomat and scientist. It was he who invented bifocal spectacles among many other things.

On the back of banknotes various famous buildings are featured, such as:

- Lincoln Monument, one of the monuments in Washington

- US Treasury Building, in Washington

- White House, house of every President, except George Washington, who only planned the capital of the USA

- US Capitol, which houses the Senate and the House of Representatives

- Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, where Independence of the 13 British colonies was proclaimed.

All the banknotes bear the words: In God We Trust.

2.2. Для перевірки правильності розуміння прочитаного тексту виконайте наступні ситуаційні вправи:

Ситуація 3. Складіть історію із наступних фрагментів, але ви, як оповідач, віддаєте перевагу офіційним і лаконічним висловам:

1. Arthur was a very well-known and respected businessman in New York City.

2. Political freedom of the USA from control by the British government was proclaimed on July 4, 1776.

3. Great Britain took part in a war for control of Falkland islands.

4. On the back of American dollar banknotes various famous constructions are featured.

5. Who do you think will be the most successful in the next Presidential campaign in America?

6. The dollar bills are officially produced by the Federal Reserve system.