Fenway Park

Boston, MA

Fenway Park turned 100 years old last year. It is one of the last original baseball stadiums in the country. Baseball was invented in America and is still a distinctly American sport. Even before winning the World Series in '04, the Red Sox were integral to the national psyche, Fenway is the shrine in which American Icons have played, prayed, and stayed for a century.

Michael

"Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan

Seattle, wa to Miami, Fl

This song celebrated the experience of a generation of youth, graduating from high school and all that pampering with "nowhere to go"

Mike

Forrest Gump

Greenbow, AL (fictitious)

Still holds up after almost 20 years (1994). It's the American Dream. Work hard, do the right thing and good things will happen. The opportunities that suddenly appear (feather). The choices we make (chocolate box). The journey of life and the many life chapters that make up that journey (Nike sneakers). Tragedy and comedy combined with cinematic special effects make the movie very believable. It makes the viewer feel good about him/herself. We all see some of ourselves in Forrest.

Steve

zap comix

haight/ nyc/ usa

robert crumb and several dozen artists changes the way we look at the american icon- the comic book. in terms of content and artists rights. from there, these comix also changed how madison avenue viewed graphic design. from there, these self-published comix changed the way we view homor. ala saturday nite live, etc.

eric

Dances With Wolves

Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota and also Wind Cave, Deadwood, Pine Ridge, Crazy Horse Monument

This is the place where Wind In His Hair stood and yelled from the rock to Dances With Wolves below, a goodbye "You are my friend, you are my friend". It is a real place in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota. Wind Cave also is home to a thriving bloodline of the first American Bison which came out of near extinction with only 14 left to breed in the sacred Black Hills, the heritage and oral history Lakota.Pine Ridge of course is the true Icon with the true Oglala Lakota People.

Tammy

The novel, "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

New Mexico

Rudolfo Anaya has been called the father of Chicano literature based on his remarkable 1973 novel, "Bless Me, Ultima." All Chicano literature flows from his fictional curandera, Ultima.

Daniel

Santa Claus

New York, NY

Santa is the child of immigrants. As a pop culture icon he's initially attributed to a slave-owning English emigrant preacher and NY real estate wheeler-dealer. Revised for advertising he is one of our most successful exports, found wherever Hallmark holidays are celebrated. He is the secular saint of American compassionate Capitalism, the Catholic patron of pawnbrokers. He represents both gluttony and generosity with his Buddha belly jollity. He lives at the mall.

Stefan

Any movie w/ Danny Kaye

Hollywood, CA

Because Danny Kaye is one of the 20th century's greatest entertainers, and arguably its most versatile. His rapid-fire, tongue-twisters are still classics and the gold standard. His humor is unnique, plus he was a suburb dramatic actor. He is an icon!

Julia

1) Blue jeans or 2) Surfing

allover

Blue Jeans: The impact of blue jeans can be summed-up by a college classmate from Europe who said that blue jeans were the gretest American invention.

Surfing: Music, Movies, the art on a surfboard...'nuff said.

Steve

Charlotte's Web

Every Farm Everywhere

Charlotte's Web is the beautiful story of American farm life, in which the harshness and cruelty that we all live with every day, is shown to be remedied by the one who is regarded as the most undesirable amongst us. It also shows the truth of the innate intelligence that is in every animal on this earth. If only we would listen.

Tess

Graceland

Memphis, Tennessee

Graceland is the iconic former home of Elvis Presley. It represents an amazing snapshot of how the "King" lived - and where he and his parents are buried.
Graceland captures the soul and is representative of the transformation of America from the Age of Blues to the Age of Rock and Roll. It was considered a "tacky" building by some but was recognised as a National Landmark in 2006.

Rod

Jaws (movie)

Amity Beach, NY

Jaws is one of the most iconic movies of all time. it falls into the Americana movie hall of fame along with gone with the wind, psycho, one flew over the koo koos nest, to kill a mocking bird and many more

Rory

Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

Long Beach, MS

It is a modern day Homeric Quest.

Joan

the Godfather (film)

New York, NY - Sicily

Secrecy, violence, the ambivalence of the American dream. The dynastic succession of power ceding to power. The opening & closing scenes in particular. Not to mention the iconic music, the quotable lines, the gorgeously composed visuals, and the cinematic symbolism of the orange - of fortune & fall.

Cirrus

Route 66

All of America

The American Dream has always looked west but for the dreamers wanting to go west, there was no way until Route 66 came along. plus the kinds of things it created .just think of all the motels, dinner and odd attractions along the way. all the people from John Stinebeak to Charles Kuralt. Route 66 is a simble of capitalism and freedom to all of the world.

Rory

To Kill a Mockingbird (correction on prior submission)

Monroeville, AL

First, to correct an embarrassing error on my original submission: I meant extra points in terms of American icon, not American idol, status. (Too much pulp TV!) Also should have added: one of the most evocative film scores of all time. (Was nominated, but didn't win, for best soundtrack. How did that happen?!)

David

"Night of the Hunter"

the American subconscious

"Ah, little lad, you're staring at my fingers. Would you like me to tell you the little story of right-hand/left-hand? The story of good and evil?"
And the story of childhood, and of men and women, and of L-O-V-E and H-A-T-E.
Charles Laughton's film of Davis Grubb's
novel is an allegory of 1950's America that resonates still. If you don't believe me just ask Joel and Ethan Coen.

Charles

To Kill a Mockingbird

Monroeville, AL

Combines a powerful depiction of the racism so fundamental to US history with a moving portrait of real fatherhood – and a sub-plot that humanizes mental illness. Extra bonus, in terms of American idols, for the embedded reference to Truman Capote. Among the half dozen greatest American films ever made and probably the greatest movie adaptions of a book of all time.

David

The Cowboy

mostly Hollywood

Starting perhaps with Twain or Harte and Zane Grey and going up through movies and TV shows and continuing in our current gun ownership disputes, the cowboy mentality of silent, lonely, independent strength, morality, hard work and the threat and use of violence has been a vital current in our culture. I'm a retired New Jersey English teacher, but cowboys have been part of me since I pulled my first imaginary trigger at about five years old.

Guy

The local town parade

Across the USA

Whether they are to signal the start of little league season, honor veterans or our loved ones lost in time of war or welcome Santa Claus, small town parades span this country. From local marching bands, to legion posts; from town historical societies to girl and boy scout troops, there's something every attendee to stand and cheer and shed a tear for. This is an important part of Americana which deserves to be delved into and honored. Thank you!

Kathy