American identity

Americans have always defined themselves not by their racial , religious, or nationality, but by their values and their right of freedom.“I’m in a New York state of mind.”
—- Billy Joel

sometimes Franklin Roosvelt had said that "People do not inquire concerning a Stranger, What is he? but, What can he do? If he has any useful Art, he is welcome; and if he exercises it, and behaves well, he will be respected by all that know him."

As we can see in 18 century,Congress sets national standard for citizenship. It required no ethnic or religious test, no literacy test, no property criteria ,but just two years of residence, good character, and an oath to respect the constitution. because American identity , as Franklin Roosvelt said, is based on action and attitude rather than racial, religious, or racial identity, americans are different from many other people in the way they define themselves.
Melting Pot or Salad Bowl?

americans have always had the question of pluralism and assimilation.onthe one hand ,it was assumed that immigrants who com e to the United States should assimilate in the american culture like a “melting pot,” a metaphor popularized by the playwright Israel Zangwill’s 1908 drama The Melting Pot, in which one character declares:

"Understand that America is God's Crucible, the great Melting-Pot where all the races of Europe are melting and reforming! A fig for your feuds and vendettas! Germans and Frenchmen, Irishmen and Englishmen, Jews and Russians — into the Crucible with you all! God is making the American."

Individualism and Tolerance

In spite of the fact taht America has always expected the people to assimilate, but it also has given them the opportunity to express themselves.Americans nevr praised success by accident of birth, on the contrary they have always praised wealth and success out of effort and hardship.
Americans love "self-amde" man or woman, especially when he or she has overcome great obstacles.