It is rarely challenged that the United States has been the liveliest
laboratory for human experiences in the last 2 centuries. Although it does
not necessarily produce all the positive outcomes, it indeed provides as
many references for other parts of the world as possible. One thing
relatively noticed is about the national identity issue in the U.S. since
people all around the world work to become an American. The
conventional metaphor of the American society as a melting pot is losing
its validity to the newly advocated principle of multiculturalism. Under
multiculturalism, people respect differences, especially those of the
minority groups. However, the new principle is under attack by some
famous American intellectuals, accusing it to undermine the solid
foundation of American national culture of WASP. Among them Samuel P.
Huntington made the most noise not only in the academic but also in the
society. This paper is to review discourses on American national identity
and to analyze the new discussion on this issue after September. 11
attacks of 2001.