1

His first home

Image: Lucija Ros

Elias and Flora were the parents of the iconic Walt Disney. But beyond raising one of the world's most famous entrepreneurs, they also had several talents and skills, thanks to which they could build their house with their own hands.

Determined to create their home, Elias obtained a permit in 1892 to build a two-story, 18 x 28-foot wooden cottage for $800. Flora was in charge of designing and drawing the plans, and Elias was responsible for every aspect of construction.

Nine years later, on December 5, 1901, Walt Disney was born on the second floor of that house.

2

His birth name

Image: Heike Mintel

But his parents didn't just give him a home; they also gave him a name . While we all know him as "Walt Disney", his full birth name was quite different.

Walt Disney was born Walter Elias Disney, inheriting his father's name as a middle name. Although he never officially changed his ID, he was most famously known by his diminutive , "Walt," which he had been called since childhood.

It didn’t take long for little Walter to begin showing an interest and talent in one of the artistic forms that would lead him to success: drawing.

3

Another name

Image: Steven Beyer

Speaking of names, let's take a look at Mickey Mouse.

Although "Mickey" and "Mouse" are inseparable for everyone today, this famous character was originally called something completely different when he was first created. Believe it or not, the rodent was originally named "Mortimer."

And guess who suggested the new name? Lillian, Walt Disney's wife. When Lillian first heard the name of the cute cartoon character, she felt it sounded too solemn. Instead, she suggested "Mickey," and thankfully, they decided to take her advice!

4

The voice

Image: kaleb tapp

The voice behind the lovable little mouse was none other than Walt Disney. That's right! He brought Mickey Mouse to life with his own voice from his creation in 1928 all the way until 1947. That's almost 20 years giving one of the world's most famous cartoons not only a voice but also a personality. So now you know: when you watch a Mickey movie from those years, you're hearing the voice of his very own creator!

After 1947, other actors took over the role of voicing Mickey, and they've done a great job. But it's always special to remember Walt was the first to take on that job.

5

A special character

Image: Marko Blažević

Besides Mickey, another character held a special place in Walt Disney's heart: the legendary Peter Pan, "the boy who never grew up."

As a young boy on his way to school, Walt Disney noticed posters for a theater company coming to Marceline, Missouri, to perform Peter Pan . Excited by the chance to see the play, the future animation legend got tickets and went with one of his brothers. But that's not all: shortly after, Walt was chosen to play Peter Pan himself in a school play!

Disney told this story himself, highlighting how much Peter Pan meant to him throughout his life. In 1953, he brought Peter Pan to the big screen, allowing thousands of children around the world to discover the magical world of Neverland!

6

High school dropout

Image: Khyta

In 1917, when Walt Disney turned 16, he decided to leave high school and try to join the army. But his plan did not succeed: he was too young to enlist and wasn't accepted. However, his brave spirit was stronger, so he joined the Red Cross to work with them in Europe.

In 1918, he was sent to France as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross, a role he performed for a couple of months. And there's one detail that highlights Walt Disney's passion. It's said that the inside of his ambulance was decorated with dozens of cartoons he had drawn himself!

7

Previous job

Image: JJ Ying

Walt Disney's passion for drawing was clear from his childhood, staying with him through his teenage years and adulthood.

After returning from France at the age of 18, Disney got a job as a commercial illustrator in Kansas City. The story goes that he ran to his aunt, exclaiming, "Aunt! They're paying me for drawing!" In that position, he created advertisements for newspapers, magazines, and posters. Shortly after, he discovered the world of animation.

There's no doubt that this job played an important role in helping Walt Disney eventually establish his own animation and production company.

8

Secret apartment

Image: Aubrey Odom

We could safely say that Disneyland is, without a doubt, a magical place filled with surprises.

But beyond the incredible attractions, such as exciting rides, parades, enchanting shows, and adored characters, there are also some hidden details that often go unnoticed. For example, the fact that Walt had a secret apartment in Disneyland, where he worked and spent time with his loved ones, managing and enjoying the park.

The apartment is still there, and while it's not open to the public, you can pass by and see a lamp that's kept lit as a symbol of Walt Disney's eternal presence in the hearts of many.

9

Train enthusiast

Image: Mike Bergmann

Walt Disney was a multifaceted man, so drawing and animation were just a part of his many passions.

It turns out that the entrepreneur also had a love for trains that began in his childhood. Along with using trains for transportation and collecting model trains, he built a miniature railroad in his backyard where guests could enjoy short and fun rides! He named it the Carolwood Pacific Railroad.

As you might guess, this interest also influenced the design of Disneyland, where the railroad is one of the main features.

10

His favorite song

Image: Guillaume de Germain

One of the things that had a special place in the heart of Walt Disney was his favorite song. Want to know what it was?

Rumor has it that his favorite song comes from one of Disney's most enchanting films: Mary Poppins . Composed in 1964 specifically for the movie, the song "Feed the Birds" had a unique meaning for him.

Its complexity and emotional depth moved him deeply, as the song highlights the importance of being kind and respectful to others. If you haven't listened to it yet or need a refresher to remember the melody, go ahead; you won't regret it!

1

Tipping everywhere

Image: Sam Dan Truong

Americans tip for almost every service, from coffee to taxis. The standard is 15–20% of the bill. Unlike most countries where service charges are included, tipping is often expected and essential for workers’ income.

Restaurants, bars, and even hair salons rely on it. Since this is not as common elsewhere, tourists often miscalculate or under-tip, causing awkward interactions.

2

Super-sized portions

Image: Nima Naseri

Restaurant portions in the U.S. are notoriously large, often doubling or tripling international standards.

This stems from both historical abundance and marketing strategies that equate quantity with value. All-you-can-eat and combo meals reinforce the "more is better" mentality.

3

College tailgating

Image: Josh Applegate

Fans arrive hours before football games, grilling and partying in parking lots. Tailgating mixes sports passion with social gatherings, showing regional pride and university loyalty.

This uniquely American tradition often shocks outsiders with the devotion shown to local sports.

4

Black Friday mania

Image: Artem Beliaikin

Originating in Philadelphia in the 1960s, Black Friday marks the start of the holiday shopping season. It’s a consumer spectacle tied as much to capitalism as to tradition.

Retailers use extreme discounts to generate sales; the frenzy often leaves international observers bewildered by the ensuing chaos.

5

Wearing patriotic clothes year-round

Image: Shari Sirotnak

Americans often wear flag-themed clothing even outside national holidays. The practice intensifies during major sporting events, but displaying the flag as apparel reflects civic pride in everyday life.

For many outsiders, wearing a flag as clothing seems unusual, yet this custom embodies American individualism and patriotism.

6

Driving everywhere

Image: why kei

Unlike many countries with extensive public transit, Americans rely heavily on cars. Suburban expansion and urban planning favor personal vehicles.

Gas prices, infrastructure, and cultural identity reinforce driving as normal. Tourists accustomed to walking or trains find long drives mandatory, and as a result, the layout of U.S. cities is unusually spread out.

7

High school proms

Image: Long Truong

Proms evolved in the 20th century as a rite of passage. Teenagers dress formally for dances with elaborate rituals, including crowning kings and queens.

While other countries almost always have some form of graduation celebrations, the formality, expense, and emphasis on dating customs in American proms often confuse foreigners.

8

Obsession with college sports

Image: Riley McCullough

Universities dominate cities with massive stadiums and fanfare. College football and basketball inspire loyalty rivaling professional leagues.

The intensity is unusual internationally, where professional sports typically overshadow collegiate athletics.

9

Yard sales

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Communities host sidewalk sales for secondhand goods. This tradition emphasizes recycling, community interaction, and bargain hunting.

This casual sale of used goods in public spaces is uncommon in many countries, making it a uniquely American practice.

10

Spelling bees

Image: Brett Jordan

Americans hold intense competitions where kids spell increasingly difficult words aloud. Spelling bees originated in the 19th century as educational contests, promoting literacy and vocabulary skills.

The National Spelling Bee, held annually since 1925, draws contestants nationwide and often surprises outsiders due to English’s tricky spelling rules.

1

Thomas Jefferson: Patriot, president… And foodie?

Image: Pixzolo Photography

Let’s start with what is arguably Thomas Jefferson’s most criminally overlooked contribution to history. Next time you are dipping a delicious and crispy French fry in some ketchup, take a moment to thank our 3rd President, who is often considered solely responsible for bringing this recipe to America.

During his time serving as ambassador to France, Jefferson fell madly in love with more than a few mouth-watering French dishes, which included a recipe for "potatoes deep-fried while raw, in small cuttings." He brought these recipes back home with him, and, while French fries didn’t become particularly popular until the beginning of the 20th century, Jefferson is still credited for introducing this quintessential side dish to the United States.

2

Benjamin Franklin’s "fowl" enemy

Image: Tyler Donaghy

There’s no denying that America loves turkeys —they are the undisputed star of every Thanksgiving Day feast. Having said that, can you imagine a world in which the turkey is emblazoned on official documents or currency? Forget that: Can you picture the POTUS delivering an important speech behind a podium with a turkey on it?

America would have definitively been an entirely different country if Benjamin Franklin had been successful in choosing the turkey as our national symbol. In a letter, Franklin stated that he believed that the bald eagle was "a bird of bad moral character," while the turkey, in his view, was a "Bird of Courage" more aligned with American values.

3

John Hancock’s signature

Image: Signature Pro

The Declaration of Independence was surely a pivotal moment in our country’s history. This document provided the basis of freedom, liberty, and justice on which America was founded. As you probably know, Founding Father John Hancock had the honor of being the first to sign this ever-so-important piece of paper.

In turn, history has thanked Hancock in a rather unusual way, with the simple yet versatile slang term "to give your John Hancock," which means to sign your name onto something.

4

John Adams dog from hell

Image: Jamie Street

Ask anyone to tell you possible dog names for your new puppy and they might suggest timeless classics like "Spot," "Buddy," or "Rex." However, had you asked our 2nd President, his suggestions might have been a bit more daring. During his time in the White House, John Adams and his wife Abigail were the proud owners of an adorable dog that sported a terrifying name: Satan.

What’s interesting is that the Adams truly had a unique talent when it came to naming their pets. Alongside Satan, the couple also had a female dog named Juno and a horse called Cleopatra. In any case, don’t be too fast to judge Good Old Satan. As the saying goes, a dog by any other name is still a good boy.

5

Are any Fans of the Bard Out There?

Image: Taha

For many book critics, the world will never know another writer as incredible as William Shakespeare. His works still inspire admiration around the world, with millions of fans reading, commenting, and recreating many of his timeless plays. In that sense, would you be surprised to learn that two of our Founding Fathers were die-hard fans of the Bard?

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were self-proclaimed admirers of Shakespeare’s literature, frequently writing letters that praised his impeccable style. Adams once called the Bard "the great master of nature" and the "great teacher of morality and politics." Not only that, a popular legend states that, when both Founding Fathers visited Shakespeare’s home in England, they chipped a piece of his chair to take home as a souvenir.

6

Whiskey that tastes like freedom

Image: Thomas Park

George Washington’s resume was certainly impressive: 1st President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and tactical mastermind. However, there’s another noteworthy activity that is often overlooked by history books— George Washington owned and ran a commercial whiskey distillery from his home in Mount Vernon.

Think about it: Is there any liqueur more likely to lift your "spirits" (see what we did there?) than a fine malt whiskey personally distilled by the "Father of Our Country"? The thousands of tourists that visit Mount Vernon every year seldom forget to visit the distillery.

7

Have you seen this dog?

Image: Joe Caione

Picture this: You are putting out signs in your block trying to locate your beloved and recently lost dog. All of a sudden you receive an unexpected call, informing you that they have found your dog and that it is currently in the care of none other than the President of the United States!

In all honesty, that’s not exactly how the story went, but it’s a true testament to George Washington’s honor and etiquette. According to historians, a little fox terrier named Lila was found by Continental Army troops behind American lines after the Battle of Germantown in 1777. After learning from the dog’s collar that she belonged to an enemy soldier, Washington ordered for the dog to be returned to her rightful owner, with a note assuring him that she was unharmed and safe.

8

Fancy a cold one?

Image: Drew Beamer

George Washington was not the only Founding Father adept at brewing alcoholic beverages. The great city of Boston proudly boasts an iconic beer brand named after Samuel Adams , paying homage to the beer-brewing past of this Founding Father.

There’s another bit of fun trivia regarding "Samuel Adams Beer": If you’ve ever enjoyed a pint of this delicious beer, you probably saw Adams raising a beer glass on its label. However, some theorize that the man depicted in the logo might actually be fellow patriot Paul Revere. Having said that, there’s no solid evidence to back this up, other than the fact that both revolutionaries looked a little similar.

9

Thomas Jefferson’s magical cookbook

Image: Hayden Walker

As mentioned earlier, Thomas Jefferson was a bit of a foodie. Granted, he would look at us in complete bewilderment if he heard us call him a "foodie," but it’s safe to say he loved good cuisine. Besides bringing French fries to our country, every American should salute and pay tribute to the 3rd President for yet another culinary jewel: Mac and cheese.

Again, we should clarify that the recipe Jefferson brought wasn’t exactly the one you would find in a box of Kraft. However, he would often serve his dinner guests macaroni pasta, paired with a cheese sauce that closely resembles the dish we know and love today. It’s believed that Jefferson’s delighted guests helped popularize this creation, which would eventually become one of America’s favorite meals.

10

Benjamin Franklin purposely misspelled "Pennsylvania"

Image: Adam Nir

We’ll end with a remarkably smart mistake that came from a remarkably smart man. Benjamin Franklin was behind some of the earlier forms of currency in the United States. After moving to Philadelphia in 1723, he became involved in printing money, which had only recently started circulating around Pennsylvania. As the great inventor that he was, Franklin added some remarkably clever ways to bypass counterfeiters and help differentiate his bills from possible fakes.

One of the smartest—and possibly simplest—features Franklin introduced was purposely misspelling the word "Pennsylvania" on his bills. After all, such a blatant and evident mistake would immediately inform anyone that this bill came from Franklin’s own hand.