1

Mississippi Goddam, Nina Simone

Image: Alano Oliveira

Nina Simone was an outspoken soul, and her 1963 song, "Mississippi Goddam," is considered by many to be her first song about civil rights. The tune was written as a response to the murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers , as well as other tragedies that involved the movement during the volatile and ever-changing social dynamics of the decade.

As time went on, Nina Simone continued to send a message through her music, specifically regarding activism and social injustice issues.

2

The Times They Are a-Changin', Bob Dylan

Image: Chris Boland

Never one to keep his mouth shut when it came to topics that he found worth communicating, Bob Dylan wrote this song about the changing tide in America , where young people were voicing their displeasure on issues such as war and racism.

The song is considered one of the greatest of all time. It's also one of the most covered—thanks to the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, and Tracy Chapman.

3

Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival

Image: Austin Prock

Anti-Vietnam songs were a staple of 1960s and '70s culture. However, this Creedence Clearwater Revival hit stands out as one of the more mainstream songs that continues to be heard today.

The tune enjoyed prominence in movies like Forrest Gump and has been covered countless times by such bands as Dropkick Murphys.

4

Give Peace a Chance, Plastic Ono Band

Image: Erin Song

One of the most popular anti-war songs of all time, which always makes an appearance in the event of conflict, is "Give Peace A Chance."

While this timeless classic was recorded by the Plastic Ono Band, the writing credit is actually shared between John Lennon and Paul McCartney, marking the beginning of a post-Beatles world.

5

Get Up, Stand Up, The Wailers

Image: Bill Fairs

Bob Marley wrote this classic track in collaboration with his bandmate Peter Tosh. The song was reportedly inspired by Marley’s tour in Haiti . He was taken aback by the country's high level of poverty, as well as the class system.

It has since become a long-time favorite of the band and a staple of Marley's live shows during his lifetime.

6

Ronnie, Talk To Russia, Prince

Image: DJ Johnson

Prince had many hits but this one was not among them. In fact, we can safely assume that The Purple One wrote this song for the express purpose of communicating his political feelings in the most direct possible way. And, being Prince, that had to be done through a song.

"Ronnie, Talk To Russia" is, as the name implies quite obviously**, a straight shout-out to former president Ronald Reagan**. It addresses America's relationship with Russia and the heightened tensions of the time due to the nuclear threat.

7

Born in the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen

Image: Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez

Having just mentioned the case of an artist who used music to speak to Ronald Reagan, we now turn to one who was very upset when Reagan spoke about him. The reason for this conflict originated from what may be the most misunderstood and seemingly patriotic song in music history.

"Born In The U.S.A." is a Bruce Springsteen classic that sounds very anthemic but is, in fact -yet another- anti-Vietnam tune.

8

Peace Sells, Megadeth

Image: Juan Di Nella

Megadeth’s frontman Dave Mustaine has never been one to shy away from political commentary, and this song is, perhaps, the most famous example. "Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying" packs his thoughts on government corruption, failing foreign policy, and more , with catchy riffs and an infectious bass line.

The song’s direct and provocative lyrics resonated with many listeners and became a defining anthem of the thrash metal genre.

9

Fight The Power, Public Enemy

Image: Nicholas Green

It is hard to think of a more straightforward political message in a song title than "Fight The Power" released as a single in 1989. Public Enemy was all about the message, and taking down the establishment, big government, and abuse of authority were usually central themes.

The song is one of the group's most famous and influential tracks, and gained additional prominence when it was featured in Spike Lee's film Do the Right Thing.

10

Killing in the Name, Rage Against the Machine

Image: Jordy

Another highly political band, Rage Against The Machine, created this song, which is fitting for the current political and social climate. Police brutality and systemic racism are at the forefront of the message , delivered with massive guitar hooks and aggressive vocals.

Most of RATM’s catalog delves into these kinds of themes with varying success but this song was a hit when it first came out and still remains a fan favorite.

1

Buying alcohol (but not drinking it)

Everyone knows that alcohol was banned during the Prohibition Era (1920–1933), but what about it was illegal? The 18th Amendment banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of liquor, but drinking it in the comfort of your home was perfectly legal. Now, if you wanted to get your hands on it, you usually had to resort to not-so-legal means, such as speakeasies or bootleggers.

2

Shopping on a Sunday

Enjoying some retail therapy on the weekends is not uncommon nowadays, but there was a time when you could only do it on a Saturday. Blue laws, also known as Sunday laws, were statutes that restricted commercial and recreational activities on Sundays , from buying alcohol to hunting, to ensure rest on the Lord’s day. Most blue laws were repealed in the 1960s, but some counties and states still enforce them to some extent.

3

"Modifying" the National Anthem

The National Anthem deserves respect—in fact, making a musical arrangement for it or playing only a part was once illegal. In the early 20th century, many states passed laws against the "musical desecration" of the Star-Spangled Banner , which outlawed embellishing the melody, using it as part of a medley, or dancing to its tune. These laws are no longer standing, and all etiquette regarding the National Anthem is voluntary for civilians.

4

Voting as an 18-year-old

Although there is no consensus among states about the legal age of majority, there is a national standard when it comes to voting in state and federal elections, something all Americans can do at 18 years old. However, this is a relatively new development. The 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, was passed in 1971 as a result of controversies surrounding the Vietnam War draft of young men who were not entitled to the vote.

5

Swearing in public

While federal laws against profanity are unconstitutional under the First Amendment, several states have passed statutes against public swearing and indecent language . While most of these statutes have not been enforced for decades, you’d be surprised to know that they were still standing in states such as California, Virginia, and Michigan within the past decade.

6

Margarine

D id you know that margarine was banned or severely restricted until the 1950s? In the late 19th century, many states banned the sale of margarine to protect the butter industry, while others allowed its sale on the condition that it was dyed pink to render it unappealing. Margarine with a butter-like appearance could sometimes be sold with an added tax. In 1950, President Harry Truman passed the Margarine Act, lifting all bans and taxes on yellow margarine.

7

Wearing pants as a woman

Wearing pants as a woman was never banned or criminalized on a federal level, but most states outlawed it with crossdressing laws and ordinances. In 1923, the US Attorney General stated that it was legal for women to wear pants in public, but this was not a federal law, which meant that state ordinances still stood. Although women's pants became standard during World War II, many places—such as the U.S. Senate—still banned them until the 1990s.

8

Eating popcorn at the movies

There was never a law or a statute banning popcorn at the cinema, but not for lack of trying. During the Silent Era of Hollywood, food was banned inside most theaters, and popcorn was the public enemy #1 due to the noise . When did it become a movie staple? With the introduction of sound in film, the crunching of popcorn was less of an issue, and street vendors started selling it outside cinemas. Eventually, theaters realized that there was major profit in snacks and started selling them, at a huge markup, in the theater.

9

Pinball machines

In what was known as the ‘Pinball Prohibition’, cities all across America made pinball machines illegal. The rationale was that pinball machines were gambling devices and were used by the mafia to lure children into illegal gambling . Luckily, most anti-pinball laws were repealed in the late 1970s.

10

Owning gold

There are several things that regular citizens can’t legally own, but why gold? In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order that banned private ownership of gold —though small amounts of gold jewelry were allowed—to prevent "hoarding". Citizens were required to turn in their gold to the Federal Reserve, and would receive $20.67 per ounce. Gold ownership was made legal again by President Gerald Ford in 1975.

1

Accident, Maryland

Image: Chiara Guercio

We’ll begin this article by quoting the great Bob Ross: "We don’t make mistakes; we make happy accidents". In that sense, a certain small town located in Garrett County, Maryland, is a living testament to the wonderful nature of accidents: Certainly, the town of Accident could use this Bob Ross quote as a town motto.

Nobody really knows where this unusual name comes from, but a popular theory states that when two men were conducting separate surveys in the area, one of them claimed land owned by the other "by accident". While we might never be sure if this story is true or not, people from Accident (or, as they like to be called, "Accidentals") definitively take pride in their weirdly named town.

2

Boring, Oregon

Image: charlesdeluvio

At first glance, the town of Boring, Oregon, seems to encapsulate the slow living of many American towns. While many disgruntled teenagers might call this peaceful lifestyle boring, we choose to consider it "peaceful". In any case, the name of this unincorporated community comes from a rather flashy geographical feature: a lava field.

If this unusual name makes you feel sorry about this town, don’t be: It has found a rather extraordinary group of sister cities. Boring, Oregon, is a proud member of a group known as "Trinity of Tedium", which includes the village of Dull, Scotland, as well as Bland, Australia.

3

Cucumber, West Virginia

Image: Harshal S. Hirve

The cucumber is definitively the star of many delicious salads. This versatile vegetable provides a fresh and unique taste to any dish. You would think that all the 74 residents of Cucumber, West Virginia, are big fans of this green delicacy, but in fact, the naming of this town seems to be in reference to entirely different reasons.

This mining-centered community was named after either Cucumber Creek, which is in the town’s proximity, or after the abundant cucumber trees in the area (which sadly don’t produce the green vegetables we know and love).

4

Mexican Hat, Utah

Image: Melanie Rosillo Galvan

With a population of only 31, the town of Mexican Hat in Utah is named after a peculiarly shaped landmark. A strange rock overlooks the northeast side of town, shaped just like an upside-down sombrero . This rock has 2 different climbing routes that ascend it, in case you want to take a trip and see this hat-shaped landmark in all its magnificence.

Mexican Hat was founded in 1908 by E.L. Goodridge, a man seeking oil in the area. While his efforts were unsuccessful, this settlement would eventually result in one of the most oddly named towns in America.

5

Chicken, Alaska

Image: Stephen Mierendorf

There’s no denying that America loves chicken: After all, we are the country that consumes the most chicken in the world. In that sense, it stands to reason that one of our many towns chose to celebrate our favorite domesticated bird. However, the history behind the naming of Chicken, Alaska, actually tells a different story.

This town was settled in the 19th century by gold miners rushing to Alaska during this state’s gold rush. When, in 1902, the site established a post office, it required a community name, and the settlers decided to name the newly-formed town after a type of game bird called ptarmigan. However, since no one was able to spell "ptarmigan" correctly, they ultimately settled on the much more spellable "Chicken".

6

Hot Coffee, Mississippi

Image: Alex Padurariu

Don’t you agree that thanking coffee for everything it does for us should be enough reason for this homage? The small community of Hot Coffee, Mississippi, pays a warm tribute to that miraculous drink that helps millions start their day right.

The community was established in the 19th century, located at the crossroads between two major travel routes. Logically, an inn was built to house weary travelers. A local man called L.J. Davis built a store and hung a sign designed to attract out-of-town customers that simply read: "the best hot coffee around". Davis’ store became a local landmark, and his excellent coffee soon became such a staple that it would eventually become the town’s name.

7

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Image: Photography Maghradze PH

On a certain day in March 1950, the city of Hot Springs, New Mexico, heard a weird yet exciting pitch on the radio: Ralph Edwards, the host of the popular NBC show "Truth or Consequences" , announced that he would broadcast a 10-year anniversary show from the first American town that chose to rename itself after the show.

By the end of that month, Hot Springs had collectively chosen to change its name, renaming itself "Truth or Consequence". Edwards not only held his end of the bargain, broadcasting the special show from the town, but also remained a lifelong friend of this city. He visited the town during the first weekend of May for the next 50 years, in an event that turned into a local Fiesta still celebrated today.

8

Nothing, Arizona

Image: Marta Nogueira

We get it: Naming a town must be difficult. Having said that, we think the founders of this now-abandoned town probably just winged it. Nothing, Arizona, was founded in the late 70s as an extremely small settlement: At its height, it had a population of 4.

While small and only comprising a small convenience store and a gas station, Nothing quickly became a popular tourist attraction. The town sign famously included the following phrase: "Thru-the-years-these dedicated people had faith in Nothing, hoped for Nothing, worked at Nothing, for Nothing."

9

No Name, Colorado

Image: Valentin Antonucci

Apparently, the name "placeholder" was already taken when it came time to name this small Colorado town. Located in Garfield County, No Name has a population of 117. Contrary to popular belief, this town’s name is not a result of a lack of creativity but rather a reference to the No Name Creek and the No Name Canyon, which are nearby. And in fact, both the town and these landmarks pay homage to an event in Colorado’s history.

In 1869, John Wesley Powell set out on an expedition to map out the Colorado River. Powell’s expedition included several boats, which featured names like "Emma Dean" and "Maid of the Canyon". Among them was the "No-Name", a boat that proved that even the most inconspicuous names can leave a huge mark.

10

Friendship, Maine

Image: Duy Pham

What’s life without friends? If there’s someone that can attest to that it’s the residents of Friendship, Maine . After all, they decided to name their town after one of the most important things in life.

You might be familiar with Friendship from the many examples of popular culture that feature this town. For instance, the 1995 film "Casper" takes place entirely in Friendship (which seems only fitting, since Casper is known as "the friendly ghost"). Also, many American authors have written about the town in their stories. Most notably, the short story "The Run of Yourself" by Richard Ford is set in Friendship.