1

Chuck Berry

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

Let’s begin with the man known as the "Father of Rock and Roll." To label Chuck Berry as a pioneer would definitively misrepresent the legacy of this amazing musician; Berry was almost solely responsible for introducing the key elements that would eventually define rock music.

Songs like "Maybellene," "Roll Over Beethoven," and "Johnny B. Goode" influenced countless musicians through the ages. Legendary artists like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones famously covered some of his songs, while Bob Dylan once defined Berry as "the Shakespeare of Rock n’ Roll."

2

Bruce Springsteen

Image: Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez

Up next, we have a boss that anyone would love to have in their office. Bruce Springsteen is undoubtedly one of New Jersey’s favorite sons. Known as "The Boss," Springsteen has dazzled the American public since his first album in 1973, earning a myriad of awards and recognitions in the process, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Known for his insane charisma and distinctive voice, Springsteen has performed with his iconic "E Street" band since 1972. Rolling Stone magazine has described him as "the embodiment of rock and roll" and included him in its list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

3

Jimi Hendrix

Image: Aditya Wardhana

Can the ‘60s be summarized by one musician? Many believe they can even summarized by one performance: Jimi Hendrix’s jaw-dropping rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock. In a way, this legendary guitarist embodies the innovation and freedom that characterize this era, but make no mistake: Hendrix’s contributions to rock and roll can’t be limited to a single decade. Suffice it to say that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame considers him to be "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."

Born in Seattle, Hendrix showed interest in music from an early age. He bought his first guitar at age 15 and practiced daily, imitating the styles of blues musicians like B.B. King and Howlin’ Wolf. While he sadly passed away at age 27, his legacy continues to live on in every single one of his amazing songs.

4

Elvis Presley

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Chuck Berry might have been the "Father of Rock and Roll," but Elvis Presley was this genre’s undisputed "King." This musician’s legacy is as timeless and eternal as his songs are, earning him a well-deserved spot among America’s most beloved pop culture icons. Just think of all the countless Elvis impersonators around the world to realize how iconic Elvis’s music and style were.

Elvis received his first guitar at the age of 7. Little did anyone know that this birthday gift would be the first step in a meteoric musical career. From his amazing dance moves to his unbelievable charisma, Elvis will forever be remembered as an American icon.

5

Tom Petty

Image: Samuel Ramos

In the 1980s, when Tom Petty joined the musical supergroup "The Traveling Wilburys," he stood shoulder to shoulder with juggernauts like Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison. While Petty was relatively a newcomer when he joined what many believe to be the biggest supergroup in history, time would prove that he had what it takes to become one of the most memorable rock stars in history.

According to the man himself, Petty’s love for rock 'n' roll first started when he met Elvis Presley at age 10. This love for music would eventually lead him to form his most iconic band, "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers," with which he performed for almost 40 years.

6

Jon Bon Jovi

Image: Simon Weisser

It takes talent to make your last name synonymous with rock 'n' roll, but John Francis Bongiovi Jr., better known as Jon Bon Jovi , was able to turn his last name into the name of one of the most groundbreaking bands of the ‘80s.

Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Jon formed Bon Jovi when he was still in his teens, quickly rising to fame and becoming an undisputed rock star. While he is still very much active in music, he has also built a very successful acting career, appearing in TV shows like Sex and the City and The West Wing .

7

Jim Morrison

Image: Markus Spiske

Take it to the world of rock 'n' roll to produce a nickname like "the Lizard King" to describe one of the most emblematic vocalists of the '70s. Regardless of whether there was someone who could pull off such a strange nickname, it was Jim Morrison . In fact, this singer chose the nickname himself, as it perfectly described both his fascination with reptiles and Native American culture.

Morrison’s deep voice and magnetic persona were among the main reasons behind The Doors' rise to prominence, quickly making them the first American band to achieve eight consecutive Gold LPs. While his life was unfortunately cut short at the age of 27, his songs, poetry, and journals will forever celebrate the Lizard King’s legacy.

8

Prince

Image: DJ Johnson

Prince's first live band was called "The Revolution," and we believe that this is one of the most aptly named bands in history. After all, this Minneapolis-born musician brought forward a revolutionary and fresh take on music, fashion, and art in general. Known for his amazing falsetto voice and flamboyant persona, Prince is considered to this day one of the very best musicians in history.

You would think that such a flashy and daring musician would take a more ostentatious stage name, but Prince Rogers Nelson performed under his first name throughout his entire career. Actually, that’s not entirely true: while in the midst of a contractual dispute, he performed as " The Artist Formerly Known as Prince " for approximately a decade.

9

Steven Tyler

Image: Matt Botsford

Steven Tyler might have the nickname that every rock singer probably covets: known as "the Demon of Screamin’," Aerosmith’s frontman is recognized for his powerful voice and vast vocal range.

Tyler has been at the helm of Aerosmith since its beginning in Boston in the early ‘70s, producing such hits as "Dream On" and "Walk This Way." While the band is currently on hiatus due to Steven injuring his vocal cords, Aerosmith still hopes to return to performing soon.

10

Kurt Cobain

Image: Panos Sakalakis

The '90s introduced the world to a new take on rock music: for many, grunge was the quintessential sound of this decade, characterized by its raw and angry tone. In that sense, there’s no band that represents the '90s better than Nirvana, and this legacy is in no small part due to Kurt Cobain.

Known for his scruffy yet powerful voice, Cobain led this iconic trio since its inception in 1987. While his untimely death deprived the world of his incredible talent, his legacy still lives on in amazing songs like "Smells like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are."

1

July 2nd

Image: Joe deSousa

In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams predicted that July 2nd would go down in history. Why? Well, because that's the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Great Britain. But while the vote happened on the 2nd, the Declaration of Independence wasn't officially signed until the 4th, so that's the date we celebrate!

2

Secret signers

Image: Pierre Bamin

The signing of the Declaration of Independence wasn't as simple as it might seem. In fact, signatures were added over time, from July to August. In addition, the names of the signers were kept secret from the public for six months! Why? Because if the fight for independence had failed, those who signed the document would have been labeled traitors, and under British law, that meant a punishment of death.

3

Washington invites

Image: phil cruz

In the middle of the Revolutionary War, 1778 marked the second anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington wasn't about to let the anniversary go unnoticed, so he ordered a double ration of rum for his soldiers to celebrate the holiday. Cheers!

4

Something written on the back

Image: Anne Nygård

There's actually something written on the back of the Declaration of Independence. This handwritten note appears upside down at the bottom of the back of the parchment, and it reads: "Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776." Just like we label the files we save on our computers today, it's believed they added the note to help identify the original document from other copies.

5

We are many more now

Image: Rob Curran

Many courageous people did everything they could to make the Independence dream a reality and help the nation grow. And it did grow! While there's no exact official data from that time, the US Census Bureau estimates that about 2.5 million people lived in America in 1776. By the most recent census in 2020, that number had grown to about 332 million!

6

John Adams' idea

Image: Jingda Chen

It's hard to imagine the 4th of July without the classic barbecues, parades, and -of course- fireworks lighting up the sky. But even though these traditions are now a staple, there was a first time for all of them. It's said that John Adams himself, in that letter to his wife Abigail, suggested using fireworks and illuminations to celebrate this important day.

7

Busy hospitals

Image: camilo jimenez

While fireworks are beautiful and help raise patriotic spirit during Independence Day celebrations, it's also true that they can sometimes be dangerous. In fact, it's been reported that hospitals see more patients than usual on July 4th due to fireworks-related injuries.

8

Thomas Jefferson's laptop

Image: Alicia Razuri

Of course, laptops didn't exist at the time of the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence, but that's a fun way to describe the lap desk Thomas Jefferson used to write it. That's right: The father of the Declaration of Independence didn't need a grand marble desk or anything fancy to put his ideas into words.

9

Surprising coincidences

Image: Thomas Park

The 4th of July isn't just the day America officially declared its independence; it also holds some incredible historical coincidences. On Independence Day in 1826, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died, exactly 50 years after the birth of the nation they helped create. Five years later, in 1831, James Monroe became the third president to die on the 4th of July.

But it's not all about endings: President Calvin Coolidge was born on the 4th of July, 1872, making him the only US president born on Independence Day.

10

Millions of hot dogs

Image: Ball Park Brand

It's clear we Americans love hot dogs, and for good reason! This iconic food is closely tied to one of the most important days in our nation's history. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, that's a real thing), Americans typically eat around 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day alone. 150 million!

1

Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest

Image: Jon Sailer

The forests of Oregon and Washington have been a treasure trove of Bigfoot sightings for decades. Hikers, campers, and loggers all have their own take, from gentle encounters to hair-raising escapes. Whether he’s a shy forest neighbor or just a legendary wanderer, the mystery has inspired countless hunts, tales, and devoted believers who swear the creature is still out there.

2

West Virginia’s winged visitor

Image: Bhong Bahala

Point Pleasant had quite a moment in the 1960s, when locals reported seeing a tall figure with glowing eyes sweeping through the sky. Newspapers named it the Mothman, and soon the stories were everywhere. Some people thought it was a bird, others guessed something stranger. The sightings even lined up with a real bridge collapse, which only added to the town’s long-lasting fascination.

3

Minnesota’s winter monster

Image: Anoushka Puri

Northern tribes have long shared stories about the Wendigo, a creature tied to greed, hunger, and the frozen wilderness. Descriptions vary, but all versions paint a picture of something you wouldn’t want to cross paths with on a snowy night. Whether seen as a physical creature or a spirit, the tale has survived because it taps into those deep winter fears we all understand, right?

4

The Jersey Devil in New Jersey

Image: Donovan Reeves

The Pine Barrens have been home to strange stories since colonial days. One of the oldest is about Mother Leeds, who supposedly cursed her thirteenth child. Folks say the baby flew off into the forest and took on a life of its own, complete with wings and hooves. Sightings pop up every so often, especially during the wave of excitement in 1909, when everyone was looking over their shoulder.

5

Riverdale Road in Colorado

Image: Dennis Schmidt

This quiet stretch of pavement near Thornton has earned quite a reputation. People love to talk about its old gates, said to be the ruins of a long-gone mansion, where a ghostly woman in white sometimes steals the spotlight. Drivers also swap stories about a phantom jogger keeping pace with them.

6

The Shaman’s Portal in Oklahoma

Image: Daniëlle Eibrink Jansen

Out in Beaver Dunes Park, people have been whispering for centuries about strange lights flickering across the sand. Early explorers were warned to steer clear, and some stories claim travelers simply vanished after a flash of eerie green. Modern visitors usually come for ATV rides, but the legend of an otherworldly doorway tucked into the dunes still gives the place a curious chill.

7

Hell’s Gate Bridge in Alabama

Image: The New York Public Library

Locals tell an old tale about a young couple whose late-night drive ended in tragedy. The story took on a life of its own, with people claiming that if you sit on the bridge in the dark, you might spot the couple. Everyone knows it’s just a slice of local lore, but it hasn’t stopped anyone from swapping stories.

8

Utah’s petrified forest curse

Image: Adrian Hernandez

Escalante Petrified Forest is a beautiful destination, but visitors hear one warning loud and clear: leave the wood where it lies. Rangers say they get packages every year with pieces of petrified wood sent back by people who swear they had nothing but bad luck after taking a souvenir. Whether you believe in curses or just want a peaceful trip, it’s safer to enjoy the scenery with your hands empty.

9

The Cropsey tale in New York

Image: Mahdi Bafande

Growing up in New York, plenty of kids heard a version of Cropsey. Sometimes he was a runaway patient, other times a shadowy presence lurking near camps or tunnels. The unsettling part is that a real criminal case in the 1980s made the stories feel even closer to home. Over time, the legend inspired scary movies, bedtime warnings, and a whole generation of whispered fears.

10

Virginia’s Bunnyman

Image: Justin Ziadeh

Clifton has a little train bridge that looks simple enough in the daytime. But the Halloween story tied to it turned it into a local fixture. Some say a dangerous fugitive patient once hid there. Others remember a real-life incident from the 1970s involving a hatchet and a mysterious figure. The tale grew in the retelling, and before long, the Bunnyman hopped right into regional folklore.