1

Paul Bunyan

Image: Abby Savage

Paul Bunyan , the colossal lumberjack of American folklore, is said to have cleared forests from the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest. With his blue ox, Babe , he performed incredible feats of strength, like carving out the Grand Canyon just by dragging his axe behind him, and creating the Great Lakes with his footprints.

Originating in oral traditions among lumberjacks, Bunyan’s exaggerated exploits gained momentum with the American westward expansion during the 19th century and soon became deeply ingrained in the popular imagination.

2

Johnny Appleseed

Image: Aarón Blanco Tejedor

Born John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed wandered the American frontier planting apple trees and spreading goodwill in the early 19th century. A devout Christian, he became a folk hero for his kindness, environmentalism, and pioneering spirit.

Contrary to the popular image of Johnny Appleseed randomly scattering apple seeds, he was a skilled nurseryman who meticulously planted apple tree nurseries. Each nursery was carefully fenced to shield the saplings from livestock and wildlife. After establishing these nurseries, he entrusted them to neighbors but revisited them periodically.

3

Pecos Bill

Image: JosephHershMedia

Pecos Bill , a fictional cowboy raised by coyotes in the wilds of Texas, became a larger-than-life figure known for taming cyclones and roping tornadoes. His adventures, first popularized in the early 20th century, embody the frontier spirit and Texas mythology, blending humor with tales of rugged individualism.

Among his many tales, one credits him with creating the Gulf of Mexico . According to legend, during a severe drought in Texas, Pecos Bill lassoed a storm cloud in California and brought it to Texas. The resulting deluge caused extensive flooding, ultimately forming the Gulf.

4

Davy Crockett

Image: Joseph Corl

Davy Crockett , known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," was a real-life frontiersman later turned politician whose exploits were mythologized even during his lifetime. Born in East Tennessee, he quickly gained fame for his sharp hunting skills and captivating storytelling.

During his time in the U.S. Congress, he staunchly opposed many of President Andrew Jackson’s policies, particularly the Indian Removal Act, and championed the rights of small landowners. Crockett’s life ended with valor at the Battle of the Alamo , solidifying his folk legend as a symbol of courage and patriotism. His legacy remains an enduring part of American history.

5

Calamity Jane

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Martha Jane Canary, better known by her alias Calamity Jane, was a frontierswoman and scout famed for her sharpshooting skills and daredevil exploits. During her youth, she stepped up to provide for her large family, taking on various jobs, from ox team driver to scout for Fort Russell. Eventually, she embraced the rough and adventurous lifestyle that made her a legend.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Calamity Jane was compassionate and often helped those in need. Her adventures in the Wild West alongside figures like Wild Bill Hickok cemented her status as a legend of the American frontier.

6

Molly Pitcher

Image: Garry T

Molly Pitcher, the nickname given to Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, became famous for her bravery during the American Revolutionary War. Although several historical figures are known by this moniker for similar deeds, Mary Ludwig Hays distinguished herself during the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, where she served as a water carrier for the soldiers.

When her husband, an artilleryman in the Continental Army, fell to enemy fire, she took his place, swabbing and loading the cannon with such bravery and determination that she earned a commendation from George Washington.

7

Daniel Boone

Image: Scott Longerbeam

Daniel Boone was a legendary frontiersman and explorer who blazed trails through the Appalachian Mountains and into Kentucky. Born in 1734, Boone became famous for his expert hunting and survival skills, as well as his role in establishing the Wilderness Road, a trail that facilitated westward migration through the Cumberland Gap.

After serving as a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, he was briefly taken in by the Shawnees in the Northeastern Woodlands. After a few years, he returned and continued to help protect the Kentucky settlements.

8

Buffalo Bill

Image: Judy Beth Morris

William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a legendary figure of the American West, known for his Wild West shows that toured the United States and Europe. Born in 1846, Cody was a skilled buffalo hunter, Army scout, and showman who brought cowboy skills and frontier life to audiences worldwide.

He earned his nickname after the Civil War by providing Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with buffalo meat, hunting record numbers of the animal. He even engaged in hunting competitions with his partner, Bill Comstock. His legendary figure has been frequently portrayed in film and television, especially during the height of the Western genre in the 1960s.

9

Wild Bill Hickok

Image: Pablò

James Butler Hickok, famously known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a legendary figure of the American Old West. Born in 1837, Hickok gained fame as a skilled marksman, gambler, and lawman.

Though his exploits were certainly exaggerated by the outlandish tales he told about himself, he was involved in several notorious gunfights during his life. Most notably, he dueled with Davis Tutt, a local gambler with whom he had various disagreements, particularly over their mutual affection for the same woman.

10

John Henry

Image: Lucio Patone

John Henry was a legendary steel-driving man whose man-against-machine tale epitomized the strength and resilience of the American worker. An African American freedman, his dangerous job involved hammering steel drills into rocks to create holes for explosives used to blast open railroad tunnels.

According to the legend, John Henry's prowess was tested in a race against a steam-powered drill. He won the race but tragically died after victory, hammer in hand when his heart gave out from the immense physical stress.

1

Brisket

Image: Sergey Kotenev

We’ll begin with a Texan staple . Texas boasts a number of extraordinary culinary delicacies, and we could have easily focused on any of them for this entry. As a sign of respect, we’ll mention chili con carne, Texas’ official state dish, as well as the Texas Tommy, a delicious hotdog served with bacon and cheese. However, we must give credit where credit is due to what’s perhaps the most iconic dish in Texan cuisine— we believe that title goes to the almighty brisket.

It’s no secret that Texas barbecues are the stuff of legends, and in that sense, many believe that brisket is the undisputed crown jewel of any barbecue worth its salt. While it's true that this beef cut does take some time to cook in Texan slow-smoking barbecue, briskets are truly something special.

2

Six Flags Over Texas

Image: Zabdiel Gonzalez

Have you ever wondered why the iconic theme park is called "Six Flags?" The name comes from the popular slogan "Six Flags Over Texas," but that doesn’t clarify exactly what those flags represent. Well, the answer lies in Texas history, since it is a direct reference to the six nations that have governed Texas in the past.

Since its foundation, Texas has been governed by Spain, France, Mexico, the Confederate States, and the United States. Not only that, for a brief period Texas was its very own independent country, known as the Republic of Texas. This independent state lasted from 1836 to 1846 before it became our nation’s 28th State.

3

Size

Image: Mick Haupt

Texas might not be our largest state, but it is undeniably massive. As we mentioned earlier, for approximately 10 years the Republic of Texas was its own separate country—and it certainly had the size for it. If Texas was still a separate nation, it would be the 39th largest nation in the world. In fact, the Lone Star state could fit 10 different European nations within its borders and still have room to spare.

Speaking of which, how does Texas fare against other U.S. states? Let’s just put it into perspective: you could fit Rhode Island, our smallest state, 221 times inside Texas. Not only that, you could comfortably fit 10 different states at the same time. Impressive, isn't it?

4

Etymology

Image: Enrique Macias

We’ve referred to Texas by its "Lone Star" nickname so much in this article that you might be inclined to believe that its official slogan is "The Lone Star State." However, you might be surprised to learn that the official one is actually "The Friendly State," a moniker that comes from the etymology of the word "Texas" itself.

The name "Texas" originates from the Caddo word táy:shaʼ, which translates to "friend." It is believed that Spanish settlers called the Caddo people by this word, and eventually named the whole region Provincia de los Texas , meaning "province of the Texas people."

5

Dr. Pepper

Image: Yana Smetana

Need a tasty beverage to wash all that delicious brisket down? We've got you covered, take a trip to Waco, Texas, and visit the Dr. Pepper Museum , housed in the very first building specifically built to bottle this iconic soft drink. Not only will you get a refreshing soda in return, but you’ll also learn all about one of America’s favorite beverages.

As you might have guessed, Waco is the birthplace of Dr. Pepper, created in 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton. This soft drink is truly a Texan treasure, regularly enjoyed all across the state. Much like Coca-Cola and other sodas, its recipe is a well-guarded secret, allegedly kept in halves and guarded in two separate safe deposit boxes.

6

Rodeo

Image: Vinny O'Hare

Few things are as synonymous with Texas as rodeo . Cowboy culture is a huge part of what makes this state so special, so if you have a chance, attending at least one rodeo during your visit is a must.

For many Texans, rodeos are more than just a spectacle—they are a way of life that showcases both the daring nature and passionate identity that defines the Lone Star State. There are literally too many rodeos to recommend, but rest assured, the spirit of the Old West still lives in all of them.

7

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Image: History in HD

What’s the first thing that comes to mind whenever someone mentions the 1993 blockbuster Apollo 13 ? You don’t have to answer—we all know it’s Tom Hanks’ iconic delivery of the classic line, "Houston, we have a problem." It’s only natural that this phrase is forever associated with space exploration; after all, the city of Houston has been home to one of NASA’s main facilities for over 60 years.

The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is perhaps NASA’s most renowned facility. It’s where manned spaceflight research, training, and flight control are conducted. The center has grown so much in popularity that, in 1967, the city of Houston was given the official nickname "Space City."

8

Weird laws

Image: Tingey Injury Law Firm

Let’s take a small detour to talk about Texas’ wackier side . While the state’s constitution strives to guarantee the happiness and safety of millions of Texans, it also contains its fair share of wacky and weird laws that still exist in our days.

We don’t really have the time or space to deal with every weird Texas law, so here are some of our favorites. For starters, carrying wire cutters is forbidden in Austin, a rule that dates back to whenever cattle owners would settle a dispute by cutting their neighbors’ barbed wire. You should also refrain yourself from walking barefoot on the streets of certain Texan cities, and, thanks to a particularly outdated law, from buying cheese on a Sunday.

9

Texas Eiffel Tower

Image: Estevão Teixeira

Want to experience the majesty of the Eiffel Tower but don’t feel like leaving the country? Don’t worry, Texas has your back. All you need to do is visit the city of Paris (not the French capital, but rather its Texan counterpart) to marvel at a replica of this engineering wonder. While it is significantly smaller than the original, the Texas Eiffel Tower showcases this state’s spirit by sporting a red cowboy hat at its top.

Curiously, Texas's Eiffel Tower was built the same year as another American replica of the Parisian monument. In 1993, both Paris, Texas, and Paris, Tennessee unveiled their replicas. The cowboy hat was added to the Texas Tower in 1998 in a bit of friendly competition since the added height made this tower slightly taller than the one in Tennessee.

10

Presidents born in Texas

Image: History in HD

We’ll end this article by paying homage to some of Texas’ favorite sons. Did you know that Texas is the only state with three different presidential libraries ? What’s curious is that only two U.S. presidents were born in Texas, Lyndon B. Johnson and Dwight D. Eisenhower. However, two other presidents also famously fell in love with the Lone Star State and made it their home.

George H. Bush’s love for Texas is very well-documented. Years before becoming president, he moved to this state with his family after graduating from college. President Bush passed his adoration for Texas on to his children. Years later, his older son George W. became governor of Texas and, eventually, the 43rd president of the United States.

1

Legal drinking age

Image: Elevate

When was the first time you tried a beer? Probably at 21 or later. While that's completely normal here in the US, it can seem a bit strange to people in other parts of the world. Why? In America, you can vote, serve on a jury, and even get married in some states at 18, but you still can't legally buy alcohol until you're 21. In many other countries, the legal drinking age is 18—or even younger—and that's why they find our law unusual.

2

The faces of real estate agents

Image: Tierra Mallorca

We're used to walking through a neighborhood and seeing signs with real estate agents' faces in front of homes for sale. But in other countries, that's pretty unusual! In many places, real estate transactions are more impersonal; you deal with an agency, not a specific person. Here in the US, we like to put a face to the name. Getting to know the person helping you buy or sell a home feels more personal and trustworthy. It makes sense, right?

3

Our coins

Image: Shot by Cerqueira

Many of us don't even notice this until we travel abroad, but some of our coins don't actually show their value! Sure, you'll see words like "Five Cents," "One Cent," or even "One Dime," but there's no actual number printed on them. When you think about it, that's kind of strange, right? Especially when most countries display the value on their coins using numbers.

4

American flag everywhere

Image: camera obscura

In many countries, their national flag is used only for formal or official purposes, but that's not the case in the US. We tend to see the American flag literally everywhere, not just at official functions or holiday celebrations, but also on all kinds of products and imagery. From T-shirts and caps to food packaging and even swimsuits, our flag is a constant presence in everyday life.

5

No bad words on TV

Image: Kevin Woblick

If you're in America and turn on your TV right now, you'll find everything from romantic scenes to shows about zombies or violent crimes, but you'll rarely hear any bad language. Our television generally doesn't include insults or swear words, while in other countries they often do, even in shows that air during times when children might be watching.

6

Dinner before 8 PM

Image: Or Hakim

Depending on the region, dinner in the United States is often served before 8 p.m., and sometimes even before 7 p.m. But in many other countries, that's considered too early. In Latin America, for example, most people eat dinner between 8 and 11 p.m.!

7

The Imperial System

Image: Jarosław Kwoczała

We Americans use miles, feet, pounds, and degrees Fahrenheit, but this is often very confusing for visitors from other parts of the world. We are totally used to the Imperial System, but in most countries, the Metric System reigns supreme, with everything measured in meters, kilometers, kilograms, and degrees Celsius.

8

Big portions

Image: mafe estudio

Large portions are deeply ingrained in our daily lives. Whether it's restaurant meals, snack packs, or soft drinks, everything tends to be bigger in America. This can be surprising for foreigners who come here and order food, since in many other countries, dishes are smaller, and the custom of taking leftovers home after eating at a restaurant isn't as common as it is in the US.

9

Turkey pardon

Image: Tyler Donaghy

The pardoning of the turkey by the US president is a big event for many Americans. But in other parts of the world, where Thanksgiving isn't celebrated, it can come as a surprise. To foreigners, this formal ceremony involving a turkey might seem quite strange. Since Thanksgiving traditions aren't part of their history, this custom is uniquely American.

10

Alumni homecoming

Image: Carol Highsmith's America

Perhaps you've had the chance to participate in Homecoming, the annual event that celebrates university spirit with parties, sports games, and other activities for students returning to campus. While it's a big part of our college tradition and communities are deeply involved, it's quite different in other parts of the world, where the return to school usually happens with little fanfare.