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

French Quarter – New Orleans, LA

Image: João Francisco

Also known as the Vieux Carré ("Old Square" in English), the French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. Established in 1718 by the city’s founders, the neighborhood is now famous for its vibrant music scene—particularly jazz, which was born in its streets and clubs.

Architecturally, the French Quarter is characterized by a blend of Spanish and French colonial influences, with wrought-iron balconies and colorful buildings lining the streets. Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral remain central landmarks, standing as reminders of the city’s rich European history.

2

Harlem – New York City, NY

Image: John Money

Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan known for its African American culture and rich immigration history. Originally founded as a Dutch settlement around 1658, it was named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands. Harlem's complex history has been defined by a series of economic boom-and-bust cycles, with significant population shifts accompanying each cycle.

Successive waves of immigration populated its streets with people from all over the world, including Jewish and Italian Americans in the 19th century and African American residents in the 20th century. The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s cemented the neighborhood's fame, giving rise to figures like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, and helping to shape American popular culture.

3

Beverly Hills – Los Angeles, CA

Image: David Vives

Although technically a suburb of Los Angeles, with distinct neighborhoods of its own, Beverly Hills is still a somewhat closed-knit community, known for its opulent homes and celebrity residents. Originally settled in 1828, the area began as an agricultural community centered around Rancho Rodeo de las Aguas, a Mexican-era land grant.

In 1914, a group of investors, initially searching for oil, discovered water instead and decided to develop the area into a town. By the 1920s, Beverly Hills had become synonymous with wealth and luxury, attracting movie stars like Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, who built lavish estates and cemented the area as a celebrity haven.

4

North End – Boston, MA

Image: Zoshua Colah

Boston's North End is the city’s oldest residential neighborhood, dating back to the 1630s. It played a crucial role in the American Revolution, with notable figures like Paul Revere building their homes there. The Old North Church, where the famous "One if by land, two if by sea" signal was sent, also stands as a landmark of the city’s revolutionary heritage.

The narrow streets and historic buildings offer visitors a glimpse into colonial America, making it one of Boston’s top tourist destinations. The North End is also renowned for its Italian heritage, which took root in the early 1900s, and for hosting the annual Feast of St. Anthony, a tradition dating back over a century.

5

Hollywood – Los Angeles, CA

Image: Jeremy Bishop

Hollywood is arguably the world’s most famous neighborhood when it comes to film and entertainment. Founded in the late 1800s, it quickly became the movie capital of the world with the establishment of the Nestor Film Company in 1911, the first of many studios to call Hollywood home.

Its most iconic landmark, the Hollywood Sign, was originally created in 1923 as an advertisement for a real estate development but has since evolved into a universal symbol of the film industry. While many production studios have relocated over the years, Hollywood remains synonymous with celebrity and filmmaking. Each year, millions of visitors flock to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and explore the streets where countless film legends started their careers.

6

Little Italy – New York City, NY

Image: Alex Haney

Little Italy, located in lower Manhattan, was established in the late 19th century by Italian immigrants who brought their culture, cuisine, and traditions to New York. The neighborhood quickly became a vibrant center of Italian-American life , with bustling markets, restaurants, and festivals.

Though urban development has reduced the original neighborhood to just five blocks, Little Italy still retains its old charm. Iconic spots like Lombardi’s, America’s first pizzeria, continue to draw crowds, while the annual Feast of San Gennaro—a tradition since 1926—celebrates the rich heritage of the community.

7

Chinatown – San Francisco, CA

Image: Kevin Vision

San Francisco’s Chinatown is not only the oldest but also one of the largest Chinese enclaves in North America —and even outside of Asia. Established in 1848, it holds significant historical and cultural importance, playing an important role during the California Gold Rush and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Today, Chinatown is celebrated for its vibrant markets, distinctive pagoda-style architecture, and lively Chinese New Year festivities. Spanning 24 blocks, it remains a crucial cultural and commercial hub, drawing both tourists and locals with its authentic cuisine and historic landmarks.

8

Hyde Park – Chicago, IL

Image: Manta X

Best known as the home of the University of Chicago, Hyde Park has long been a hub for intellectuals, politicians, and social movements on Chicago’s South Side. Originally developed as a retreat for the city's affluent residents, the neighborhood is also known for its numerous museums and religious institutions, including the famous Museum of Science and Industry.

Hyde Park was also the site of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, where millions of visitors were introduced to groundbreaking innovations, such as the first Ferris wheel. Today, it remains one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods, having been home to notable figures like President Barack Obama.

9

Beacon Hill – Boston, MA

Image: Leslie Cross

Beacon Hill is one of Boston’s most picturesque neighborhoods, known for its Federal-style row houses and gaslit streets. Established in the early 1800s, it quickly became a haven for the city's elite, featuring homes designed by notable architects of the era, including Charles Bulfinch.

Beacon Hill also played a significant role in the abolitionist movement, with prominent figures like Frederick Douglass residing in the area. Adding to its architectural charm, the Massachusetts State House, also designed by Bulfinch, crowns Beacon Hill with its stunning golden dome.

10

Little Havana – Miami, FL

Image: Kian Lem

Little Havana in Miami is the heart of Cuban-American culture in the United States. Home to Cuban exiles and Latin American immigrants, the neighborhood's main street, Calle Ocho, is famous for its colorful murals, Cuban cafés, and lively music. Each year, the Calle Ocho Festival, part of the larger Carnaval Miami celebration, draws thousands of visitors.

A symbol of cultural integration, Little Havana features several significant landmarks, including the historic Tower Theater, which has served as a cultural bridge for newly arrived immigrants by offering films in both English and Spanish.

1

The Godfather: A fictional family with real mafia influences

The Corleone family may be fictional, but author Mario Puzo drew inspiration from several real Mafia figures and traditions . Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), for example, has similarities to New York crime boss Frank Costello, who was known for his political connections and influence. Vito's olive-oil business also recalls real mobster Joe Profaci, who built a legitimate olive-oil business alongside his criminal activities.

One of the movie's most memorable scenes also has a real-life parallel. When Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) goes to a restaurant and secretly retrieves a gun from the bathroom before killing Sollozzo and McCluskey, the setup echoes the 1931 murder of mob boss Joe Masseria. Masseria was having lunch at a Coney Island restaurant with Lucky Luciano when Luciano briefly left the table; gunmen then entered and killed Masseria. Michael's assassination, however, is fictional, and Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola combined real Mafia history with an invented Corleone family.

2

Goodfellas: The real life of Henry Hill

Unlike many Mafia movies, Goodfellas is closely tied to one man's actual experiences. The 1990 film by Martin Scorsese is based on Nicholas Pileggi's book Wiseguy , which tells the story of Henry Hill (played by Ray Liotta) and his life inside New York's Lucchese crime family. One of the movie's biggest events, the 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK Airport, really happened: gangsters stole millions of dollars in cash and jewelry from the airline's cargo terminal.

The movie also recreates the real-life 1970 murder of William Bentvena, known as Billy Batts, who was beaten after insulting Thomas DeSimone. Even Henry Hill's drug arrest and the chaotic day depicted in the film, including his paranoia and the helicopter following him, were based on his real accounts.

3

American Gangster: The rise of Frank Lucas

American Gangster (2007) follows Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug trafficker who became one of the most powerful figures in New York's heroin trade during the 1960s and '70s. Denzel Washington's portrayal presents Lucas as a disciplined, businessman-like criminal who built his operation largely outside the traditional Mafia structure. Lucas really did build a heroin operation in Harlem under the name "Blue Magic." He also traveled to Southeast Asia to establish direct connections with heroin suppliers, cutting out intermediaries.

Richie Roberts, played by Russell Crowe, was a real New Jersey detective who investigated Lucas, and he later cooperated with authorities by providing information about corrupt police officers. However, the famous Vietnam coffin scene was not real, and the movie also fictionalized Bumpy Johnson's death and romanticized Lucas's family life.

4

Casino: When Las Vegas was run by the mob

The glamorous Las Vegas of Martin Scorsese’s Casino (1995) has a very real history behind it. The film was based on Nicholas Pileggi's nonfiction book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas . Robert De Niro's Sam ‘’Ace’’ Rothstein was based on casino executive Frank ‘’Lefty’’ Rosenthal, while Joe Pesci's Nicky Santoro was inspired by Chicago mobster Anthony Spilotro.

Several details shown in the movie really happened . Rosenthal survived a car bombing in Las Vegas in 1982, and the attack with a pen was inspired by a real incident involving Spilotro. Ace's appearances before Nevada gaming officials, accompanied by his real attorney Oscar Goodman, were also based on actual events. Rosenthal did oversee the Stardust and other casinos for the Chicago Outfit, where the mob secretly skimmed casino revenue. Spilotro really operated in Las Vegas as the Outfit's enforcer and ran the "Hole in the Wall" Gang.

5

The Sopranos: New Jersey's mob culture comes to TV

Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and his crew were fictional, but The Sopranos (which aired on HBO from 1999 to 2007) drew heavily from the real organized-crime culture of New Jersey and New York. Creator David Chase grew up in New Jersey and was familiar with the presence of Mafia stories and figures in the region. Tony was sometimes compared to real mobster Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo, although he was not based directly on him.

The show's realism went further . FBI wiretaps captured real mobsters discussing how accurately the series portrayed Mafia life. Tony Sirico, who played Paulie Walnuts, had also been involved with the Colombo crime family in his youth and agreed to take the role on the condition that Paulie would never become an informant. Livia Soprano (Nancy Marchand) was based on David Chase's own mother, while locations such as the Bada Bing and Satriale's were real New Jersey establishments used for filming.

6

The Untouchables: Eliot Ness vs. Al Capone

During Prohibition, Al Capone became one of America's most notorious gangsters, while federal agent Eliot Ness (played by Kevin Costner) became famous for helping pursue him. Ness really did lead the "Untouchables," a team targeting Capone's illegal operations in Chicago. The 1987 film's baseball-bat scene also has a real-life basis: Capone (played by Robert DeNiro) reportedly had two suspected traitors, Albert Anselmi and John Scalise, brutally beaten at a dinner.

But many memorable moments are Hollywood inventions. The train-station shootout, courthouse shootout, and Canadian border raid never happened, and Ness never killed gangster Frank Nitti. Capone's eventual conviction for tax evasion was real, but the case was largely driven by the U.S. Attorney's Office and Treasury investigators rather than Ness's team.

7

Donnie Brasco: The undercover agent who really went inside

Donnie Brasco (1997) is based on one of the most remarkable undercover operations in FBI history. Agent Joseph Pistone really spent six years undercover as "Donnie Brasco," infiltrating the Bonanno crime family beginning in 1976. He gained the trust of mobsters who believed he was a small-time jewel thief and was even on the verge of being formally inducted into the Mafia when his true identity was discovered.

The movie's characters also have real counterparts. Johnny Depp plays Pistone, while Al Pacino's Lefty Ruggiero was a real Bonanno mobster who became one of the agent's closest Mafia contacts. The film changes and condenses some events, but the central relationship between Pistone and Ruggiero, and the danger of Pistone being exposed, was based on an actual six-year FBI operation.

8

Scarface: Tony Montana has a real predecessor

Tony Montana, the cocaine-fueled gangster played by Al Pacino, is fictional. But Scarface has deep roots in real organized crime. The 1983 Brian De Palma film was a very loose remake of the 1932 Scarface , directed by Howard Hawks, which was inspired by Prohibition-era Chicago gangster Al Capone . Capone was famously nicknamed "Scarface" because of the scars on his face, and his life as a Chicago gangster helped inspire the original film.

The 1983 movie moved the story from Prohibition-era Chicago to 1980s Miami, transforming its main character into a Cuban immigrant who rises through the cocaine trade. The Miami setting was tied to the real Mariel boatlift of 1980, when more than 100,000 Cubans arrived in the United States.

9

The Irishman: A mobster's claims about Jimmy Hoffa

The Irishman is based largely on Frank Sheeran's claims about his connections to organized crime and the disappearance of Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa. Robert De Niro plays Sheeran, while Al Pacino portrays Hoffa in Martin Scorsese's 2019 film. Sheeran's close relationship with Hoffa and his loyalty to crime boss Russell Bufalino reflect their real-life connections. The 1975 Detroit wedding shown in the film, including the long car trip and gathering of mobsters and union leaders, was also based on a real event.

The film also recreates Sheeran's confrontation with a store owner who had mistreated his daughter Peggy, an incident that contributed to their lasting estrangement. The movie's central claim, that Sheeran killed Hoffa on Mafia orders, comes from Sheeran's own account to writer Charles Brandt, whose book I Heard You Paint Houses inspired the film. However, Sheeran's confession remains disputed, so Hoffa's disappearance is a fact, while Sheeran's role in it has never been established.

10

Bugsy: The man who saw Las Vegas differently

Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel was a real gangster whose name became closely connected with the early history of Las Vegas . In the 1991 movie directed by Barry Levinson, Warren Beatty plays Siegel as he pursues his vision of building the Flamingo, a luxury hotel and casino in the Nevada desert. The real Flamingo opened in 1946, and Siegel was involved in the project before he was murdered in Beverly Hills in June 1947.

The film also features Siegel's real relationship with Virginia Hill, played by Annette Bening, and his connections to Meyer Lansky. Those people and relationships had real foundations, but the movie romanticizes and dramatizes parts of Siegel's personal life . Even the story behind the name "Flamingo" is disputed: one version connects it to Hill, while another traces it to Siegel's interest in the flamingos at Florida's Hialeah Park.

11

Black Mass: The dark story of Whitey Bulger

The 2015 film Black Mass is based on the real story of Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger (played by Johnny Depp). His childhood friendship with FBI agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) was real, and their relationship eventually led to a deal in which Bulger provided information about the Italian Mafia in exchange for protection and immunity from prosecution. The film also recreates real events in Boston, including the murder of Brian Halloran, who was shot in broad daylight after leaving a restaurant.

Not everything happened exactly as shown . The murder of John Callahan, for example, was moved to a nightclub in Florida for the film; in reality, Callahan was killed inside a car in an airport parking lot. Kevin Bacon's FBI supervisor, Charles McGuire, was also a fictional composite rather than a real person, created to represent several FBI officials from that period.

12

Boardwalk Empire: Prohibition, politics, and real gangsters

The HBO series Boardwalk Empire, which aired from 2010 to 2014, takes viewers back to Prohibition-era Atlantic City, when bootlegging, gambling, politics, and organized crime could overlap. The show's central character, Nucky Thompson (played by Steve Buscemi), was inspired by real Atlantic City political boss Enoch "Nucky" Johnson. The series also features real gangsters such as Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Johnny Torrio, and Arnold Rothstein, whose early connections reflect the alliances that shaped organized crime in the 1920s.

Some of the show's events also have a real historical basis . Arnold Rothstein really was linked to the 1919 World Series gambling scandal, and the 1929 Atlantic City mob conference, hosted by the real Nucky Johnson, actually took place. But Nucky's fate was very different from the show's dramatic ending: the real Johnson was arrested for tax evasion, served prison time, and lived until 1968, dying at age 85.