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

World's largest office building

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Among its many record-breaking achievements, America has one lesser-known record that also deserves attention.

Our country is home to the largest office building in the world. Want to know which one? The world's largest office building by floor area is the United States Department of Defense, also known as the Pentagon.

Ok, but how big is it? Located in Arlington, Virginia, and famous not only for its size but also for its distinctive five-sided design, the building has a total floor area of approximately 6.5 million square feet.

2

People in New York

Image: Nicolai Berntsen

We all know that New York City is packed with people. In fact, it's the most populous city in our country. But how many live there?

As of 2024, around 8.8 million people call NYC their home. That's a huge number on its own, but it might be even more impressive when you consider that NYC's population surpasses that of 40 US states, including Montana, New Hampshire, and Mississippi, to name a few. In other words, NYC has more residents than each of those 40 states individually.

After all, New York City is famously known as "the city that never sleeps" for a reason!

3

Many versions of the flag

Image: Chris Hardy

The US flag is one of our most beautiful and beloved symbols and also one of the most recognized worldwide. With its distinctive stripes, stars, and classic red, white, and blue colors, it is an unmistakable icon. But did you know it has undergone several changes over the years?

The US flag has not just had 1, 2, or 3 versions; in fact, there have been 27 official versions! Each of these versions served an important purpose, reflecting some key changes throughout our history. For example, whenever a new state joined the Union, an additional star was added. This is how we arrived at the 50 white stars you see in the upper left corner of our beautiful flag. The current version was made official on July 4, 1960.

4

No official language

Image: Ben Duchac

While English is the most widely spoken language in the United States, the country does not have an official language at the federal level.

This might surprise some people, given that English is the primary language for most Americans and is used for government and legal purposes.

On the other hand, many other languages are spoken here as well. For instance, Spanish is the second most spoken language, though it is used considerably less than English. And that's not all; Chinese, Filipino, and French also have a notable number of speakers in the US!

5

The fastest-speaking states

Image: Chris Liverani

We all have that friend who speaks so fast it's hard to keep up, even if you know them well. Would you like to know how fast Americans speak?

Fortunately, there's not just data on the languages we use but also on how quickly we speak in our daily lives. And it turns out that a few states lead the pack in this speed race.

According to the Smithsonian Institution, Oregon, Minnesota, and Massachusetts are the states where residents speak the fastest . So, if you know someone from those states, why not give it a try and see if you can keep up with their speedy conversations?

6

Most airports in the world

Image: Alex Underwood

Americans seem to love air travel, and there's a good reason for that: the US holds the record for the most airports in the world!

This isn't just a coincidence. The vast size of our territory— yes, we're one of the largest countries in the world—requires fast, safe, and efficient ways to travel to all corners.

With thousands of airports of all kinds spread across the country, it's no wonder that so many movies feature airport scenes or are even filmed inside airplanes, right?

7

Alaska's price

Image: Joris Beugels

We have the great advantage of having the gorgeous state of Alaska as one of the 50 states. Beyond its natural beauty, it holds another impressive distinction: it's the largest state by area, covering approximately 663,300 square miles.

As you may know, Alaska was purchased in 1867 when US Secretary of State William H. Seward sealed a deal with Russia to acquire the territory. However, what some people may not know is just how affordable it was: the purchase cost $7.2 million, which means we acquired Alaska for about 2 cents per acre! To put it in perspective, adjusted for inflation, that $7.2 million would be equivalent to about $140 million today.

8

The first national park in the world

Image: Nicolasintravel

The United States is home to some of the most spectacular and diverse national parks in the world. And not only that, but we also have the honor of being the country that established the world's very first national park.

Inaugurated on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the Earth's first national park. This event marked a turning point, leading to the creation of many other national parks and protected areas both in America and around the globe.

The incredible Yellowstone spans approximately 3,472 square miles , primarily in Wyoming, with portions extending into Montana and Idaho. Have you had the chance to visit it?

9

A special feature on Washington National Cathedral

Image: Ryan Arnst

The Washington National Cathedral offers many attractions for visitors, starting with its beautiful Gothic-style architecture. However, it also holds some secrets and fun facts within its walls.

Construction began in 1907 and took 83 years to complete. The wait was well worth it, as the Washington National Cathedral is now the sixth-largest in the world! And here's a fun fact: its famous Space Window features a real piece of moon rock at its center. Amazing!

Additionally, there's also a quirky feature that some visitors overlook: on the Cathedral's façade, there's a gargoyle with the face of none other than Darth Vader! This Star Wars character was added to the building's northwest tower in the 1980s after a children's design competition. A curious touch, isn't it?

10

Miles of bookshelves

Image: Roman Kraft

The Library of Congress is much more than a beautiful complex of buildings. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., this famous landmark was established over 200 years ago in 1800 . Since then, it has preserved and protected countless documents, treaties, and books that reflect and constitute our nation's history.

Adding to our list of world records, the Library of Congress holds the title of the largest library in the world. It boasts an incredible 164 million items, which translates to 838 miles of bookshelves. That's enough to cover the distance from Atlanta, GA, to New York City, NY!

1

The "Miracle on Ice" (1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid, NY)

A landmark moment in Olympic men’s hockey history, the first medal-round match saw an amateur Team USA —as Olympic rules barred professional athletes from competing— against a four-time gold-winning Soviet Union that had bypassed regulations to gather a professional team. Against all odds, Team USA achieved a 4-3 upset victory and would go on to win gold against Finland.

2

Jesse Owens (1936 Summer Olympics, Berlin)

The Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics were celebrated with uncertainty and fear, under a full-fledged Nazi regime that had "softened" its regulations during the event, but still barred Romani and Jewish athletes from the competition. As an African-American athlete, Jesse Owens was under intense pressure, but was still able to win four gold medals , becoming the first track and field athlete to achieve this record.

3

The Dream Team (1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona)

The 1992 Barcelona Olympics were the first to see a men’s Basketball Team USA with active NBA players, who until then were not allowed to compete due to FIBA regulations. Considered one of the most talent-packed teams of all time —with a roster that included names such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, and David Robinson. The so-called "Dream Team" would remain undefeated through the competition and take the gold medal home, winning each game by at least 32 points —and without Head Coach Chuck Daly having to ever call for a timeout.

4

Michael Phelps (2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing)

Nicknamed "The Baltimore Bullet" and "Flying Fish", Michael Phelps is one of the great names in Team USA swimming history, with a record total of 24 medals across four Olympic Games . After tying the record for most medals of any color by winning six gold and two bronze in the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, Phelps would go on to make history in the following 2008 Olympic Games, where he took home eight gold medals, setting a new record, undisputed in any Olympic sport to this day.

5

Mary Lou Retton (1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles)

The perfect-score victory of 14-year-old Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci in 1976 inspired gymnasts around the globe, among them an 8-year-old Mary Lou Retton. Trained by Comăneci’s former coaches, Retton made a name for herself at a young age, but suffered a devastating knee injury five weeks before the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Despite undergoing surgery, Retton recovered just in time and went head-to-head against Romanian athlete Ecaterina Szabo for the all-around medal. Beating Szabo by 0.05 points, Mary Lou Retton became the first American (and the first non-Eastern European) female gymnast to win all-around gold at just 16 years old. She would also win two silver and two bronze medals in the individual events.

6

1996 U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team (1996 Summer Olympics, Atlanta)

With the men’s teams hogging the spotlight, women’s basketball in the 1990s was still underestimated. The NBA was considering launching a women's professional league, but the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics were to be the deciding factor. In order to give their all, the team lived and trained together for a whole year before the competition , with an undefeated pre-Olympic tour and Olympic run. Their Olympic success would pave the way for the WNBA and, more broadly, for women’s basketball across America.

7

Mark Spitz (1972 Summer Olympics, Munich)

Thirty-six years before Michael Phelps’ gold medal record, Mark Spitz made swimming history in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. With a record-setting career, Spitz had entered the 1968 Games as the favorite for at least six golds, but was only able to achieve two golds, a silver, and a bronze. The following games were different, though: Spitz competed in seven different categories, winning gold and breaking the world record for each one , remaining undefeated until 2008.

8

Florence Griffith-Joyner (1988 Summer Olympics, Seoul)

Despite her 3 golds and one silver at the 1988 Seoul Games, one of Flo-Jo’s most impressive records was set a few months earlier , during the Olympic trials in Indiana, where she set a world record for the 100-meter dash in 10.49 seconds. During the games, she would also set a world record for the 200-meter dash in 21.34 seconds. Both these records have remained undefeated to this day.

9

Carl Lewis (1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996 Summer Olympics)

Carl Lewis’ track and field career has impressive numbers, with 10 Olympic medals (9 of them gold) and 10 World Championship medals. However, the numbers don’t stop there. After matching Jesse Owens’ record by winning four golds in the same Olympics in 1984, he would go on to win gold for the same event in four consecutive games , being one of six athletes overall, and one of two track and field athletes to achieve this record.

10

The "Magnificent Seven" (1996 Summer Olympics, Atlanta)

We’re now used to seeing Team USA dominate women’s gymnastics, but a few decades ago the picture was quite different, with powerhouses like Romania and the Soviet Union dominating the sport. By 1996, Team USA had never managed to win a team gold, but the "Magnificent Seven" —Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes, Kerri Strug, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, and team captain Amanda Borden— would change history. With a team composed of athletes with strong individual performances, Team USA had managed to reach the finals, with the vault as the defining apparatus. Under immense pressure and after falling on her first attempt, Kerri Strug (with a torn ligament that caused her immense pain) executed a near-perfect jump, landing on one foot and beating Russia’s overall score by 0.851 points.