1

Memphis

Image: Brian Wegman 🎃

We say Memphis, you probably think of Graceland and Elvis, right? But in Memphis, barbecue is big too. Famous for its pork dishes, Memphis-style BBQ revolves around slow-cooked shoulders, butts, and ribs, often served with a smoky tomato-based sauce or simply seasoned with a dry rub. Pulled pork sandwiches are a staple here, typically paired with tangy coleslaw.

Be warned, if you visit, don’t expect to pry the secret recipes for their rubs or sauces—those are guarded more tightly than gold.

2

Kansas City

Image: Ahmad

Kansas City barbecue is synonymous with variety. This region smokes everything from ribs and brisket to sausages and burnt ends. The hallmark of Kansas City-style BBQ is its sweet, thick sauce made with tomatoes, molasses, and brown sugar.

This style owes much of its legacy to Henry Perry, the "Father of Kansas City Barbecue" whose techniques were passed down to pitmasters like Arthur Bryant and Ollie Gates. Today, Kansas City’s barbecue joints remain legendary destinations.

3

North Carolina

Image: Leo_Visions

In North Carolina, barbecue loyalty is divided . The Eastern Style involves whole-pig barbecue smoked over wood coals and basted with a peppery vinegar sauce. Purists argue this method lets the meat’s natural flavors shine.

The Western Style (a.k.a. Lexington) is focused on pork shoulder, this style features a ketchup-based sauce that’s sweeter than its eastern counterpart. The addition of tomatoes reflects influences from Bavarian settlers in the area.

4

Texas

Image: Israel Albornoz

Texas takes it a step further and we can find multiple styles . At least, three!

On the one hand, Central Texas goes for a simple and straightforward beef brisket seasoned with salt and pepper, then smoked low and slow.

East Texas style features tender beef and pork, cooked until falling off the bone and often served in sandwiches with a thick, sweet sauce.

Now, as for South Texas, meats like cow’s head or goat are slowly smoked in underground pits and served with salsa and guacamole.

5

Alabama

Image: Ruthra Malai

Alabama’s claim to barbecue fame is its unique white sauce, made from mayonnaise, vinegar, and pepper. This creamy, tangy sauce is typically slathered on smoked chicken or ribs, offering a refreshing departure from traditional tomato-based options.

Cities like Birmingham have emerged as culinary destinations, they blend barbecue with Southern hospitality. Who wouldn’t want to try that out?

6

Georgia

Image: Ajeet Panesar

In Georgia, a barbecue is a social event as much as a culinary delight. Pork is the star, often accompanied by smoky brisket, sausages, and chicken. Georgia’s barbecue leans heavily on bold, smoky flavors and can be found in roadside shacks and upscale eateries alike. Each bite reflects the state’s rich culinary heritage.

7

Hawaii

Image: Z Grills Australia

Hawaii has stunning views, dreamy beaches, and delicious dishes too! Hawaiian barbecue is a celebration of its diverse cultural influences. And a result of its diverse climate too.

Kalua pork, cooked in underground ovens , is a staple at traditional luaus, while local BBQ plates often feature Korean-style ribs, Huli Huli chicken, or barbecued seafood. These dishes are served with rice and macaroni salad, a unique island twist to American barbecue.

8

Kentucky

Image: Sergio Arteaga

Kentucky’s barbecue scene is defined by its love of mutton , which is smoked over hickory wood and served with a peppery vinegar dip.

This lesser-known style also includes pork and turkey, which ultimately reflects the state’s agricultural diversity. The city of Owensboro is the epicenter of mutton barbecue. They host annual festivals dedicated to the dish. Even if you’re not big on BBQ, this annual event is worth visiting!

9

Virginia

Image: Carlitos Grill

Some argue that barbecue’s American roots trace back to Virginia, where Native American techniques and African influences merged.

Whether that’s the case or not, Virginia’s regional variations are great. They include sweet tomato-based sauces , tangy vinegar blends, and even sauces with hints of peanut butter. Each micro-region brings its spin, but they all uphold the state’s rich barbecue heritage.

10

South Carolina

Image: Davide Cantelli

South Carolina’s barbecue stands out with its signature mustard-base sauce, known as "Carolina Gold." Influenced by the state’s German settlers, this tangy sauce pairs perfectly with the region’s whole hog cooking.

South Carolina also offers other sauces, including vinegar-based and tomato-based varieties. In this state, you can’t really say there’s not a thing for every taste bud!

1

It happens every 10 years

The U.S. Census is required by Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every decade, ending in "0," such as 2000, 2010, and 2020 . The first census was conducted in 1790 under President George Washington.

This fixed schedule ensures consistency. Population changes over time, so a regular count allows the government to fairly adjust representation and resources based on where people actually live.

2

It counts everyone living in the U.S.

The census aims to count every person residing in the country, not just citizens. This includes legal residents, undocumented immigrants, and people without permanent housing .

The key concept is "usual residence," meaning where a person lives most of the time. This approach provides a realistic snapshot of the population and ensures communities are represented accurately.

3

It determines seats in the House of Representatives

Census results are used to divide the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states , a process known as apportionment.

States can gain or lose seats depending on population shifts. For example, after the 2020 census, Texas gained two seats, while states like California and New York lost one each due to slower growth.

4

It influences federal funding

Census data guide the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding each year, with estimates ranging from $675 billion to $1.5 trillion.

Programs for highways, hospitals, schools, and housing depend on population figures . Areas with higher populations typically receive more funding, making an accurate count financially important for communities.

5

Households receive census invitations

Every household in the United States receives an official census invitation , usually by mail. In 2020, more than 140 million housing units were included.

This system replaced earlier door-to-door counting methods. Using a national address database helps ensure broad coverage and makes it easier for people to respond on their own.

6

It can be completed online, by mail, or by phone

The modern census offers multiple ways to respond. In 2020, people could complete it online, by mailing back a paper form, or by phone .

Adding online responses marked a major shift. It reduced costs, improved convenience, and reflected how Americans increasingly move towards digital communication.

7

Census workers follow up in person

If households do not respond, trained census workers, called enumerators, visit homes in person to collect the information.

This step is essential because the census must count everyone, not just those who respond voluntarily . It helps reach people in rural areas, dense cities, and communities with lower response rates.

8

It asks basic demographic questions

The census form is intentionally short. In 202, it included about 10 questions covering age, sex, race, household relationships, and housing status.

The goal is to keep it simple. Shorter forms increase participation while still collecting the key data needed for representation, funding, decisions, and planning.

9

Responses are legally confidential

Federal law strictly protects census responses. Under Title 13 of the U.S. Code, personal data cannot be shared with law enforcement, immigration authorities, or other agencies .

Only anonymous, combined statistics are released. Census workers face severe penalties, including fines and prison, for revealing personal information.

10

Missing the census is technically against the law

Responding to the census is legally required. Federal law allows fines for refusing to answer or providing false information .

In practice, penalties are rarely enforced. The rule exists mainly to emphasize how important it is for everyone to be counted accurately.

11

The data helps draw voting districts

After the census determines how many representatives each state receives, the data is used to redraw congressional and state legislative districts .

This process, called redistricting, ensures districts reflect current population patterns. It supports the principle of equal representation, often described as "one person, one vote."

12

Results are released over time

Census results are published in stages. Basic population counts come first, allowing Congress to complete apportionment.

More detailed demographic data follows months later. This gradual release ensures accuracy while protecting privacy , sometimes using advanced techniques like statistical noise to safeguard identities.

1

Anna Harrison

Anna Harrison was preparing for her belated move to the White House in 1841, when her plans were shattered by some devastating news.

That March, Anna, then 65, was too ill to travel from Ohio to Washington for her husband William Henry Harrison’s inauguration. She was expected to recover and join him later that spring, so her daughter-in-law, Jane Irwin Harrison, served as White House hostess in the meantime. But just one month after taking office, President Harrison died at 68 of a mysterious illness. Anna never made the journey and became the shortest-serving first lady in American history , despite never actually occupying the official role in the capital itself.

2

Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

The White House may look like a historic home, but by 1901 it was struggling to keep up with presidential life. By 1902, Theodore and Edith Roosevelt’s family had outgrown the cramped residence. Theodore Roosevelt had six children, a growing staff, and too little room for official work.

His second wife, Edith Kermit Carrow Roosevelt, helped shape the major 1902 renovation, working with architect Charles McKim to reorganize the building and its furnishings. The family quarters on the second floor were expanded, and the West Wing was built to move much of the president’s staff out of the residential floor. The project also introduced a more coordinated Colonial Revival style, replacing mismatched décor with a more unified look. Edith’s influence went beyond choosing curtains or furniture: the changes helped separate family life from government business, laying the groundwork for the White House layout people recognize today.

3

Frances Cleveland

It’s not common to see weddings inside the White House, but President Grover Cleveland made it happen in 1886.

On June 2, he married Frances Folsom in the Blue Room, making her the only first lady to marry a president inside the mansion. Their relationship attracted enormous public interest due to the difference in age: s he was 21, while Cleveland was 49. Frances also remains the youngest first lady in American history— and that’s not all. On September 9, 1893, Frances gave birth to their daughter Esther at the White House, the only child of a president ever born there. With a young family in the Executive Mansion, Frances also worked to protect her children’s privacy, including restricting access to the press to the grounds when needed.

4

Dolley Madison

In August 1814, British troops marched into Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812, and the White House was in danger. President James Madison had left the capital, but First Lady Dolley Madison stayed long enough to help arrange the removal of important belongings.

That includes a portrait of George Washington painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1797, the first artwork brought into the White House. The story has become one of the best-known episodes in first lady history, although later illustrations sometimes dramatized the rescue. The portrait was a large, framed likeness, not something she could simply tuck under her arm. Official accounts describe the frame being removed so the canvas could be carried away. British forces later set fire to the presidential mansion on August 24, 1814. The painting survived, and Dolley’s quick action helped preserve a powerful symbol of the young republic.

5

Edith Wilson

When a president becomes seriously ill, doctors and advisers step in. But after Woodrow Wilson suffered a major stroke on October 2, 1919, his wife, Edith, became the gatekeeper to the Oval Office’s most important decisions.

Edith, working alongside the president’s physician, Dr. Cary Grayson, screened documents and decided which matters were important enough to bring to her husband. She insisted that Wilson remain in office rather than resign, while limiting access to him. Critics later described her as an unelected ruler, although she maintained that she never made public-policy decisions herself.

6

Helen Taft

If you’ve ever seen photographs of Washington, D.C., covered in pink cherry blossoms, you can thank a first lady with an eye for natural beauty.

Helen Herron Taft became first lady in 1909 and supported plans to transform Potomac Park into a tree-lined promenade. She worked with writer and Japan traveler Eliza Scidmore, who had advocated for Japanese cherry trees for nearly 25 years. An initial shipment of 2,000 trees arrived in 1910, but inspectors found them so infested with insects that they were destroyed. Tokyo sent a replacement gift of 3,020 trees, and on March 27, 1912, Helen Taft and Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two beside the Tidal Basin.

7

Sarah Polk

Sarah Childress Polk was no carefree hostess; when she was first lady, there were some strict rules for guests inside the White House.

When her husband, James K. Polk, became president in 1845, she took her responsibilities seriously, paid close attention to politics, and helped manage the household with a firm hand . She was also deeply religious and opposed drinking, so alcohol was not served at White House receptions during the Polk Administration. Some accounts say disgruntled staff members nicknamed her "Sahara Sarah" because they found her rules and strict manners dry and joyless. The nickname makes for a good story, but there are no firmly documented records of this being true. Sarah’s influence wasn’t limited to social rules: she was an educated political partner who discussed public affairs with her husband and followed the news closely.

8

Abigail Adams

Long before women could vote in national elections, Abigail Adams was already pushing her husband to consider their rights.

In a letter dated March 31, 1776, while John was attending the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, she urged her husband John Adams, then helping shape the new nation’s political future, to "Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors," when establishing laws for the emerging republic. She warned against giving husbands unlimited power over their wives and argued for greater fairness. John replied playfully, but the new country’s laws did not deliver the changes Abigail wanted. When John became president in 1797, Abigail served as a trusted adviser and White House hostess. More than a presidential spouse, she was a sharp political thinker who made her views known at a time when women were largely excluded from formal power.

9

Letitia Tyler

The White House is usually associated with ceremonies, celebrations, and political history, but it has also been the scene of private grief. At the age of 51, Letitia Christian Tyler, wife of President John Tyler, became the first first lady to pass away inside the mansion due to a fatal stroke on September 10, 1842.

She had been in poor health after a first stroke that left her confined to a chair upstairs, and led a quiet life. It was her daughter-in-law, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, who took on many hostess responsibilities, welcoming guests and organizing social events. Letitia’s death left the president and their large family mourning in the very place where the country conducted its business. She was buried in Virginia, at the plantation where she had been born.

10

Martha Washington

Today, seeing a woman’s portrait on money might not seem unusual, but for much of the country’s history it was rare.

Martha Washington, the nation’s inaugural first lady, became the first and, to date, only woman whose portrait appeared on a U.S. paper currency note in her own right. Her likeness was featured on silver certificates issued in 1886, 1891, and 1896, decades after her death in 1802. The 1806 note, held in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collection, shows her bust on the front of a one-dollar silver certificate. These notes were not the same as today’s familiar Federal Reserve bills: they represented silver held by the U.S. Treasury and could be redeemed under the rules of the time.