1

Statue of Liberty

Image: Erik Lindgren

We’ll start with what’s probably this city’s most famous icon. Lady Liberty has welcomed the "huddled masses" that arrived in NYC since the 19th century. You probably know that this statue was a gift from France to the American people, but did you know Gustave Eiffel, the engineer behind the iconic Eiffel Tower, built its metalwork?

Another fun fact: While nowadays the Statue of Liberty is world-known for its green hue, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, when she was inaugurated in 1886, Lady Liberty sported a reddish-brown color more befitting of copper , the metal she is made of. However, after years of oxidation due to exposure, the statue eventually became green.

2

Empire State Building

Image: Dana Andreea Gheorghe

The state of New York’s official nickname is "The Empire State": Some credit George Washington with coming up with this term, inspired by this state’s wealth and disposition. In that sense, this magnificent skyscraper stands as a proud homage to this sentiment and is one of the most recognizable figures in NYC’s skyline.

This 102-story skyscraper is located in the Manhattan borough and was, for a while, the tallest building in the world. It has been featured in over 250 films and TV shows since one of the most iconic scenes in movie history was filmed there: 1933’s King Kong showed the titular giant ape perched on top of the tower.

3

Brooklyn Bridge

Image: Brandon Day

At the time of its inauguration in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world: It stood as an engineering masterwork, both for its length and its innovative and unique design. But what’s truly amazing is that the Brooklyn Bridge has continued to amaze and inspire millions of New Yorkers for over 140 years.

The bridge was designed by John A. Roebling, assisted by his son and chief engineer Washington Roebling. This NYC landmark eventually became a family affair: After John Roebling fell ill and was bedridden, his wife Emily contributed to see the project to completion.

4

Broadway

Image: Eddie Bugajewski

Looking for a night at the theatre? Then Broadway is the place to be. This street is synonymous with excellent plays and musicals, up to the point that it has become a metonym for the entire industry. Broadway offers 41 professional theaters, each with 500 seats or more, offering quality performances for thousands of people each year.

Alongside London West End’s district, Broadway is known as the highest level of theater entertainment in the English-speaking world. In that sense, Broadway represents the crème de la crème of American theater, up to the point of inspiring the name of other NYC theaters, which are known as "Off-Broadway" or "Off-off-Broadway".

5

Central Park

Image: Dana Andreea Gheorghe

Looking for a quick stroll through green scenery? Then head on to the most famous NYC park. While definitively the most iconic, you might be surprised to learn that Central Park is not the biggest park in the city: In fact, it’s only in sixth place. Having said that, this iconic location is still massive enough to fill a big part of New York City’s skyline with its lush green.

Central Park was built over a period of approximately 50 years during the 19th century, from its proposal in the 1840s to its completion in 1876. Nowadays, it features several iconic monuments and features, like the USS Maine National Monument, the Strawberry Fields Memorial, and the Central Park Zoo, which showcases over 160 different animal species.

6

New York Public Library Main Branch

Image: Chris Ladouceur

Libraries are known as "the guardians of knowledge", and New York City’s Public Library is no exception: With approximately 53 million items, this New York institution has preserved American culture and knowledge since 1895.

While the library has over 90 locations across the city, its most famous location is probably the main branch building, located in Manhattan. This location, officially known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, showcases the library’s famous stone lions guarding its entrance. Fun fact: These lions were nicknamed ‘Patience’ and ‘Fortitude’ by NYC Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.

7

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Image: Pascale Amez

Standing at the heart of Brooklyn since 1911, Brooklyn Botanic Garden houses over 14,000 plants and trees, which welcome approximately 800,000 visitors every year. Besides showcasing these lovely specimens, the Garden offers educational and conservation programs, as well as a special garden inspired by the works of William Shakespeare.

While everything in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is certainly worth visiting, its main attraction is its 200 cherry trees, featured across its Cherry Walk and Cherry Esplanade. Thousands of tourists from all around the world gather in the garden during Spring, to watch these gorgeous trees blossom.

8

Grand Central Terminal

Image: Afif Ramdhasuma

You would think there’s not a lot of tourist value in a train station, but trust us: Grand Central Terminal is definitively worth the visit. This stationnot only showcases beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture and design, but it also perfectly encapsulates the busy and energetic everyday that New Yorkers take so much pride in.

Notably, the terminal has been featured in countless films and TV shows: Approximately 25 large-scale films are shot in the terminal each year. Most of these films have been shot on the famous 'Track 34,' which doesn’t block filming since it doesn’t have structural columns.

9

Met Museum

Image: Changqing Lu

We could have included a great number of museums in this list: After all, New York City is home to hundreds of fine art institutions. However, we ended up choosing the most visited museum in the United States, and one of the most respected cultural establishments in the world: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as " the Met ".

Founded in 1870, the Met is located in located right next to the eastern edge of Central Park. The museum houses over 1.5 million objects, including Ancient Egyptian art and paintings from masters like Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso.

10

Flatiron Building

Image: Serge Pelletier

This iconic building showcases the resilience and strength of New Yorkers. While nowadays is known as a New York institution, at the time of its opening it was sometimes called "Burnham's Folly": Many believed that the building, designed by Daniel Burnham, would eventually be knocked down by the wind due to its unique triangular shape.

And yet, this skyscraper still stands, 120 years after its inauguration. Its sleek and avant-garde design has truly cemented the Flatiron building as an architectural wonder.

1

Federal holiday

Image: Kyrie kim

Every year in America, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the 3rd Monday of January. This date was chosen because MLK was born on January 15, 1929, which fell on a Thursday.

But did you know that MLK Day is the only US federal holiday that celebrates the birthday of someone who wasn't a US president? Can you guess what the other one is? That’s right—it’s Presidents’ Day, observed on the 3rd Monday of February in honor of George Washington’s birthday.

2

Not afraid

Image: Grant Durr

If there’s one thing that defines MLK, it’s his bravery. And just as he was not afraid to confront the oppressive norms of his time, neither was he afraid of jail. In fact, he was arrested between 25 and 30 times, always for reasons related to his nonviolent activism.

It was during one of these arrests, in 1963, that he wrote his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail.

3

Improvisation

Image: Demure Storyteller

Martin Luther King Jr.'s " I Have a Dream" speech remains one of the most famous speeches in the world to this day. Those powerful, inspiring words could only come from a brilliant mind. But did you know that part of his speech was improvised?

That's right! On August 28, 1963, MLK impressed the world from the Lincoln Memorial steps with a carefully prepared speech, but he also added spontaneous thoughts inspired by the excitement of the moment. In fact, the speech's most famous words—the ones that gave it its title—weren’t part of the original draft.

4

Star Trek fan

Image: Stefan Cosma

MLK was also someone who appreciated quality TV. He was known to be a fan of the original Star Trek series.

But he wasn't just a fan—he went on to influence the show! Actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for playing Lieutenant Uhura, was about to leave the show, but she met King, and he encouraged her to stay. He believed that Nichols' role was crucial in inspiring young African Americans.

5

Birth name

Image: insung yoon

The famous Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, as Michael King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia, named after his father, Michael King Sr. However, a few years later, that would change.

In 1934, after learning about Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation, Michael King Sr. decided to change both his own name and his son’s to Martin Luther King Sr. and Martin Luther King Jr., respectively.

6

College at 15

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Martin Luther King Jr. skipped several grades and entered college at the young age of 15! Given his remarkable intelligence, this isn’t surprising, but his brilliance never fails to impress.

In 1944, he was admitted to Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. His studies there helped shape his critical perspective on society and its dynamics. Additionally, it was during his time at Morehouse that he decided to become a minister.

7

The first on Time

Image: NordWood Themes

Time magazine's Person of the Year (originally called "Man of the Year") debuted in 1927, with American aviator Charles Lindbergh gracing the cover.

It took 36 years for the first African American to earn this recognition. Of course, that honor went to Martin Luther King Jr., who was named Person of the Year in 1963 , following the historic March on Washington and his unforgettable " I Have a Dream " speech.

8

Julia Roberts!

Image: Nikhil Mistry

Just when you think there are no more surprises , here’s a fact that will astonish you: What do Martin Luther King Jr. and actress Julia Roberts have in common?

It turns out that Julia Roberts’ mom, Betty Lou Bredemus, was an active member of the Civil Rights Movement—even during her pregnancy—making her well-known to Martin Luther King Jr.'s family. And here’s the surprising part: MLK’s parents helped cover the medical expenses for Julia Roberts’ birth!

9

He lived to 39

Image: Unseen Histories

His impressive career, filled with groundbreaking achievements, might lead us to believe that he had many years to achieve all of it.

However, the minister was still a young man when he was tragically attacked on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Sadly, Martin Luther King Jr. lived to be only 39 years old.

10

Writer

Image: Aaron Burden

MLK was not only a leader, activist, thinker, pastor, and Nobel Peace Prize winner; he was also a writer. That's right! King Jr. wrote several articles, letters, and books.

Among the most cited are his books Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958), Strength to Love (1963), Why We Can't Wait (1964), Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967), and the Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963).

1

Mt. McKinley/Denali

This Alaskan mountain has changed names several times. Historically called Denali (meaning ‘the big one’) by the Koyukon Athabaskan tribe, it was referred to as Bolshaya Gora (‘big mountain’) by the Russians. After the Alaska purchase, it was temporarily named Densmore's Mountain before gaining the name McKinley in support of the then-presidential candidate. It was renamed Denali in the 1970s at the state level and in 2015 at the federal level, before reverting to McKinley in 2024, although Denali is still the name of the National park that houses it . With this many changes, it’s no wonder some people still mix the names.

2

Liberty Enlightening the World/The Statue of Liberty

This statue is one of the indisputable icons of the USA and of New York City, but not everyone knows that ‘The Statue of Liberty’ is just a popular name. As a gift from France, it was named La Liberté éclairant le monde , or ‘Liberty Enlightening the World’ , but no matter what it’s called, it has become an iconic symbol of American values.

3

Alcatraz Island/The Rock

One of the most infamous American prisons, Alcatraz Island, is located less than two miles from the San Francisco coast. Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala named it Isla de los Alcatraces or Island of the Pelicans due to the prevalence of these birds. After becoming U.S. territory, Alcatraz Island became a military fort, and then a federal prison that housed some of America’s most notorious criminals. While many believe that it's popularly called The Rock because it was impossible to escape, the nickname is simply due to its rocky appearance and its isolated location.

4

Mt. Rainier/Tahoma

Located in the Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, Mt. Rainier is the tallest mountain (and volcano) in the Cascade Range. Native American tribes of the area have given numerous names to this peak, but the most prominent one is Tahoma or Tacoma , a name still used by some. Officially, however, it is called Mt. Rainier , a name given by the British explorer George Vancouver in the 1790s.

5

Lake Superior/Gitche Gumee

The largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior, is one of the biggest freshwater reserves in the world. Its current name originated when French explorers, after traversing Lake Huron, called this lake le lac supérieur (‘the lake above’). After the French and Indian War, the British simply translated the name. However, this lake also has a native name, usually transliterated as Gitche Gumee, a name used by the poet Longfellow in his work The Song of Hiawatha .

6

Mt. Rushmore/The Six Grandfathers

This mountain has been considered a sacred place by many tribes of the region —such as the Arapaho, Cheyenne, or Lakota Sioux— who named it ‘The Six Grandfathers’ after their ancestral deities . The place gained its current name when Charles E. Rushmore, a lawyer surveilling the area as a representative of a mining company, asked the name of the mountain. His guide replied that it had no name, but it would from that day be called ‘Rushmore’. The name stuck, and was officially recognized a few decades later.

7

Mission San Antonio de Valero/The Alamo

The battle of the Alamo is a well-known episode in Texan history, and its location is considered a shrine to Texan valor and liberty. However, what many don’t know is that the place is called Mission San Antonio de Valero , a name given by the Spanish. Where does the ‘Alamo’ name come from? After the place stopped being used as a Catholic mission, it became a military fortress, housing a military unit nicknamed Álamo de Parras after their city of origin, a nickname that extended to the site.

8

Cloud Gate/The Bean

Chicago regulars (and even those who never set foot in Chicago) know that The Bean is as iconic as it gets when talking about the city. Inspired by liquid mercury, this impressive sculpture might be shaped like a ginormous jellybean, but its official name is Cloud Gate . The sculptor, Anish Kapoor, initially disliked the popular nickname, but he has reportedly come to terms with it, even saying that he now calls it ‘the Bean’ too.

9

State House Bell/Liberty Bell

At its birth, this bell was simply the bell of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). Cast in the 18th century, it cracked the first time it was rung. It was recast twice, but it cracked again in the 19th century. Allegedly rung after the Declaration of Independence, it was hidden during the Revolutionary War, and it changed hands several times in the following century. Despite its popular association with the American Revolution, the ‘Liberty Bell’ name was actually given by anti-slavery groups , who took it as a symbol due to its inscription reading "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof."

10

Cape Canaveral/Cape Kennedy

Originally named Cabo Cañaveral by the Spanish after its abundance of canes, its name was simply anglicized after the territory became part of the United States. In the 20th century, Cape Canaveral became the center of a series of missile and rocket tests, and it was the launch site of the Apollo 11 mission. A few days after J.F.K.’s assassination, the newly-instated President Johnson publicly announced that the cape would be renamed ‘Cape Kennedy’ as a memorial . The name change was not well-received by local Floridians, and the original name was reinstated a decade later, with the full support of the Kennedy family. The NASA space center is still named after President Kennedy.