1

A change in plans

Image: Alexey Komissarov

Can a color be a worldwide celebrity? It seems so! This is the case of the famous "international orange" of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.

It's hard to imagine this iconic bridge in any other color. But believe it or not, it was once about to be painted in another hue.

The original idea was to paint the Golden Gate Bridge black with yellow stripes to make it visible to ships and planes. However, the sharp vision of consulting architect Irving Morrow changed the plans. When he saw the reddish color of the primer used on the iron, he realized that this color would work much better and would also give the imposing structure an original touch.

2

Too good to be true?

Image: Hana Oliver

We all know that incredible creatures and breathtaking landscapes await us in Yellowstone. You probably also know that this amazing area that covers more than 3,400 square miles in parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho was the first national park in the United States. Not only that, it was actually the first national park in the entire world!

But, while it's totally famous and celebrated today, there was a time when only a few knew about this place. Early explorers who walked Yellowstone in the 19th century wrote detailed journals about what they saw and experienced there, but when they returned, they found that people didn't believe their stories. We have to admit that those skeptics had a point; such a beautiful place seems out of this world!

3

Capitol's subway

Image: Louis Velazquez

Nobody can deny the metro system is great. Its speed and efficiency allow thousands of people around the world to get to their homes and jobs every day. Did you know that the members of the U.S. Congress have their own subway system right underneath the Capitol building?

That's right! Under the impressive structure that houses U.S. Representatives and Senators lies an entire subway system. This allows workers there to access different parts of the complex in a matter of seconds. It must make things easier on busy days, don't you think?

4

The final detail

Image: MIKE STOLL

But not all of the Capitol's surprises are underground; some are in plain sight. We're talking about the spectacular dome that crowns the famous neoclassical building in Washington, D.C. While the dome is a symbol of our country today, there was a time when the Capitol Building didn't have this gracious final detail.

The construction was considered completed in 1800. However, one last touch was still needed. In 1824, the first and smaller dome arrived, made of wood. Finally, it was replaced in 1866 by the impressive dome we see today, which stands an incredible 288 feet high and is made of cast iron, brick, stone, and copper.

5

A misspelling?

Image: Dan Mall

The Liberty Bell must be one of the most recognized icons of the United States. Preserved as a symbol of our Independence, everyone can visit the famous bell at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In addition to its well-known history and its famous "crack," this bell has even more hidden details to discover. When you read the inscription on the Liberty Bell, you'll be able to read "Pensylvania" instead of "Pennsylvania." While you could think that those in charge of inscribing the bell weren't paying attention, it wasn't actually a misspelling; it was one of the accepted spellings for Pennsylvania in those days.

6

Hollywood(land)

Image: Justin Aikin

Whether in person or through the screen, we all had the chance to see the legendary Hollywood sign over Mount Lee in Los Angeles, California.

But, while this landmark is recognized around the world today, it didn't always look as we see it now. The Hollywood sign had several changes throughout its history. It was first erected in 1923 as an advertisement for a real estate development. At the time, it read "Hollywoodland" and even had lights, illuminating the entire area at night.

Many things happened in our country before 1949, when the last four letters were removed, leaving just the current "Hollywood."

7

Good things take time

Image: Jeromey Balderrama

As we grow older, we understand one truth: good things often take time. While patience seems to be in short supply these days, it was certainly in abundance for those who built the impressive Mount Rushmore National Memorial, one of our most famous attractions.

The construction of this imposing monument that features the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln began in 1927 and took 14 years to complete. Carving four 60-foot-tall heads on a granite hill is no easy task. But, on top of that, some budget difficulties slowed down the process even more.

8

Mount Rushmore's secret door

Image: John Bakator

Mount Rushmore National Memorial has more secrets to disclose! Although not visible to the naked eye, there is a particular detail among the heads of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Want to know what it is?

If you haven't heard about it, this might surprise you: there is a small door right there on Mount Rushmore. Mysteries everywhere! The door leads to a chamber known as the "Hall of Records." According to the plans of sculptor Gutzon Borglum, this spot would hold important documents and objects of our history.

9

Time capsule

Image: Mark Serafino

Besides being the tallest human-made monument in the United States and also the tallest arch in the world, the famous Gateway Arch in St Louis has much more to offer.

During its construction in the 1960s, a curious detail was placed inside its iconic metal structure. At the base of the monument, you can find nothing less than a time capsule!

The capsule, which contains various artifacts and relics from our country's history and culture, was thought to give future generations an idea of what the world and the United States were like in those days.

10

19th-century graffiti

Image: Dineda Nyepan

At 555 feet tall, the Washington Monument is one of the most imposing in our country. But besides its height, this landmark also possesses a couple of surprising facts.

It might seem that graffiti is a modern artistic expression that has only been around recently, but this isn't the case, and the Washington Monument is proof of that. At the structure's base, there is a series of graffiti made in the 19th century, during the Civil War.

That's right! Many people and soldiers passing by at the time left signatures, dates, and patriotic messages inscribed on the famous obelisk, and some of them are still visible!

1

New York, The Empire State

Probably the most famous and recognizable state nickname, no one really knows who was the first to call New York State the "Empire State", but everyone agrees on the reason for the nickname. The state of New York has always been one of the richest, most developed, and strategically important territories in America , a powerhouse akin to an empire. George Washington himself had described it as "the seat of the Empire" in 1785, and many believe that these words were the source of the nickname.

2

Indiana, The Hoosier State

Another instantly recognisable nickname, the origin of the term ‘Hoosier’ is also widely debated. Believed to have emerged in the 1830s, some say that it is a deformation of the phrase "Who's here?". No matter its actual origin, the term was popularized by John Finley's 1833 poem "The Hoosier's Nest" , a description of rugged but welcoming Indiana pioneers, and it became a source of pride for the state, so much so that ‘Hoosier’ was officially adopted as a demonym by the state of Indiana in 2017.

3

Delaware, The First State

Delaware was not the first colony to exist or to become a state. In fact, Delaware wasn’t even a colony: it was technically part of Pennsylvania. The ‘first’ referenced in the nickname alludes to Delaware’s role in the ratification of the U.S. Constitution , a task that took time and political compromise, as several states had concerns about the document and its articles. But while it took nearly two years for all the states to ratify the Constitution, it took less than three months for Delaware to do so unanimously, setting a precedent for other states.

4

Virginia, The Old Dominion

Probably the oldest state nickname still in use, Virginia’s ‘Old Dominion’ nickname has existed for more than 400 years. The first English colony in America, Virginia was also the main colony to remain faithful to the monarchy during the English Civil War , supporting the exiled King, inviting him to take refuge in their territory, and resisting the siege from the Parliamentary fleet for a long time. After the restoration, King Charles II conferred the colony the title of ‘dominion’ —similar to a kingdom in rank— and affectionately called it "the most Ancient Colloney and Dominion."

5

Oklahoma, The Sooner State

Although it is now used as a symbol of a competitive and pioneering attitude, the term ‘Sooner’ was not always seen as positive. During the Land Rush of April 22, 1889, the U.S. government opened a territory —freed by the forced displacement of thousands on ative Americans— for pioneers to take. At noon, a bugle would signal that settlers could enter and claim areas of land. However, several pioneers broke the rules, entering the territory ‘sooner’ , before the signal. Initially a pejorative nickname, the people of Oklahoma eventually owned the term as a symbol of their ‘can-do’ attitude.

6

Connecticut, The Constitution State

Unlike what many people think, Connecticut’s nickname is not related to the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the ‘constitution’ referenced in it predates the American Constitution by more than a century. Unlike other colonies, established by royal charters, the Connecticut Colony was established through The Fundamental Orders , a document delineating a representative government based on "the free consent of the people". The Fundamental Orders are considered to be the first written constitution in Western modern history, a fact that gave Connecticut its nickname.

7

Tennessee, The Volunteer State

Out of the many things that showcase Tennessee’s patriotism, none is as old or as well-documented as its volunteer vocation. Starting during the Revolutionary War, with the Appalachian Overmountain men volunteering to fight during the Battle of King's Mountain, Tennessee’s men's willingness to volunteer as soldiers became known during the War of 1812 , with hundreds fighting under Andrew Jackson’s command and earning Tennessee the name of the Volunteer State. To further solidify it, when President James K. Polk asked Tennessee for 2,800 volunteers during the Mexican-American War of 1846, the state responded to the call by sending 30,000 volunteer troops.

8

Vermont, The Brave Little State

A relatively more recent nickname than others in this list, the description of Vermont as a ‘brave little state’ dates back to 1928. After a flood in 1927 resulted in nearly 100 casualties and millions of dollars in damages, President Coolidge, a Vermont native, visited the state to assess the situation. Coolidge, often seen as calm and taciturn, gave an emotional speech praising the efforts and the resilience of his fellow Vermonters , and their ties to a land that gave them sustenance but posed the hazard of natural disasters. Coolidge ended his speech by acknowledging the generosity of the people of "this brave little state of Vermont", a phrase that became so popular that it was later inscribed in the Vermont State House and became a common nickname for the state.

9

Wisconsin, The Badger State

Though badgers can be found across Wisconsin, they are far less common than one would think, especially considering the state’s nickname. But this nickname has little to do with real badgers and much to do with people behaving like a badger. In the 1820s, prospectors all over America travelled to Wisconsin to look for lead ore. Working all day in the mines and lacking proper housing, the miners usually ended up living in the mines or digging holes in the hillsides to serve as shelter , which led people to compare them with burrowing badgers. Eventually, the ‘badger’ nickname became a symbol of the tenacity of the miners, and a point of pride for all Wisconsinites, who campaigned in 1957 to officially adopt the badger as their state animal.

10

Nebraska, The Cornhusker State

Though this famous nickname for Nebraska has ties with the agricultural identity of the state, it actually originated in the world of college football. Before 1900, the University of Nebraska football team had used several nicknames, such as Bugeaters, Tree Planters, or Rattlesnake Boys. Following a rough patch and wanting to give the team a new direction, sportswriter Charles Sherman suggested the nickname ‘cornhusker’ as a homage to the traditional corn husking done by hand by the Nebraska settlers . The name caught on and was eventually made extensive to all Nebraskans, being officially adopted by the state in 1945.

1

Choose a villain

Image: Paige Cody

If reason were to govern our thoughts on the matter, no one could deny that seeing people of all ages dressed up as their favorite villains is a weird thing. We’ll discuss the treating part later, but let’s get into the costumes first.

This tradition has deep roots, and it goes all the way back to the Middle Ages and the ancient festival of Samhain. Now what was the purpose of the costumes? People used to believe that spirits roamed the earth on this particular night so, dressing up in costumes was the way to ward off these phantoms. Quite original, don’t you think?

2

Apple bobbing

Image: Nathan Dumlao

Among the spooky traditions, there is also one that relates to romance and love: bobbing for apples, and we’ve got Great Britain to thank for it.

In this game, an apple represented a potential husband, and, faith for young women who wished to marry was settled by how many attempts it took her to retrieve an apple. One bite meant jolly matrimony. Two bites, a not-so-long-lasting courtship. And three… Well, that relationship was doomed altogether.

Samhain was celebrated at the end of the harvest, and when Irish immigrants brought their costumes to America, this game fit fall festivities to perfection becoming a beloved Halloween game.

3

Jack-o’-lanterns

Image: Szabó János

Who is Jack, and why was he immortalized in a Halloween lantern? Well, it is all, of course, part of a curious legend. As the story goes, Jack tricked the devil twice. The first time, he tricked the Devil into becoming a coin and then, by making him promise not to claim his soul. However, all these tricks only brought nasty consequences—neither hell nor heaven wanted him.

So what happened? He was left to wander the earth with only a burning coal inspiring a carved-out turnip to light his way.

Turnips were just the start for the Scottish and Irish, soon they turned to beets and potatoes, and the tradition took the shape of pumpkins for Americans.

4

Trick or treat yourself!

Image: Nick Fewings

We’ve discussed the costumes, so let’s dive into the sweets. What’s the origin of knocking on doors and asking for candy?

When the Catholic Church established All Souls’ Day, in the Middle Ages, the costume tradition remained and a new one was added: knocking on doors and offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. This was a practice called "souling."

But souling also suffered some changes and, in modern times, it evolved into what we know as "trick-or-treating," an activity in which children go door-to-door promising mischief if they don’t receive candy. Now you know this, we bet you’ll always give treats away!

5

Black cats, good or bad?

Image: Adél Grőber

In some cultures, spotting a black cat is a one-way ticket to destruction. In others, a black cat is a good luck omen, a sign that you’ll even find love. However, in America, black cats are part of the first group and have become a key symbol in Halloween celebrations and decorations.

Why is that? Because, in the Middle Ages, these poor animals were associated with witches and witchcraft. They were believed to have powers and to be connected to the evil spirits roaming the earth. True or not, they certainly add to the eerie atmosphere of Halloween, don’t you think?

6

Black and orange

Image: Bee Felten-Leidel

Have you ever wondered why we use these particular colors during the Halloween season? Well, the choice was not random at all, it has to do with the meaning behind orange and black.

For one, orange is related to the autumn season, and the end of the harvest (the original time of the Celtic celebration).

Black, on the other hand, brings in the spookiness and the mystery that we all love about Halloween night. It represents the color of the night sky, the shadows, and all things that add to the eerie atmosphere of the evening.

7

Haunted houses

Image: Bee Felten-Leidel

This tradition reveals the true essence of the Halloween spirit: to get as many scares as one can in a single night. All across America, on October 31st, families get their houses ready to invite people over for a thrilling experience.

Haunted houses aim to evoke tension and fear through ghostly figures, spooky decorations, dimmed lights, and chilling sounds with special effects. Have you ever visited one?

8

Bonfires

Image: henry perks

Bonfires, another tradition inherited from the Celtic celebration, are less common but they are still a Halloween tradition. As you can imagine, the original intention of the bonfires was to ward off evil spirits and to honor the Gods.

In the more modern Irish and Scottish traditions, the bonfires were part of a protective and communal custom that later made its way to America. In turn, this tradition has only remained to add warmth and a sense of togetherness to the holiday.

9

Candy Frenzy

Image: Mary Jane Duford

If you ask any child, candy is the best reason to celebrate Halloween. And we can’t blame them— they get to dress up, knock on doors, and get dozens of candies they will later exchange and eat in the company of their loved ones.

In our country, it’s not just the children or the houses who get ready for Halloween—the Marketing industry does too! Every year, countless candy brands (any brand really) adapt their products to make them Halloween-themed. The season kicks off when your local supermarket hangs those spiderwebs up and you start spotting black and orange packaging all over!

10

Scary stories

Image: Nika Benedictova

After collecting all the candies that were rightfully theirs for dressing up, children and young adults all over the country get together to end the night devouring their treats and immersing themselves one last time in the eerie atmosphere: It’s time for the spine-tingling tales.

No Halloween celebration is complete without a good dose of scary stories, fables of ancient times with mysterious characters and details that send shivers down the listeners’ spines. Why? For the sake of fear, after all, Halloween night is all about the supernatural!