1

Don’t question the author

Image: Amaan Ali

In his usual sarcastic style, Mark Twain wrote in the opening "Notice" of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn : "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot." It’s an unforgettable way to open a classic.

2

What you don’t know…

Image: Markus Spiske

In the book This Boy’s Life, Tobias Wolff wrote: "My first stepfather used to say that what I didn’t know would fill a book. Well, here it is."

It’s a dark but funny recounting of his turbulent youth in this memoir, so the line is a perfect setup for what’s to come.

3

About loyalty

Image: Niranjan V S

In her book Dark Places , thriller writer Gillian Flynn wrote: "What can I say about a man who knows how I think and still sleeps next to me with the lights off?"

The author of Gone Girl tipped her hat to her husband, Brett Nolan, here. Who doesn’t want a partner who accepts us fully—even if we spend our days writing about murky crimes?

4

Cosmic love

Image: Jayshree Sharma

If you’re a romantic, try not to swoon over Carl Sagan’s dedication in Cosmos : "In the vastness of space and the immensity of time, it is my joy to share a planet and an epoch with Annie."

This beautiful line of cosmic love was dedicated to his wife and collaborator, Ann Druyan. And the book that follows is a science classic.

5

A touch of fantasy

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Ken Kesey’s famous book One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest , set in a psychiatric ward, wouldn’t be cataloged as fantasy at all. And yet, its memorable dedication reads: "To Vik Lovell, who told me dragons did not exist, then led me to their lairs."

6

The inclusive take

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John Cheever had a good idea in his dedication of The Wapshot Chronicle : "To M with love, and with best wishes to practically everybody else I know." A playful and inclusive way to make sure you leave out no one who matters! It was his debut novel, and it won the National Book Award.

7

The vengeful one

Image: Gaspar Uhas

This one is dark but packs a memorable punch. The dedication of No Thanks , by E. E. Cummings, is simply a list of names—the 14 publishers who turned his work down. But here’s the unforgettable bit: the words are arranged on the page in the shape of an urn.

8

Thanking the parents

Image: Lucas George Wendt

Comedian Judd Apatow dedicated his book Sick in the Head to his loving parents: "For Mom and Dad. Your support—and the mental health issues you gave me—made all of this possible." Tongue in cheek, just as fans would expect from him.

9

Chilling and sobering

Image: Isaac N.

Powerful: Toni Morrison’s dedication in Beloved is simply the phrase "Sixty million and more," referring to the victims of the transatlantic slave trade. No verbs, no explanations—just five heavy, sobering words to leave readers thinking.

10

About undying love

Image: Girl with red hat

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is, after all, a story steeped in undying love. His dedication was fitting: "Once again, to Zelda." It’s a brief but heartfelt nod to his wife and muse.

11

An offering

Image: Jouwen Wang

John Steinbeck’s East of Eden opens with a sort of letter. It’s longer than this, but it begins with an anecdote in which "Pat" asked him to give him a box to fill with things. The dedication reads:

"Dear Pat… Well, here’s your box… Nearly everything I have is in it… all the gratitude and love I have for you. And still the box is not full. JOHN."

1

The American Flag has a special day

Image: Pramod Kotipalli

Every June 14 in the United States we celebrate Flag Day by hanging the flag outside our homes and participating in parades and other patriotic events. It was on this same day in 1777 that the Second Continental Congress officially adopted our flag as America's national symbol.

The first Flag Day was celebrated in 1877, 100 years after the Continental Congress. However, it was President Woodrow Wilson who finally issued a presidential proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day in 1916. A few years later, in 1949, President Harry Truman officially made it a national observance .

2

Colors have meaning

Image: Joshua Hoehne

Have you ever thought about why our flag is red, blue, and white? Yes, we’ve originally taken the colors from the British flag, and although they didn’t have a special meaning in the beginning, over time they took on new significance .

In 1782, Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, presented a proposed U.S. seal. He suggested that each of the colors of the American flag represented something different : white for purity and innocence, blue for perseverance and justice, and red for bravery and valor.

3

The first flag

Image: Gerard Avril

As the colonies seceded from Great Britain, it became necessary to have a flag to represent the patriotic cause. It is a popular belief that the first American flag was created in 1776 by a seamstress known as Betsy Ross at the request of George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. However, there is no conclusive historical evidence to confirm this theory.

What is certain is that a year later, on June 14, 1777, Congress approved the first official flag composed of 13 red and white stripes representing the American colonies and 13 stars over a blue field symbolizing a constellation.

4

Twenty-seven versions

Image: Dan Parlante

Since that first 1777 version of 13 stripes and 13 stars, the flag of the United States has undergone numerous changes. In fact, over the years, there have been 27 versions of the American flag .

Each time a state was incorporated into the Union, a star was added to the flag. Of the 27 versions, some flew for only a short time, a clear sign of the nation’s rapid expansion. Our current flag has 50 stars representing the 50 states that make up the United States today, but to know the story behind this particular flag you’ll have to keep on reading.

5

Designed by a school student?

Image: Luke Michael

The history of great nations is also based on much-needed myths of origin. For many years it was believed that our current flag, one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, had come out of the creative mind of a teenager . According to this version, 17-year-old Robert G. Heft of Lancaster, Ohio had won a contest in 1958 for creating a new flag that represented the growth of the country.

However, this legend was refuted in 2022 by writer Alec Nevala-Lee. The truth is that the 50-star flag we use today was made official in 1960 with the addition of Alaska and Hawaii. The final design was selected by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from among 1500 contenders. At the time, credit for this design was given by the executive department to the United States Army Institute of Heraldry.

6

Our flag has a nickname

Image: Thomas Ashlock

Well, actually, it has a few. Over the years the American flag has received many monickers , including Stars and Stripes and Star-Spangled Banner . But perhaps the most known nickname for our red, white, and blue flag is Old Glory . This name derives from a flag owned by the 19th-century American sea captain William Driver who proudly flew it on his ship throughout his career.

According to historical reconstructions, this flag was sewn by Driver's mother and other women in 1824 and given to him as a gift when he was granted his own ship. It is believed that the Captain, before sailing to China and other places in Asia and the Pacific, uttered the following words, "Behold Old Glory." This flag was preserved and is now part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, and can be visited at the National Museum of American History.

7

Backward flag

Image: Jessica Radanavong

Did you know that the American flag must be displayed backward on military uniforms ? This tradition dates back to the early days of the Army. During the Civil War, both cavalry and infantry units had a bearer who was responsible for carrying the standard in combat. After launching an offensive, the impulse would cause the flag to be raised backward.

Since then, the Stars and Stripes have been placed in such a way that the section with the blue field stands on the right. This location makes it possible to create an effect as if the flag were waving before combat.

8

Say goodbye with dignity

Image: Anthony Garand

Although some may consider it disrespectful, the proper way to dispose of an American flag is to burn it . If the flag can no longer be washed or repaired, ceremonial burning is the correct and respectful way to discard a damaged flag.

It is believed to be illegal to set the flag on fire. As a matter of fact, according to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, it is unconstitutional for any government to prohibit the cremation of a flag if it was made as a cultural or political statement, due to its status as "symbolic speech."

9

To the Moon and back

Image: NASA

The U.S. flag has flown everywhere the nation has conquered, even the Moon. Probably one of the most iconic images of the 20th century is that of astronaut Buzz Aldrin saluting the American flag during the Apollo 11 mission. It was quite an achievement: in order to get the flag to fly and stay upright in the airless lunar environment, NASA technicians had to design a special mechanism .

In the following three years, 5 other flags were planted on the Moon . But the flag left by Apollo 17 is the most special. It is a piece that had traveled on Apollo 11 and had returned to Earth. It was kept at Mission Control until it was time to return to the place it was destined for: the Moon.

10

Capitol Flag Program

Image: Adam Michael Szuscik

You probably didn't know this: you can own a flag that has flown over the Capitol . Amazing, right? The Capitol Flag Program began in 1937 and allows citizens to have access to an official flag through the offices of the members of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

Flags flown every day on Capitol Hill —except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day— receive a certificate of authenticity before they are delivered. There are currently about 100,000 orders for flags from members of Congress and the number is increasing each year. So now you know, if you want your official capitol flag just contact your local representative or senator!

1

The Searchers

Image: Tobias Keller

We’ll begin with what many critics believe to be the best Western ever made. Not only that: this 1956 movie is considered among the 100 best American films of all time, and it was selected for preservation in its National Film Registry in 1989. John Ford’s masterpiece truly marked a turning point in the history of the genre and influenced an entire generation of American filmmakers.

2

"The Searchers" stars John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, a Civil War veteran who searches for his abducted niece all throughout Texas and New Mexico. The gorgeous shots in Technicolor (a huge leap at the time) helped cement this Western as a completely revolutionary film.

3

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Image: Scott Warman

The archetypical example of the subgenre known as "Spaghetti Western", this 1966 Sergio Leone film tells the story of three gunslingers competing to find a hidden treasure amid the chaos of the Civil War. The three characters’ personalities are more than the traits described in the film’s title: "The Good", Clint Eastwood’s character, is definitively more of an antihero than a regular protagonist.

Considered by many to be Leone’s masterpiece, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is a tension-filled, thrilling experience , and credited with launching an American icon like Eastwood to stardom.

4

The Quick and the Dead

Image: Taylor Brandon

Few Westerns feature female gunslingers , so let’s take a second to showcase an excellent example. The 1995 movie "The Quick and the Dead" tells the story of "The Lady", an unnamed gunfighter who enters a deadly tournament to face off against an outlaw-turned-mayor named Gerrod, played by the iconic Gene Hackman.

Sharon Stone plays an extremely compelling protagonist, driven only by the desire to avenge the death of her father. The film features a star-filled cast , including Russel Crowe, Keith David, and then-newcomer Leonardo Di Caprio.

5

True Grit

Image: Taylor Brandon

Sharon Stone’s "The Lady" is not the only strong female lead on this list. Granted, the character of Mattie Ross in the 1969 classic "True Grit" is only a young girl, but don’t be fooled by her age: Mattie is a strong and determined character, hell-bent on apprehending the man responsible for her family’s death.

"True Grit" is also responsible for bringing us one of the most amazing cowboys ever portrayed on film. John Wayne’s legendary depiction of U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn earned him a well-deserved Oscar.

6

Stagecoach

Image: Maddy Weiss

Considering our entry on "The Searchers", it probably won’t surprise you to learn that John Ford’s contributions to Westerns are incommensurable. In that sense, considering his 1939 film "Stagecoach" as anything other than groundbreaking would be a massive disservice to the entire genre.

This movie’s revolutionary shots and character development helped the film industry take a huge leap forward. Not only that, this movie stars John Wayne in his breakthrough role.

7

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Image: Stefan Münz

Legendary actor Humphrey Bogart is not particularly remembered as a Western actor: In fact, he only starred in two movies of the genre. However, the 1948 film "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", which stars Bogart as drifter Fred C. Dobbs, is considered an absolute Western treasure (no pun intended) and was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.

The film focuses on Dobbs and fellow drifter Bob Curtin, played by Tim Holt who, along with an old prospector, try to make a living searching for gold in Mexico.

8

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Image: Luis Domenech

The 1962 film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" begins with the funeral of a seemingly unimportant cowboy named Tom Doniphon which is attended by a powerful and influential U.S. senator. What follows is the retelling of an unusual friendship between two men, and their unyielding fight for justice.

This film holds the honor of being the very first film that starred both John Wayne and James Stewart. Under the direction of John Ford, these two acting juggernauts truly gave an unforgettable performance.

9

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

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Nowadays, the subgenre of a buddy film seems almost exclusively reserved for cop movies: Think about movies like "Lethal Weapon" or "Bad Boys". However, the 1969 Western "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" is an outstanding addition to the buddy film subgenre, since it focuses on the adventures of this iconic gunslinging duo.

The movie describes the adventures of these two train robbers, wonderfully portrayed by Robert Redford and Paul Newman, who are trying to escape the law and flee to South America. It was awarded for Oscars, including "Best Story" and "Best Cinematography".

10

Unforgiven

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Besides avenging a loved one or escaping a corrupt sheriff, another powerful staple of the Western genre is the repentant outlaw trying to make amends with his past. In that sense, Clint Eastwood’s 1992 film "Unforgiven" combines both classic elements of the genre, while still providing a refreshing and innovative perspective.

The movie tells the tale of William Munny, an aging and retired outlaw who decides to take on one last job. Portrayed by Eastwood , Munny’s adventures take him on a violent path, seeking a cruel and dangerous cowboy named "Quick Mike".

11

The Magnificent Seven

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

We’ll finish this list with one of the most innovative and daring entries to the Western genre. John Sturges’ "The Magnificent Seven" is an Old West remake of a Japanese movie, Kurosawa’s "Seven Samurai". Featuring an ensemble of legendary leads like Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen (The "King of Cool" himself!), this iconic film is to this day considered one of the very best Western films of all time.

The story centers around the titular "Magnificent Seven", a group of gunfighters hired to protect a small Mexican village from a group of bandits led by Eri Wallach, another heavy-hitter of the Western genre. It received an Academy Award for Best Score, and it was included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.