1

Bright colors

Image: Yaritza

In the 80s, neon was absolutely everywhere, and let’s be honest, it was very hard to miss. Found in clothes, accessories, makeup, signs, and posters, blindingly bright colors became a new style statement. From hot pink to acid green, neon yellow to electric blue, this color palette could be found in pop culture, on the streets, and everywhere in between.

2

Bold fashion

Image: cottonbro studio

There's only one word to describe 80s fashion: bold . B old hair, bold accessories, bold colors, bold everything! Fashion during this decade was strongly influenced by pop music and new rock subgenres such as New Wave. For the first time, different styles began to mix, combining formal garments with rebellious accents —like pairing suits with sneakers, mind you. Whether it was shoulder pads, multicolored leg warmers, or those striking Miami Vice suits, fashion in the 80s was all about vibrancy and an aura of success.

3

Big hair, strong makeup

Image: Gustavo Cerati, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In the 80s, crazy cuts and dramatic makeup became an everyday thing, a way of expressing one’s personality and style everywhere you went. From musicians like Madonna to leading ladies like Demi Moore or Julia Roberts, the stars led the way with their perms, pumped-up hair volume, tanned faces, and bright eyeshadows.

But let's not forget the guys! They also introduced the iconic mullet, popularized by celebrities like Rod Stewart, tennis player Andre Agassi, and Patrick Swayze, just to name a few.

4

Rise of yuppie culture

Image: MART PRODUCTION

In a nutshell, Yuppie culture was characterized by slicked-back hair, V-neck sweaters, and a condescending attitude. The term yuppie , an acronym for "young urban professional," emerged in 1980 in an article in Chicago magazine. It described a young person in their 20s or 30s who was part of the middle to upper class, a socioeconomic group that became the forefront of the decade.

From the beginning, this label sparked divided opinions: For some, it represented ambition and success; for others, it symbolized superficiality, an excessive materialism, and an apparent superiority complex. Accurate or not, the trend eventually faded away after the 1987 Wall Street Crash.

5

Toys on TV

Image: cottonbro studio

The 1980s were marked by spending Saturday mornings watching ads on cartoon commercial breaks. How did this happen? From this decade onwards, companies were finally allowed to market directly to kids. The result was hundreds of all kinds of toy ads. They advertised everything from creative games like the Rubik's Cube or Lego to cute and cuddly toys like Care Bears and My Little Pony. This era also saw the beginnings of the must-have toy trend, with Cabbage Patch dolls leading the pack.

6

Music on the go

Image: cottonbro studio

During the 80s, it was common to see people walking down the street with a Walkman on their hips or a boombox to their ears. Although the boombox gained popularity in the 70s, it became mainstream in the 80s thanks to hip-hop and breakdancing culture. Yet, the Walkman would soon steal its thunder. This revolutionary new audio player allowed people to bring their music with them anywhere without bothering everyone around. And that’s also how mixtapes became a thing!

7

Personal computers

Image: Tomas Martinez

The 80s were a prominent decade for electronics development. In 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer, and everyday life and work would never be the same again. More affordable computers were created thanks to the introduction of powerful, smaller, and cheaper processors, reaching a wider audience and creating greater demand. Models such as the IBM PC, the Commodore 64, and the Apple Macintosh became household names, paving the way for the era of domestic computing.

8

Rise of video games

Image: cottonbro studio

Thanks to technological advances in graphics and gameplay over the decade, video games finally became undeniably popular. With the rise of arcade machines and home consoles, a series of iconic games managed to capture the attention of a wider audience, igniting a cultural phenomenon that would influence music, film, and television. Titles such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong became classics that defined an era.

9

Cable TV goes mainstream

Image: Coline Haslé

When cable TV hit the mainstream, it not only gave the big three American networks a run for their money, but it also allowed the world access to specialized shows that better suited their tastes. Whether your interest was sports, comedy, or music, cable had something for everyone.

CNN and HBO definitely changed television forever, but it was perhaps MTV that left the most indelible mark by offering greater insight into contemporary bands and musicians via live performances and music videos.

10

Fitness fever

Image: Ron Lach

The 1980s were the golden age of fitness, a trend that reflected society's growing interest in health and wellness. Exercise routines were not just a workout, but a cultural phenomenon that turned our living rooms into mini gyms.

Major clothing brands began designing exercise-specific apparel and accessories, such as leotards, crop tops, and headbands. Celebrities also capitalized on the fitness craze. Jane Fonda, for example, became a massive hit in 1982 with her iconic workout videos, some of the best-selling VHS of all time.

1

George Washington had wooden teeth

Image: Todd Trapani

Washington suffered from dental problems throughout his adult life and did wear several sets of false teeth. However, he did not wear wooden ones.

They were made from materials like ivory, metal, and springs . The "wood" myth probably comes from the staining of ivory and from 19th-century caricatures.

2

Salem witches were burned at the stake

Image: Sofia Holmberg

We hold the long-standing belief that the accused Salem "witches" were burned like European witch victims.

However, in the Salem (and colonial New England) trials of 1692–1693, convicted witches were almost always executed by hanging ; burning at the stake was not the legal penalty under English law in the colonies.

3

Paul Revere rode and shouted, "The British are coming!" alone

Image: Mikhaël Noury

He may be riding alone in the Boston statue that represents the dramatic midnight ride in which he warned of the British troop movements.

But in reality, Revere was one of several riders who spread word of the British troop movements; Longfellow’s 1860 poem amplified and simplified the story, including the shouted line, which would have been unlikely among colonists.

4

Betsy Ross designed the first American flag

Image: Heather Newsom

We have heard again and again the myth that Betsy Ross stitched the first Stars and Stripes after being asked by George Washington. In reality, this tale grew from a family tradition promoted more than a century after 1776. Historians have found no contemporary documentation proving that she designed the first official flag.

The flag’s creation was likely more complex and collective. Ross has always remained a folk symbol, but there is no proof that she was the sole designer.

5

Mrs. O’Leary’s cow started the Great Chicago Fire

Image: raquel raq

The myth: a cow kicked over a lantern in Catherine O’Leary’s barn and caused the 1871 conflagration. The cow story originated in sensational newspaper reporting and later became part of folklore.

Investigations have never produced conclusive proof, and modern historians treat the O’Leary–cow tale as an unfair scapegoating and probably apocryphal. The fire’s precise origin remains a mystery.

6

"Molly Pitcher" was a famous woman who operated a cannon at Monmouth

Image: Foysal Razu

The story of Molly Pitcher, a single heroic woman who supposedly took over a cannon when her husband fell, may have been created to represent several women . The best documented candidate is Mary Ludwig Hays, but the legend also reflects the broader contributions of women who supported troops during the Revolutionary War, with or without having been widowed.

7

Davy Crockett died fighting to the last at the Alamo

Image: Eric Francis

Did Crockett heroically fight to the death amid hand-to-hand combat at the Alamo? Well, that was indeed the location of his death, but sources conflict about the manner.

Some eyewitness accounts and Mexican records suggest he may have been captured and executed; other accounts describe him dying in combat. The neat heroic portrait was shaped by 19th-century myth-making.

8

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776

Image: The New York Public Library

It is widely believed that all signers of the Declaration of Independence scribbled their names on it on July 4, which is why we celebrate that date.

Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, but most delegates did not sign the parchment copy until August 2 of that year (and a few added their names even later). July 4 became the commemorative date for adoption and celebration, not the universal signing day.

9

The Pilgrims’ "First Thanksgiving" centered on a big roast turkey, like today

Image: Tyler Donaghy

No, the 1621 harvest meal at Plymouth did not feature the same turkey-centered feast we picture now.

Accounts mention venison and wildfowl, but the menu and ritual context were very different from modern Thanksgiving dinners. The idea of an annualized, turkey-centered national holiday developed much later (19th century onward).

10

Thomas Edison single-handedly invented the light bulb

Image: Tamas Pap

Many believe that Edison alone invented the incandescent light bulb out of whole cloth. But electric light was the product of decades of work by many inventors (from Humphry Davy to Swan and others).

Edison’s contribution was significant improvements and the critical development of a commercially viable, manufacturable system, but he did not "invent" electric light in isolation.

11

Pocahontas dramatically saved John Smith from execution

Image: EricThriller

The myth holds that Pocahontas heroically rescued Captain John Smith by throwing herself over him at the moment of execution.

Disney may have amplified the romantic and dramatic aspects of this story. John Smith’s account of a dramatic rescue appears in later writings and is debated by historians. Many scholars now interpret the scene as a ritual adoption or a ceremonial act rather than a literal rescue, or they suspect Smith embellished the story.

1

Legal drinking age

Image: Elevate

When was the first time you tried a beer? Probably at 21 or later. While that's completely normal here in the US, it can seem a bit strange to people in other parts of the world. Why? In America, you can vote, serve on a jury, and even get married in some states at 18, but you still can't legally buy alcohol until you're 21. In many other countries, the legal drinking age is 18—or even younger—and that's why they find our law unusual.

2

The faces of real estate agents

Image: Tierra Mallorca

We're used to walking through a neighborhood and seeing signs with real estate agents' faces in front of homes for sale. But in other countries, that's pretty unusual! In many places, real estate transactions are more impersonal; you deal with an agency, not a specific person. Here in the US, we like to put a face to the name. Getting to know the person helping you buy or sell a home feels more personal and trustworthy. It makes sense, right?

3

Our coins

Image: Shot by Cerqueira

Many of us don't even notice this until we travel abroad, but some of our coins don't actually show their value! Sure, you'll see words like "Five Cents," "One Cent," or even "One Dime," but there's no actual number printed on them. When you think about it, that's kind of strange, right? Especially when most countries display the value on their coins using numbers.

4

American flag everywhere

Image: camera obscura

In many countries, their national flag is used only for formal or official purposes, but that's not the case in the US. We tend to see the American flag literally everywhere, not just at official functions or holiday celebrations, but also on all kinds of products and imagery. From T-shirts and caps to food packaging and even swimsuits, our flag is a constant presence in everyday life.

5

No bad words on TV

Image: Kevin Woblick

If you're in America and turn on your TV right now, you'll find everything from romantic scenes to shows about zombies or violent crimes, but you'll rarely hear any bad language. Our television generally doesn't include insults or swear words, while in other countries they often do, even in shows that air during times when children might be watching.

6

Dinner before 8 PM

Image: Or Hakim

Depending on the region, dinner in the United States is often served before 8 p.m., and sometimes even before 7 p.m. But in many other countries, that's considered too early. In Latin America, for example, most people eat dinner between 8 and 11 p.m.!

7

The Imperial System

Image: Jarosław Kwoczała

We Americans use miles, feet, pounds, and degrees Fahrenheit, but this is often very confusing for visitors from other parts of the world. We are totally used to the Imperial System, but in most countries, the Metric System reigns supreme, with everything measured in meters, kilometers, kilograms, and degrees Celsius.

8

Big portions

Image: mafe estudio

Large portions are deeply ingrained in our daily lives. Whether it's restaurant meals, snack packs, or soft drinks, everything tends to be bigger in America. This can be surprising for foreigners who come here and order food, since in many other countries, dishes are smaller, and the custom of taking leftovers home after eating at a restaurant isn't as common as it is in the US.

9

Turkey pardon

Image: Tyler Donaghy

The pardoning of the turkey by the US president is a big event for many Americans. But in other parts of the world, where Thanksgiving isn't celebrated, it can come as a surprise. To foreigners, this formal ceremony involving a turkey might seem quite strange. Since Thanksgiving traditions aren't part of their history, this custom is uniquely American.

10

Alumni homecoming

Image: Carol Highsmith's America

Perhaps you've had the chance to participate in Homecoming, the annual event that celebrates university spirit with parties, sports games, and other activities for students returning to campus. While it's a big part of our college tradition and communities are deeply involved, it's quite different in other parts of the world, where the return to school usually happens with little fanfare.