1

Paul Bunyan

Image: Abby Savage

Paul Bunyan , the colossal lumberjack of American folklore, is said to have cleared forests from the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest. With his blue ox, Babe , he performed incredible feats of strength, like carving out the Grand Canyon just by dragging his axe behind him, and creating the Great Lakes with his footprints.

Originating in oral traditions among lumberjacks, Bunyan’s exaggerated exploits gained momentum with the American westward expansion during the 19th century and soon became deeply ingrained in the popular imagination.

2

Johnny Appleseed

Image: Aarón Blanco Tejedor

Born John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed wandered the American frontier planting apple trees and spreading goodwill in the early 19th century. A devout Christian, he became a folk hero for his kindness, environmentalism, and pioneering spirit.

Contrary to the popular image of Johnny Appleseed randomly scattering apple seeds, he was a skilled nurseryman who meticulously planted apple tree nurseries. Each nursery was carefully fenced to shield the saplings from livestock and wildlife. After establishing these nurseries, he entrusted them to neighbors but revisited them periodically.

3

Pecos Bill

Image: JosephHershMedia

Pecos Bill , a fictional cowboy raised by coyotes in the wilds of Texas, became a larger-than-life figure known for taming cyclones and roping tornadoes. His adventures, first popularized in the early 20th century, embody the frontier spirit and Texas mythology, blending humor with tales of rugged individualism.

Among his many tales, one credits him with creating the Gulf of Mexico . According to legend, during a severe drought in Texas, Pecos Bill lassoed a storm cloud in California and brought it to Texas. The resulting deluge caused extensive flooding, ultimately forming the Gulf.

4

Davy Crockett

Image: Joseph Corl

Davy Crockett , known as the "King of the Wild Frontier," was a real-life frontiersman later turned politician whose exploits were mythologized even during his lifetime. Born in East Tennessee, he quickly gained fame for his sharp hunting skills and captivating storytelling.

During his time in the U.S. Congress, he staunchly opposed many of President Andrew Jackson’s policies, particularly the Indian Removal Act, and championed the rights of small landowners. Crockett’s life ended with valor at the Battle of the Alamo , solidifying his folk legend as a symbol of courage and patriotism. His legacy remains an enduring part of American history.

5

Calamity Jane

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Martha Jane Canary, better known by her alias Calamity Jane, was a frontierswoman and scout famed for her sharpshooting skills and daredevil exploits. During her youth, she stepped up to provide for her large family, taking on various jobs, from ox team driver to scout for Fort Russell. Eventually, she embraced the rough and adventurous lifestyle that made her a legend.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Calamity Jane was compassionate and often helped those in need. Her adventures in the Wild West alongside figures like Wild Bill Hickok cemented her status as a legend of the American frontier.

6

Molly Pitcher

Image: Garry T

Molly Pitcher, the nickname given to Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, became famous for her bravery during the American Revolutionary War. Although several historical figures are known by this moniker for similar deeds, Mary Ludwig Hays distinguished herself during the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, where she served as a water carrier for the soldiers.

When her husband, an artilleryman in the Continental Army, fell to enemy fire, she took his place, swabbing and loading the cannon with such bravery and determination that she earned a commendation from George Washington.

7

Daniel Boone

Image: Scott Longerbeam

Daniel Boone was a legendary frontiersman and explorer who blazed trails through the Appalachian Mountains and into Kentucky. Born in 1734, Boone became famous for his expert hunting and survival skills, as well as his role in establishing the Wilderness Road, a trail that facilitated westward migration through the Cumberland Gap.

After serving as a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, he was briefly taken in by the Shawnees in the Northeastern Woodlands. After a few years, he returned and continued to help protect the Kentucky settlements.

8

Buffalo Bill

Image: Judy Beth Morris

William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a legendary figure of the American West, known for his Wild West shows that toured the United States and Europe. Born in 1846, Cody was a skilled buffalo hunter, Army scout, and showman who brought cowboy skills and frontier life to audiences worldwide.

He earned his nickname after the Civil War by providing Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with buffalo meat, hunting record numbers of the animal. He even engaged in hunting competitions with his partner, Bill Comstock. His legendary figure has been frequently portrayed in film and television, especially during the height of the Western genre in the 1960s.

9

Wild Bill Hickok

Image: Pablò

James Butler Hickok, famously known as Wild Bill Hickok, was a legendary figure of the American Old West. Born in 1837, Hickok gained fame as a skilled marksman, gambler, and lawman.

Though his exploits were certainly exaggerated by the outlandish tales he told about himself, he was involved in several notorious gunfights during his life. Most notably, he dueled with Davis Tutt, a local gambler with whom he had various disagreements, particularly over their mutual affection for the same woman.

10

John Henry

Image: Lucio Patone

John Henry was a legendary steel-driving man whose man-against-machine tale epitomized the strength and resilience of the American worker. An African American freedman, his dangerous job involved hammering steel drills into rocks to create holes for explosives used to blast open railroad tunnels.

According to the legend, John Henry's prowess was tested in a race against a steam-powered drill. He won the race but tragically died after victory, hammer in hand when his heart gave out from the immense physical stress.

1

Taxation without representation - District of Columbia

Image: Jen Theodore

The DMV in Washington, D.C., has featured "Taxation Without Representation" on the city's license plates since the late 1990s. This is because people living in D.C. don't have a voting representative in Congress , so, yes, they're taxed without representation.

The reason for this dates back to when the Founders of the country decided that the yet-to-be-built Federal City, located on the Potomac, would operate above and beyond any regional, state, or city politics, remaining completely neutral regarding the laws being created. Therefore, there is no representative in Congress.

2

The Last Frontier - Alaska

Image: Elijah Macleod

There is not much mystery as to why license plates in Alaska feature the nickname "The Last Frontier." Once, the frontier was the continental West. Once the West was won, Alaska became the last frontier.

Along with this nickname, the license plate also features a flag with stars, which represent the Big Dipper and Polaris (the North Star). They respectively symbolize strength and Alaska's northern location.

3

Constitution State - Connecticut

Image: Davlat Radjabov

While some people might think that the nickname showcased on the Connecticut license plates is about the document that laid the groundwork for American democracy, the truth is different.

"The Constitution State" in this case refers to a set of local government rules from around the year 1639, called the Fundamental Orders. Similar? Yes, but not the same.

4

The First State - Delaware

Image: Liam Matthews

"The First State," the nickname showcased on Delaware’s license plates, references a fact that the state is proud to boast— as it should: it was the first state to ratify the US Constitution before any other state on December 7, 1787.

The nickname wasn't official until a first-grade class made the suggestion in 2002. As it sometimes happens, kids get it before everybody else.

5

Land of Lincoln - Illinois

Image: Richard Hedrick

Another proud statement showcased on the state’s license plates is printed on every Illinois plate: "Land of Lincoln" refers to the fact that, even though he was born in Kentucky, Honest Abe lived in the state capital, Springfield, from 1837 to 1861.

The 1954 plates were the first to feature this nickname, which continues to be used today.

6

The Crossroads of America - Indiana

Image: Tracy Adams

The state of Indiana has numerous interstates crossing its borders, namely I-65, I-69, I-70, and I-74 , and the nickname on its license plate is a direct reference to this. Actually, as it happens in many instances, this nickname is the state’s motto, which became official in 1937.

The current plate design, which features one of the covered bridges the state is known for, is a little cartoonish but has more character.

7

Sportsman’s Paradise - Louisiana

Image: Tim Mossholder

Some states have had the clever idea of advertising and promoting their features on their license plates. Cars bearing these signs travel all over the country, making them a perfect advertising vessel.

Such is the case for Louisiana, which is a region abundant with spots to fish and hunt . Its license plate is inscribed with one of the state’s nicknames: "Sportsman’s Paradise."

8

Support Wildlife - Maine

Image: Ashes Sitoula

Another state that attracts visitors with its natural diversity and makes good use of its license plates to promote this is Maine, with its "Support Wildlife" plate. This slogan not only invites people to visit but also advocates for environmental protection. This double function is a great use of space and resources, and it should be copied by other states’ license plates.

9

The Spirit of America - Massachusetts

Image: Beng Ragon

If there is no space for the full motto, why not go with an abbreviation, right? At least that was the reasoning for the good people of Massachusetts. Along with a patriotic color scheme, Massachusetts's license plate features the slogan "The Spirit of America." The phrase is a shortened version of the state's former motto: "The Spirit of Massachusetts is the Spirit of America."

10

Unbridled Spirit - Kentucky

Image: Jen Theodore

The last entry on our list goes to Kentucky and its poetic motto proudly showcased on its license plates. According to local authorities, " Kentucky is a place where spirits are free to soar and big dreams can be fulfilled . We relish competition and cherish our champions for their willingness to push beyond conventional boundaries to reach new heights of success."

In any case, this beautiful statement adorns the license plates of many Kentuckians.

1

Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962)

The definitive blonde bombshell, the one and only Marilyn Monroe took the world by storm with her talent and breathtaking beauty during Hollywood’s Golden Age. And although the world will always remember her image and performance in classic films like Some Like It Hot (1959), her unforgettable smile often hid deep sadness.

The queen of glamour suffered from anxiety and substance abuse, and was very frustrated by the roles offered to her; her life came to a sudden end on August 5, 1962, at the age of 36, following an overdose.

2

Judy Garland (1922–1969)

When you think of Judy Garland, sweet, hopeful Dorothy Gale in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz immediately comes to mind. Just 17 when the film was released, her career as an actress and gifted singer was off to a fantastic start, and her future looked bright.

But the studio system repeatedly pressured Garland with strict dieting and the use of stimulants and sedatives when working as a young performer. Later in life, she struggled with mental illness and financial problems. Garland was 47 when she passed away in London on June 22, 1969, after an overdose.

3

James Dean (1931–1955)

What James Dean achieved in just five years in the movie industry is mind-blowing. In the 1950s, Dean was one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood; he was the cool young heartthrob who became a symbol of rebellion after the smash hit Rebel Without a Cause (1955).

But at the peak of his career, he had a car crash while driving his Porsche 550 Spyder in California and was killed at age 24.

4

John Candy (1950–1994)

John Candy’s warm and funny characters have a special place in Hollywood history, and his death still feels unfair. Born in Ontario, Canada, in 1950, Candy became a major comedy star thanks to classics like Trains & Automobiles (1987), Uncle Buck (1989), and The Great Outdoors (1988).

And while he still had so much to offer, on March 4, 1994, he suffered a sudden heart attack while filming Wagons East! (1994) and died at the age of 43.

5

Robin Williams (1951–2014)

Robin Williams always inspires a bittersweet smile. A genius comedian who could make audiences crack up with a funny accent or an impish smile — with real dramatic chops, too —  Williams starred in classics like Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and brought us to tears with his outstanding performance in movies like Good Will Hunting (1997).

But behind the hilarious comedian, Robin struggled with depression and substance dependence, as well as Lewy body disease. He died by suicide on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63.

6

Patrick Swayze (1952–2009)

Patrick Swayze made movie history in classics like Dirty Dancing (1987) and Ghost (1990). Swayze’s energetic performances and his image as the romantic, tough heartthrob have a lasting legacy.

He was nominated three times for the Golden Globes (1997, 1990, and 1995). Sadly, in 2008, Swayze announced he had pancreatic cancer and passed away 20 months later on September 14, 2009, at the age of 57.

7

River Phoenix (1970–1993)

The older brother of the Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix was considered one of the most promising young actors of his generation. His ticket to stardom came with Stand by Me (1986) when he was just 16 years old, and from there, his reputation took off with movies like Running on Empty (1988) and My Own Private Idaho (1991).

But when he was riding high in Hollywood, Phoenix lost his life at just 23, outside the Viper Room nightclub in Los Angeles on October 31, 1993, from acute multiple drug intoxication.

8

Chris Farley (1964–1997)

Starting out in Chicago’s Second City comedy troupe and later joining Saturday Night Live in 1990, Chris Farley knew exactly how to get a laugh out of the audience with memorable characters like motivational speaker Matt Foley.

He became a major comedy star and made it to the big screen in movies like Tommy Boy (1995) and Black Sheep (1996). But behind the laughter, Farley struggled with substance use. He lost his life due to an overdose in 1997 when he was just 33 years old.

9

Heath Ledger (1979–2008)

Heath Ledger remains one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, and his performances are widely remembered, especially his final turn in The Dark Knight (2008), in which he gave a masterful portrayal of Batman’s most iconic villain, the Joker — considered by many to be the best portrayal of the character ever.

Ledger was found dead in his apartment at the age of 28 from an accidental overdose. Thirteen months later, he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor posthumously for his performance.

10

Jonathan Brandis (1976–2003)

Jonathan Brandis rose to fame after he played the courageous Bill Denbrough in the 1990 television miniseries It , based on Stephen King’s novel, though he had also previously starred in The NeverEnding Story II (1990).

Brandis was a teen heartthrob with a seemingly bright future, but his career opportunities started to dry up as he got older. He struggled with severe depression and heavy drinking, and took his own life on November 12, 2003, at the age of 27.