1

Alexander Hamilton

Image: John Trumbull, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

On January 11, 1757, in the remote Colony of Nevis, British Leeward Islands, a boy was born. He went from having nothing to being a key player in the history of the United States of America. Alexander Hamilton, the illegitimate son of a Scottish trader and a French-English woman, would become George Washington's right hand and one of the nation's Founding Fathers.

At the age of 16, he landed in New York, where he began to study law. But his studies were interrupted when the Revolutionary War broke out. During his lifetime, Hamilton was an influential promoter of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the founder of the nation's financial system, the Federalist Party, the U.S. Coast Guard, and The New York Post .

2

Bob Hope

Image: d

"I left England when I realized I couldn't be king," Bob Hope liked to say. Leslie Townes Hope was so American that his audience was unaware he was actually born in London. When he was five years old, however, his family emigrated to the United States and settled in Cleveland, Ohio.

He began working in show business when he finished high school, appearing in countless Broadway plays, Hollywood films, and television shows. Throughout his more than 60-year career, Hope was not only one of the most influential comedians of his time; he was also one of the most awarded actors in history, the unofficial entertainer of the American troops, and the presenter who hosted the Oscars ceremony the most times.

3

Henry Kissinger

Image: White House Photographic Office, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During the 20th century, this controversial diplomat played a key role in American politics. However, Heinz Alfred Kissinger was born into a Bavarian Jewish family on May 27, 1923. Escaping Nazi Germany, he emigrated to the United States, where his name was changed to Henry.

Henry Kissinger soon obtained citizenship. He served in the Army, studied at Harvard University, and had a long and active life in our country's politics. During the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson administrations, he worked as a security consultant for various agencies. His reputation led him to be appointed National Security Advisor by President Richard Nixon in 1969, and Secretary of State in 1973, the first person in history to hold both positions simultaneously.

4

Charlie Chaplin

Image: Bain News Service, publisher.Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Charles Chaplin, one of the greatest Hollywood legends, was born in London in 1889. At the age of 20, Chaplin crossed the Atlantic to try his fortune in the United States. It was here that he came up with his signature character, Charlot, an endearing tramp who has become a universal icon.

From then on, Charlot appeared in dozens of films that allowed Chaplin to consolidate his reputation as one of the industry's most beloved actors. In 1972, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him an Honorary Oscar for his outstanding career. The audience applauded for twelve uninterrupted minutes.

5

Alexander Graham Bell

Image: Harris & Ewing, photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

​​Known for being the inventor of the first patented telephone, Alexander Graham Bell also worked on the development of deaf-friendly systems, was one of the founders of the National Geographic Society, and made great contributions to the U.S. telecommunications industry. Yet, he was born in 1847 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In 1871, Bell settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where he worked as a teacher and tutor of deaf students. His influence on American science and culture was so important that on the day of his death, all telephone services in the United States stopped for one minute in his honor.

6

Samuel Goldwyn

Image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Films, perhaps the most representative industry of American culture, would not be the same without the contribution of numerous foreigners who settled in California since the beginning of the 20th century. This is the case of Samuel Goldwin, one of the most influential magnates in the history of Hollywood, born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1879.

During his more than 50 years of activity, Goldwyn founded several film studios and produced the first feature film entirely made in Hollywood. His reputation in the industry grew steadily, based on his incredible eye for finding great talent. There is a theater named after him in Beverly Hills, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his invaluable contributions to cinema.

7

Joseph Pulitzer

Image: Allen & Ginter, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

This self-made, foreign man became an American media mogul and inspired the world's most prestigious journalism award. Born in 1847 in Hungary, young Joseph Pulitzer emigrated to the United States at the age of 17 without knowing a word of English.

After fighting in the Civil War, Pulitzer began to study law. He soon discovered his talent for journalism. Within a few years, he became a leading national figure in the U.S. Democratic Party, began running the New York World newspaper, and became a pioneer of tabloid journalism.

8

Albert Einstein

Image: Archivo General de la Nación, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite being born in Germany, the most famous scientist of the 20th century ended his days in the United States, where he was able to continue his research after Nazism took power. In 1933, Albert Einstein was visiting our country, and given the context in Europe, he decided not to return to the old continent and renounced his German citizenship.

Einstein accepted a position at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where he continued his scientific work until his death. During his stay in America, he remained active in the academic world and received multiple awards. His scientific legacy remains fundamental to modern physics and the understanding of the cosmos.

9

Madeline Albright

Image: U.S. Department of State, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Madeleine Albright was the first woman in the history of the United States to serve as Secretary of State. What you may not know is that the diplomat was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, as Marie Jana Korbelová. In 1948, Albright immigrated with her family to America and settled in Denver, Colorado.

After graduating from Wellesley College, she worked as a journalist and editor for different newspapers. She later earned her doctorate and began her political career working in the White House. She was a senior advisor to the Democratic Party, and when Bill Clinton became president, she was first appointed Ambassador to the United Nations. A few years later, she became Secretary of State.

10

Alfred Hitchcock

Image: Shamley Productions , Paramount Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The great Alfred Hitchcock began his film career in England, where he was born, but it was in the United States where he was really able to display all his genius. While in Hollywood, he directed more than 30 films, some of which are considered masterpieces to this day.

Although Hitchcock was relatively successful in his country, in 1939, producer David O. Selznick convinced him to cross the pond and settle in our country. And thank goodness he did! The master of suspense is considered one of the most influential directors of all time and is regarded as one of the most important artists of the seventh art.

11

Meyer Guggenheim

Image: Joe Dudeck

The patriarch of the Guggenheim family, known for playing a decisive role in the transformation of the American mining and smelting industries, was actually born in Lengnau, Canton Aargau, Switzerland. Meyer Guggenheim emigrated to the United States in 1847, where he started working as a salesman.

After earning a considerable sum of money buying and selling stocks, he began investing in silver mines. In a short time, he amassed one of the largest fortunes of the 19th century. Meyer died in 1905 in Palm Beach, but his legacy still influences many sectors today, from industry to philanthropy.

12

Levi Strauss

Image: manusama

Is there anything more American than a pair of blue jeans? What started as a strong and durable pair of pants became the garment that revolutionized the fashion market. Worn by miners, cowboys, rock stars, presidents, and men and women all over the world, blue jeans have been a favorite for generations. However, their creator was not born in the United States.

Levi Strauss, the founder of the first jeans manufacturing company, was born in 1829 in Buttenheim, Germany, as Loeb Strauss. In 1847, he emigrated to New York, but when the California gold rush began, he decided to move to the West Coast and open a branch of the family business in San Francisco. And the rest is history!

1

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

Image: Nik Shuliahin 💛💙

Imagine camping beneath the biggest trees in North America and in the whole world . That incredible experience is possible in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where some of these trees are thousands of years old.

You can choose from 14 scenic campgrounds—including Grant Grove Village, the foothills of Sequoia National Park, the Lodgepole and Giant Forest areas, Cedar Grove, and Mineral King—and make a reservation.

2

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Image: velichor

Open only during the summer months, Crater Lake National Park is home to the country's deepest lake and a dormant volcano , making it an incredibly photogenic location. Campers can pitch their tents or park their RVs in the forest at Mazama Campground.

As locals say, the best views are from the areas looking out over Annie Creek, but the whole place is a no-miss.

3

Olympic National Park, Washington

Image: Scott Goodwill

Camping along the coastline with the sound of the waves in the background is a beautiful experience that can be accomplished in the Olympic National Park, where you can camp right along the beautiful coastline , which is marked by several sea stacks.

There are many different campgrounds, some next to the ocean and others in the rainforest. While most are first-come, first-served, some allow reservations for stays in the summer.

4

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Image: Levi Jones

Few camping experiences beat waking up on the rim of the Grand Canyon . While the South Rim is easier to get to, the North Rim is usually less crowded. There's one North Rim campground inside the park and another just north of the park boundary, both open from mid-May to mid-October.

Several sites along the South Rim are open year-round, including the Mather Campground and Trailer Village in Grand Canyon Village. Only two other South Rim spots, Desert View and Tusayan Montane, are open seasonally.

5

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado

Image: Mike Erskine

The Rocky Mountains offer magnificent scenery for a beautiful day and a night out. The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests have 56 campsites set in a variety of landscapes, including open meadows and evergreen forests, amid mountains, and on lakeshores .

While most are open seasonally, a select few stay open all year long, so make sure to check the website for road conditions beforehand if you plan to camp during the winter months.

6

Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho

Image: Andreas Rønningen

The Smoky Mountains are a picturesque part of Idaho, with dozens of places to camp. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a fantastic place to go hiking, canoeing, or cycling, and you'll be treated to awe-inspiring mountain views in every direction.

About half the campgrounds welcome campers on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can also make reservations ahead of time to secure a site. The camping season is open in the summer months.

7

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Image: Rahul Bhosale

Don’t mind the name, there is nothing bad about the Badlands. Between the many rock formations you'll see throughout Badlands National Park, you'll also find prairies and places to peek at ancient fossils . The Cedar Pass campground is larger and offers more amenities, but the smaller Sage Creek campground puts you in a better position to see bison wandering around .

8

Ozark–St. Francis National Forests, Arkansas

Image: Alex Holt

The Natural State has 1.2 million acres of recreational space including beaches, lakes, and streams, and more than 400 miles of hiking trails , in the Ozark–St. Francis National Forests. Campers can choose between several developed campgrounds for both RV and tent camping, some of which are open year-round.

Other campgrounds are open from May through October. Primitive camping is also permitted within designated areas—just remember to bring your water (or a water filtration device), and leave the place untouched.

9

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Image: Blake Wisz

At Dry Tortugas National Park, in Key West, Florida, you can camp right outside of one of the world’s largest barrier reefs . Visitors can rent snorkel gear, spend their days relaxing on the beach, or check out Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fortress used by the Union army to blockade Confederate shipping channels during the Civil War.

This pristine area, perfect for stargazing and bird-watching, requires campers to bring everything they will need, including water, fuel, ice, and food. Ferry transportation from Key West must also be secured as early as possible.

10

Minnewaska State Park Preserve, New York

Image: Esther Tuttle

More than 2,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by rocky terrain, Minnewaska State Park Preserve offers a lot of space to hike, bike, and enjoy the view . Reservations for the Sam F. Pryor III Shawangunk Campground can be made online starting each March, as it is closed during the winter.

The campground features 50 parcels, as well as five car-camping sites, and amenities such as Wi-Fi, coin-operated showers, communal fire pits, and picnic pavilions.

1

Gateway Arch’s time capsule

Image: Roger Miesfeld

The Gateway Arch, the 630-foot-tall monument located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri, is famous for being the world's tallest arch. But few people know about the secret hidden at its peak.

In 1965, before the final piece of the stainless steel arch was put in place, a time capsule containing the signatures of 762,000 St. Louis students and residents was welded into the keystone. Just one more fun fact added to the mystique of this midwestern icon!

2

A celluloid treasure trove

Image: Denise Jans

Have you ever wondered where Hollywood's golden age films are preserved? Well, as it happens, they are not in the basement of some Tinseltown studio but more than 650 feet below the surface in a facility in Hutchinson, Kansas. Established in 1959, Underground Vaults & Storage specializes in storing a wide range of valuables, including paper documents and client records.

In addition, this site is a precious resource for the entertainment industry. Underground Vaults & Storage preserves—under optimal temperature and humidity conditions—film copies of classic cartoons, television programs like Friends , game shows, soap operas, and even the original reels of cinematic masterpieces like The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind .

3

A ‘Big Basket’ building

Image: Photo shot by Derek Jensen (Tysto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who says a building has to look traditional to be iconic? Why settle for an ordinary office building when you can work inside a basket? That's what the executives of the Longaberger Company, an American manufacturer and distributor of handcrafted maple wood baskets, thought when they relocated to Newark, Ohio, in 1997.

Their headquarters was designed as a seven-story building, a perfect replica of the company's top-selling product, the Medium Market Basket. The massive handles are attached to the structure with copper and wooden rivets, and the gold-leaf-plated tags each weigh 725 pounds. Though the building was a novelty, the company eventually abandoned it, and it is now listed for sale.

4

Empire State Building Wedding Club

Image: William Wachter

Popping the question on top of the Empire State Building has become a cherished tradition in the United States. Thousands of couples travel from all over the country to get engaged at one of New York City's most iconic buildings. But did you know that you can also celebrate a wedding there?

Every February 14, a few lucky couples are granted the unique opportunity to exchange wedding vows at the building's 86th Floor Observatory. Since 1994, hundreds of couples have said "I do" at this breathtaking location, celebrating Valentine's Day at America's most romantic landmark.

5

A supernatural castle

Image: Michelle_Raponi

Creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance can achieve extraordinary feats. Such is the case with Coral Castle, a massive limestone structure built by self-taught engineer Edward Leedskalnin in the early 20th century.

Located just north of Homestead, Florida, sits this construction built with stones larger than those at Stonehenge. Leedskalnin, who invested more than 28 years in this project, claimed that he raised it single-handedly using reverse magnetism and supernatural abilities. The truth is he probably used pulleys and other tools, but that doesn’t make it any less of a unique and original building that is a fascinating tourist attraction to this day.

6

Walt Disney's utopian city

Image: Paul Moody

Walt Disney was a visionary, and thanks to his infinite imagination today we have the most endearing characters and the best amusement parks in the world. But did you know that Disney originally envisioned his famous EPCOT Center as the blueprint for a larger utopian society?

EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Had Disney’s dream come to fruition, 20,000 people could have lived in a real, futuristic city complete with residential areas, shopping malls, factories, recreational parks, and a state-of-the-art multimodal road system to connect it all. Unfortunately, after his death in 1966, the company felt his original vision was a bit impractical. Instead, they created a theme park that captures the spirit of its creator, a permanent celebration of human achievement, from culture to technological innovation.

7

Secret codes

Image: Pixabay

The CIA is a mysterious organization, so it's no wonder that there is a sculpture hiding secrets sitting right in the courtyard of the George Bush Center for Intelligence in Langley, Virginia.

Named "Kryptos," this large copper sculpture was installed in 1990 and holds a series of four encrypted messages. Only three of these codes have been cracked, while the fourth remains one of the most famous unsolved cryptograms in the world.

8

The paper house

Image: Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It seems that the 1920s was a time of inventiveness, innovation, and originality in architecture. During this decade, the United States built the most impressive skyscrapers and, as we've explored, even a massive limestone castle. But a house made of paper? It seems almost impossible, doesn’t it?

Well, we are about to prove you wrong. In 1924, a mechanical engineer called Elis Fritiof Stenman built a summer cottage made almost entirely out of pasted, coated, or rolled-up newspapers. The only exceptions were the framework, floorboards, and shingles. The house is located in Rockport, Massachusetts, and, believe it or not, is still standing and can be visited.

9

Race into the sky

Image: roberto_bellasio

The Chrysler Building on the East Side of Manhattan in New York City was once the world’s tallest building, holding the title for 11 months. But did you know that it almost didn't make it? Industrial pioneer Walter Chrysler, who commissioned the project, wanted his building to be taller than the Eiffel Tower. Originally designed to be 925 feet tall , the imminent construction of other taller skyscrapers forced architect William Van Alen to revise his plans.

This competition for the title of the world’s tallest building became known as the " Race into the Sky ." To beat his opponents, Van Alen ordered a 125-foot spire to be built in secret. It would only be attached to the roof after the rival buildings were finalized. When it was finished in May 1930, the Chrysler Building reached 1,046 feet, making it the tallest man-made structure in the world at the time. Unfortunately, less than a year later, the Empire State Building would claim that honor.

10

A laboratory under the sea

Image: NEOM

Did you know the world's only undersea research laboratory is located in the United States? Sixty-six feet below the surface of the ocean off the coast of Florida lies Aquarius Reef Base, an underwater lab where researchers work for up to ten days at a time.

Aquarius is dedicated to the study and preservation of coral reefs, fish, and aquatic plants. The facility is currently operated by Florida International University and contains sophisticated state-of-the-art lab equipment.

11

Give me the time of day

Image: Leo_Visions

A bridge that tells time? We are not kidding! When it’s not being used by pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Sacramento River in Redding, California, the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay serves as a giant timepiece.

The bridge's 217-foot support tower points north, and its shadow can be used to calculate the time. Designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, it was completed in 2004. So now you know, if your watch breaks or your cell phone dies on your way to Turtle Bay Exploration Park, you don't have to worry, the Sundial Bridge will always tell you the time of day!

12

The Capitol Subway System

Image: Harrison Haines

Few people know that a network of subway cars runs beneath Washington’s labyrinthine Congressional headquarters. The first Capitol Subway System opened on March 7, 1909, and has been transporting politicians seeking shelter from the weather—and curious onlookers—for more than a century.

The rails stretch for nearly a mile, connecting the United States Capitol to several congressional office buildings. While the public can ride the trains, the subway is restricted to congressional members and staff during votes.