1

Apple pie

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

We’ll start with an undisputed American icon: After all, doesn’t the saying go, "as American as apple pie" ? This iconic treat has been at the heart of countless American traditions, perhaps most notably during Independence Day celebrations. Fireworks and a slice of apple pie are all we need for a 4th of July to remember.

While apple pies originated in 14th-century England, it wasn’t until they arrived in America that they became a global icon. Over the centuries, several recipes and toppings have emerged, such as whipped cream, ice cream, custard, or even cheddar cheese.

2

Key lime pie

Image: American Heritage Chocolate

Who says pies can’t be sour? The Key Lime Pie is the perfect example of a " When life gives you lemons " mentality: it takes the lime, a fruit that no one would want to eat raw, and transforms it into a luscious and delicious treat.

The Key Lime Pie is Florida’s official state pie, as it was invented in the "Sunshine State" during the 1940s. Not only that, but the traditional way to make this pie uses Key limes, which get their name from the Florida Keys where they are grown.

3

Blueberry pie

Image: Diliara Garifullina

Just like pumpkin pies, blueberry pies were first created by American settlers , who used the abundant varieties of blueberries found in the country to make these delicious treats. Over time, their popularity spread to Europe, where people used their own types of blueberries to try to replicate the American versions.

This sweet treat has become synonymous with the state of Maine, where blueberry pie made with wild Maine blueberries was designated as the official state dessert. However, blueberry pie is still happily enjoyed across the entire nation.

4

Pumpkin pie

Image: Alexander Grey

Just like apple pie is the go-to dessert for the 4th of July, pumpkin pie is instantly associated with Thanksgiving . After all, the origins of this delicious treat can be traced back to the very first American colonists, though it was served in a very different manner. Historians believe that these early versions of pumpkin pie were more akin to a type of pumpkin soup, served inside a hollowed-out pumpkin.

Nowadays, the pumpkin pie we know and love is made with eggs, milk, evaporated sugar, and several spices like nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, often topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

5

Boston Cream pie

Image: Marko Klaric

According to some historians, Armenian-French chef Mossburg Sanzian created a particularly delicious cream-filled cake one afternoon in 1856 at the Parker House Hotel in Boston. Unbeknownst to Sanzian, his creation would eventually become the iconic Boston cream pie , declared Massachusetts’ official state dessert in 1996.

Since that day in 1856, this iconic dessert has gone by many names, such as "chocolate cream pie" and "Parker House chocolate cream pie." You might be confused by our use of the word "cake," but that was no mistake: The Boston cream pie is technically a cake. Its confusing name comes from the fact that, in the 19th century, both cakes and pies were baked in the same pan, which led these two words to become synonyms.

6

Peanut Pie

Image: ROMAN ODINTSOV

American President James "Jimmy" Carter is still well-known for his love of peanuts, so it stands to reason that his beloved wife, Rosalynn, was known for her delicious peanut pie . After all, this pie is a staple of Southern cuisine and is especially beloved in Carter’s home state of Georgia.

Peanut pie is similar to pecan pie in that they are prepared with similar ingredients, such as corn syrup, eggs, and sugar. However, peanut pie is highly versatile and may include other ingredients, such as molasses, cayenne pepper, bourbon, or cream cheese.

7

Marionberry Pie

Image: Larissa Farber

The marionberry pie is a delicious treat, particularly popular in the Pacific Northwest. After all, this type of blackberry is named after Marion County in Oregon , where it was bred and tested during the 20th century.

As you would expect, the marionberry pie is Oregon’s official state pie, and it truly shows. If you ever happen to visit "The Beaver State" during berry season, you’ll probably be welcomed with a warm smile and a slice of delicious marionberry pie.

8

Peach cobbler

Image: khezez | خزاز

Cobbler is definitely the entry with the most baffling name on this list. After all, what does a shoemaker have to do with this delicious dessert? In any case, don’t let this unusual name discourage you; cobblers are a simple yet amazing sweet treat.

While we would love to include as many types of cobblers as we could find, for brevity's sake, we’ll instead focus on one of the most popular cobblers in America: Peach cobbler combines the sweetness and texture of peaches with a crumbly, sweet topping. In 2013, Texas declared the peach cobbler its official state cobbler.

9

Pecan pie

Image: nikohoshi

Standing on the other side of peanut pie, we have pecan pie, another Southern delicacy . Just like peanut pie, pecan pie might seem simple at first glance, but there are several variants and styles associated with this sweet treat. Different recipes include molasses, honey, or cane syrup.

In the American South, pecan pie is closely associated with the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Due to its status as a cultural icon, Texas declared pecan pie its official state pie.

10

Cherry pie

Image: Nik

While most of us associate the 4th of July with apple pie, it should also be noted that many Americans picture a delicious slice of cherry pie when reminiscing about our Independence Day. Like many other pies on this list, cherry pie can be enjoyed with whipped cream or ice cream.

Cherry pie is also deeply ingrained in American folk songs , such as "Billy Boy," where the titular character is asked whether his bride-to-be can cook a cherry pie. Additionally, cherry pie is linked to George Washington’s birthday, thanks to the popular legend of a young Washington chopping down his father’s cherry tree.

1

Patrick Henry: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

On March 23, 1775, those gathered at the Second Virginia Convention debated whether Virginia should raise troops in preparation for armed resistance against Great Britain. Patrick Henry, a delegate from Hanover County, addressed the convention and argued that war had already started and the confrontation was inevitable , so an independent militia was necessary. Henry concluded with the famous declaration: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!", a passionate appeal that helped secure the required votes.

2

Jimmy Carter: A Crisis of Confidence

Also known as the "malaise speech" (though Carter never used that word), this address by President Carter recognized a dire problem in 1979’s America: the people felt abandoned by the government in their time of need. The crisis was much more than an economic issue, and Carter wanted to know what everyday Americans thought and needed . In a speech shaped by conversations he had with ordinary Americans, Jimmy Carter declared that America’s crisis was " a crisis of confidence" that had struck at the very heart and soul of the nation.

3

Martin Luther King, Jr.: I Have a Dream

In one of the most iconic speeches in civil rights history, Martin Luther King Jr. addressed more than 200,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963, during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Nearly a century after the Emancipation Proclamation, those freed from slavery were still not really free . After denouncing the laws that legalized racism and segregation, MLK expressed his wish for a free and unified America with a phrase that would go down in history: "I have a dream!"

4

Abraham Lincoln: The Gettysburg Address

Fought between July 1 and July 3, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg was one of the bloodiest engagements of the American Civil War and was a decisive victory for the Union. Four and a half months later, President Lincoln delivered this speech on the battlefield, now a cemetery for more than 50,000 fallen soldiers. Lasting only about two minutes, Lincoln’s address reminded those present that it was the responsibility of the living to ensure that the sacrifice of the fallen would not have been in vain .

5

Sojourner Truth: Ain’t I a Woman?

Born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth escaped after her enslaver failed to honor a promise to free her early under New York’s gradual emancipation law and uphold the New York Anti-Slavery Law of 1827. She later became an itinerant preacher and was involved in both the women’s rights and abolitionist movements. At the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention, she delivered a speech highlighting the double discrimination suffered by Black women . Even without full rights, white women received deferential treatment from men. Her phrase "Ain’t I a woman?" denounced that, while she had done all the things white women did and more, she was not considered worthy of respect because of her race.

6

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation

The bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941, marked the United States’ entry into World War II. The next day, President Roosevelt addressed Congress during a joint session, asking for a declaration of war. This address, famously remembered by its opening line—"Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy"— reinforced the idea of the attack as an unprovoked aggression that had resulted in over 2,400 casualties, both civilian and military, and appealed to patriotic sentiments. The speech attracted the largest live audience in American history (over 80% of the adult population) and resulted in Congress unanimously declaring war on Japan that same day.

7

John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address

John F. Kennedy gave several memorable speeches during his presidency, but his inaugural address remains one of the most remarkable, and for good reason. According to accounts from his inner circle, the speech was meticulously crafted and reworked multiple times by Kennedy , who consulted the opinion of friends and advisors, and poured hours into making sure his first address as president would reflect the route he intended to take. As the youngest person elected to the presidency, Kennedy represented a generational change in the government. The central theme of his address was a call for civic responsibility and national service, an idea summarized in the address’s most memorable line: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."

8

Frederick Douglass: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

A writer, orator, and statesman, Frederick Douglass was a major figure of the abolitionist movement. Born into slavery, he became renowned for his autobiographical writings and powerful oratory, offering a living refutation against the slavist argument of the inferior capacity of African Americans. His most famous speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? , given to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society in 1852, is an acute analysis of how the American values of freedom and liberty were contradicted by the state and treatment of those in slavery.

9

Theodore Roosevelt: The Man in the Arena

"Citizenship in a Republic" is one of Theodore Roosevelt’s most memorable speeches. He delivered it on April 23, 1910, at the Sorbonne in Paris, after leaving the presidency. In his long address, Roosevelt explains his convictions about democracy, civic virtue, and leadership. But there is a passage that stands out: "The Man in the Arena" highlights the value of those who strive and go on despite failure and ongoing challenges, and even those who fail in the end, but not for lack of effort . This passage has been quoted numerous times in American politics, including by Richard Nixon in both his 1968 victory speech and his 1974 resignation address.

10

Ronald Reagan: Tear Down this Wall

More than two decades after Kennedy’s " Ich bin ein Berliner " speech, President Reagan delivered another historic address at the Berlin Wall. Speaking at the Brandenburg Gate in a Berlin much more hostile to the American president’s presence, aides and advisors had recommended a change in the tone of the speech to avoid straining the relationship between the American and Soviet administrations . Reagan retained the passage that had caused concerns, which contained the most iconic phrase. In a direct appeal to the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he declared: "Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" The speech was not widely covered by the media, and the reactions were lukewarm. Only after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 did the address gain widespread recognition as a symbol of American resolve during the final years of the Cold War.

1

Mojave Desert

Image: Paulius Dragunas

The possibility of being stranded in the desert has always terrified humankind. Can you imagine being completely alone in the harsh and unforgiving heat? Luckily, nowadays it’s extremely difficult to get lost in the Mojave Desert . However, that doesn’t mean visiting this gorgeous landscape isn’t a demanding endeavor.

The Mojave Desert spans four different western states and is crossed by the Colorado and Mojave rivers. One of its most famous locations is the area known as Death Valley , the point of lowest elevation in North America and the hottest place on Earth during the summer.

2

Mount Rainier

Image: Taylor

Also known as Tahoma, Mount Rainier National Park is located approximately 59 miles from Seattle. As you might guess, the main attraction of this park is the titular Mount Rainier, the highest mountain in the state of Washington and a formidable challenge for daring adventurers.

Mount Rainier’s official summit elevation is 14,410 feet, and it is one of the most popular climbing spots in the world. That doesn’t mean it is an easy climb—quite the contrary, in fact. In order to reach the summit, climbers must traverse glaciers similar to those found in southern Alaska. Of the approximately 11,000 climbers who attempt to summit Mount Rainier each year, only about 50% succeed.

3

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Image: Sauvage

The northernmost park in the United States, Gates of the Arctic National Park, is definitely hard to reach. In fact, it is the least visited park in the country due to its remoteness and lack of infrastructure.

In any case, camping and hiking are allowed in the park, though they are not for the faint of heart. The extreme temperatures, with an annual minimum average of −42.6 °F, make it a challenging yet alluring landscape for those seeking adventure.

4

Glacier National Park

Image: Michael Kirsh

While Montana’s Glacier National Park offers recreational opportunities for people of all ages, including kayaking, fly fishing, and hiking, many tourists visit the park seeking a more thrilling experience. They aren’t disappointed, as the park features numerous climbing challenges, including five peaks over 10,000 feet .

However, we recommend visiting during the tourist season. In winter, temperatures can plummet, with a historical low of -38°F. Additionally, the area is prone to sudden temperature changes, which can pose challenges for adventurers.

5

Lake Clark National Park

Image: Clayton Manche

Much like Glacier National Park, Lake Clark is not necessarily a severe environment during the tourist season. It offers a variety of recreational activities, ranging from bird-watching to more thrilling pursuits like kayaking and rafting. However, the extremely low temperatures and intense snowfall make this park much harsher during the winter months.

With a record-low temperature of -18°F, Lake Clark becomes inhospitable during the colder months. Not only that, but the park is not accessible by roads; only air taxis and boats can reach it.

6

Big Bend National Park

Image: Simon Hurry

As with many other parks on this list, we should start with a small disclaimer: Don’t be discouraged from visiting Big Bend National Park . Not that you need our warning—after all, half a million tourists enjoy the park's magnificence every year. However, a point should be made that the harsh desert conditions of Big Bend do provide a challenge that should not be overlooked.

According to Search & Rescue team reports, 1 in 1,000 visitors requires assistance of some kind. Although most of this assistance is not life-threatening (often involving mild dehydration), it highlights the importance of taking necessary precautions when visiting the park.

7

Rocky Mountain National Park

Image: Michael Kirsh

Located in the heart of Colorado , Rocky Mountain National Park offers unmatched views of the stunning Rocky Mountains, as well as numerous alpine lakes and lush forests that completely surround the park. However, there are many hazards you should be aware of if you plan to visit this beautiful location.

Visitors should be cautious of steep cliffs, falling rocks, cold temperatures, and adverse snow conditions. Additionally, the area is infamous for its recurring wildfires, so campers must be careful not to leave anything that might increase the risk of fire.

8

Great Basin National Park

Image: Shawn Powar

The arid beauty of Great Basin National Park is truly second to none. Although it is located in a desert area , the plants and vegetation have majestically adapted to the dry climate. With that in mind, you can also adapt and thoroughly enjoy this park if you keep these safety suggestions in mind.

We’ll mention just some of the safety tips recommended by the National Park Service for visiting Great Basin: For starters, remember that cell phone service is limited, so don’t rely entirely on your phone. Also, be mindful of sun exposure and take precautions to avoid sunburn and dehydration. One last thing: Like all desserts, heat is not the only concern. The park’s temperature drops significantly at night, so try to not be caught in the open when the sun goes down.

9

Voyageurs National Park

Image: Tim Umphreys

Located in northern Minnesota, right on the border with Canada, Voyageurs National Park was named after the French-Canadian fur traders who frequently traveled the area. It is particularly famous for its many lakes , which offer activities like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.

However, there are a few dangers that boaters should be aware of, such as the many hazardous rocks hidden in the water. Additionally, during the winter season, many visit the park to engage in snowmobiling, which must be practiced carefully to avoid any soft spots.

10

Kobuk Valley National Park

Image: Adrià Masi

Kobuk Valley National Park is as massive as it is undeveloped. Although the park is larger than the state of Delaware, there are no roads leading to it , nor any internal roads or trails within the park. Visitors must arrive by air taxi, weather permitting, and bring all their gear and supplies if they intend to backpack, camp, or boat.

Not only that, the weather conditions in the park can be extreme, even during the summer, and are completely unpredictable. In any case, as with all the other parks in this article, we don’t want to dissuade you from visiting Kobuk Valley if you choose to. We simply want to emphasize the importance of keeping safety a paramount priority during your trip.