1

Converse (1908)

Converse was founded in 1908 by Marquis Mills Converse in Maiden, Massachusetts. The company originally made rubber footwear, including galoshes and winter boots , before expanding into athletic shoes. Its famous Converse All-Star basketball shoe debuted in 1917 and would later become one of the most recognizable sneakers in history.

The brand’s biggest boost came from basketball star Chuck Taylor, who joined the company as a salesman and ambassador. His signature was added to the shoe in 1932, creating the legendary Chuck Taylor All-Star. More than a century after its founding, Converse remains a global fashion staple.

2

Whirlpool (1911)

Whirlpool traces its roots to 1911, when Louis Upton and his uncle Emory Upton founded the Upton Machine Company in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Their goal was simple but ambitious: add electric motors to washing machines and make household chores easier .

The company eventually evolved into Whirlpool Corporation and became one of the world’s largest appliance manufacturers. Over the decades, it introduced innovations ranging from automatic washing machines to appliances used in NASA’s Gemini and Apollo-era space programs.

3

Colgate (1806)

Colgate’s story began in 1806 when English immigrant William Colgate started a starch, soap, and candle business in New York City . At the time, toothpaste in tubes did not even exist.

During the nineteenth century, the company expanded into oral-care products and eventually became one of the most recognized names in dental hygiene. Today, many consumers think of Colgate as a modern toothpaste brand, but its origins go back more than two centuries.

4

L.L. Bean (1912)

In 1912, Leon Leonwood Bean launched a mail-order business from Freeport, Maine. His first product was a hunting boot designed to keep outdoorsmen comfortable in wet conditions .

The original boot became known as the Maine Hunting Shoe and helped build a company famous for quality outdoor gear. L.L.Bean remains headquartered in Maine and continues to attract customers seeking durable products inspired by the outdoors.

5

3M (1902)

Today, 3M is known for everything from Post-It Notes to industrial products, but it started in 1902 as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company in Two Harbors, Minnesota . Ironically, its original mining venture failed.

Rather than disappear, the company reinvented itself by producing abrasives and sandpaper. That willingness to innovate eventually led to thousands of products and more than a century of inventions used in homes, offices, hospitals, and factories all around the world.

6

Red Wing Shoes (1905)

Red Wing Shoes was founded in 1905 in the Mississippi River town of Red Wing, Minnesota. The company specialized in rugged footwear for workers in demanding industries such as farming, mining, and construction .

Its reputation for durability has helped it survive dramatic changes in the American industry. More than a century later, Red Wing Boots remain popular among both workers and fashion enthusiasts who appreciate classic American craftsmanship.

7

Fruit of the Loom (1851)

Fruit of the Loom traces its history to 1851, making it one of the oldest brands on this list. The company began as a textile manufacturer in Rhode Island during an era when the country was still expanding westward.

Its colorful fruit logo became one of the most recognizable trademarks in America. Although consumers usually associate the brand with T-shirts and underwear, its roots stretch back to the earliest days of America’s industrial manufacturing.

8

Gibson (1894)

Founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1894 by Orville Gibson, this brand became one of the most influential guitar makers in music history. The company helped shape the sound of blues, jazz, country, and rock music .

Its instruments have been played by legendary musicians including B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, and Slash, among many others. Despite being well over a century old, Gibson remains one of the most relevant and in-demand names in the guitar world.

9

Jell-O (1897)

Jell-O began in 1897 when carpenter and cough-syrup manufacturer Pearle Bixby Wait developed a flavored gelatin dessert . His wife, May, suggested the catchy name that would become famous nationwide.

The dessert gained popularity through aggressive advertising and recipe campaigns in the early twentieth century. For generations, Jell-O has been a familiar part of family gatherings, school cafeterias, and holiday meals.

10

New Balance (1906)

New Balance was founded in Boston in 1906 by William J. Riley. Interestingly, the company did not begin by making running shoes. Instead, it produced arch supports and orthopedic products designed to improve comfort and balance, hence the name .

The company later expanded into athletic footwear and became known for its emphasis on fit and performance. Today, New Balance competes with much younger sportswear giants while carrying more than a century of history behind it.

11

Stanley (1913)

Stanley was founded in 1913 when inventor William Stanley Jr. introduced an all-steel vacuum bottle . His innovation improved durability and helped popularize insulated drink containers.

For decades, Stanley products were associated with workers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts. In recent years, the brand has experienced a surprising resurgence among younger consumers, proving that even a company founded before World War I can find new audiences.

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

George Washington

Image: Ben Noble

There was one American who laid the foundation for all the influential figures who would follow: George Washington. He led American forces to victory over Great Britain in the Revolutionary War and went on to serve as the nation's first president from 1789 to 1797. He set important precedents, such as the two-term tradition, that helped shape not only the US presidency but also democracy itself, inspiring nations around the world to follow a similar path.

2

Neil Armstrong

Image: NASA

Neil Armstrong was absolutely right when he said that reaching the moon was "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." In 1969, during NASA's Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon . This historic achievement marked a turning point in science and investigation, and the world was never the same again.

3

Martin Luther King Jr.

Image: Unseen Histories

If there is one name that could not be left off this list, it is that of Martin Luther King Jr., the most notable leader of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Together with other activists, his efforts led to milestones such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Without his fight for equality, the world would be very different today.

4

Elvis Presley

Image: Adam Nemeroff

In the 1950s, one American completely revolutionized popular music and culture; no wonder he's called the King! That's right, we're talking about Elvis Presley, who took the stage and transformed rock and roll into a global thing. He wasn't just a singer; his style, his moves, his legacy, and even his private life marked a definitive turning point in music history.

5

Thomas Alva Edison

Image: Johannes Plenio

There's no doubt that daily life would be very different without the work of Thomas Edison. From a young age, he pursued his passion for invention, which led him to create the first practical electric light bulb in 1879. He was also the inventor of the phonograph, the first device that could both record and play back sound. In addition, his improvements to the motion picture camera made big contributions to the film industry.

6

Wright brothers

Image: History in HD

Imagine having to travel to another continent, and your only option is by boat. That might have been the reality if it weren't for the incredible Wright brothers. These two self-taught American engineers changed the world with a legendary milestone: in 1903, they invented and successfully flew the first powered, controlled airplane. Thanks to them, the dream of flight became a reality!

7

Walt Disney

Image: Jose Mizrahi

The world of entertainment and storytelling wouldn't be what it is today without Walt Disney. From the early 20th century, with iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, Disney revolutionized animation, transforming it into an art form that generated enormous profits and created millions of employment opportunities.

8

Susan B. Anthony

Image: Element5 Digital

Susan B. Anthony was one of the women who changed the course of history, not only in our country but around the world, by challenging the belief that politics was only for men. She became a leader in the fight for social reforms, including labor rights for women. Most importantly, her tireless work for women's suffrage led her to co-found the National Woman Suffrage Association, paving the way for generations to come.

9

Steve Jobs

Image: AB

When we think of Steve Jobs, his most iconic creation, the iPhone, comes to mind. But he did far more than that. By founding Apple, Jobs forever changed the way people interact with technology, designing devices and interfaces that are far more user-friendly and intuitive.

10

Benjamin Franklin

Image: David Trinks

Scientist, inventor, writer, statesman: Benjamin Franklin was all that and more! We could easily dedicate an entire article to his achievements, but here's a brief summary: he definitely changed the world thanks to his groundbreaking experiments with electricity and his important role in shaping modern democracy as a Founding Father of the US.