1

Bell-Bottom Pants

Image: Annie Spratt

If you're attending a 1970s-themed costume party, what would you wear? Beyond your personal style, no '70s wardrobe could be complete without a good pair of bell-bottom pants.

These pants were everywhere back then. Available in all colors and styles, they were worn by young and old alike. While their stardom spanned from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, bell-bottoms actually emerged much earlier. When? In the 19th century!

The first to wear this style of pants were American sailors in the 1800s. But their purpose wasn't to look trendy. Sailors implemented them because the wide design made it easy to roll them up when it was time to get their feet in the water.

2

Polaroid Cameras

Image: Josh Carter

Your current cell phone camera is probably better than the analog cameras of the 20th century. But let's be honest—there's nothing quite like holding a physical photo you just took, right?

Okay, we admit it: nostalgia is kicking in. But still, who can deny that a picture is a beautiful memory that gives a sweet, homey touch to your house? Thanks to Polaroid cameras, those of us who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s know this all too well.

Although Polaroid cameras first emerged in the late 1940s , it wasn’t until 3 decades later that they reached their peak popularity, becoming an unmistakable symbol of the era.

3

Music videos

Image: Jakob Owens

While music videos existed before the 1980s, that decade turned them into a global sensation.

One song marked a major turning point in the world of music videos. You probably already guessed it: we’re talking about Michael Jackson’s "Thriller." Released in 1983, this was one of the first music videos to feature substantial production value and investment, making it worldwide famous and setting a trend that would influence the industry for decades. Other unforgettable examples from the era include the animated masterpiece "Take On Me" by A-ha (1985) and the vibrant aerobic-themed "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John (1981).

While music videos remain a key part of the music industry today, they’ve evolved to be shorter and more dynamic, often prioritizing quick impact over storytelling.

4

Synthesizer Sound

Image: Orkun Azap

One of the most iconic and recognizable features of '70s and '80s music is the use of synthesizers.

First introduced in the 1960s, synthesizers grew in popularity over the following decades, until they became part of nearly every sound of the era—from rock and funk to pop, disco, and electronic music.

A great '70s example is Stevie Wonder 's "Superstition," which showcases the innovative use of synthesizers. By the '80s, the synthesizer sound had reached new heights, thanks to bands like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran , who helped define the decade's musical identity.

5

Disco Balls

Image: Greyson Joralemon

If there's one thing that screams 1970s, that's undoubtedly disco music. With icons like the Bee Gees, KC The Sunshine Band, and Donna Summer, disco emerged in America and quickly got the whole world onto the dance floor.

In addition to platform shoes and satin shirts, one of the objects that went hand in hand with this type of music was the famous mirror ball, also called the disco ball. Discotheques often showcased spectacular disco balls, and famous artists included them in their music videos, making those shiny spheres the stars of the era.

6

Roller Skates

Image: Nick Fewings

Disco wasn’t the only sensation of the era—roller skates were a big deal, too. In fact, the two often combined: during the '70s and '80s, roller discos became a hit, where people danced on wheels!

Roller skates were so popular at the time that they made their way into films and music videos, including the 1980 cult classic Xanadu and Cher’s iconic 1979 music video for "Hell on Wheels."

Although roller skates were invented in the 18th century, it was the 20th century that catapulted them to the height of their fame. Were you lucky enough to strap on a pair and join the fun?

7

Arcade

Image: Carl Raw

If you were young in the '80s, you probably had a joystick or an arcade token in your hands, as arcades were the ultimate hangout spots for teenagers back then.

We bet you remember titles such as "Space Invaders," released in 1978, or the legendary "Pac-Man," which arrived to revolutionize the entire industry in 1980. Other unforgettable classics included "Donkey Kong" and "Frogger," both released in 1981.

So, what was your high score? Did you dominate the leaderboard or keep coming back for just one more game?

8

Atari 2600

Image: Senad Palic

What do you usually do when you're bored at home? For most of us, it's watching a movie or scrolling through our phone screens. But a few decades ago, the entertainment industry looked entirely different.

In 1977, home recreation changed forever with the arrival of the Atari 2600, one of the first home gaming consoles. From that moment on, gamers could enjoy their favorite games without ever leaving the comfort of their homes.

9

Slang

Image: Buse Doga Ay

But it wasn't just about fashion, music, and games. We can't forget the prominence of slang during these two emblematic decades.

One of the first terms that comes to mind is "groovy," remember that one? It was used to describe something cool or excellent. Maybe you remember a friend saying, "I love your outfit, super groovy!" Another memorable expression from the era was "Gag me with a spoon," used to convey disgust or displeasure, as in "That's so cheesy! Gag me with a spoon!"

Other unforgettable slang words included "bummer," "rad," "hip," and "tubular," each capturing the spirit of the '70s and '80s in its own unique way.

10

Cabbage Patch Dolls

Image: silvia trigo

If you didn't have one at home, you probably knew someone who did—or maybe even had more than one. We're referring to the famous Cabbage Patch Dolls, the toy that caused a sensation during the early 1980s.

Launched in 1982, the Cabbage Patch Dolls quickly made their way into most American homes. Their popularity was so massive and abrupt that they are remembered as one of the most iconic trend crazes of the 20th century. People would form long lines outside toy stores just to hug one of these dolls. In fact, the craze was so intense that the media dubbed it the "Cabbage Patch Kid Frenzy."

1

Tipping everywhere

Image: Sam Dan Truong

Americans tip for almost every service, from coffee to taxis. The standard is 15–20% of the bill. Unlike most countries where service charges are included, tipping is often expected and essential for workers’ income.

Restaurants, bars, and even hair salons rely on it. Since this is not as common elsewhere, tourists often miscalculate or under-tip, causing awkward interactions.

2

Super-sized portions

Image: Nima Naseri

Restaurant portions in the U.S. are notoriously large, often doubling or tripling international standards.

This stems from both historical abundance and marketing strategies that equate quantity with value. All-you-can-eat and combo meals reinforce the "more is better" mentality.

3

College tailgating

Image: Josh Applegate

Fans arrive hours before football games, grilling and partying in parking lots. Tailgating mixes sports passion with social gatherings, showing regional pride and university loyalty.

This uniquely American tradition often shocks outsiders with the devotion shown to local sports.

4

Black Friday mania

Image: Artem Beliaikin

Originating in Philadelphia in the 1960s, Black Friday marks the start of the holiday shopping season. It’s a consumer spectacle tied as much to capitalism as to tradition.

Retailers use extreme discounts to generate sales; the frenzy often leaves international observers bewildered by the ensuing chaos.

5

Wearing patriotic clothes year-round

Image: Shari Sirotnak

Americans often wear flag-themed clothing even outside national holidays. The practice intensifies during major sporting events, but displaying the flag as apparel reflects civic pride in everyday life.

For many outsiders, wearing a flag as clothing seems unusual, yet this custom embodies American individualism and patriotism.

6

Driving everywhere

Image: why kei

Unlike many countries with extensive public transit, Americans rely heavily on cars. Suburban expansion and urban planning favor personal vehicles.

Gas prices, infrastructure, and cultural identity reinforce driving as normal. Tourists accustomed to walking or trains find long drives mandatory, and as a result, the layout of U.S. cities is unusually spread out.

7

High school proms

Image: Long Truong

Proms evolved in the 20th century as a rite of passage. Teenagers dress formally for dances with elaborate rituals, including crowning kings and queens.

While other countries almost always have some form of graduation celebrations, the formality, expense, and emphasis on dating customs in American proms often confuse foreigners.

8

Obsession with college sports

Image: Riley McCullough

Universities dominate cities with massive stadiums and fanfare. College football and basketball inspire loyalty rivaling professional leagues.

The intensity is unusual internationally, where professional sports typically overshadow collegiate athletics.

9

Yard sales

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Communities host sidewalk sales for secondhand goods. This tradition emphasizes recycling, community interaction, and bargain hunting.

This casual sale of used goods in public spaces is uncommon in many countries, making it a uniquely American practice.

10

Spelling bees

Image: Brett Jordan

Americans hold intense competitions where kids spell increasingly difficult words aloud. Spelling bees originated in the 19th century as educational contests, promoting literacy and vocabulary skills.

The National Spelling Bee, held annually since 1925, draws contestants nationwide and often surprises outsiders due to English’s tricky spelling rules.

1

California’s state animal is extinct

Image: Levi Meir Clancy

The California grizzly bear adorns the state flag, but you won’t find one in the wild anymore. Once abundant throughout the region, this was a subspecies of Grizzly also known as "California golden bear."

By the 1920s, this majestic animal had disappeared from the wild, but it has remained a powerful symbol of the state, featured on the flag since the Bear Flag Republic’s short-lived attempt to break from Mexico in 1846.

2

The American flag was (probably) designed by a teenager

Image: Sharefaith

In 1958, around the time Alaska and Hawaii were being added to the Union, an Ohio high schooler named Robert Heft stitched a 50-star flag for a class project . His teacher gave it a B–, scoffing that the brand-new design "lacked imagination."

However, not long after, Heft’s design was selected from thousands of submissions sent to President Eisenhower to determine the official flag. That teacher later changed the grade to an A.

3

Texas’s state dish may have been invented by prisoners

Image: Zak Chapman

Chili con carne is the Lone Star State’s official dish. While its exact origins are uncertain, some say that Texan prisoners in the 1800s were the minds who concocted the dish. According to this version, the stew—made with beans, thin strips of beef, and chili peppers—was the local equivalent of bread and water: a kind of Texan gruel .

4

Alabama's state nut was once a life-saver

Image: Antoni Shkraba

Pecans aren’t just Alabama’s official nut—they’re also symbols of resilience from the Depression era. When cotton crops failed in the 1930s, families turned to harvesting pecans to survive. The nuts became a form of currency , traded for goods, and even used to make mortgage payments. Today, Alabama produces over 30 million pounds annually.

5

The Star-Spangled Banner was once a drinking song

Image: JosephHershMedia

You may know that America’s anthem has a boozy British past. The melody originated as "To Anacreon in Heaven," a raucous 18th-century tavern tune sung by a London gentlemen’s club. A relative of Francis Scott Key noticed that his poem fit perfectly with the melody—and thus, the anthem as we know it was born.

6

The Great Seal almost had a turkey

Image: Roman Manshin

Can you imagine if the Great Seal of the United States featured not a mighty eagle, but a turkey? It was none other than Benjamin Franklin who proposed the turkey as America’s symbol, calling it " a bird of courage ."

Instead, he dismissed the bald eagle as "a lazy scavenger." Congress ultimately overruled him, but Franklin did have a point: turkeys are known to be fiercely protective.

7

The flag’s colors weren’t meant to mean anything—at first

Image: Jon Tyson

Red, white, and blue may seem deeply symbolic today, but in 1775, the Continental Navy chose them simply to match the British flag’s palette. A rebellious decision, if you think about it. The "valor, purity, justice" meanings were tacked on later by poets and politicians.

8

Is South Carolina’s flag really what it seems?

Image: Jaden Dessureault

South Carolina’s flag features a blue background with a palmetto tree and what appears to be a crescent moon. But there are stories that sustain that the silver symbol isn’t a moon at all —it’s a gorget, the curved neck armor worn by 18th-century soldiers. Historians have searched for records to back this theory, but no nods to gorgets have officially been found.

9

Colorado’s flag was once a confusing disaster

Image: Olga Kovalski

When Colorado unveiled its bold "C" design in 1911, it forgot one crucial detail: specifying which shade of blue to use for the background. For 26 chaotic years, flags fluttered in everything from pale sky blue to deep navy—until officials finally standardized the hue in 1937.

10

One of Illinois’ state symbols was chosen by… kids

Image: Peter Schad

Illinois’ state snack was chosen by the most powerful lobbyists of all: children. When a group of fourth graders learned their state produced a large portion of America’s popcorn , they launched a 2003 campaign so persuasive that lawmakers had no choice but to make it official.