1

Alabama’s Southern charm

Image: Nathan Anderson

You may know Alabama for the peanuts, the cotton, and of course, that typical Southern hospitality. You may also know it for the iconic song "Sweet Home Alabama," but the Southern state has one more thing (or person to be more precise) to make it stand out: Zelda Fitzgerald.

Zelda was a novelist, painter, and socialite, a shining star of the 1920s, known for her creative spirit and marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Zelda embodied the roaring ‘20s and left a lasting artistic legacy.

And as if art was not enough for Alabama, it also produced one of the most important figures in the fight for Civil rights and that’s Rosa Parks whose refusal to give up her bus seat sparked a movement that changed history. Quite a way to kick it off, huh?

2

Arkansas’ man in black

Image: Tommy Bond

The second state is known for its rivers, its lakes, and a bit of extreme weather. Arkansas is famous for its natural beauty, but it’s also the birthplace of one of the most iconic musicians of all time: Johnny Cash.

The "Man in Black" captured the hearts of millions with his deep voice and soulful songs like "I Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire." Cash’s music transcended genres, blending country, folk, and rock with themes of heartache, redemption, and rebellion.

Few artists have left a mark as deep as Johnny Cash and we’ve got Arkansas to thank!

3

Delaware’s lifesaving innovator

Image: Josefina Lacroze

What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Delaware? Is it that it was the first state to ratify the Consitution? Maybe it’s the fact that it is a tax-free state. But did you know this is also Henry Heimlich’s home state ?

If you find that name familiar, it’s because you probably heard of the maneuver. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, revolutionized the field of emergency medicine with the creation of the Heimlich Maneuver.

This simple but life-saving technique has helped countless people who were choking, cementing Heimlich’s place in medical history. Delaware may be famous for being the "First State," but Heimlich’s contribution proves that it’s also a state of firsts when it comes to saving lives.

4

Georgia on our minds

Image: Joey Kyber

Yes, we all know about the peaches, but Georgia has so much more to offer! This state is also the birthplace of one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders: None other than Martin Luther King Jr!

MLK was born in Atlanta, and he became the face of the 1960s civil rights movement, advocating for non-violent resistance and racial equality. His speech "I Have a Dream" was powerful and it remains today as a call for justice. King’s leadership in desegregating the South and fighting for civil rights earned him the Nobel Peace Prize so this state has more than one reason to feel proud. Way to go, Georgia!

5

Illinois’ creative geniuses

Image: Joel Mott

The land of corn and the first McDonalds in America is also home to great creative minds like that of the great Walt Disney!

Born in Chicago, a city particularly known for its artistic spirit, Disney revolutionized the world of animation. Who doesn’t love that fun and loving Mickey Mouse? Or that magical castle that receives visitors from all over in Disney World. He created a truly magical world!

But that is not all, this state also gave us the literary icon Ernest Hemingway, whose works like The Old Man and the Sea continue to be read and loved all over the globe. Disney’s creativity and Hemingway’s literary genius… How are the rest of the states going to top that? Keep reading and you’ll see!

6

Kansas’ flying heroine

Image: Heyzeus Escribo

Kansas may be known for its wheat fields, but it’s also the home of one of history’s greatest aviators: Amelia Earhart.

Amelia was born in Atchison, Kansas, and she made the headlines as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. This was a turning point in history, as women in aviation were not a thing at all! One can easily imagine how inspiring it was for the rest of the women to pursue this kind of adventure, even when the tragic finale remains one of history’s unsolved mysteries. Her feat was an achievement for women and for aviation too!

Kansas, raise your glasses in pride, to celebrate this courageous woman!

7

Louisiana’s jazz royalty

Image: Joe Lavigne

How many films are set in this vibrant city? We say Louisiana and you think of music, right? And more than that, you probably think of the one and only Louis Armstrong , don’t you? As you should!

With his majestic voice and his amazing trumpet playing, Armstrong remains today as one of the brightest jazz stars. He was born in the heart of New Orleans and he contributed music with some of the greatest hits like "What a Wonderful World." His music shaped the sound of 20th-century jazz.

But that’s not all, Louisiana also gave us literary genius Truman Capote, who wrote classics like In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany’s . This is a state that knows how to produce world-class talent, don’t you think?

8

Massachusetts’ master of the macabre

Image: Piermario Eva

Massachusetts didn’t need to prove anything, that is, this was the place where the Pilgrims landed. We could say it’s the birthplace of our nation. But Massachusetts didn’t come here to play, it also gave us one of America’s most famous literary figures, Edgar Allan Poe .

Poe was born in Boston, and he is known for being the master of the macabre: He wrote thrilling stories with a gothic style like The Raven and The Telltale Heart.

More related to the history Massachusetts is known for, this is also the birthplace of one of America’s Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin , who helped shape the American Revolution and contributed to innovations in science. Did Massachusetts win the contest or what?

9

Michigan’s motorman

Image: Bruno Guerrero

Sometimes it’s not very clear what came first, it still remains a mystery whether the chicken or the egg came first. Now, in the case of Michigan, there’s no doubt what came first. This is the home state of Henry Ford and that is why this state suddenly came to be known for the automobile industry.

Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the introduction of the assembly line, making cars affordable to the middle class and transforming the way products were made. His Model T became a symbol of the modern world. Michigan’s Motor City, Detroit, owes much of its fame to Ford’s pioneering work. A word and legacy that is still a reality today!

10

Mississippi’s musical legends

Image: Jp Valery

We couldn’t end this article without including one of America’s most beloved characters. And this might cloud your judgment, but it will probably help you choose a winner. Mississippi is the birthplace of none other than the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley!

We don’t need to describe how influential Elvis was, or how his music contributions changed the industry forever. If this had been everything Mississippi had to offer, it would have been more than enough!

But the state’s contributions don’t end there, Mississippi saw many more great minds, like

Tennessee Williams , the famous playwright. He was known for works like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or A Streetcar Named Desire . From rock ‘n’ roll to Broadway, Magnolia State’s influence is undeniable.

1

How the White House gained its name

Originally, the building was called the "President’s House." That only changed after the 1814 fire. During the War of 1812, British troops marched into Washington and set many buildings on fire, including the main one.

Walls were scorched, and smoke damage lingered inside and outside the building. When repairs began, painters coated the building white to cover the burn marks . This resulted in the "White House" nickname. Nearly a century later, Theodore Roosevelt made it official.

2

A hidden underground beneath America’s books

Have you ever heard of the Library of Congress's underground tunnels? Most visitors never see them or learn about them. They connect their buildings, allowing staff to transport rare books and documents safely and efficiently. Fragile, valuable materials had better be protected from the weather, the sunlight, and, well, the people!

3

The Golden Gate Bridge wasn’t supposed to stay red

The reddish color of the Golden Gate Bridge (officially named "International Orange") was supposed to be a temporary priming coat to protect the steel.

However, when engineers looked at the bright color peeking through the fog against the stunning blue and green of the San Francisco Bay, they said, "You know what?" It should stay like that. The Navy proposed painting it black and yellow, but it was never done. The stunning color turned it into one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

4

The Empire State Building wanted to welcome airships

Back in 1931, the Empire State Building’s spire was intended as a mooring mast to serve as a docking station for airships. The idea was that passengers should be able to step directly into Manhattan from the sky!

Sure, it was a futuristic plan, but it was eventually dismissed for being wildly dangerous. Passengers would have had to climb out at dizzying heights in strong winds. Not ideal! And certainly not glamorous.

5

The famous ceiling that got the stars wrong

You may have seen images of Grand Central Terminal’s celestial ceiling —or seen it with your own eyes. But there’s a twist: Did you know that the constellations in it are painted backward?

The way they are represented is as if viewed from outside the universe, rather than from Earth. Whether it was a mistake by the artist or it was an intentional reverse on cosmic perspective, the terminal ceiling has looked like this since its opening in 1913.

6

The president who quietly ran a whiskey empire

George Washington is remembered as a general and a president, of course. But he was also a major whiskey producer. Hidden on the grounds of Mount Vernon was a fully functioning distillery, built in the late 1790s.

By the time of Washington’s death, it was producing nearly 11,000 gallons of whiskey a year. That made him one of the largest distillers in the young United States!

7

The iconic façade didn’t exist during the battle

When you think of the Alamo, you surely picture its iconic façade. However, that structure was not part of the original mission!

During the famous 1836 battle, the building looked far simpler, and it lacked its now-famous curved top. That façade was added decades later by the U.S. Army when the structure was used as a supply depot

8

Why visitors can no longer climb to the torch

Did you ever hear some old relative’s anecdote ot climbing all the way to the top of Lady Liberty’s torch? They weren’t lying: Up until 1916, visitors could. However, around that time, some explosions in a nearby munitions depot sent shockwaves through the statue.

The blast damaged the torch and weakened its structure. For safety reasons, access was permanently closed to the public.

9

The concrete that is still hardening today

The Hoover Dam contains so much concrete that it generates heat as it cures. Engineers knew that if poured as one solid mass, it would take more than a century to cool and could crack.

Instead, they built it using interlocking concrete blocks, each cooled with circulating water. Even so, parts of the dam are still slowly curing today.

10

The building that accidentally cooked its neighbors

When the Walt Disney Concert Hall opened in Los Angeles, its gleaming metal exterior stunned visitors. But it also caused an unexpected problem…

The highly reflective steel panels bounced sunlight onto nearby sidewalks and apartments. In some spots, the glare was so intense that it melted materials! As a result, engineers eventually had to dull parts of the surface.

11

The Capitol’s dome isn’t stone

The grand, massive dome atop the U.S. Capitol looks like solid stone, doesn’t it? But, in fact, it is made of cast iron.

In the mid-1800s, stone was considered too heavy and expensive for such an ambitious structure. Cast iron allowed builders to create a taller, more ornate dome that weighs nearly nine million pounds.

1

Rich Uncle Pennybags

Image: Maria Lin Kim

Board games are popular, at least some of them. Clue, Pictionary, Monopoly—we’ve all played at least one of these. But Monopoly’s popularity is something else. And it’s not just the game’s popularity but the fine man who is the face of the brand.

Rich Uncle Pennybags was introduced in 1936 and is widely known as Mr. Monopoly. This rich guy, dressed in a smart tuxedo, turned out to be so popular that he’s been incorporated into the brand’s logo altogether.

2

Tony the Tiger

Image: Franki Chamaki

Introduced in 1951, Tony the Tiger has been a fixture in, possibly, every single household in the United States and many more countries around the world.

With his classic blue background, Tony the Tiger successfully helped Kellogg’s skyrocket as a brand and made not only the mascot but the cereal truly unforgettable. In spite of being a tiger, Tony is known for his courageous messages and friendly smile that invites consumers to take a scoop of cereal and be ready to face the day. Who doesn’t need this shot of inspiration every morning? We can definitely count on Tony the Tiger for that!

3

Pillsbury Doughboy

Image: Kelsey Todd

This fluffy, adorable mascot, affectionately known as Poppin’ Fresh has been making kitchens a little brighter since 1965.

His real name is the Pillsbury Doughboy, and he is famous for his infectious laugh that erupts whenever someone pokes his belly. Dressed in his signature white chef’s hat and scarf, this giggling, chubby fella is the best company one can have when baking. If you have any doubts, you can ask this baking master!

4

Gritty

Image: Lynda Sanchez

If chaos had a face, it would definitely be Gritty! This wild-eyed, orange furball took the world by storm as the official mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers NHL team.

He made his debut in 2018 and soon became a favorite thanks to his unpredictable antics and meme-worthy expressions, which you are surely familiar with!

Both his personality and his color are quite loud, making him quite unforgettable, as orange is also the color of the team. It represents their essence: unapologetically weird and proud of it!

5

Smokey Bear

Image: Brian Wangenheim

Nature is truly a wonder, but in order to keep it that way, we need to protect it. Now, when it comes to this, warning messages have effectively prevented people from accidentally starting wildfires, thanks to a strong brown bear with a powerful message "Only you can prevent wildfires."

The campaign started in 1944 when Smokey Bear was introduced to the nation to spread the message across radio, TV, and print media. In no time, he became a success and a mighty figure of environmental protection.

6

Mr. Met

Image: Lesly Juarez

The spring of 1963 must be a loving memory for Mets fans: that’s when their mascot, Mr. Met, was born. And he came to this world with only one purpose, to cheer the New York Mets for life, and oh-boy did he accomplish it!

For over four decades, and with a partner in crime who joined the family in the mid-1960s, Lady Met, this baseball-loving mascot with a giant baseball for a head, has not only been a mascot but has also become part of the family. Is he a part of yours?

7

Kool-Aid Man

Image: Reba Spike

This brand is one of the most consumed in America and, even though they didn’t need a mascot to be successful, the Kool-Aid man surely brought around a fair dose of cuteness and good marketing.

Originally known as Pitcher Man, which made sense since he is the drawing of a pitcher, he was later renamed Kool-Aid Man with a clear target audience: children. Once again, the brand mascot made it an undeniable success, and it soon became a cultural icon with an iconic "Oh, Yeah!" catchphrase that can make you thirsty just from reading it! Thank goodness we have the Kool-Aid man to assist us there!

8

The Laughing Cow

Image: Kenny Eliason

This brand has a namesake mascot which, ever since it was created in 1921, has undergone quite an evolution! The cheerful cow, known as the Laughing Cow, first appeared to promote high-quality dairy products when packaged cheese was a novelty.

The character, highly recognizable for its red color, has graced all kinds of the company’s product packages and has become a synonym for quality dairy products, so much so, that it continues to be the logo of the brand today!

9

Big Tex

Image: Ray Shrewsberry

If you are from Texas, or if you have attended its State Fair, you are probably familiar with this 55-foot-tall state mascot. Big Tex, the official mascot of the State Fair of Texas was introduced in 1952 as a repurposed Santa Claus figure!

At the time, he was completely transformed into the towering cowboy we all know today. With his classic cowboy hat and his iconic greeting "Howdy, folks!" However, it’s not entirely fair to call him just a mascot, as he actually serves as a cultural ambassador for everyone who visits the State Fair.

10

Cy the Cardinal

Image: Jacob Rice

Cereal, cleaning products, sports teams—mascots are everywhere. And universities also have their furry friends. In the case of Iowa State University, Cy the Cardinal is the one and he has been ever since 1954.

Born from a student contest to create a mascot that embodied the school pride, Cy was inspired by the university’s nickname, the Cyclones. He is characterized by his vibrant red plumage and his big smile, which is key to rallying fans at any sporting event. Isn’t he fierce?