1

Why are elections held on a Tuesday?

Election Day is always on a Tuesday because of 1800s rural life . Most Americans were farmers who needed a full day to travel to polling places, often by horse. Sunday was reserved for church, and Wednesday was typically market day.

Tuesday became the most practical option: travel on Monday, vote on Tuesday, return on Wednesday. November was chosen because the harvest season had ended, but winter had not yet made travel difficult.

2

Why do voters register in advance to participate?

Voter registration exists because the U.S. has no single national voter list . Since elections are run locally, authorities need a system to confirm identity, residency, and eligibility before Election Day.

The practice expanded in the 1800s as cities grew, helping manage large populations and reduce fraud. Today, it remains a key administrative step in a decentralized system.

3

Why does the Electoral College decide presidential elections?

The Electoral College was created as a compromise between letting Congress choose the president and allowing a direct popular vote, which proved logistically challenging at the time . The founders were concerned about balancing power and limiting centralized control.

It also gave smaller states more influence against larger states with more population, and reflected the challenges of communication in the 1700s. The system remains as part of the original constitutional design.

4

Does each state run its own election system?

The Constitution gives states the authority to manage elections , reflecting the country’s federal structure. The founders wanted states to retain power rather than create a single national system.

This allowed flexibility based on local conditions like geography and population. Today, it explains why voting rules and procedures differ widely across states. These differences range from voter registration policies to the types of documents required for voting to whether prison inmates are allowed to vote, among many other variations.

5

How are party candidates determined?

Primaries were introduced in the early 1900s to reduce the influence of party insiders . Before that, candidates were often chosen behind closed doors by political leaders.

The reform movement aimed to give voters more control. Primaries shifted decision-making power from party elites to the public, making the process more democratic.

6

What is early voting?

Early voting developed to address the limitations of a single Election Day . As work schedules became less flexible, states began offering additional in-person voting days.

These days, most states offer early voting, with examples like Minnesota, South Dakota, or Virginia, extending that period to over 40 days prior to the official election. This change helps reduce long lines and increase participation. It reflects an effort to adapt an old system to modern time constraints. And, judging by the 60% of votes being cast before Election Day, it works.

7

What about mail-in voting?

Mail-in voting began during the Civil War, allowing soldiers to vote while away from home . Over time, it expanded to include civilians who could not easily reach polling places.

Its broader use today reflects convenience and accessibility, especially in a large country where distance and mobility can be barriers to in-person voting.

8

What can a ballot include?

F ederal, state, and local referendums are often combined into a single election . This means that American ballots can include several voting points.

Studies indicate that this approach saves money by avoiding multiple referendums and increases participation by attracting individuals interested in voting on those topics. It also allows voters to decide on laws and policies directly through referendums and ballot measures.

9

Who are the poll workers?

Poll workers are typically local citizens because elections are run at the community level. Instead of a national workforce, local governments recruit and train temporary staff.

Most poll workers are community members who apply directly through their local election office. Also, in many states, local chapters of political parties submit lists of recommended workers to election boards. Officials often prioritize these nominees to meet legal requirements for partisan balance.

10

Why is Election Day not a federal holiday?

Election Day was never made a federal holiday because early lawmakers assumed rural voters had flexible schedules. Travel time, not work obligations, was the main concern .

Today, this decision is often debated. Modern work patterns make weekday voting less convenient, leading to calls for reform or expanded voting options.

11

Why do results take so long?

Final results can take time because ballots must be carefully verified before counting . This includes checking signatures, eligibility, and processing mail-in and provisional votes.

While early results are reported quickly, official certification happens later. The delay reflects a priority on accuracy and legitimacy over speed.

1

Watching TV together at a fixed time

Back when the only screen in the house was the TV in the living room, families gathered every night to watch their favorite shows at a specific time.

Long before streaming services let us pause, rewind, skip commercials, binge, or watch on demand, families built their evenings around the TV schedule. Shows like I Love Lucy , The Ed Sullivan Show , and later M A S H and The Cosby Show gave millions of Americans something to laugh and talk about together the next day. By the 2000s, though, that shared experience began to fade. With endless entertainment available anytime on phones, tablets, and computers, families no longer had to gather around one screen at one set hour.

2

Drive-in movies

A night at the drive-in was about much more than just watching a movie. Families piled into the car with blankets and snacks, kids often already wearing their pajamas, while teenagers saw it as the perfect date night. It was a kind of movie experience that today’s theaters can’t quite recreate.

But beginning in the 1970s, many drive-ins started disappearing. Growing suburban property values made those huge lots that provided low-cost entertainment harder to maintain, while cable TV and VHS gave families an easier and cheaper option: staying home to watch movies instead. Despite all this, drive-ins didn’t disappear completely. Around 300 are still operating across the country today, including famous spots like Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Middle River, Maryland, home to one of the largest movie screens in America, at 52 feet high by 120 feet wide.

3

Browsing the Sears catalog before Christmas

Long before Amazon, we had another way to shop remotely: the famous Sears catalog. For many families, the arrival of the Sears Christmas "Wish Book" was one of the signs that the holiday season had begun.

Kids spent hours flipping through its pages, circling toys they dreamed of, while parents browsed everything from clothes and appliances to tools and furniture. You filled out an order form, mailed in a check, and waited for your package to arrive. First introduced in 1933, the beloved Wish Book remained a holiday tradition for generations, but as online shopping grew and Sears struggled to keep up with changing times, the iconic catalog slowly disappeared before being discontinued in 2011.

4

Larger celebrations

Years ago, holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving often meant one thing: the whole family gathering in one house. The turkey had to be big enough for everyone, and folding tables appeared out of nowhere for cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Holiday gatherings are still an important American tradition, but they are often smaller than they used to be. Today, many families celebrate with only close relatives or a few friends instead of the massive family reunions. And there’s something that explains part of this phenomenon: in earlier generations, these holidays were one of the few chances extended families had to truly reconnect. Long-distance calls were expensive, travel was harder, and there were no video calls to keep everyone in touch year-round. Ironically, even though we were far apart, we actually saw each other in person more often.

5

Waiting for photos to be developed

For much of the 20th century, capturing memories meant waiting days, sometimes weeks, for vacation and holiday photos to be developed. And that wait was part of the fun. There was always a little excitement in wondering how the pictures had turned out, along with the surprise of discovering funny or beautiful moments you didn’t even remember capturing.

Those photos didn’t stay buried in a phone gallery; they filled family albums, sat in frames around the house, and became something families pulled out to relive old memories. But beginning in the 1980s, instant cameras like Polaroid and later digital photography slowly changed all that. Today, we can instantly take and keep thousands of pictures, but nothing compares to the analog experience.

6

Popping over to a friend’s house unannounced

Young people today often wonder how we made plans, checked if friends were home, or stayed connected before cell phones. The answer is as simple as life was back then: people just showed up.

Before texting and instant messaging, it was completely normal to stop by a friend’s or neighbor’s house unannounced, ring the doorbell, and see if they were around. Today, with constant digital communication, that kind of spontaneity has largely faded. Sometimes, showing up without warning is now seen as rude rather than friendly. But in many ways, that shift makes sense: busier schedules and a greater need for privacy have naturally led to a more planned way of life.

7

Sending Christmas cards and holiday postcards

Long before emails, group chats, and social media, sending Christmas cards and postcards was one of the most common ways we stayed connected during the holidays.

Although the tradition began in Britain, it truly took off in the US in the 1870s, thanks in large part to German immigrant Louis Prang, whose beautifully printed Christmas cards became wildly popular across the country. By the early 20th century, mailing holiday cards had become a cherished American tradition, with families eagerly checking the mailbox throughout December. The custom is still alive today, but it is no longer as central to the holiday season as it once was. Even so, we still send an estimated 1.3 to 1.6 billion Christmas and holiday cards every year.

8

Using paper road maps

For decades, almost every car had one thing tucked inside the glove compartment: a folded paper road map. Long before GPS and smartphones, knowing how to read a map was a requirement for any traveler.

Gas stations often gave them away for free, and on family road trips, one person usually drove while another tried to follow the route and give directions, sometimes correctly, sometimes not. Getting lost, arguing over the map, and struggling to fold it back up were all part of the experience.

9

Midnight Black Friday shopping

Do you remember when people spent a night outside stores, waiting for the doors to open on Black Friday? As the shopping frenzy grew in the late 2000s, major retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Macy’s pushed their opening hours earlier and earlier, until many stores were opening right at midnight.

Shoppers bundled up in coats, stood in long lines, and rushed through the doors to grab the year’s hottest TVs, toys, and holiday gifts before they sold out. It was chaotic, exhausting, and for many, surprisingly fun. But once online shopping and home delivery became faster and easier, those midnight shopping crowds slowly began to disappear. By the 2010s, the tradition was already fading away.

10

Door-to-door caroling

A few decades ago, opening the door during Christmastime often meant being greeted by neighbors or local groups singing carols. From the late 19th into the early 20th century, caroling was a community tradition, with churches, schools, and neighborhoods organizing routes.

Over time, the tradition began to fade. As cities grew and daily life became more fast-paced, privacy and safety concerns changed how people interacted with their neighbors. Today, door-to-door caroling is much less common, though it still survives in some communities. But America still loves the music: According to the market research company "YouGov," about 75% say they listen to holiday songs or carols at home during the season.

1

2008 Beijing Olympic Games - Michael Phelps

Image: Thomas Park

Winning a gold medal in the Olympic Games is, by itself, a huge achievement and a dream come true for any elite athlete. Repeating this feat is something that very few have achieved, and doing so has elevated these individuals to legendary status.

Now, imagine winning not one, not two, but eight gold medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games . This unimaginable feat was accomplished by the now-famous swimmer Michael Phelps. This remains the greatest individual achievement in one edition of the Olympic Games by any Team USA athlete.

2

1936 Munich Olympic Games - Jesse Owens

Image: Braden Collum

Another legendary Olympic moment took place many years before Michael Phelps was even born, when Jesse Owens, a Black athlete, won four gold medals in the 1936 Munich Olympic Games.

Despite competing on very controversial ground at the time, Owens blazed his way to Olympic glory and secured his place in the pantheon of the greatest American athletes.

3

Cuba to Florida Swim - Diana Nyad

Image: Matt Hardy

If you see the distance between Miami and Havana on a map, it doesn’t seem all that far. That is until you start approaching and realize that there are 110 miles between these two places. Believe it or not, this journey has been swum three times. The first two crossings involved a shark cage and several short rests.

The third person to achieve this milestone was Diana Nyad, who completed the swim on her fifth attempt at age 64 in 2013 . Nyad used a protective jellyfish suit, shark divers, and electronic shark-repellent devices to achieve an "unassisted" swim.

4

50 Marathons in 50 Days

Image: Pietro Rampazzo

Running a marathon is an impressive feat of endurance and strength for almost any human being. Running two marathons in two consecutive days is nearly impossible for anyone. Now, imagine running 50 marathons across 50 American states in 50 consecutive days.

That incredible accomplishment was achieved by Los Angeles native Dean Karnazes , beginning with the Lewis and Clark Marathon in St. Louis on September 17, 2006 , and finishing with the New York City Marathon on November 5 . A bit too much, maybe?

5

1968 Mexico City Olympic Games - Bob Beamon

Image: Gabriel Sanchez

On the rarest of occasions, humans are capable of physical achievements that defy what the human body is capable of doing. During the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Bob Beamon broke the world record for men’slong jump with an incredible jump of 29 feet, 2.25 inches . Yes, that is almost 30 feet.

There was a delay in posting the distance, and Beamon didn’t know what the metric figure that finally appeared on the board equated to in feet and inches. When a teammate told him he had jumped over 29 feet, he collapsed on the track from the realization of what he had accomplished.

6

2017 Australian US Open - Serena Williams

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Winning a world tennis championship is a significant achievement for any tennis player. That is, unless you are a tennis player so accomplished that winning these tournaments is as regular as anything. The list of people who do that is very short, and the names on it are all very well known.

One of those names is, without a doubt, Serena Williams. Possibly the greatest female tennis player ever, she won the 2017 Australian Open . This fact alone may not seem out of place for such an athlete. But what sets it apart is the fact that she did so while pregnant .

7

17 minutes without breathing - David Blaine

Image: Jakob Owens

How long can you hold your breath underwater? Trained individuals can achieve very impressive results in this field, but one feat that stands out is the one accomplished by American illusionist David Blaine, who, on September 8, 2008, set a world record for static apnoea, by holding his breath underwater inside a tank for 17 minutes and 4.5 seconds.

Blaine is best known for his high-profile feats of endurance and has set and broken several world records. These include standing for 35 hours on a 100-foot-high pillar only 22 inches wide in 2002 and sitting in a clear Perspex box for 44 days in 2003 without eating and drinking only water.

8

900 spin - Tony Hawk

Image: Devin Avery

In the world of skating, a 360 is the name given to a stunt performed by executing a mid-air spin on the board. This is a complicated trick, achieved only by very experienced skaters. A 720 is a stunt performed by doing not one, but two mid-air spins on the board. As one can imagine, this is exponentially more difficult than a 360, and very few people can pull off this stunt.

Now, if we mention a 900, you might guess where we are going. This involves not one, not two, but two and a half mid-air spins on the board. This insanely difficult stunt was first performed (at least publicly) by Tony Hawk, the skateboard champion, at the 1999 X Games, cementing his status as a skateboarding legend.

9

2008 U.S. Open - Tiger Woods

Image: Will Porada

Tiger Woods is a familiar name in the sports world. He has won 14 major golf championships and achieved a level of superstardom seldom seen in the game. However, the one we are choosing to highlight today displays an extraordinary amount of tolerance to pain in the face of competition.

During the 2008 U.S. Open, he played a total of 91 holes with a torn ACL and double stress fractures in his left leg . With a course set up to give players the toughest test of golf imaginable, the U.S. Open is hard enough as it is. Add in debilitating leg injuries, plus 19 extra holes (thanks to a playoff with Rocco Mediate), and you have one of the greatest showings of pain tolerance in the history of tournament golf.

10

El Capitan Free Solo Climb - Alex Honnold

Image: Jessica Tuttle

Imagine climbing a huge stone wall approximately 3,000 feet high in less than four hours. Now imagine doing that, without any kind of ropes or safety equipment. That is exactly what Alex Honnold did on June 3, 2017, when he made the first-ever free solo ascent of El Capitan by completing Alex Huber's 2,900-foot big wall route, Freerider, in 3 hours and 56 minutes.

The climb, described as "one of the great athletic feats of any kind, ever," was documented by climber and photographer Jimmy Chin and documentary filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi, as the subject of the documentary Free Solo which, among other awards, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2018.