1

Ragtime - Scott Joplin

Image: Darius

The first entry on the list showcases the inventor of probably the most popular waiting-call tunes in history, Scott Joplin, the "King of Ragtime" himself. He composed over 40 ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas. One of his first and most popular pieces, the "Maple Leaf Rag," became the genre's first and most influential hit, later recognized as the quintessential rag.

Joplin considered ragtime to be a form of classical music meant to be played in concert halls and largely disdained the performance of ragtime as honky-tonk music, most common in saloons.

2

Blues - W.C. Handy

Image: Kelly Sikkema

Blues music can’t be traced to a single individual, but William Christopher Handy can definitely be identified as a founding figure in the genre. He was an American composer and musician who referred to himself as the "Father of the Blues."

One of many musicians who played the blues, Handy did not create the blues genre but was one of the first to publish music in the blues form , thereby taking the blues from a regional music style (Delta blues) with a limited audience to a new level of popularity.

3

Jazz - Buddy Bolden

Image: Laura Rivera

Charles Joseph "Buddy" Bolden was an American cornetist who was regarded by contemporaries as a key figure in the development of a New Orleans style of "jass," which later came to be known as jazz. Bolden was known as "King" Bolden, and he was known for his loud sound and improvisational skills, and his style had an impact on younger musicians.

Many early jazz musicians credited Bolden and his bandmates with having originated what came to be known as jazz , although the term was not in common musical use until after Bolden was musically active. At least one writer has labeled Bolden as the father of jazz.

4

Country - Jimmie Rodgers

Image: Katherine Hanlon

Widely regarded as the "Father of Country Music," James Charles Rodgers was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. He is best known for his distinctive yodeling , which is a singing style imported from the Alps.

He has been cited as an inspiration by many artists and he has been inducted into multiple halls of fame. By 1927, he stopped working for the railroad due to health issues and decided to focus on his music career.

5

Soul - Sam Cooke

Image: Mick Haupt

Considered one of the most influential soul artists of all time, Sam Cooke is commonly referred to as the "King of Soul" for his distinctive vocals, pioneering contributions to the genre, and significance in popular music.

During his brief eight-year career, Cooke released 29 singles that charted in the Top 40 of the Billboard Pop Singles chart, along with 20 singles in the Top Ten of Billboard's Black Singles chart.

6

Rhythm & Blues - Louis Jordan

Image: Austin Neill

Known as "the King of the Jukebox," Louis Thomas Jordan was an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s.

Jordan blueprinted the map of classic R&B, urban blues , and early rock-and-roll genres with a series of highly influential 78-rpm discs released by Decca Records. These recordings presaged many styles of Black popular music in the late 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s and exerted a strong influence on numerous leading performers in these genres.

7

Rock n Roll - Chuck Berry

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

Best known as "Chuck," Charles Edward Anderson Berry was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter who pioneered rock and roll music. Nicknamed the "Father of Rock and Roll," he refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive , writing lyrics that focused on teen life and consumerism and developing a musical style that included guitar solos and showmanship.

He recorded "Maybellene"—Berry's adaptation of the country song "Ida Red"—which sold over a million copies and reached number one on Billboard magazine's rhythm and blues chart.

8

Funk - James Brown

Image: iggii

"The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business," "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk," "Godfather of Soul," "Mr. Dynamite," and "Soul Brother No. 1," Mr. James Brown himself, was an American singer, dancer, and musician and the founder of funk music , as well as a major figure in 20th-century music.

In a career that lasted more than 50 years, he influenced the development of several music genres. Brown was one of the first ten inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 23, 1986. His music has been heavily sampled by hip-hop musicians and other artists.

9

Disco - Donna Summer

Image: Bas Peperzak

Disco music was becoming increasingly popular in the early 1970s, but according to many historians, it was Donna Summer’s "Love to Love You Baby" that became the first "official" disco release .

The song did not have an immediate American release; it started its life with moderate success in Europe before finally gaining traction and being launched in the U.S., where it became her first number-one hit on the Hot Dance Club Play Chart.

10

Rap - DJ Kool Herc

Image: Matthew Moloney

While this name might not be as instantly recognizable as those from the previous entries, it certainly deserves to appear and close the list, as it is often cited as responsible for the birth of an extremely popular music genre. Clive Campbell, better known by his stage name DJ Kool Herc , is a Jamaican American DJ credited with being one of the f ounders of rap music in New York City in 1973.

Nicknamed the "Father of Hip-Hop," Campbell began playing hard funk records typified by James Brown. He isolated the instrumental portions of the records, emphasizing the drum beat—the "break"—and transitioned from one break to another. Campbell's announcements helped lead to the syncopated, rhythmically spoken accompaniment now known as rapping.

1

In God we trust

Image: Kelly Sikkema

The famous phrase "In God We Trust" hasn’t always been part of our money. It first showed up on some coins during the Civil War , when the country was looking for hope in tough times. It didn’t become standard on all bills and coins until 1955, during another period of strong religious feeling. Today, it’s part of our national identity and one of the most recognized mottos in the world.

2

The all-seeing eye on the dollar

Image: Thought Catalog

That little pyramid with an eye floating above it on the one-dollar bill has sparked plenty of wild theories, but the truth is rooted in history. Known as the "Eye of Providence," it represents divine guidance and watchfulness . The Founding Fathers saw it as a symbol of wisdom and protection.

3

The Secret Service started with cash, not presidents

Image: Collin

When the Secret Service was created in 1865, it had nothing to do with protecting the president. Its original job was to fight counterfeit currency , which had become a huge problem during the Civil War. Back then, nearly one in three bills was fake! The agency did its job so well that it built the foundation for the secure money system we have today.

4

The $10,000 bill that once roamed the banks

Image: Artem Beliaikin

Yes, there really was a $10,000 bill, and it carried the face of Salmon P. Chase, who served as Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary . It was never meant for everyday use at the store, of course. Banks used it for large transfers between Federal Reserve branches. Although it’s been out of circulation for decades, collectors still love to get their hands on one.

5

Fighting fakes with science

Image: Alexander Grey

Counterfeiting has been a problem since the first coins were made, but modern bills are loaded with clever security tricks . Watermarks, color-shifting ink, and hidden security threads help stop fake money before it spreads. If you tilt a newer bill in the light, you’ll see colors shift and patterns appear. It’s not just decoration, it’s actually protection.

6

Paper money doesn’t live forever

Image: Emilio Takas

Every bill has a limited lifespan. A $1 bill lasts about five years before it wears out, while higher denominations tend to last longer since people handle them less often. When a bill becomes too soft or torn, the Federal Reserve removes it from circulation and replaces it with a new one. Check your wallet and see if any of your bills need changing!

7

Tiny text with a big job

Image: Pete Alexopoulos

If you look very closely at your bills, you might spot lines of tiny printed words around the portraits and borders. That’s called microprinting. It’s so small that it’s nearly impossible to copy accurately. Most people never notice it, but it’s one of the details that protects the money from being easily counterfeited.

8

The penny paradox

Image: Annie Spratt

It’s funny to think about, but a single penny costs more than one cent to make. The mix of copper and zinc isn’t cheap , and that’s been true for years. Some even say it’s time to retire the penny, while others can’t imagine America without it. Maybe it’s more than money. Maybe it’s nostalgia that keeps Lincoln’s little coin alive. What do you think?

9

When spare change becomes treasure

Image: Gio Bartlett

Sometimes a coin is worth far more than its face value. The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is one of the best examples. Only five of them exist, and one sold for over four million dollars! Collectors spend years searching for coins like that. It’s part history lesson, part treasure hunt. It may look like an ordinary coin, but it’s really priceless!

10

A woman’s face finally gets her due

Image: Kirt Morris

For most of our history, only men appeared on our currency. However, that’s changing. There are renewed efforts to redesign the twenty-dollar bill and feature Harriet Tubman in it, the fearless leader of the Underground Railroad. Even if it’s not official yet, it’s an important step toward showing the full story of America.

1

Florence Trail, Vermont

Image: Rod Long

Intermediate mountain bikers will love this berm-and-jump-filled descent, which can be incorporated into a 5-mile ride at Cady Hill . The Florence Trail is known as the best flow trail in Stowe, and one of the finest trails in the state of Vermont.

Advanced riders seeking to add some swoop and flow to their biking adventures will also find this trail enjoyable.

2

Devil's Den, Arkansas

Image: Oliver Graham

A mountain bike trail with history attached to it, Devil's Den State Park is a hallmark in the Arkansas mountain biking scene. At the very trailhead, a sign proudly declares that the lower area of the park, known as Fossil Flats, was the "Birthplace of Arkansas Mountain Biking" in 1989.

Recently designated as a "Monument Trail," the park underwent renovations to update sections of the historic trail while expanding the network with brand-new segments. Featuring impressive rock formations, jumps, and drops, Devil's Den truly is a biker’s paradise.

3

Citrus Tech Trail, Michigan

Image: Aishwarya MV

Despite being the most remote mountain bike destination in the Lower 48, Copper Harbor is home to some of the highest-quality trails in the nation. The newest additions to the network, located on Rock Solid's privately owned East Bluff mountain, include some of the best trails that have been built in the nation . Among them, the Citrus Tech trail stands out, earning praise from every mountain biker who has ridden it.

4

South Boundary Trail, New Mexico

Image: Richard Hedrick

An epic trail that winds through stunning mountain meadows and aspen groves before descending into the desert town of Taos , the South Boundary Trail features 4,500 vertical feet of downhill riding. However, it’s worth noting that bikers will face 2,000 feet of climbing along the way—but the breathtaking ride more than makes up for the effort.

5

Doctor Park, Colorado

Image: Holly Mandarich

One of the most thrilling descents in the country, the Doctor Park singletrack takes riders on an unforgettable journey. Starting at a high elevation, the trail winds through an alpine meadow , descends into an aspen grove, and continues down into pine forests before reaching a dry, lower-elevation climate zone .

Bikers from across the country and around the world can either shuttle to the top or pedal their way up to experience this incredible ride.

6

The Presidio, California

Image: Tim Trad

California is brimming with bike trails, making it difficult to recommend just one. However, this former military base turned national park stands out with its 25 miles of paved or hard-packed trails. Offering sightlines to the bay, coastal cliffs, beaches, forests, Alcatraz, the city skyline, and, of course**,** the iconic Golden Gate Bridge , it’s an unforgettable biking destination.

7

DuPont State Forest Slickrock, North Carolina

Image: Leslie Cross

The DuPont State Forest is a rarity on the East Coast due to its exposed bedrock trail. The biking experience in the North Carolina mountains offers epic descents, small mountains, and trails that flow nicely on soft rocky terrain , giving visitors a great experience, with the Slickrock (Cedar Rock, Big Rock, and Burnt Mountain) trail being one of its highlights.

8

Alpine Trail, Oregon

Image: everett mcintire

There are many trails named "Alpine Trail" but this one, at least, honors its name. Beginning high in the mountains, it goes downhill on soft and beautiful black dirt . A few open meadows and exposed outcroppings provide brief panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains, before dropping back into the timber for more high-speed ripping.

9

Tahoe Rim and Flume Trails, Nevada

Image: Abhi Verma

The Flume Trail wasn’t originally designed for bicycles—it began as the grade for a water flume that delivered lumber from high in the mountains above Lake Tahoe to the towns below. Today, remnants of the flume are still visible, but the old flume bed has been repurposed for use by mountain bikers and hikers.

10

Osberg Ridgeline Epic, Idaho

Image: Karsten Winegeart

The Osberg Ridgeline Epic isn’t for everyone. While it requires a shuttle to reach the trail’s starting point, bikers are still faced with over 3,000 feet of uphill pedaling. However, on the other hand, that 3,000 feet of climbing rewards riders with 5,500 feet of thrilling descent, along with a 15-mile ridge traverse with amazing views .