1

Empire State Building, New York City

Image: William Wachter

Undoubtedly, the Empire State is the most famous building in New York City. Every year, about 2.5 million people visit it, and it has been featured in countless movies and TV shows. Designed by American architect William F. Lamb, it was inaugurated in 1931.

For forty-one years, the Empire State Building was the tallest skyscraper in the world. The symmetry, limestone façade, huge windows, and the monumental and luxurious lobby are some of its main features. The design of this Art Deco masterpiece is so spectacular and breathtaking that in 1986 it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

2

The Carlyle, Miami Beach

Image: Luis Erives

Miami has the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. The city has a remarkable collection of around 800 structures built in this style. Visiting the Art Deco district along Collins Avenue, Ocean Drive, and Washington Avenue is like traveling back in time. And perhaps the Carlyle, for its sophisticated combination of horizontals and verticals, is one of the most emblematic.

It was built in 1939 by German-American architect Richard Kiehnel, and its façade has barely changed since then. Its interior, on the other hand, went from hotel rooms to apartments.

3

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, Tulsa

Image: Quang Vuong

The Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is one of the few examples of an Art Deco church. Beginning in the 1920s, little Tulsa became the oil capital of the U.S., and the sudden influx of resources encouraged investors to build increasingly grandiose buildings. Thus, this church is considered the first ecclesiastical building strictly designed for an emerging automobile culture.

Constructed from Indiana limestone, the church features a steel-frame tower topped with a copper and glass lantern. A seven-pointed star symbolizes seven virtues: patience, purity, knowledge, suffering, kindness, love, and truth. The complex also includes a sanctuary, a small chapel, and offices, while the lobby serves as a social center.

4

Union Terminal, Cincinnati

Image: Fred Copley

Cincinnati Union Terminal in Ohio is one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the United States. Its green terrazzo floors, fine-grained Indiana limestone façade, and vast rotunda adorned with industrial murals by Winold Reiss make the station a true architectural masterpiece. In fact, it is considered the pinnacle work of Alfred T. Fellheimer, who had previously designed Grand Central Terminal in New York.

Unfortunately, Union Terminal began construction in 1928, during one of the worst periods in the country's economic history. The Great Depression was marked by a decline in train travel, and the opulent Union Terminal was considered a white elephant. In 1972, it was finally closed. Years later, however, the building regained its former luster. Today, it is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line, while the rest of the complex houses several museums.

5

Carbide & Carbon Building, Chicago

Image: Anthony Fomin

The Carbide & Carbon Building, a 37-story skyscraper completed in 1929, is one of Chicago's most striking architectural achievements. A bold example of Art Deco design , the building is clad in black granite and green terra cotta, with genuine gold leaf adorning its tower.

It is so luxurious that the Burnham Brothers architectural firm is said to have designed it to resemble a champagne bottle. In 1996, it was designated a Chicago Landmark, and in 2021, it was renovated and reopened as the Pendry Chicago Hotel.

6

The Guardian Building, Detroit

Image: G + L

This 43-story Art Deco skyscraper is located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Nicknamed the Cathedral of Finance , it was planned by architect Wirt C. Rowland and completed in 1929. Both the interior and exterior feature numerous modern decorative elements, including mosaics, murals, stained glass, and even a historic Tiffany clock.

Forty craftsmen worked on its design and construction, which required granite, stone, terra cotta, and more than two million distinctive "Union Guardian Orange" bricks. In 1989, the Guardian Building was designated a National Historic Landmark.

7

Chrysler Building, New York City

Image: William Wachter

The Chrysler Building in New York City is one of the greatest examples of the Art Deco style in the world. It was designed by architect William Van Alen at the request of industrial magnate Walter Percy Chrysler and completed in 1930.

The building exhibits great attention to detail, featuring many elements that mimic Chrysler automobile pieces, such as the ostentatious ornamentation of the tower. In the lobby, the ceiling mural—once the largest in the United States—was painted by artist Edward Trumbull. Following the building’s automotive theme, it depicts scenes of progress, transportation, and energy.

8

Eastern Columbia Building, Los Angeles

Image: Jordan Rubin

Located in downtown Los Angeles, this emblematic 1930s building features a striking turquoise terra cotta exterior. The Eastern Columbia Building was designed by renowned architect Claud Beelman, who also created several of the city’s notable Art Deco structures. At the time of its construction, the building was so unique that the city allowed it to exceed the maximum height limit.

Its unique color, majestic vertical lines, iconic clock, and golden ornamentation attracted Hollywood moguls and stars from the beginning. It was first used as office space and was later converted into luxury apartments. In 1985, the Eastern Columbia Building was declared a Historic-Cultural Monument.

9

Circle Tower, Indianapolis

Image: Alejandro, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The construction of a 14-story skyscraper in Indianapolis was a major news event in the early 20th century. "Circle Tower Is Rising," declared the Indianapolis Times in 1929. Circle Tower stands as a magnificent example of Art Deco architecture.

Built of ornately carved granite and limestone and decorated with Egyptian figures, Circle Tower has a unique, trapezoidal shape. This unusual silhouette was promoted as an icon of luxurious office space. The interior, on the other hand, features marble and terrazzo floors, bronze elevator doors, geometric flowers, zigzags, and concentric swirls. Details in the lavishly marble-clad lobby exude elegance.

10

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles

Image: David Vives

The Griffith Observatory is one of Los Angeles’ most important cultural attractions. This Art Deco icon opened in 1935 and was designed with a revolutionary idea in mind: the cosmos should be accessible to everyone, not just astronomers.

Built of reinforced concrete on a 3,015-acre site donated by Colonel Griffith J. Griffith, it is a blend of modern design and Greek and Beaux-Arts influences. The building's most emblematic feature? The planetarium in the central dome!

1

There is no official ‘Founding Fathers’ list

Image: The New York Public Library

Who can be called a Founding Father? The term was coined by Senator Warren G. Harding in 1916 and is used to refer to the leaders of the Revolutionary movement, but there’s no set list . While it is mainly used for key figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, the term applies broadly to those who signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution .

2

4th of July deaths

Image: Stephanie McCabe

The legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from the British Crown was voted by the Continental Congress on July 2nd, 1776, but was formally adopted on July 4th , immortalizing the date for the rest of American history. But did you know that it is also the death anniversary of three Founding Fathers?

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, while James Monroe died five years later, on July 4th, 1831. Interestingly, John Adams disliked the date chosen for celebrations, as he believed the day of the vote to be more significant.

3

Refusal to sign the Constitution

Image: Howard Chandler Christy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Constitutional Convention took place in 1787, from May to September. The Constitution of the United States was presented on September 28, 1787 , but nearly two years had to pass for it to be ratified by all the states, superseding the nation’s first constitution, the Articles of Confederation.

Not all signing constituents agreed on the final seven articles, among them Benjamin Franklin, but three of them in particular —George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry— flat out refused to sign the document . Mason suggested the addition of a bill of rights, but was denied, a suggestion that would ultimately inspire the drafting of the Bill of Rights by James Madison.

4

A lawyer for the enemy

Image: National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Boston Massacre of 1770 was part of the incidents that prompted the start of the Revolutionary movement in the colonies. British soldiers stationed in Massachusetts to support the implementation of the Townshend Acts were confronted by an angry crowd. Overwhelmed, the soldiers opened fire without authorization, resulting in five deaths and six wounded.

During the subsequent trial, Founding Father John Adams worked as a defense lawyer for the British soldiers charged , a decision that prompted public criticism. However, he was a firm believer in the right to a fair trial for everyone, and argued that most soldiers had acted in self-defense. In the end, only two soldiers were convicted of manslaughter, a verdict Adams agreed with.

5

The origins

Image: Alex Boyd

None of the Founding Fathers was born an American (for obvious reasons), but most of them were born in the American colonies and had British origins . Out of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 47 were born in what is now U.S. territory.

The other nine? Eighth of them came from the British Isles : Two were English-born (Button Gwinnett, Robert Morris), three were Irish (George Taylor, Matthew Thornton, and James Smith), two were Scottish (James Wilson, John Witherspoon), and one was Welsh (Francis Lewis). The last one, Alexander Hamilton, was born in the British West Indies , now St. Kitts and Nevis.

6

The first signature

Image: David Nitschke

Have you ever wondered why people ask for a ‘John Hancock’ when they need a signature? It is all because of Founding Father John Hancock. One of the wealthiest men in the Thirteen Colonies, Hancock was a merchant (and smuggler) by trade, served as president of the Continental Congress, and as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after the Revolution.

Why is he associated with a signature? John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence, and his signature stands out because it is visibly larger than the rest. According to legend, he claimed to have made it big so King George would be able to read it.

7

The anti-slavery clause that wasn’t

Image: Hussain Badshah

It is no secret that many Founding Fathers were slaveholders, but there was no unified opinion on the subject. Some, such as George Washington, freed their slaves in their wills, while others, such as Franklin, Paine, Hamilton, and Adams, were passionate abolitionists. Thomas Jefferson was a curious case: while he owned numerous slaves all his life, he was against the international slave trade and believed that America had to abolish slavery gradually to avoid civil unrest.

In his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson included his conflicted views on slavery in a paragraph condemning King George III for his role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the affronts to liberty caused by this. Ultimately, this clause had to be removed due to the objections of many delegates who supported slavery.

8

The vice president

Image: Ian Hutchinson

When the Constitutional Convention considered the best way to choose a chief executive (a.k.a., the president), they weren’t even considering the figure of the vice president , and had decided that the Senate would elect its own president. After creating the Electoral College, they realized that, being a new country, state loyalty would most likely outweigh loyalty to the union. The solution? Each elector had to choose two candidates, one of which should be from a different state. The two most-voted candidates would be president and vice president, respectively.

The first elected vice president, John Adams, was not happy with the position . He had received a huge amount of votes, but George Washington had still won in a landslide. Although he regarded the position as the "most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived", he took on his role as President of the Senate with the utmost dedication.

9

Confidence in the Constitution

Image: Adam Nir

It is difficult to believe that any Founding Father thought the Constitution to be perfect. After all, not only did some refuse to sign it, but they also included the possibility of amending it to better protect the stability and liberties of the country.

Some Founding Fathers, however, lacked confidence in the Constitution as a document. Benjamin Franklin expressed his disapproval of certain clauses . Still, he was not sure they could write one better, so he decided to sign it, faults and all, preferring to doubt himself than halt the constitutional process. On the other hand, Washington believed the Constitution to be much better than the Articles of the Confederation, but he expressed his doubts about the document lasting for more than twenty years.

10

A varied group of men

Image: Nathaniel Currier, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The centuries passed, and the wigs on the portraits have created the illusion of the Founding Fathers being a group of old men , but this is not exactly right. Although Benjamin Franklin was around 70 years old during the Revolutionary War, most Founding Fathers were young enough to fight and were between 30 and 45 years old.

The differences of age, background, and ideology between the Founding Fathers were the cause of many discussions, enmities, and rivalries, but these differences contributed to the foundation of the United States of America.

1

Bob Dylan

Image: Rowland Scherman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As if he weren't talented enough, Bob Dylan not only captivates us with his lyrics and music but also excels in the world of visual arts . The musician is a skilled metal sculptor, creating impressive pieces from welded metal objects. Did you know it?

2

Bob Barker

Image: Rebecca Roth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Bob Barker wasn't just a beloved media personality and the unforgettable host of The Price Is Right ; he also knew how to throw a punch. It turns out that Barker was a skilled martial artist who trained for years under action star Chuck Norris and even earned a black belt in Karate.

3

Johnny Cash

Image: Heinrich Klaffs, via Wikimedia Commons

Johnny Cash wasn't just gifted with his voice and guitar; he also had a surprising skill: Morse code. He served in the US Air Force in Germany during the Cold War, working as a radio-intercept and Morse code operator. It’s said that his decoding talent enabled him to be one of the first Americans to learn of Joseph Stalin’s death.

4

Christopher Walken

Image: By Tabercil, via Wikimedia Commons

Christopher Walken gave us iconic film roles, but it wasn't just the big screen he mastered. As a teenager, he took on a peculiar summer job: lion-taming. Believe it or not, it's true! The famous actor performed tricks with a large lioness, which, according to him, taught him stage presence, confidence, and, of course, a lifelong love for cats.

5

Geena Davis

Image: Alan Light, via Wikimedia Commons

In addition to starring in blockbusters like Thelma & Louise (1991), A League of Their Own (1992), and Beetlejuice (1988), Geena Davis is also a skilled athlete. That's right! She took up archery around 1997 and performed so well that she competed in the US Olympic trials for the 2000 Sydney Games, coming very close to qualifying!

6

Mark Ruffalo

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons

Beloved Mark Ruffalo is much more than a leading man and a superhero. The actor also has a talent many would envy: he can ride a unicycle! He showcased this skill on The Graham Norton Show in 2014, riding both a standard unicycle and an extra-tall one. As he explained, he dreamed of joining the circus as a child, which inspired him to learn this unique skill.

7

Steve Carell

Image: Sgt. Michael Connors, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Steve Carell has long proven himself as one of America's finest actors, excelling in both comedy and powerful dramas. As if that weren't enough, he’s also a skilled ice hockey player. In college at Denison University, he was a goaltender for the club hockey team, even earning the nickname "Backbone of the Defense"!

8

Terry Crews

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons

While he’s delighted us countless times with comedic roles, Terry Crews is also a writer, TV host, book illustrator, furniture designer, flute player, and even a former NFL player! Yet his most remarkable talent lies in the fine arts: he earned a college art scholarship before his football scholarship, and his paintings and drawings are said to be seriously impressive. Without a doubt, Crews is pure charisma, muscle, and talent!

9

Lucy Liu

Image: Bryan Berlin, via Wikimedia Commons

The incredible Lucy Liu was born in New York in 1968 and was destined to become a star. But she is much more than one of Charlie's Angels ; Liu is also a talented and accomplished painter. And it's not just a hobby! She has a professional art studio and has exhibited her work over the years.

10

Zac Efron

Image: Ivo Duran from Brazil, via Wikimedia Commons

Over the years, Zac Efron has proven he's more than just a teen star, taking on major and diverse film roles. But that's not his only talent; Efron also masters a skill that's both sensual and challenging: pole dancing! He trained for the film The Greatest Showman , and his athleticism helped him master the strength and precision the art requires.