1

Abraham Lincoln

Image: Jacob Thorson

"You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was" is an iconic line attributed to Abraham Lincoln. The funny thing is, he was indeed very tall, remarkably so. In fact, he holds the title of the tallest US president! At 6'4", Honest Abe was a really tall man for his era (and also by today's standards). Plus, his trademark stovepipe -where he was said to keep papers and documents- added even more inches!

2

Thomas Jefferson

Image: David Trinks

Thomas Jefferson was not only one of the Founding Fathers; he was also one of our country's tallest presidents. At 6'2.5", Jefferson was pretty close to the towering Lincoln!

In addition, there are records that speak of his large hands and feet, and it's stated that he wore size 12 shoes, which were considered very large.

3

George Washington

Image: Dave Lowe

At 6'2", the first President of the United States, George Washington, was also one of the tallest Commanders-in-chief. However, there was much more than just his height.

According to historical records, The Father of His Country was also strong and muscular, standing out from a young age in disciplines such as horseback riding and wrestling.

4

George H. W. Bush

Image: David Everett Strickler

During his youth, George H. W. Bush played as the captain of Yale University's baseball team, where his 6'2" height made him stand out. In fact, he ranks 5th among the tallest US Presidents. However, several other presidents also stood at 6'2", including the aforementioned George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bill Clinton, and Chester A. Arthur, who all share the fifth spot.

5

Ronald Reagan

Image: Nicolas HIPPERT

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the US, stood at 6'1", which made him about 4 inches taller than the average height of men in his time. As is well known, Reagan maintained an athletic body from a young age and well into adulthood, enjoying activities like horseback riding and swimming.

Even before his political career, Reagan's height and presence -along with his skills and charisma- helped him get acting roles in Hollywood, where he went on to star in dozens of films.

6

John F. Kennedy

Image: Florida Memory

Although several presidents were taller, John F. Kennedy still stood above the average at 6'1".

You've probably seen images of JFK standing beside his opponent, Richard Nixon, during the 1960 US presidential campaign, right? As you can see in those pictures, as well as in the famous TV debate, Kennedy appears quite taller than Nixon. Additionally, JFK's voluminous hair -one of his trademarks- added a few more inches.

7

Richard Nixon

Image: History in HD

Some specialists claim that a candidate's height may influence the outcome of presidential elections, tipping the balance in favor of the taller candidate. They say this might have been the case in the 1960 election. However, Richard Nixon's 5'11" didn't stop him from becoming the 37th President of the United States. He won the 1968 election, defeating Hubert Humphrey (also 5'11"), and was re-elected in 1972 with a victory over George McGovern (6'1").

8

Jimmy Carter

Image: Suzy Brooks

Just one inch shorter than Nixon, President Jimmy Carter stood at 5'10", surpassing the average height for an American man by a hair's breadth but falling just below the average presidential height of 5'11".

From a young age, Carter was involved in various sports and outdoor activities, and his tendency to maintain an active lifestyle was emphasized during his presidency.

9

John Adams

Image: sarina gr

Now, it's the turn of presidents whose heights were slightly below the average for American men. Among them is the extraordinary John Adams, the second President of the United States, who stood at 5'7".

What distinguished this Founding Father wasn't his physique but his amazing intelligence, charisma, and strong character, which were fundamental in shaping our nation.

10

James Madison

Image: Richard Hedrick

Finally, we come to James Madison, the 4th US President and the Father of the Constitution. At 5'4", Madison was the shortest president in American history. Some portraits of the time depict him alongside his wife, Dolley Madison, who was not only slightly taller but also wore hats that added extra inches to her height.

However, despite Madison's shorter stature, it's undeniable that his role in shaping the United States was immense.

1

San Francisco, California

Image: Belle Co

San Francisco was never officially a state capital, but there was a 9-month period during the early governance of California when the capitol stood in the city’s Merchant’s Exchange building .

The seat of California’s capital moved multiple times among cities, including Monterey, San Jose, Vallejo, and Benicia. In the mid-19th century, it settled in Sacramento, strategically situated at the confluence of major rivers –which also meant proneness to flood . Severe flooding hit the city in the 1860s, temporarily incapacitating it as a state capital.

The administration then moved to San Francisco, which had been instrumental during the Gold Rush and remained a cultural and economic powerhouse. When Sacramento had recovered, though, the legislature moved back and it has remained the state capital since.

2

Savannah, Georgia

Image: Jessica Furtney

Savannah, the beautiful city in Georgia famous for its cobblestone streets and picturesque squares, was the state’s first colonial capital. It continued to hold the capitol following the American Revolution.

In the late 1700s, however, the capital moved inland to Augusta, where the population was growing. The decision was also meant to protect the government from potential coastal attacks .

Several cities served as capitals in the decades that followed, such as Louisville and Milledgeville. It wasn’t until a constitutional convention was held in Atlanta that the city’s potential as a state capital was recognized, and later realized.

3

St. Augustine, Florida

Image: Maddie DiFilippo

Known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, like the Castillo de San Marcos fortress , St. Augustine was the capital of East Florida for hundreds of years, since Spanish rule.

When Florida became a U.S. territory, St. Augustine, on Florida's northeast coast, maintained its role as one of two capitals, alongside Pensacola, which served West Florida. However, the difficulty of travel between these two cities led to inefficiencies in governance.

A halfway point was set exactly at Tallahassee to make access easier for legislators of both sides. To this day, St. Augustine maintains many constructions and a strong heritage from its colonial past.

4

New Orleans, Louisiana

Image: Stella He

When Louisiana was admitted into the Union, vibrant New Orleans was the state capital, and it remained so for over 30 years until the government seat was changed to Baton Rouge.

New Orleans was the largest and most economically significant city in the state at the time, so it was a natural choice. Still, its location also posed challenges, like disease outbreaks that often plagued it, and the powerful political influence of the French Creole population .

Eventually, Baton Rouge became the official capital, and its new Gothic Revival-style capitol building opened in the mid-19th century. Today, New Orleans remains a cultural hub for the state and the country.

5

Lewiston, Idaho

Image: Anthony Camerlo

The original capital of Idaho was upstate Lewiston, a key shipping hub thanks to its access to river transport. But the discovery of gold in the Boise Basin meant that the population –and the riches– flew to southern Idaho.

With the majority of settlers now in the south, the capital's relocation was pushed. Lewiston residents did not take this lightly: They fiercely resisted losing the capital and went so far as to lock the territorial seal and papers in the town jail to prevent their removal.

Federal troops had to intervene to complete the relocation. Today, Lewiston still proudly proclaims itself as "Idaho's First Territorial Capital," a line displayed everywhere downtown.

6

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Image: donwhite84

Plymouth, located in southeastern Massachusetts on Plymouth Bay, was the landing site of the Pilgrims in 1620. For many decades it remained its capital until the colony merged with that in Massachusetts Bay.

After the merger, Boston, a city with a larger population and a central hub for trade and governance, was designated the new capital. But Plymouth is still considered "America's Hometown" and hosts elaborate Thanksgiving celebrations annually.

Plymouth will always retain its historical significance, such as being the home of Plymouth Rock , which commemorates the site of the disembarkation of the Mayflower Pilgrims.

7

Kingston, New York

Image: Amy Lavine, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kingston is located along the Hudson River in Ulster County, New York, with a scenic backdrop of the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains.

It retains its Revolutionary War-era stone buildings, historic landmarks, and its title as the "birthplace" of New York State's government; It was its first capital. But when it became a center for revolutionary activities in the late 18th century, British forces burned the city in retaliation.

Kingston was rebuilt, but it never regained its capital status. Albany was later chosen as the capital for its central location and strong infrastructure.

8

Detroit, Michigan

Image: Alex Brisbey

Detroit, a.k.a. "Motor City," is not just the center of the U.S. automotive industry, but was Michigan's first capital before it moved inland to Lansing.

Michigan Territory had Detroit as its center, and it remained so even after it became a state. But there were concerns over Detroit's proximity to the Canadian border , and, as with many other capitals, a desire to fix the capitol in the state’s center.

Lansing, just a small settlement at the time, was more accessible and more secure. Detroit didn’t stay behind, though; Its role as a transportation hub during the Industrial Revolution helped it become a manufacturing powerhouse .

9

Kaskaskia, Illinois

Image: Dave Hoefler

Kaskaskia is now nearly a ghost town , a quiet community of fewer than 20 residents. This is due to Mississippi River flooding and shifting channels –but it was once its state capital.

Situated in Randolph County, Illinois, near the Mississippi River, it’s uniquely located on the western bank of the river. In the early 19th century it was a center for trade and governance and remained the capital until the legislature decided to relocate to Vandalia.

Vandalia, inland and growing, was a reasonable choice back then, but it would be replaced by Springfield eventually, largely due to the efforts of Abraham Lincoln .

10

New Castle, Delaware

Image: jakob

New Castle served as Delaware’s colonial capital during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was here, in 1776, that Delaware declared independence from both Pennsylvania and Great Britain, establishing itself as a state.

The city’s location by the Delaware River was key during colonial times, but it also made it susceptible to British naval attacks during the American Revolution. That was why the seat was moved to Dover, although it wasn’t made the permanent capital until the 1780s.

New Castle still keeps its well-preserved colonial architecture, particularly in the district surrounding its courthouse.

1

McDonald’s

Image: Jurij Kenda

We’ll start with probably the most popular fast-food brand in the world. Few logos are as intently recognizable as McDonald’s "golden arches", to the point that they are present in virtually every single country in the world. But before it became an international behemoth, this fast-food chain began as a single restaurant in San Bernardino, California, founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald.

We could probably fill this entire article with McDonald’s fun facts, like how an astronaut smuggled a cheeseburger onboard a space shuttle. However, we’ll end this entry with the fabled Big Mac index: Since, as we previously mentioned, McDonald’s restaurants are virtually everywhere, economists have used the price of a Big Mac burger as a global indicator of each country's economic strength.

2

Burger King

Image: Alexis AMZ DA CRUZ

While Burger King is often and unfairly considered to be playing second-fiddle to McDonald’s, the truth is that this chain is definitively fast-food royalty. First founded as Insta-Burger King in 1953, this restaurant offers a selection of burgers, fries, and other delectable products.

Burger King is perhaps most well-known for its signature burger, the " Whopper ". Created in 1957, this iconic product was the very first of its kind, causing competing franchises to develop their very own signature burgers. The Whopper’s legacy resulted in Burger King proudly adopting the nickname "Home of the Whopper".

3

Taco Bell

Image: Ömer Haktan Bulut

You might be surprised to learn that Taco Bell , synonymous with one of Mexico’s most treasured culinary delicacies, was actually founded in America. Not only that: Did you know that the Bell in Taco Bell’s name comes from the founder’s last name?

When Glen Bell started his company in 1953, he didn’t know that this little taco stand would eventually grow into a massive chain serving over two billion satisfied customers each year. Taco Bell is known for a myriad of delicious meals, including its iconic "Crunchwrap Supreme".

4

Domino’s

Image: Miroslav Denkov

In 1960, brothers Tom and James Monaghan bought a small pizza chain close to Eastern Michigan University called "DomiNick’s". Little did the brothers know that they would turn this $1400 investment into one of the biggest pizza chains in the world , with approximately 15,000 locations all around the world.

Known for its 30-minute guarantee, Domino’s offers delicious and affordable pizza delivered with pinpoint accuracy. Over 60 years have passed since its founding, but this pizza chain remains a beloved American icon.

5

Wendy’s

Image: Batu Gezer

Who said that hamburgers need to be round? Wendy’s is a living testament that burgers will always be delicious, no matter what shape they are in. This iconic chain’s burgers are particularly famous for their two main characteristics: Their legendary square shape and the fact that their meat is always fresh and never frozen.

You might be curious as to who the titular Wendy featured in every restaurant is. Well, the restaurant’s founder Dave Thomas named it after his fourth daughter, Melinda Lou, who was known as "Wendy" from an early age. Not only that, Melinda’s likeness was used as the company’s logo, and she continues to serve as its official mascot.

6

KFC

Image: Aleks Dorohovich

Just like Dave Thomas modeling his company’s logo after his daughter, KFC chose to honor its founder by making him an instantly recognizable icon. After all, this iconic fast-food chain’s history starts with Colonel Harland Sanders’ will and determination to drive his family out of their humble beginnings.

In the 1930s, Sanders took the cooking skills he learned from his mother as a child and founded a small restaurant called "Sanders Court & Café". By the 1950s, he saw the potential that franchising provided and opened the very first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" in Salt Lake City. Nowadays, KFC operates thousands of locations all over the world, all of which serve the Coronel’s legendary chicken seasoned with his "11 herbs and spices".

7

Starbucks

Image: Athar Khan

We’ve been dealing with burgers and fried chicken for a while now, so how about a nice cup of Joe instead? While we were hesitant to add Starbucks to the realm of fast food, the truth is that this international company has grown into the world’s largest coffeehouse chain , all the while optimizing the process of delivering a hot and delicious cup of coffee to the hands of the consumer.

Founded in Seattle in 1971, Starbucks was named after a character from Herman Melville’s classic novel "Moby-Dick": In that sense, the twin-tailed mermaid that serves as their iconic logo was also inspired by Melville’s masterpiece. Starbucks is world-famous for its innovative drinks, including the revolutionary cold coffee brew known as the "Frappucino".

8

Subway

Image: Ola Mishchenko

If you are looking for a healthy yet equally accessible fast-food restaurant, then Subway is the place for you. This company was first founded in 1965 by friends Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck, hoping to save enough money to pay for medical school tuition. By the start of the new millennium, Subway became one of the world’s most profitable franchises, as well as one of the fastest growing.

Known for their world-famous slogan "Eat Fresh", Subway’s main appeal is the fact that you can select which ingredients you want in your sandwich. While products like the "B.M.T." or the "Italian Hero" keep their distinctive identity, being able to add your favorite flavors onto your sandwich truly provides a tailor-made customer experience.

9

White Castle

Image: Valeria Boltneva

While it might seem smaller compared to other international juggernauts in this list, White Castle holds the remarkable distinction of being the world’s very first fast-food hamburger chain . Just like many other restaurants, the humble beginnings of White Castle started in 1916 when a cook named Walt Anderson opened his first diner in a converted streetcar. Five years after that, Anderson partnered with Billy Ingram to found the very first White Castle restaurant in Wichita, Kansas.

Over a hundred years after this first location, White Castle is still a beloved destination for all burger lovers. Their most famous product is probably their iconic "sliders", complete with square patties and steamed onions.

10

Pizza Hut

Image: Alan Hardman

We’ll end with another pizza institution. Founded in 1958 by two Wichita State students, Pizza Hut locations are instantly recognizable by their distinctive architecture, which features a red rooftop resembling a hut. Moreover, while their pizza is certainly delicious, Pizza Hut holds the distinction of owning one of the most groundbreaking achievements in pizza delivery history.

While Domino’s prides itself on its 30-minute delivery policy, Pizza Hut holds the record of the very first outer-space delivery in history. In 2001, the company designed a vacuum-sealed pizza suitable to be delivered to the International Space Station. This interplanetary pie literally reached the stars, where it was happily enjoyed by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachov.