1

Competitive eating

Image: Gigi

Nathan’s Famous claims to have hosted its first Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest in 1916 at Coney Island. According to legend, four immigrants took part to prove who was the most patriotic . The winner, an Irishman, downed 13 hot dogs to claim the title.

Though this origin story was likely an invention for publicity, this quirky event has grown into the beginnings of what would become a long-standing American tradition.

2

Turkey pardoning

Image: Tyler Donaghy

The tradition of pardoning a turkey dates back to 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln reportedly spared a bird after his son Tad begged for its life . Originally meant for Christmas dinner, the turkey was saved thanks to Tad’s compassion.

While a few later presidents, including Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy, also chose to spare turkeys, it wasn’t until 1989 that President George H.W. Bush made the turkey pardon an official White House tradition.

3

Groundhog Day

Image: Camerauthor Photos

Groundhog Day centers around a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil , who is said to predict the weather each February 2nd . If Phil sees his shadow, it signals six more weeks of winter; if not, spring is supposedly on its way.

The tradition began when newspaper editor Clymer Freas pitched the idea to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club in the late 1800s. Despite its popularity, Phil’s weather predictions have only been accurate about 39% of the time, according to the National Climatic Data Center.

4

Pickle-shaped ornaments on Christmas trees

Image: Drew Geraets

The Christmas pickle tradition is believed to have started as a clever marketing move by Woolworths. After receiving a large stock of pickle-shaped ornaments , the store invented a festive game to help sell them.

They encouraged families to hide the pickle in their Christmas tree, with a small prize going to whoever found it first. What began as a sales tactic eventually became a quirky holiday tradition in many American homes.

5

Alaska's Nenana Ice Classic

Image: Ariane Frei

The tradition began in 1917, when a group of railroad engineers placed bets on when the ice on Alaska’s Nenana River would break . They wagered a total of $800, trying to predict the exact date, hour, and minute of the thaw.

What started as a friendly bet turned into an annual event known as the Nenana Ice Classic. Today, it’s a major Alaskan tradition that draws thousands of participants each year—and offers a jackpot that can exceed $300,000.

6

Cherry pit spitting

Image: Quaritsch Photography

During cherry season, cherry pit spitting contests pop up across the U.S., inviting participants to launch pits as far as they can —or even try to hit specific targets. These contests are famously held at events like the International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship in Eau Claire, Michigan, which began in 1974.

It’s a lighthearted test of skill that draws crowds in search of classic summer fun.

7

Tailgate parties

Image: Zachary Keimig

For many American sports fans—especially at football games—just attending isn’t enough. Hours before kickoff, parking lots fill with fans decked out in team colors , grilling food , and enjoying drinks as part of the pregame ritual known as tailgating.

Some tailgaters go all out, bringing TVs, sound systems, and even satellite dishes to create the ultimate game-day setup.

8

Black Friday shopping spree

Image: Erik Mclean

Just hours after Thanksgiving feasts wrap up, millions of Americans shift into shopping mode for Black Friday. This massive retail event kicks off a weekend spree that also includes Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday—newer traditions that have quickly gained traction.

9

Holiday family cards

Image: Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County

One beloved holiday tradition in the U.S. is sending and receiving festive family photo cards . These often feature coordinated outfits and include a short update on the family’s highlights from the past year—even from people you may barely remember.

10

Ostrich racing

Image: Dominic Yegon

Ostriches were introduced to the U.S. in the 1880s, and it didn’t take long for people to start racing them. These unusual competitions sprang up in several states and quickly gained attention for their novelty.

Today, the most well-known event is the Chandler Ostrich Festival in Arizona , which has been running for decades. As of 2024, it marked its 36th year, continuing the quirky tradition with a modern twist.

11

Roadkill cook-off

Image: Christoph Wick

With abundant wildlife and countless vehicles on American roads, animal collisions are an unfortunate reality. But in Marlinton, West Virginia, locals have found a unique way to turn that misfortune into a celebration.

Every September, the town hosts the Roadkill Cook-off, where adventurous eaters can sample dishes like squirrel gravy on biscuits, teriyaki bear, or deer sausage —all made from animals legally collected after road accidents.

12

Pumpkin chucking

Image: Marius Ciocirlan

In America, pumpkins aren’t just for pies and lattes—they’re also launched through the air in a tradition known as pumpkin chucking.

The largest and original event, Punkin Chunkin, originated in Delaware, where teams use contraptions like trebuchets, catapults, and air cannons to hurl pumpkins as far as possible .

1

The American Flag has a special day

Image: Pramod Kotipalli

Every June 14 in the United States we celebrate Flag Day by hanging the flag outside our homes and participating in parades and other patriotic events. It was on this same day in 1777 that the Second Continental Congress officially adopted our flag as America's national symbol.

The first Flag Day was celebrated in 1877, 100 years after the Continental Congress. However, it was President Woodrow Wilson who finally issued a presidential proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day in 1916. A few years later, in 1949, President Harry Truman officially made it a national observance .

2

Colors have meaning

Image: Joshua Hoehne

Have you ever thought about why our flag is red, blue, and white? Yes, we’ve originally taken the colors from the British flag, and although they didn’t have a special meaning in the beginning, over time they took on new significance .

In 1782, Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, presented a proposed U.S. seal. He suggested that each of the colors of the American flag represented something different : white for purity and innocence, blue for perseverance and justice, and red for bravery and valor.

3

The first flag

Image: Gerard Avril

As the colonies seceded from Great Britain, it became necessary to have a flag to represent the patriotic cause. It is a popular belief that the first American flag was created in 1776 by a seamstress known as Betsy Ross at the request of George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. However, there is no conclusive historical evidence to confirm this theory.

What is certain is that a year later, on June 14, 1777, Congress approved the first official flag composed of 13 red and white stripes representing the American colonies and 13 stars over a blue field symbolizing a constellation.

4

Twenty-seven versions

Image: Dan Parlante

Since that first 1777 version of 13 stripes and 13 stars, the flag of the United States has undergone numerous changes. In fact, over the years, there have been 27 versions of the American flag .

Each time a state was incorporated into the Union, a star was added to the flag. Of the 27 versions, some flew for only a short time, a clear sign of the nation’s rapid expansion. Our current flag has 50 stars representing the 50 states that make up the United States today, but to know the story behind this particular flag you’ll have to keep on reading.

5

Designed by a school student?

Image: Luke Michael

The history of great nations is also based on much-needed myths of origin. For many years it was believed that our current flag, one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, had come out of the creative mind of a teenager . According to this version, 17-year-old Robert G. Heft of Lancaster, Ohio had won a contest in 1958 for creating a new flag that represented the growth of the country.

However, this legend was refuted in 2022 by writer Alec Nevala-Lee. The truth is that the 50-star flag we use today was made official in 1960 with the addition of Alaska and Hawaii. The final design was selected by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from among 1500 contenders. At the time, credit for this design was given by the executive department to the United States Army Institute of Heraldry.

6

Our flag has a nickname

Image: Thomas Ashlock

Well, actually, it has a few. Over the years the American flag has received many monickers , including Stars and Stripes and Star-Spangled Banner . But perhaps the most known nickname for our red, white, and blue flag is Old Glory . This name derives from a flag owned by the 19th-century American sea captain William Driver who proudly flew it on his ship throughout his career.

According to historical reconstructions, this flag was sewn by Driver's mother and other women in 1824 and given to him as a gift when he was granted his own ship. It is believed that the Captain, before sailing to China and other places in Asia and the Pacific, uttered the following words, "Behold Old Glory." This flag was preserved and is now part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, and can be visited at the National Museum of American History.

7

Backward flag

Image: Jessica Radanavong

Did you know that the American flag must be displayed backward on military uniforms ? This tradition dates back to the early days of the Army. During the Civil War, both cavalry and infantry units had a bearer who was responsible for carrying the standard in combat. After launching an offensive, the impulse would cause the flag to be raised backward.

Since then, the Stars and Stripes have been placed in such a way that the section with the blue field stands on the right. This location makes it possible to create an effect as if the flag were waving before combat.

8

Say goodbye with dignity

Image: Anthony Garand

Although some may consider it disrespectful, the proper way to dispose of an American flag is to burn it . If the flag can no longer be washed or repaired, ceremonial burning is the correct and respectful way to discard a damaged flag.

It is believed to be illegal to set the flag on fire. As a matter of fact, according to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, it is unconstitutional for any government to prohibit the cremation of a flag if it was made as a cultural or political statement, due to its status as "symbolic speech."

9

To the Moon and back

Image: NASA

The U.S. flag has flown everywhere the nation has conquered, even the Moon. Probably one of the most iconic images of the 20th century is that of astronaut Buzz Aldrin saluting the American flag during the Apollo 11 mission. It was quite an achievement: in order to get the flag to fly and stay upright in the airless lunar environment, NASA technicians had to design a special mechanism .

In the following three years, 5 other flags were planted on the Moon . But the flag left by Apollo 17 is the most special. It is a piece that had traveled on Apollo 11 and had returned to Earth. It was kept at Mission Control until it was time to return to the place it was destined for: the Moon.

10

Capitol Flag Program

Image: Adam Michael Szuscik

You probably didn't know this: you can own a flag that has flown over the Capitol . Amazing, right? The Capitol Flag Program began in 1937 and allows citizens to have access to an official flag through the offices of the members of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

Flags flown every day on Capitol Hill —except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day— receive a certificate of authenticity before they are delivered. There are currently about 100,000 orders for flags from members of Congress and the number is increasing each year. So now you know, if you want your official capitol flag just contact your local representative or senator!

1

Federal holiday

Image: Kyrie kim

Every year in America, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the 3rd Monday of January. This date was chosen because MLK was born on January 15, 1929, which fell on a Thursday.

But did you know that MLK Day is the only US federal holiday that celebrates the birthday of someone who wasn't a US president? Can you guess what the other one is? That’s right—it’s Presidents’ Day, observed on the 3rd Monday of February in honor of George Washington’s birthday.

2

Not afraid

Image: Grant Durr

If there’s one thing that defines MLK, it’s his bravery. And just as he was not afraid to confront the oppressive norms of his time, neither was he afraid of jail. In fact, he was arrested between 25 and 30 times, always for reasons related to his nonviolent activism.

It was during one of these arrests, in 1963, that he wrote his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail.

3

Improvisation

Image: Demure Storyteller

Martin Luther King Jr.'s " I Have a Dream" speech remains one of the most famous speeches in the world to this day. Those powerful, inspiring words could only come from a brilliant mind. But did you know that part of his speech was improvised?

That's right! On August 28, 1963, MLK impressed the world from the Lincoln Memorial steps with a carefully prepared speech, but he also added spontaneous thoughts inspired by the excitement of the moment. In fact, the speech's most famous words—the ones that gave it its title—weren’t part of the original draft.

4

Star Trek fan

Image: Stefan Cosma

MLK was also someone who appreciated quality TV. He was known to be a fan of the original Star Trek series.

But he wasn't just a fan—he went on to influence the show! Actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for playing Lieutenant Uhura, was about to leave the show, but she met King, and he encouraged her to stay. He believed that Nichols' role was crucial in inspiring young African Americans.

5

Birth name

Image: insung yoon

The famous Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929, as Michael King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia, named after his father, Michael King Sr. However, a few years later, that would change.

In 1934, after learning about Martin Luther, the leader of the Protestant Reformation, Michael King Sr. decided to change both his own name and his son’s to Martin Luther King Sr. and Martin Luther King Jr., respectively.

6

College at 15

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Martin Luther King Jr. skipped several grades and entered college at the young age of 15! Given his remarkable intelligence, this isn’t surprising, but his brilliance never fails to impress.

In 1944, he was admitted to Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. His studies there helped shape his critical perspective on society and its dynamics. Additionally, it was during his time at Morehouse that he decided to become a minister.

7

The first on Time

Image: NordWood Themes

Time magazine's Person of the Year (originally called "Man of the Year") debuted in 1927, with American aviator Charles Lindbergh gracing the cover.

It took 36 years for the first African American to earn this recognition. Of course, that honor went to Martin Luther King Jr., who was named Person of the Year in 1963 , following the historic March on Washington and his unforgettable " I Have a Dream " speech.

8

Julia Roberts!

Image: Nikhil Mistry

Just when you think there are no more surprises , here’s a fact that will astonish you: What do Martin Luther King Jr. and actress Julia Roberts have in common?

It turns out that Julia Roberts’ mom, Betty Lou Bredemus, was an active member of the Civil Rights Movement—even during her pregnancy—making her well-known to Martin Luther King Jr.'s family. And here’s the surprising part: MLK’s parents helped cover the medical expenses for Julia Roberts’ birth!

9

He lived to 39

Image: Unseen Histories

His impressive career, filled with groundbreaking achievements, might lead us to believe that he had many years to achieve all of it.

However, the minister was still a young man when he was tragically attacked on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Sadly, Martin Luther King Jr. lived to be only 39 years old.

10

Writer

Image: Aaron Burden

MLK was not only a leader, activist, thinker, pastor, and Nobel Peace Prize winner; he was also a writer. That's right! King Jr. wrote several articles, letters, and books.

Among the most cited are his books Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958), Strength to Love (1963), Why We Can't Wait (1964), Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967), and the Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963).