1

George Washington

Image: Priscilla Gyamfi

The first name on the list belongs to the Father of Our Nation and first president. As commander of the colonial troops during the Revolutionary War, Washington led the struggle against Great Britain with intelligent military strategy and unwavering leadership.

Quite possibly, his greatest contribution lies in his refusal to become a king or dictator , instead choosing to lay the foundations of a democratic republic.

2

Martin Luther King Jr.

Image: Unseen Histories

This icon of the civil rights movement used nonviolent resistance to combat racial discrimination. Through peaceful protest strategies , King led demonstrations, boycotts, and marches that helped transform the social landscape of America.

His "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 in Washington, D.C. became a huge milestone in the struggle for equality and an inspiration for millions all over the world.

3

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Image: Jessica Tan

A steady guide through challenging times, Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II. Through his New Deal programs, he introduced revolutionary social and economic reforms, including the creation of social safety nets like Social Security.

His leadership during World War II helped establish the United States as a global power committed to supporting democracy.

4

Susan B. Anthony

Image: Giacomo Ferroni

A relentless activist in the struggle for women’s suffrage , Susan B. Anthony organized campaigns, wrote extensively, and spoke passionately in support of gender equality. Although she did not live to see it passed, her efforts laid the groundwork for the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

5

Thomas Edison

Image: Robert Wiedemann

Life as we know it would not be the same without his inventions. And, while the lightbulb would have been reason enough for him to be present on this list, Edison was responsible for numerous innovations—he held over 1,000 patents, including for the phonograph, motion picture camera, and electric power distribution systems—that helped change the course of history forever.

6

Margaret Mead

Image: Stephen Andrews

Margaret Mead’s pioneering work in psychology and anthropology helped develop the understanding that children learn through imitation , particularly by observing their parents and community.

In addition to her academic contributions, she was a vocal advocate for women’s rights and greater sexual openness, influencing the cultural shifts that led to the sexual revolution of the 1960s.

7

Henry Ford

Image: Dan Dennis

Thank him for the popularization of the automobile and the introduction of the 40-hour, five-day workweek . America would not be the same without Henry Ford and his revolutionary industrial ideas, which transformed manufacturing and daily life.

8

Betty Friedan

Image: Deniz Demirci

Women’s rights owe much to Betty Friedan, whose groundbreaking work challenged the limited roles assigned to women in mid-20th-century America . Her book The Feminine Mystique gave voice to the dissatisfaction of the American housewife and sparked a national conversation about the validity of traditional gender roles.

9

Andrew Carnegie

Image: Denis Chick

Largely considered as one of America’s greatest self-made men, Andrew Carnegie played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's industrial identity. His leadership in the steel industry helped propel the United States into a position of global economic dominance in the early 20th century.

10

Orville and Wilbur Wright

Image: History in HD

Transportation would never have been the same without Orville and Wilbur Wright, brothers from Ohio, who changed the world forever by inventing powered flight on the shores of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

11

Alexander Graham Bell

Image: Pavan Trikutam

That black rectangular device near you is the modern evolution of Alexander Graham Bell’s original invention, one that would change the way humans communicate in profoundly lasting ways.

12

Walt Disney

Image: Travis Gergen

Walt Disney’s influence on the childhoods of generations of Americans is undisputed. He forever changed the world of entertainment for both children and adults through his iconic characters and innovative theme parks, which now exist all over the world.

1

Bob Dylan

Image: Laura Ockel

The Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter who gave us anthems like "Blowin' in the Wind" is also a passionate metalworker. Dylan spends his downtime in his Black Buffalo Ironworks studio, crafting intricate gates and sculptures from found objects such as farm equipment, tools, and antique firearms.

2

Angelina Jolie

Image: Joshua Sukoff

Angelina Jolie is world-renowned for her celebrated Hollywood career and humanitarian work. But this actress-director also has a license to thrill in the air. Jolie is a certified pilot who owns a Cirrus SR-22 single-engine aircraft, often taking to the skies for both personal adventures and humanitarian missions.

3

Patrick Dempsey

Image: Carl Gelin

There’s more to Patrick Dempsey than being the charming neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd (aka "McDreamy") on Grey's Anatomy . The actor has developed a passion for race car driving , competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He even owns his own racing team, Dempsey Racing!

4

Bob Barker

Image: Thao LEE

The iconic game show host who entertained millions on The Price Is Right for 35 years had a surprising secret weapon up his sleeve: karate. Trained by none other than Chuck Norris , he practiced for decades and even earned his black belt.

5

Steve Martin

Image: Chen Mizrach

He's a comedian, actor, writer... and a banjo virtuoso? That's right! The "wild and crazy guy" who brought us hilarious classics like The Jerk and Planes, Trains and Automobiles is also an accomplished banjo player and composer . Steve Martin has released several bluegrass albums, collaborated with legends like Earl Scruggs, and even won a Grammy for his exceptional work.

6

Steve Carell

Image: Matthew Fournier

Known for his hilarious roles and versatile acting career, Steve Carell is also a whiz on the ice. A passionate hockey player since childhood, he has been lacing up his skates whenever possible. He even got the chance to display his skill on an early episode of The Office .

7

Michael Phelps

Image: Will Porada

He’s the most decorated Olympian of all time, boasting 28 swimming medals. But Michael Phelps didn’t stop at the pool—he also picked up a golf club. He is the holder of a Guinness World Record for the longest televised putt . That was an impressive 159 feet.

8

Kobe Bryant

Image: Mirko Fabian

The late NBA legend was not only a basketball icon but also a gifted storyteller. He proved it after retiring from basketball when he founded Granity Studios, a multimedia company focused on creating inspiring content for young athletes .

One of its standout works was the animated short film Dear Basketball —a heartfelt tribute to Bryant’s lifelong passion for the game.

9

Venus Williams

Image: Jean-Philippe Delberghe

Venus Williams, the tennis superstar with seven Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals, also has a passion for interior design. She founded V Starr Interiors, a company specializing in creating stylish and functional spaces for both residential and commercial clients. She even has a degree in fashion design !

10

Viggo Mortensen

Image: Karolina Grabowska

Viggo Mortensen is celebrated for his captivating performances in films like The Lord of the Rings and Eastern Promises , but he’s also a man of many talents. In addition to acting, he is a poet, musician, photographer, and publisher .

He founded Perceval Press, an independent publishing house dedicated to promoting the work of artists and writers.

11

Terry Crews

Image: KOBU Agency

Before delivering laughs on Brooklyn Nine-Nine or throwing action-packed punches in The Expendables , Terry Crews was an NFL linebacker. But even before that, this multi-talented actor was a skilled artist. He still creates detailed paintings and illustrations in his spare time.

12

Shaquille O’Neal

Image: Yomex Owo

Shaquille O'Neal earned a place in the Hall of Fame for his legendary basketball career, but his talents extend far beyond sports. He's also an entertainment icon with numerous endorsements and a DJ performing under the name " DJ Diesel ."

1

Franklin

Image: Brett Wharton

Also known as the Free Republic of Franklin or the State of Frankland, this short-lived territory in eastern Tennessee declared independence from North Carolina in 1784. Its founders even petitioned Congress and appealed to Benjamin Franklin for support—hence the name—but it never gained official recognition.

By 1788, the movement had collapsed, and the area was reabsorbed into North Carolina before eventually becoming part of Tennessee in 1796. Today, the "State of Franklin" lives on mostly in U.S. law school exams as a fictional stand-in for a generic state —often where the imaginary property Blackacre is located.

2

Jefferson

Image: Shelby White

This proposed state has its origins in the 19th-century California Gold Rush, when settlers in the remote, resource-rich region between northern California and southern Oregon pushed for self-governance.

Though their efforts were largely ignored, the movement resurfaced over time. In 1941, frustrated locals staged a symbolic one-day secession. Armed men stopped traffic near Yreka, handing out a Proclamation of Independence declaring the State of Jefferson in "patriotic rebellion" and vowing to "secede every Thursday until further notice."

3

Deseret

Image: SoloTravelGoals

Proposed by Mormon settlers in 1849, the State of Deseret would’ve spanned a massive portion of the West. The name Deseret is derived from the word for "honeybee" in the Book of Mormon, and the vision was of a theocratic state encompassing parts of present-day Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and beyond.

Congress denied the proposal due to its size and religious nature, but a stone donated by Deseret’s supporters in 1853 was still placed in the Washington Monument.

4

Sequoyah

Image: MJ Tangonan

Proposed in 1905, this would’ve been a Native American–majority state in what is now eastern Oklahoma. Despite extensive lobbying by representatives of the Five Civilized Tribes, Congress refused, preferring a single Oklahoma Territory.

Despite its failure, the proposed state’s constitution left a lasting legacy —much of its content was later adopted into the Oklahoma Constitution.

5

Absaroka

Image: Michael Bourgault

Named after the Crow word for "children of the large-beaked bird," the State of Absaroka was proposed in 1939. Comprising parts of Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota, the idea emerged mainly as a protest against New Deal policies, which were deeply resented by the rural population.

Leaders of the movement even issued license plates, but the effort never gained serious traction and remained a largely symbolic gesture.

6

Westsylvania

Image: Matthew Lancaster

Proposed during the Revolutionary War, Westsylvania would have been a new state formed from the western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania . Backwoods settlers, feeling neglected by distant colonial governments, sought self-governance.

However, Congress rejected the plan to avoid stirring further conflict during wartime.

7

Superior

Image: Mikaela Charette

With such a strong regional identity, it was perhaps inevitable that Michigan’s Upper Peninsula would eventually seek statehood. Efforts began as early as the 1850s and resurfaced repeatedly due to the region’s political and economic isolation.

Another proposed name for the state was Ontonagon. Despite these repeated attempts, the Upper Peninsula remained part of Michigan.

8

Lincoln

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Named for Abraham Lincoln, this proposed state would have split the Texas Panhandle from the rest of the state. Throughout the 1860s and again in the 1880s, residents of the Panhandle and surrounding areas sought separation due to the region’s distance from Austin and cultural differences.

While none of the proposals gained enough federal support, residents of the area still feel distinct today and take pride in their unique identity.

9

Texlahoma

Image: Tommy Bond

Another failed attempt at carving out part of one of the largest states in the U.S., the State of Texlahoma would have—as its name suggests—combined portions of Texas and Oklahoma into a single state.

The push for autonomy was especially strong during the Dust Bowl, when a shared economy and perceived neglect by local governments united residents of both regions.

10

Columbia (D.C. Statehood)

Image: Heidi Kaden

Washington, D.C., has long been considered for statehood under the name of Columbia . Multiple bills and referenda have tried to turn the federal district into the 51st state, as residents pay federal taxes but lack voting representation in Congress.

Despite strong support among D.C. residents, the idea has yet to gain serious traction at the national level.