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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 .

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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 .

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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

Thomas Jefferson: Patriot, president… And foodie?

Image: Pixzolo Photography

Let’s start with what is arguably Thomas Jefferson’s most criminally overlooked contribution to history. Next time you are dipping a delicious and crispy French fry in some ketchup, take a moment to thank our 3rd President, who is often considered solely responsible for bringing this recipe to America.

During his time serving as ambassador to France, Jefferson fell madly in love with more than a few mouth-watering French dishes, which included a recipe for "potatoes deep-fried while raw, in small cuttings." He brought these recipes back home with him, and, while French fries didn’t become particularly popular until the beginning of the 20th century, Jefferson is still credited for introducing this quintessential side dish to the United States.

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Benjamin Franklin’s "fowl" enemy

Image: Tyler Donaghy

There’s no denying that America loves turkeys —they are the undisputed star of every Thanksgiving Day feast. Having said that, can you imagine a world in which the turkey is emblazoned on official documents or currency? Forget that: Can you picture the POTUS delivering an important speech behind a podium with a turkey on it?

America would have definitively been an entirely different country if Benjamin Franklin had been successful in choosing the turkey as our national symbol. In a letter, Franklin stated that he believed that the bald eagle was "a bird of bad moral character," while the turkey, in his view, was a "Bird of Courage" more aligned with American values.

3

John Hancock’s signature

Image: Signature Pro

The Declaration of Independence was surely a pivotal moment in our country’s history. This document provided the basis of freedom, liberty, and justice on which America was founded. As you probably know, Founding Father John Hancock had the honor of being the first to sign this ever-so-important piece of paper.

In turn, history has thanked Hancock in a rather unusual way, with the simple yet versatile slang term "to give your John Hancock," which means to sign your name onto something.

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John Adams dog from hell

Image: Jamie Street

Ask anyone to tell you possible dog names for your new puppy and they might suggest timeless classics like "Spot," "Buddy," or "Rex." However, had you asked our 2nd President, his suggestions might have been a bit more daring. During his time in the White House, John Adams and his wife Abigail were the proud owners of an adorable dog that sported a terrifying name: Satan.

What’s interesting is that the Adams truly had a unique talent when it came to naming their pets. Alongside Satan, the couple also had a female dog named Juno and a horse called Cleopatra. In any case, don’t be too fast to judge Good Old Satan. As the saying goes, a dog by any other name is still a good boy.

5

Are any Fans of the Bard Out There?

Image: Taha

For many book critics, the world will never know another writer as incredible as William Shakespeare. His works still inspire admiration around the world, with millions of fans reading, commenting, and recreating many of his timeless plays. In that sense, would you be surprised to learn that two of our Founding Fathers were die-hard fans of the Bard?

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were self-proclaimed admirers of Shakespeare’s literature, frequently writing letters that praised his impeccable style. Adams once called the Bard "the great master of nature" and the "great teacher of morality and politics." Not only that, a popular legend states that, when both Founding Fathers visited Shakespeare’s home in England, they chipped a piece of his chair to take home as a souvenir.

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Whiskey that tastes like freedom

Image: Thomas Park

George Washington’s resume was certainly impressive: 1st President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and tactical mastermind. However, there’s another noteworthy activity that is often overlooked by history books— George Washington owned and ran a commercial whiskey distillery from his home in Mount Vernon.

Think about it: Is there any liqueur more likely to lift your "spirits" (see what we did there?) than a fine malt whiskey personally distilled by the "Father of Our Country"? The thousands of tourists that visit Mount Vernon every year seldom forget to visit the distillery.

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Have you seen this dog?

Image: Joe Caione

Picture this: You are putting out signs in your block trying to locate your beloved and recently lost dog. All of a sudden you receive an unexpected call, informing you that they have found your dog and that it is currently in the care of none other than the President of the United States!

In all honesty, that’s not exactly how the story went, but it’s a true testament to George Washington’s honor and etiquette. According to historians, a little fox terrier named Lila was found by Continental Army troops behind American lines after the Battle of Germantown in 1777. After learning from the dog’s collar that she belonged to an enemy soldier, Washington ordered for the dog to be returned to her rightful owner, with a note assuring him that she was unharmed and safe.

8

Fancy a cold one?

Image: Drew Beamer

George Washington was not the only Founding Father adept at brewing alcoholic beverages. The great city of Boston proudly boasts an iconic beer brand named after Samuel Adams , paying homage to the beer-brewing past of this Founding Father.

There’s another bit of fun trivia regarding "Samuel Adams Beer": If you’ve ever enjoyed a pint of this delicious beer, you probably saw Adams raising a beer glass on its label. However, some theorize that the man depicted in the logo might actually be fellow patriot Paul Revere. Having said that, there’s no solid evidence to back this up, other than the fact that both revolutionaries looked a little similar.

9

Thomas Jefferson’s magical cookbook

Image: Hayden Walker

As mentioned earlier, Thomas Jefferson was a bit of a foodie. Granted, he would look at us in complete bewilderment if he heard us call him a "foodie," but it’s safe to say he loved good cuisine. Besides bringing French fries to our country, every American should salute and pay tribute to the 3rd President for yet another culinary jewel: Mac and cheese.

Again, we should clarify that the recipe Jefferson brought wasn’t exactly the one you would find in a box of Kraft. However, he would often serve his dinner guests macaroni pasta, paired with a cheese sauce that closely resembles the dish we know and love today. It’s believed that Jefferson’s delighted guests helped popularize this creation, which would eventually become one of America’s favorite meals.

10

Benjamin Franklin purposely misspelled "Pennsylvania"

Image: Adam Nir

We’ll end with a remarkably smart mistake that came from a remarkably smart man. Benjamin Franklin was behind some of the earlier forms of currency in the United States. After moving to Philadelphia in 1723, he became involved in printing money, which had only recently started circulating around Pennsylvania. As the great inventor that he was, Franklin added some remarkably clever ways to bypass counterfeiters and help differentiate his bills from possible fakes.

One of the smartest—and possibly simplest—features Franklin introduced was purposely misspelling the word "Pennsylvania" on his bills. After all, such a blatant and evident mistake would immediately inform anyone that this bill came from Franklin’s own hand.

1

Kentucky's got more bourbon than people

Image: javier kober

If Kentucky’s barrels of bourbon had voting rights, they’d outnumber the citizens by over two million. Yep, the state has around 5 million people, but more than 7 million barrels. That’s over one barrel per person! Bourbon is big business down there, and the aging process means those barrels are just hanging out, soaking up the Kentucky air. Cheers to that!

2

Lake Superior could soak two continents

Image: Riley Crawford

Try this on for size: Lake Superior holds so much water that it could cover all of North and South America with a foot of water, that’s more than three quadrillion gallons. It’s not just "superior": it’s the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world! No wonder it looks like an ocean when you stand on the shore.

3

New York City beats 40 states in population

Image: Thomas Habr

Think your state is crowded? New York City alone has more people than 40 of the 50 US states. That’s over 8 million people packed into five boroughs; more than the entire population of states like Nebraska, Idaho, or even Kentucky. It’s one bustling, never-sleeps kind of place, right?

4

Oregon talks the fastest, Mississippi takes it slow

Image: Marek Studzinski

According to a speech analysis study, Oregonians zip through their words quicker than anyone else in the country. On the other hand, people in Mississippi take their sweet time, probably because there's no need to rush when you’ve got good company and a rocking chair.

5

Washington squirrels have their own skywalks

Image: Ilnur Kalimullin

In Longview, Washington, squirrels cross the street using adorable little bridges built specially for them. Locals kept seeing critters get flattened, so they constructed a series of rope walkways in the trees. Now, that’s a whole network called the " Nutty Narrows ." Proof that even squirrels get special treatment in small-town America.

6

You can legally hunt unicorns in Michigan

Image: Gary Meulemans

Well… sort of. Lake Superior State University in Michigan offers a whimsical "Unicorn Hunting License" as part of a long-running campus tradition. It’s all in good fun, of course, but the license is real; you can request one. Just don’t expect to catch anything other than smiles.

7

Las Vegas hotels could host you for four centuries

Image: David Lusvardi

If you stayed one night in every hotel room in Las Vegas, it would take you over 400 years to get through them all. That’s around 150,000 rooms, more than any city in the world. Sin City isn’t just flashy; it’s enormous. You could retire three times over before seeing them all.

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9

Michigan's lavender maze is visible from space

Image: Léonard Cotte

In western Michigan, there’s a sprawling lavender labyrinth so big that it can be seen on Google Earth. Grown by Cherry Point Farm & Market, this fragrant puzzle isn’t just beautiful, it’s relaxing too. Imagine strolling through acres of blooming purple under a summer sky. Have you added it to your bucket list yet?

10

The Hoover Dam’s concrete could pave the nation

Image: Gerda

Here’s a mind-boggling fact: engineers poured enough concrete into the Hoover Dam to build a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York. How much is that? That’s 4.4 million cubic yards, give or take. It’s a concrete colossus. And it's still standing strong after nearly a century.

11

Boston drivers are the worst, Kansas City’s the best

Image: todd kent

According to insurance data, Boston has more fender-benders and claims than any other large city. Drivers there can be a bit... spirited. Meanwhile, Kansas City drivers, apparently, are so courteous and careful, they top the charts for safety. Beep beep!

12

Kansas could feed the world at least once

Image: Samuel Myles

Each year, Kansas produces enough wheat to bake a whole lot of bread—enough to feed everyone on Earth for about two weeks. That’s nearly 300 million bushels annually. No wonder it’s called the Breadbasket of America. If bread ever becomes currency, Kansas would be rich.

13

Crater Lake is Statue-of-Liberty deep

Image: Jeff Hopper

Oregon’s Crater Lake is no shallow pond—it’s the deepest lake in the US, plunging down 1,943 feet. That’s enough depth to stack six Statues of Liberty, one on top of the other, with room to spare. Yes, you read that right! Formed in the crater of an ancient volcano, it’s as dramatic as it is stunning.

14

Atlanta is peachy... maybe a little too peachy

Image: Ronny Sison

If you’re driving through Atlanta and see Peachtree Street, don’t assume you’re close to your destination because there are over 70 roads with some form of "Peachtree" in the name. Peachtrees, Peachtree Circle, Peachtree Battle… It's a maze of fruity confusion. Now you know, so bring a map!