1

Marion

Image: Noom Peerapong

We know him as John Wayne, but he was born Marion Robert Morrison . His early minor roles were credited under the name "Duke Morrison," but he adopted a stage name for his first starring role in The Big Trail . The film’s director suggested "Anthony Wayne," after a general from the Revolutionary War, but the studio thought it sounded too Italian, so it was changed to " John Wayne ."

2

The Duke

Image: Egor Gordeev

John Wayne’s nickname came from his childhood pet terrier , Duke . The two were inseparable, so people started calling him "Little Duke." He preferred the nickname over his given name and even used it for his first film roles. The name resurfaced years later when director John Ford began calling him "Duke" again. By then, Wayne was already a popular actor, and he welcomed the old name with open arms.

3

The footballer who wasn’t

Image: Kaleb Becker

Did you know we almost had "Duke Morrison, footballer" instead of "John Wayne, actor"? After failing to get into the US Naval Academy, Wayne enrolled at the University of Southern California on a football scholarship . But an injury from a bodysurfing accident cut his athletic career short, and he eventually had to leave college.

Not all was lost, though: silent film star Tom Mix, who received football tickets in exchange for giving summer jobs to USC players, helped Wayne land a gig as an extra and prop boy.

4

The first big role and breakthrough

Image: Jason Dent

Raoul Walsh’s The Big Trail was one of the first Western superproductions of the sound era. Walsh wanted to cast an unknown actor in the leading role and chose Wayne after spotting him moving furniture around the studio.

The film was a box office failure, and Wayne spent much of the 1930s acting in low-budget Westerns. His big break came with Stagecoach , directed by the legendary John Ford, which finally put him in the spotlight.

5

Attempts to enlist

Image: Rodrigo Rodriguez

When World War II broke out, Wayne was not drafted due to his age and family situation. Despite this, he made several attempts to enlist and even tried to convince John Ford to bring him into his military unit. Ultimately, he gave up after his studio threatened him with a lawsuit for breaching his contract. It’s said that he carried the guilt of staying behind for the rest of his life.

6

John Ford

Image: Mike Fox

John Ford’s Stagecoach established John Wayne as a leading actor and began his long collaboration with the director. The two worked together on more than 20 films, many of which are considered Western classics , including Fort Apache , The Searchers , The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance , Rio Grande , and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon .

7

Awards

Image: James A. Molnar

Wayne received several nominations and awards throughout his career, both as an actor and a director. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for Sands of Iwo Jima and for Best Picture for The Alamo , which he also directed. He finally won the Oscar for his role as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit . He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the airport in Orange County, California, is named after him.

8

International popularity (or not)

Image: Vitaliy Shevchenko

Wayne’s films made him an American icon and a celebrity both in the US and abroad. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito reportedly asked to meet him during a visit to the United States, impressed by his performance in Sands of Iwo Jima , and so did Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.

According to some biographers, the FBI allegedly thwarted an assassination attempt ordered by Joseph Stalin, who viewed Wayne as a symbol of anti-communist ideals. While this story remains unverified, it has become part of Wayne’s larger-than-life legend.

9

Wayne vs Sinatra

Image: Dan Burton

John Wayne was known to have feuded with several celebrities due to his strong personality and political views. One of the most prominent was his disdain for Frank Sinatra , whom he believed had communist sympathies. Their animosity escalated when Wayne reportedly filed a noise complaint against Sinatra at a hotel and allegedly got into a fistfight with one of Sinatra’s bodyguards. Despite their differences, the Duke and Ol’ Blue Eyes eventually made peace years later.

10

The Duke’s death

Image: Aubrey Odom

John Wayne died of stomach cancer in 1979, a disease many have linked to his filming of The Conqueror in the Escalante Desert, Nevada, near a nuclear testing facility. It is reported that about half of the film’s cast and crew developed cancer, and nearly half of those cases were fatal.

Wayne’s family stated that he converted to Catholicism and received baptism in his final days. He reportedly requested that his grave bear the inscription " Feo, fuerte y formal " (Spanish for "ugly, strong, and dignified," in Wayne’s own words). However, his grave remained unmarked for 20 years after his death.

1

Ancient roots

Image: Miguel Teirlinck

Believe it or not, what we call Halloween began more than 2,000 years ago. The ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, held from October 31 to November 1 in what is now Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Britain, marked the shift from the harvest season to the dark days of winter. The Celts believed that, on that night, the boundary between the living and the dead grew dangerously thin. Spirits could slip through that barrier... both benevolent and darker ones.

2

Why scary costumes?

Image: JOHN BEARBY IMAGES

If the spirits of the dead were roaming the earth, what would you do? The Celts had a clever solution: they disguised themselves with animal skins and masks to look frightening and protect themselves from any spirits that might not have the best intentions. The hope was that ghosts would either mistake them for one of their own or be scared off entirely. Over time, the tradition evolved, but its roots remained; just look at all the little witches, skeletons, and other spooky costumes we see on Halloween today.

3

There's a reason for black and orange

Image: Gary Fultz

Orange and black take over homes and streets every Halloween, but why? The answer goes back to the Celtic festival of Samhain as well. Orange symbolized the end of autumn and fallen leaves, while black represented the darkness of the long winter nights ahead.

4

Witches weren’t always seen as scary

Image: Halanna Halila

Witches have been part of Halloween lore for ages. Countless stories cast them as spooky figures with flying broomsticks, pointed hats, and bubbling potions. But it wasn’t always this way. Among the Celts, many practices now labeled as "witchcraft" were connected to healing, spirituality, and nature, and weren’t seen as evil at all; that association came much later with the spread of Christianity. In fact, the English word "witch" is often linked to the Old English wicca (masculine) and wicce (feminine), meaning "wise one."

5

Trick-or-treating origins

Image: Robin Jonathan Deutsch

In addition to dressing up to protect themselves, the Celts also left treats on their doorsteps to appease wandering spirits. Over the centuries, that custom changed and spread. By medieval times in Europe, people—especially children—would go door to door during this season, offering prayers for departed souls or performing small songs and jokes in exchange for food or treats. This tradition, known as "souling" or "guising," eventually inspired the trick-or-treating we know today.

6

Scary tricks

Image: Nick Fewings

In the recent past, the "tricks" in trick-or-treating were no joke—they could be genuinely frightening. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Halloween was known far more for mischief than for candy. Kids pulled off pranks like tying doors shut or slamming windows to make homeowners think their houses were haunted. Scary? Yes. Fun? Definitely.

7

In the past, they weren't pumpkins

Image: Igor Omilaev

Pumpkins may be the stars of Halloween décor today, but they weren’t always the first pick. The tradition of carving Halloween lanterns also began in Ireland and Scotland, but not with pumpkins. In the old days, people carved turnips, beets, and other root vegetables. When Irish immigrants arrived in the United States in the 19th century, they found that pumpkins were bigger, softer, and far easier to carve, so pumpkins quickly replaced the turnips.

8

Halloween, SC

Image: Joseph Corl

Today, Americans put a lot of effort into Halloween celebrations. But perhaps no one embraces it more than the residents of Conway, SC, who made headlines for a bold decision. In 2022, the city officially adopted the monikers "City of Halloween" and "Halloween, SC" for the month of October. Although "Conway" remains its legal name year-round, the town uses the spooky nickname during the holiday season to attract visitors eager to experience its larger-than-life celebrations and decorations.

9

Parents also have their "tricks"

Image: Tolgahan Akbulut

Although trick-or-treating is mostly for kids, parents definitely get in on the fun. According to a 2019 survey, 74% of parents admitted to stealing a few pieces of their children’s candy. And honestly, who can blame them? A pumpkin bucket overflowing with sweets is hard to resist.

10

Paranormal full moon

Image: Ganapathy Kumar

Celebrating Halloween under a full moon has a special charm, as that lunar phase has long been linked to heightened paranormal activity. But this coincidence is rare: a full moon on Halloween only happens about every 18–19 years. The last full moon during Halloween was in 2020, and according to forecasts, we won’t see another until 2039.

1

Bay to Breakers

Image: Cecep Rahmat

Back in 1986, Bay to Breakers set the Guinness World Record for the largest footrace, with 110,000 registered participants. If you want to understand what type of sports event would summon so many athletes, you need to picture a unique blend of a race and an all-out costume parade.

This 7.5-mile course stretches from the San Francisco Bay (at Howard Street) to the Pacific Ocean. Held every third Sunday of May, the event is a local party where people wear elaborate costumes —think cartoon characters, colorful animals, and even synchronized group outfits. Bay to Breakers began in 1912 as a way to boost morale in San Francisco after the devastation of the 1906 earthquake.

2

Running of the Bulls

Image: San Fermin Pamplona - Navarra

You’d be wrong to think that the San Fermin Festival is only held in Pamplona, Spain. In 2007, New Orleans created its own version of the "Running of the Bulls." Here in the U.S., participants dress in all-white clothing with red accessories, as per tradition. But they don’t run from bulls: they run from roller derby skaters wearing horned helmets , wielding plastic bats, and chasing them around the streets.

Held in the summer to coincide with Pamplona's festival dates, this event is accompanied by food, drinks, live music, and a lively atmosphere that blends Spanish and New Orleans styles.

3

Goffstown Pumpkinboat Regatta

Image: Kris Møklebust

Did you know that you can sail inside a pumpkin ? This is standard procedure at Goffstown Pumpkin Regatta, held every autumn in New Hampshire. In the year 2000, local growers envisioned an event that would turn oversized pumpkins—some weighing as much as 1,000 pounds—into something fun and unusual.

Their challenge? Hollowing out massive pumpkins to turn them into boats, to then paddle them in a regatta down the Piscataquog River. Over the years, more and more contestants signed up to participate with flamboyant pumpkin designs and matching costumes. Of course, the event also features a pumpkin weigh-off , craft and food vendors, as well as live music and games.

4

Twins Days

Image: Keisha Montfleury

Twinsburg, Ohio, decided many decades ago that it was the perfect location to hold a yearly celebration of twin siblings. After all, the town was named after identical twin brothers who owned most of the land in the 1800s. Over the years, the festival has grown to become the world’s largest annual gathering of twins, triplets, and other multiples.

Traditionally, all participating twins show up dressed either identically or mismatchedly. Some of them even showcase their talents, ranging from music to comedy. Among food stalls, carnival rides, and live music, there is also a "Research" spot. There, scientists and researchers attend to study willing twins for insights into genetics, biometric data, and their health conditions.

5

Houston Art Car Parade

Image: Christopher Osten

Houston’s Art Car Parade began in the 1980s as a way to promote unconventional creativity and art . Back then, only 40 vehicles participated, but today the festival has become one of the most colorful art car parades in the world.

Participants transform their cars, bikes, and other vehicles into mobile artworks for this yearly parade held every April. Cars with the most outrageous designs—styled to look like dragons, unicorns, fruits, or even structured to appear to be stacked on top of one another—have been featured in past celebrations. Nowadays, the parade attracts over 250 art cars from across the U.S., as well as an audience of 250,000 lined up to watch.

6

Corgi Beach Day

Image: huoadg5888

A beach invaded by corgis sounds like a heavenly sight for dog lovers . Every year at Huntington Beach, California, this event gathers corgi enthusiasts and their furry friends to celebrate their love for the breed.

Sometimes the dogs wear costumes, and contests are run with categories like "Best Themed Outfit" and "Cutest Corgi." Short races are also organized, though owners know their corgi's legs aren't built for speed, so the event is held in good humor to watch the corgis happily walk around. Mr. Pickles the Corgi, the mascot of the event, has become an internet sensation. Of course, the beach day features merchandise stands with corgi-themed products for dogs and their humans to take home.

7

Fremont Solstice Parade

Image: Jordan Crawford

Organized on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, this celebration has become a symbol of creativity, self-expression, and community . It was conceived in the late ‘80s to counter corporate-sponsored parades, which locals found cold and generalistic. They decided to combat it by organizing a parade that would showcase warmth and individuality.

The parade prohibits motorized vehicles, written words, and commercial logos. Only handmade arts and crafts are allowed. Puppets, dance troupes, musicians, and giant kinetic sculptures are often seen parading the streets of Freemont under the sun. The event usually wraps up at sunset with picnics and music at Gas Works Park.

8

Underwater Music Festival

Image: Victoria Ballesteros

You read that correctly. There’s an underwater music festival held every summer at Looe Key Reef , off the coast of the Florida Keys. The event was designed to combine two things the region is known for: the preservation of marine life and laid-back music.

Don’t worry, the music is not played directly underwater. Musicians pre-record the performances and these are transmitted through waterproof speakers placed along the reef. The playlist also often includes water-themed hits like "Yellow Submarine" by The Beatles and "Fins" by Jimmy Buffett. Many participants show up to dive in wearing fanciful costumes, like mermaids or sea creatures.

9

Texas Renaissance Festival

Image: Matt Benson

Some of the most famous festivals across the country are Renaissance fairs that draw visitors into an immersive celebration of medieval and fantasy culture . The largest of these is the Texas Renaissance Fair, which takes place on a former strip-mining site near Houston.

Hundreds of thousands of fans flock to this festival. It features a 55-acre village with cobblestone streets, themed buildings, and costumed performers. In it, fans can wander through medieval taverns , blacksmith shops, and artisan booths. Different shows add to the atmosphere, including jousting tournaments and falconry demonstrations. The event is held over several weekends, each with a different theme, such as Oktoberfest, Pirate Adventure, or Celtic Christmas.

10

Garlic Festival

Image: Min An

We conclude with the only festival in the country where you could ask for garlic ice cream . Until 2019, every July in Gilroy, California, garlic growers and lovers would gather for the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which had become a world-renowned event. Sadly, after 2020, the event was discontinued.

Of course, you could approach the food stands and ask for your typical garlic fries or garlic bread. But there was much more to do. You could attend cooking demonstrations, and garlic-themed contests (like the garlic-braiding competition), and enjoy live music across several stages. There was also a Miss Gilroy Garlic Queen pageant, where contestants were judged not only on traditional pageant criteria but also on their knowledge of garlic.