1

Taxation without representation - District of Columbia

Image: Jen Theodore

The DMV in Washington, D.C., has featured "Taxation Without Representation" on the city's license plates since the late 1990s. This is because people living in D.C. don't have a voting representative in Congress , so, yes, they're taxed without representation.

The reason for this dates back to when the Founders of the country decided that the yet-to-be-built Federal City, located on the Potomac, would operate above and beyond any regional, state, or city politics, remaining completely neutral regarding the laws being created. Therefore, there is no representative in Congress.

2

The Last Frontier - Alaska

Image: Elijah Macleod

There is not much mystery as to why license plates in Alaska feature the nickname "The Last Frontier." Once, the frontier was the continental West. Once the West was won, Alaska became the last frontier.

Along with this nickname, the license plate also features a flag with stars, which represent the Big Dipper and Polaris (the North Star). They respectively symbolize strength and Alaska's northern location.

3

Constitution State - Connecticut

Image: Davlat Radjabov

While some people might think that the nickname showcased on the Connecticut license plates is about the document that laid the groundwork for American democracy, the truth is different.

"The Constitution State" in this case refers to a set of local government rules from around the year 1639, called the Fundamental Orders. Similar? Yes, but not the same.

4

The First State - Delaware

Image: Liam Matthews

"The First State," the nickname showcased on Delaware’s license plates, references a fact that the state is proud to boast— as it should: it was the first state to ratify the US Constitution before any other state on December 7, 1787.

The nickname wasn't official until a first-grade class made the suggestion in 2002. As it sometimes happens, kids get it before everybody else.

5

Land of Lincoln - Illinois

Image: Richard Hedrick

Another proud statement showcased on the state’s license plates is printed on every Illinois plate: "Land of Lincoln" refers to the fact that, even though he was born in Kentucky, Honest Abe lived in the state capital, Springfield, from 1837 to 1861.

The 1954 plates were the first to feature this nickname, which continues to be used today.

6

The Crossroads of America - Indiana

Image: Tracy Adams

The state of Indiana has numerous interstates crossing its borders, namely I-65, I-69, I-70, and I-74 , and the nickname on its license plate is a direct reference to this. Actually, as it happens in many instances, this nickname is the state’s motto, which became official in 1937.

The current plate design, which features one of the covered bridges the state is known for, is a little cartoonish but has more character.

7

Sportsman’s Paradise - Louisiana

Image: Tim Mossholder

Some states have had the clever idea of advertising and promoting their features on their license plates. Cars bearing these signs travel all over the country, making them a perfect advertising vessel.

Such is the case for Louisiana, which is a region abundant with spots to fish and hunt . Its license plate is inscribed with one of the state’s nicknames: "Sportsman’s Paradise."

8

Support Wildlife - Maine

Image: Ashes Sitoula

Another state that attracts visitors with its natural diversity and makes good use of its license plates to promote this is Maine, with its "Support Wildlife" plate. This slogan not only invites people to visit but also advocates for environmental protection. This double function is a great use of space and resources, and it should be copied by other states’ license plates.

9

The Spirit of America - Massachusetts

Image: Beng Ragon

If there is no space for the full motto, why not go with an abbreviation, right? At least that was the reasoning for the good people of Massachusetts. Along with a patriotic color scheme, Massachusetts's license plate features the slogan "The Spirit of America." The phrase is a shortened version of the state's former motto: "The Spirit of Massachusetts is the Spirit of America."

10

Unbridled Spirit - Kentucky

Image: Jen Theodore

The last entry on our list goes to Kentucky and its poetic motto proudly showcased on its license plates. According to local authorities, " Kentucky is a place where spirits are free to soar and big dreams can be fulfilled . We relish competition and cherish our champions for their willingness to push beyond conventional boundaries to reach new heights of success."

In any case, this beautiful statement adorns the license plates of many Kentuckians.

1

The human voice

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Before modern technology, oral communication and word of mouth were the primary ways people shared news, stories, and music everywhere.

From Native American storytelling traditions to community gatherings, spoken word connected people, passed down history, and spread important information long before any other medium ever existed.

2

Public proclamations

Image: Andrew Ebrahim

Public proclamations were an early form of mass communication in America, used to spread news and official announcements.

Town criers or officials would read proclamations aloud in public squares , ensuring that important information reached everyone, even those who couldn't read, who were more than a handful at the time.

3

Live music

Image: Francesco Giacomini

Before recorded music, people would gather at local events, fairs, or churches to hear musicians perform songs that reflected current events, social issues, or, often, served as entertainment.

In the same way as today, live performances were a major form of entertainment and communication.

4

Gramophones

Image: Tasha

Gramophones and Edison’s musical cylinders revolutionized how Americans consumed music and news in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

These devices allowed people to listen to recorded sound at home for the first time , offering a new way to enjoy music, speeches, and even news broadcasts.

5

Radio broadcasts

Image: Maximilian Hofer

It is hard to overstate the importance of radio. It was a game-changer in the early 20th century, bringing news, music, and entertainment directly into homes across America.

For the first time, families could listen to live broadcasts of events, catch the latest hits, or hear radio dramas .

6

Television

Image: PJ Gal-Szabo

Television caused a huge impact in the 1950s, blending news, music, and entertainment into one screen . As with radio, families gathered around the TV for nightly broadcasts, from the evening news to variety shows and music performances.

This new visual element added a deeper level of engagement, shaping how Americans consumed information and entertainment, making TV a major force in media for decades.

7

Vinyl record players

Image: Eran Menashri

Vinyl record players became a major music format in the mid-20th century, offering high-quality sound. People could listen to entire albums, making music a personal, immersive activity .

Vinyl records also became a cultural icon, with album artwork and collector’s editions turning listening into a ritual.

8

Magazine players

Image: Ciocan Ciprian

Somewhat of a half-step format between the vinyl records and compact cassettes , magazine players offered a portable way to listen to music and news in the 1960s through the 1980s.

These devices used cartridges or tapes that could hold multiple songs or recordings, making it easy for people to enjoy their favorite tunes on the go.

9

Cassette players

Image: Dave Weatherall

If magazine players made music a portable activity, cassette players and, especially, Walkmans, took it even further.

With the ability to play mixtapes or purchased albums anywhere, these devices gave people personal control over their music while on the go . Walkmans, in particular, became iconic for offering a private, on-demand listening experience.

10

CD players

Image: Lucky Alamanda

CD players became the go-to music format in the 1990s, offering a digital upgrade to cassettes with better sound quality and durability .

Compact discs could store albums without the wear-and-tear issues of tapes, and CD players were easy to use, making them popular in cars, homes, and portable devices.

11

MP3 players

Image: Ben Szymanski

The possibility of holding entire album catalogs and more in a single portable device became real in the early 2000s when MP3 players made their appearance.

Devices like the iPod became cultural icons, shaping how people accessed and enjoyed music, paving the way for the next and last item on our list.

12

Streaming services

Image: Heidi Fin

In the last decade, streaming services and podcasts have transformed the media landscape, allowing everybody to instantly access music, news, and entertainment on demand.

Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music put millions of songs at users' fingertips, while podcasts offer a vast range of topics for all interests .

1

Abigail Adams

Image: Christian Schussele, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Women in the 1770s were not supposed to be concerned about politics. But Abigail Adams, wife of the second president of the United States, talked and wrote about politics with extraordinary insight. She was one of the earliest supporters of independence, and her ideas influenced the Founding Fathers.

Often ill as a child, Abigail educated herself in her father’s library. Her studies prepared her for a life of public service in which she fought for freedom from England and women’s rights, and stood firmly against slavery. She even wrote the famous "Remember the ladies" letter 150 years before women were allowed to vote. Abigail’s influence over John Adams was so great that some rival politicians nicknamed her "Mrs. President."

2

Mary Katherine Goddard

Image: Thomas Jefferson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Mary Katherine Goddard was the director of the Baltimore Post Office and one of the world's first female publishers. Her greatest contribution to the Revolution, however, was the printing of the first copy of the Declaration of Independence that included the names of all signatories.

During the war, she ran the Providence Gazette and Maryland Journal , two newspapers that actively supported the American patriots' efforts. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman trying to make her way in a male-dominated society, Mary Katherine Goddard left an invaluable legacy as a pioneering woman in journalism and federal government work.

3

​​Martha Washington

Image: Billy Hathorn, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

During her lifetime, she was known as Lady Washington, but Martha Dandridge Custis Washington will always be remembered as the first in a long line of first ladies of the United States. Martha married George Washington in 1759 and would be by his side in private and public life, even joining him on the battlefield.

While Washington was in office, Martha was in charge of the Presidential galas held to entertain members of the administration and foreign dignitaries. Although at that time she had no official duties or title, her warm temperament and classy poise laid the foundations for a key role that continues to this day.

4

Esther de Berdt Reed

Image: National Portrait Gallery, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Even though Esther was born and raised in England, she sided with her husband, an aide to General Washington, in the American fight for independence. Five years into the war, Esther felt it was time for women to support the Continental troops in a more active way.

Esther's group, the Philadelphia Association, went door to door to ask for contributions. They ended up raising a large sum of money, which they used to supply soldiers in desperate need of provisions. Eventually, they stitched over 2,000 shirts by hand. Esther's vision and the group's dedicated efforts helped remind the men fighting the American Revolutionary War how much they were appreciated.

5

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton

Image: Ralph Earl, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth Hamilton, sometimes called "Eliza" or "Betsey," was the daughter of one of New York State's wealthiest and most politically influential families. In 1780, Eliza married Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. During their more than 20 years of marriage, she helped Hamilton write his letters and newspaper contributions and accompanied him on numerous historic events.

Strong-willed but caring, Eliza would devote her long widowhood to charity, helping to found New York's first private orphanage. In addition, she worked tirelessly to spread her husband's legacy and ensure that Hamilton had the place he deserved in American history.

6

Patience Lovell Wright

Image: William Faden, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Did you know that during the American Revolutionary War, the Patriots had an American spy in the heart of King George's court? More interestingly, it was a woman! Famous for molding incredible wax sculptures, Patience Lovell Wright had to move to England after her New York studio caught fire.

Her friend, Benjamin Franklin, introduced her to London society. Soon enough, word of her talent reached King George III, who invited her to Buckingham Palace. But she remained loyal to her "dear America," as she called it, and when trouble started back home, Patience decided she could help America's fight for independence by providing decisive information her prominent clients revealed while posing for her.

7

Mercy Otis Warren

Image: John Singleton Copley, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

At a time when women were expected not to air their views on political issues, Mercy Otis Warren was a poet, playwright, and activist.

During the American Revolution, Warren not only maintained a close relationship with leading political figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, but she also became a historian and outspoken commentator, as well as the leading female intellectual of the early republic.

8

Penelope Barker

Image: Attributed to Philip Dawe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In the 18th century, women had no public outlet to express their convictions or to take a stand. Rebellion was considered men's business. Yet, the courageous Penelope Barker proved to everyone that women could contribute a great deal to the efforts for independence.

In 1774, in Edenton, North Carolina, a group of fifty-one women signed a declaration by Penelope, stating they would not drink tea or wear clothes made in England. The British press called it the "Edenton Tea Party" and ridiculed them. But soon enough, women all over the colonies were boycotting British products. Thanks to Penelope Barker's declaration, every woman in America discovered a smart and original way to rebel against the colonists.

9

Mary Norris Dickinson

Image: Prateek Katyal

The daughter of wealthy Pennsylvania Quakers, Mary Norris Dickinson was well-educated and owned one of the largest libraries in the colonies. She believed in a life without violence and in equal rights for men and women, ideas that she did not shy away from voicing in public to the dismay of some more conservative individuals.

For her fundamental role in political thought, influence on other women, and involvement in events related to the Constitutional Convention, the wife of Founding Father John Dickinson definitely deserves her place in history.

10

Phillis Wheatley

Image: Phillis Wheatley, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Brought to America as a slave, Phillis Wheatley became the first African-American author. Her poems celebrated learning and virtue and described a yearning for freedom. She also wrote a number of patriotic verses on subjects like the peace treaty of 1783 that ended the American Revolutionary War.

Her most famous piece was a poem to George Washington, in which she refers to him as "first in peace." The poem was published several times during the war to promote the Patriot cause, and Washington liked it so much that he asked to meet her. A true patriot and later a symbol for the abolition of slavery, Phillis Wheatley will always be known as a key contributor to freedom.