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

George Washington had wooden teeth

Image: Jon Sailer

When one thinks about this one, it can sound quite preposterous, but many people still believe it to be true. George Washington did wear dentures, but none were made of wood. His sets were crafted from ivory, gold, lead, and even animal and human teeth. The wood myth likely spread because stained ivory took on a rough, brown look .

The story stuck because it seemed to fit the image of a rustic leader. In truth, Washington’s constant dental pain was very real, but the wooden teeth are pure fiction.

2

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4

Image: The New York Public Library

Yes, July 4, 1776, is remembered as the day America declared independence, but most delegates did not sign the document then. It was approved that day, yet the majority of signatures were added on August 2 .

Only John Hancock and perhaps a handful of others signed on the Fourth. The legend of all the Founders signing together created a more dramatic story than reality.

3

The first Thanksgiving had turkey and pie

Image: Noah Samuel Franz

The 1621 gathering in Plymouth is remembered as a feast of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. In reality, the menu was very different. Venison, fish, shellfish, corn, and nuts were likely served instead .

Turkey may have been present, but it wasn’t the centerpiece, and sweet pumpkin pie was impossible without sugar or ovens. The foods we associate today were added later by tradition.

4

The Liberty Bell cracked on July 4, 1776

Image: Dan Mall

Many believe the Liberty Bell cracked while celebrating independence on July 4, 1776, but it didn’t. The bell wasn’t even rung that day, and its famous fracture appeared decades later .

Records suggest the crack happened in the 1830s or 1840s during use at civic events. The legend tied the crack to 1776 because it made for a more patriotic tale.

5

Paul Revere shouted "The British are coming!"

Image: brianfakhoury

Paul Revere’s midnight ride is legendary, but the famous phrase attributed to him is not. He likely warned townspeople, "The Regulars are out," since most colonists still thought of themselves as British.

The dramatic version was added later to make the story more exciting. Revere’s actual mission was successful, but it didn’t involve shouting through the countryside.

6

Colonial Americans were short

Image: James Coleman

It’s often said that colonial Americans were much shorter than people today, but that’s an exaggeration. Skeletal evidence shows the average man in the 1700s was about 5’8", not far from modern averages .

Malnutrition was less severe in America than in Europe at the time. The myth spread from comparing old, small doorways and beds, which were not actually built for shorter people.

7

The pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock

Image: Bernd 📷 Dittrich

The story that the Pilgrims stepped onto Plymouth Rock in 1620 has no basis in fact. No historical accounts from the time mention it.

The tale was first told more than a century later, likely to create a symbolic landmark. The rock is real, but its role in the landing is pure invention to add drama to history .

8

Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity with a kite

Image: Brett Wharton

Benjamin Franklin’s 1752 kite experiment is well-known, but he didn’t "discover" electricity. Scientists had known about it for years. His test demonstrated that lightning was a form of electricity . So, somewhat similar but not the same.

The story became simplified over time into a myth of sudden discovery. Franklin’s real contribution was proving a connection, not inventing the concept.

9

The Alamo defenders fought to the last man

Image: Gabriel Tovar

The legend of the Alamo says every defender fought to the bitter end in 1836. While most did die, accounts suggest some may have surrendered and were executed afterward .

The truth is more complicated than the heroic version. Still, the myth of total sacrifice became central to Texas identity and American lore.

10

Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address on an envelope

Image: Forest Simon

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is often said to have been scribbled quickly on the back of an envelope. In reality, he drafted several careful versions of the speech in advance .

The "envelope" tale was later invented to emphasize his brilliance and spontaneity. The truth shows Lincoln was thoughtful and deliberate, not hurried.

11

Gunfights were really common in the Wild West

Image: Stefan Münz

Popular film and TV shows depict the Wild West as lawless and violent, with constant gun duels. In fact, frontier towns often had strict laws banning guns inside city limits .

Shootouts like those in movies were rare events, not daily life. The myth grew from dime novels and later Hollywood Westerns that exaggerated violence.

12

A cow started the Chicago Fire

Image: Daniel Quiceno M

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was long blamed on Catherine O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern. This story was published in newspapers and stuck in public memory.

Historians now know the cause was never proven . The cow tale unfairly tarnished the O’Leary family (and the cow itself), but it became a convenient explanation for a devastating disaster.

1

Elvis Presley

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Yes, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, who revolutionized music with hits like "Hound Dog," was drafted into the U.S. Army. Presley was offered to serve in the Special Services entertaining troops but chose to serve as a regular soldier.

The most well-known name in entertainment at the time, he was stationed in Germany and earned the rank of Sergeant. There, he met his future wife , Priscilla Beaulieu.

2

Morgan Freeman

Image: Harald Müller

Morgan Freeman, the legendary actor revered for his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence, served as a radar technician in the U.S. Air Force before his acting career took off.

There, he harbored dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. Eventually, though, his time in the cockpit revealed that flying was not his true passion.

3

Humphrey Bogart

Image: Tomas Martinez

The iconic star of Casablanca served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. He worked as a coxswain aboard the USS Leviathan , transporting troops to Europe.

Some versions attribute his signature lip scar —and, by extension, his unique speech—to an injury during his service, though some claim it was from a brawl or childhood incident.

4

Jimi Hendrix

Image: Aditya Wardhana

Jimi Hendrix is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in history. What’s less known about him is that he served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division back in the 60s.

Even less known is that he enlisted in the Army at age 19 as part of a deal to avoid jail time after being caught joyriding stolen cars. He completed 26 parachute jumps before being honorably discharged a year later due to injuries.

5

Bea Arthur

Image: Ajeet Mestry

Yes, Bea Arthur, one of the beloved Golden Girls , was also a trailblazer as one of the first women to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.

Her sharp wit and memorable roles like Dorothy Zbornak earned her multiple awards and the hearts of many Americans. But before acting, she had worked as a typist and truck driver for the Marine Corps, eventually reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant.

6

Bob Ross

Image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1662796246357-36ffa59acbca?

Can you believe that the cherished, gentle-voiced host of The Joy of Painting served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years?

Bob Ross, the soothing icon of creativity and positivity who taught millions how to paint in the famous PBS series, was once a Master Sergeant. He worked as a medical records technician stationed in Alaska. It is said that he once vowed never to yell again after retiring.

7

Mr. T

Image: Skitterphoto

Mr. T, born Laurence Tureaud, is recognized for his role in Rocky III and the hit television series The A-Team. Before his rise to fame, though, he was a military police officer in the 1970s.

There, he stood out in basic training, so much so that he was named the top trainee out of 6,000 recruits. An anecdote retells that he was ordered by his sergeant to chop trees down as a punishment. After one hour, he had chopped down 70 trees and was told to stop.

8

Adam Driver

Image: Venti Views

Actor Adam Driver is known for his roles in films like Marriage Story and the Star Wars trilogy . Few know that he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after 2001 and served for nearly three years before being discharged for a mountain biking injury.

Driver served as a mortar in the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. After being discharged, he co-founded Arts in the Armed Forces , a nonprofit that brought art programs to military personnel and families.

9

Chuck Norris

Image: Andrea De Santis

Chuck Norris, the action star legend, was once an Air Policeman in the U.S. Air Force. It was there, in fact, where he first began his training in martial arts.

A pop culture icon for his tough-guy image and humorously exaggerated abilities, he was deployed to an air base in South Korea in the late 50s. There, he earned black belts for multiple disciplines in martial arts , including Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo.

10

Johnny Cash

Image: Markus Spiske

Here's another musician who had a career in the military. Johnny Cash, the legendary country singer, was a radio operator in the U.S. Air Force.

The "Man in Black" was a Morse Code listener intercepting Soviet transmissions in West Germany during the Korean War. Allegedly, it was during this time that he bought his first guitar and began writing songs.

11

Paul Newman

Image: Keanu K

The blue-eyed actor from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid also served as a radioman and gunner during World War II. He trained as a pilot but was reassigned as an operator and rear gunner due to colorblindness.

In fact, he avoided flying in the Okinawa campaign due to an ear infection his pilot had. This saved both their lives, and Newman lived on to become a Hollywood legend and philanthropist.

12

Clint Eastwood

Image: Brice Cooper

Clint Eastwood, the iconic actor and filmmaker, was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked as a swimming instructor for the 35th Infantry Regiment.

He even survived the crash landing of a Navy torpedo bomber with engine problems. He and his pilot had to swim two miles to shore near Point Reyes, California.

13

James Earl Jones

Image: Piotr Makowski

Before lending his iconic voice to Darth Vader and Mufasa, James Earl Jones trained as an Army Ranger and served as a second lieutenant in the Korean War.

After graduating from college in the 50s, he was assigned to the Army's 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. He received an honorable discharge as a first lieutenant in 1955 and went on to pursue the same career his father had: acting.