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Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)

8th President

Image: Library of Congress

Van Buren, the first president born after the American Revolution, inherited an economic crisis shortly after taking office, known as the Panic of 1837 . The market crash, caused by speculative banking practices, led the country into a severe economic depression.

Van Buren’s quick response was to establish an independent treasury system, which effectively separated federal funds from private banks. This system helped stabilize the currency and laid the foundation for modern federal financial management. Furthermore, Van Buren was also a key figure in the development of the two-party system that continues to shape American politics today. Quite the legacy for an often-overlooked figure!

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John Tyler (1841-1845)

10th President

Image: Library of Congress

John Tyler became president in 1841 following William Henry Harrison’s death, marking the first time a vice president succeeded a sitting president. Although this might seem unremarkable today, Tyler asserted the constitutional authority of the presidency by doing so, setting an important precedent for the peaceful transfer of power and solidifying the role of the vice presidency in American democracy.

However, Tyler is mostly remembered for championing westward expansion and overseeing the initial negotiations for the annexation of Texas—a move that literally reshaped the nation. Though this ultimately led to tensions with Mexico and the Mexican-American War, his efforts to settle a peaceful border treaty between the United States and Canada helped balance his legacy.

3

James K. Polk (1845-1849)

11th President

Image: Library of Congress

James K. Polk, the 11th president, is often called the "expansionist president" due to his aggressive territorial policies. Under his leadership, the United States expanded significantly, acquiring more than a million square miles of land through various treaties and the victory in the Mexican-American War.

His presidency fulfilled the concept of Manifest Destiny, extending the nation's reach to the Pacific Ocean. However, his legacy remains somewhat controversial, as many of his actions exacerbated the divide between the northern and southern states, setting the stage for the American Civil War.

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Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)

12th President

Image: Library of Congress

Zachary Taylor, a hero of the Mexican-American War, became president in 1849 with little political experience. Despite being a Southern slave owner, he opposed the expansion of slavery into the newly acquired western territories, a stance that put him at odds with many in the South.

While Taylor's presidency was cut short by his sudden death in 1850, his role in opposing the spread of slavery into new states set the stage for future debates. Though brief, his actions as president are often praised for their conciliatory nature, as he sought compromises in an attempt to prevent the looming conflict.

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Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)

13th President

Image: Library of Congress

Millard Fillmore took over after Zachary Taylor's untimely death in 1850, inheriting a fractured nation on the brink of civil war. His most controversial act was signing the Compromise of 1850, which included the Fugitive Slave Act, requiring the return of escaped slaves to their owners.

This somewhat ham-fisted attempt to maintain the fragile peace between the North and South only deepened the divisions that eventually led to the Civil War. On a lighter note, Fillmore was the first president to initiate trade relations with Japan, marking the start of Japan’s modernization and its integration into the global economy.

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Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

14th President

Image: Library of Congress

Franklin Pierce, elected in 1852, faced an increasingly divided nation over the issue of slavery. His signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 allowed new territories to decide for themselves whether to permit slavery, leading to violent confrontations between pro- and anti-slavery factions in what became known as "Bleeding Kansas."

Despite his troubled domestic policies, Pierce followed his predecessor's path of expanding U.S. influence abroad. He pushed for new trade routes and even attempted to negotiate the acquisition of Cuba from Spain, though his efforts ultimately failed.

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James Buchanan (1857-1861)

15th President

Image: Library of Congress

James Buchanan’s inability to resolve the tensions between North and South is often criticized, but he faced a nearly impossible task. He sought to avert conflict through diplomacy but was hesitant to overstep states' rights, arguing that the Constitution did not grant him the authority to prevent secession.

Despite his efforts, South Carolina seceded in December 1860, just weeks after Abraham Lincoln’s election, setting the stage for war. In foreign policy, Buchanan strengthened U.S. relations abroad, securing trade agreements with China and managing tense relations with Great Britain.

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Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)

19th President

Image: Library of Congress

Rutherford B. Hayes is often remembered for his controversial election in 1876, which was decided by a congressional commission after a disputed vote count. His administration is also known for effectively ending the Reconstruction Era by withdrawing federal troops from the South.

While this helped bring stability to the South, it also allowed the rise of segregationist policies. On the other hand, Hayes was one of the first presidents to advocate for civil service reform, arguing that a merit-based government workforce was necessary to reduce corruption and ensure efficiency within the federal system.

9

Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885)

21st President

Image: Library of Congress

Initially seen as a product of the corrupt political machine system, Chester A. Arthur surprised many by becoming a champion of civil service reform. In 1883, he signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which mandated that government jobs be awarded based on merit rather than political connections.

This act significantly reduced the influence of patronage in American politics, a practice that had long fueled corruption. Arthur also modernized the U.S. Navy, which had been neglected since the Civil War. His administration helped lay the foundation for the powerful naval force that would emerge in the 20th century.

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Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)

23rd President

Image: Library of Congress

Though almost forgotten today, Harrison’s administration was marked by significant legislative accomplishments. In particular, the Sherman Antitrust Act aimed at curbing the power of monopolies and promoting competition, and is considered the first major attempt by the federal government to regulate corporate power.

Harrison pushed to secure federal funding for education and voting rights for African Americans, but many of his efforts were blocked by Congress. Despite these setbacks, he remained a vocal advocate for African American civil rights, consistently addressing the issue in his speeches to Congress.

1

The Beatle’s Shea Stadium Concert

Image: Fedor

The Beatles couldn’t hear themselves over the overwhelming roar of the crowd during their first U.S. performance. The concert that the band from Liverpool gave at Shea Stadium in the summer of 1965 made history. It drew 55,000 fans—the largest rock concert audience at the time—and marked the first time a rock band played in a large stadium.

This event set a new standard for live music performances, highlighting the need for stadium sound systems capable of supporting massive concerts—since the one used that day was rudimentary. Though the band arrived by helicopter, sparked a frenzy of Beatlemania hysteria, and delivered a performance that would be rewatched for decades, they played only 12 songs in just 30 minutes .

2

1985’s Live Aid

Image: Andreas Talseth

Did you know that Phil Collins insisted on performing at both the U.K. and U.S. venues on the same day for 1985’s Live Aid? He boarded a Concorde jet to fly from Wembley Stadium to JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, where the U.S. leg of the famine relief fundraiser for Ethiopia was taking place.

The event was broadcast in 150 countries and reached nearly 1.9 billion people. The U.S. stage of Live Aid raised over $125 million and set the standard for large-scale charity concerts, inspiring similar events in the years that followed. Madonna, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger with Tina Turner, Duran Duran, and Eric Clapton were just a few of the stars who performed that day.

3

Bob Dylan at Newport Folk Festival

Image: Nikoloz Gachechiladze

The 1965 Newport Folk Festival will always be remembered as the day Bob Dylan "went electric." His decision was controversial—he had long been associated with folk and blues, and his unexpected leap into rock divided the audience, with some cheering and others booing. Some believe the booing was directed at the poor sound quality rather than his choice to go electric. Regardless, Dylan left the stage after just three songs .

This moment is seen as a pivotal merger of folk and rock music. Afterward, Dylan fully embraced rock, releasing albums that included his hit "Like a Rolling Stone."

4

Simon & Garfunkel’s Concert in Central Park

Image: David Vives

In September 1981, Simon & Garfunkel reunited at Central Park in New York for their first performance together in over a decade. The duo had publicly announced their breakup in 1970, after friction and disagreements that had forced them apart. Their immense popularity drew a crowd of half a million people to Central Park to witness the event.

The duo performed some of their biggest hits along with a few of Paul Simon’s solo songs. The concert was a benefit to raise funds for the park’s restoration. It was broadcast live, and the recording was later released as a live album . The event reignited their popularity and led to a successful reunion tour.

5

The Allman Brothers Band’s Fillmore East Concerts

Image: Pixabay

During the spring of 1971, The Allman Brothers Band performed for three nights at the Fillmore East in New York City. These performances were recorded and released as the live album At Fillmore East , which became one of the greatest live albums in rock history.

What made these recordings particularly compelling for fans was the inclusion of extended jam versions of songs like "Whipping Post," "You Don't Love Me," and "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." The band’s improvisational skills and seamless fusion of blues, jazz, and rock made this weekend in New York a legendary and widely acclaimed performance.

6

Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison

Image: M Shiva

In 1968, Johnny Cash made a decision that would revive his career and solidify his image as both empathetic and rebellious. Following a decline in popularity and struggles with addiction, he arranged a performance for the inmates at California’s Folsom Prison, about which he had written the hit Folsom Prison Blues years earlier.

Cash had played in prisons before, but this time, he chose to record it. The resulting album captured the raw energy of his direct engagement with the audience. At Folsom Prison became a massive success, marking the first in a series of prison concerts that would go on to become some of his best-selling records .

7

The Last Waltz of The Band

Image: William Krause

The Last Waltz was billed as The Band’s farewell concert , designed as a celebration of their remarkable career. Filmed by Martin Scorsese, the event featured an all-star lineup of guest musicians, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, and Ringo Starr—just to name a few.

Held in 1976 at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom, the concert was later released as a documentary film , becoming one of the greatest concert films of all time. With its chandeliers and grand ballroom atmosphere , The Last Waltz set a new standard for farewell concerts.

8

Prince’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

Image: Daniel Robert Dinu

Many will always remember when Prince performed "Purple Rain" in the pouring rain during the 2007 Super Bowl Halftime Show . Despite the adverse weather, he commanded the "P"-shaped stage at Miami’s Dolphin Stadium during the break in the game between the Colts and the Bears.

He opened with his anthem "Let's Go Crazy" and included covers of songs by Bob Dylan and Foo Fighters. Legend has it that before the show, Prince was asked if he was worried about performing in the rain. His alleged response? A playful, " Can you make it rain harder ?" He then stepped out and delivered one of the greatest halftime shows in history.

9

Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival

Image: mirkosajkov

Until the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, Jimi Hendrix had yet to break through in the US. It was none other than Paul McCartney who convinced organizers that the festival would be incomplete without the rising star.

American audiences were introduced to Hendrix’s guitar wizardry at this concert, where he showcased his newly released album Are You Experienced. The moment that cemented him as a force to be reckoned with came during a dramatic rendition of "Wild Thing," when he set his guitar on fire before smashing it.

10

Woodstock Music and Art Fair

Image: PeterKraayvanger

Finally, we can’t overlook the legendary Woodstock Music and Art Fair, forever known simply as "Woodstock." Held on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, the festival became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture . Nearly half a million people gathered for this three-day event, which was originally planned as a profit-making venture but turned into an open festival when the crowds became overwhelming.

The lineup featured many stars who became emblems of the era, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Santana, and Joe Cocker, among others. Despite its iconic status today, Woodstock faced challenges such as food and water shortages, heavy rain, and overwhelmed medical services. Although the festival initially resulted in a financial loss , the costs were eventually recovered through profits from the film and soundtrack releases.

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Chicago highlights

Route 66 begins in Chicago, the traditional starting point for east-to-west Route 66 trips; visitors often photograph the "begin" signs and explore nearby city landmarks before hitting the open road.

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The Gemini Giant

In Wilmington, or the Chain O’ Lakes, you can find another classic. The "Muffler Men" statues, the Gemini Giant towers over a diner and is a favorite selfie station for travelers heading out of Chicago.

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Pontiac Route 66 Hall of Fame & Murals

In Illinois, Pontiac is a Route 66 museum-and-mural town: murals, classic car collections, and a Route 66 Hall of Fame make it a major cultural stop on the Illinois stretch.

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Meramec Caverns

Next is Stanton, Missouri: An enormous cave system promoted for decades as a Route 66 attraction; its guided tours and dramatic caverns make it a long-standing draw.

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Gateway Arch

Of course, there’s the Gateway Arch at St. Louis! The same city provides both the monumental (the Arch) and the kitsch (the famed Ted Drewes custard stands), both popular stops for Route 66 travelers.

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The Midpoint Café

The official midpoint of Route 66 (halfway between Chicago and Santa Monica) is this Texas diner, "Midpoint," with its famous sign and pies, which are obligatory stops for many road-trippers.

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Cadillac Ranch

Found in Amarillo, Texas. Ten Cadillacs half-buried nose-first in the dirt, a public, spray-paint-friendly art piece that travelers love to photograph and tag. Interactive, colorful, and instantly iconic.

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Tucumcari

In New Mexico, you’ll find Tucumcari, famous for neon-lit motels, classic signs, and a lively downtown that celebrates Route 66 nostalgia; photographers and retro lovers linger here for sunsets and signs.

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Albuquerque

A major stopping city with historic Old Town, neon motels, and cultural attractions that pair well with a Route 66 itinerary.

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Petrified Forest National Park & Painted Desert

Not strictly "roadside kitsch," but these Arizona spots are one of the most spectacular natural detours on Route 66: colorful badlands, fossilized wood, and landscape views tourists remember.

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Winslow

The Eagles’ song (" Standin’ on the Corner ") turned Winslow’s little corner into a pilgrimage spot; the small park and downtown murals draw fans and photographers.

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Roy’s Motel & Café

The vast Mojave Desert backdrop , plus the preserved mid-century motel and neon sign, make Amboy, California, one of the most atmospheric stops on the California stretch of Route 66.

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Santa Monica Pier

Finally, the symbolic end point of Route 66: the famous "End of the Trail" sign and the busy pier make for the classic finish-line photo. It’s touristy, joyful, and unavoidable if you’re completing the westbound route.