1

Massachusetts - Apple pie with a twist

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Apple pie is the nation’s pie—it’s the classic dessert served on the 4th of July, so it doesn’t belong to any particular state. However, Massachusetts thought the classic recipe could do with a twist and they went all the way: Apple pie with a cheddar crust .

This may sound unusual, but it’s actually quite a popular recipe in the Bay State. Some choose to fill the pie with the cheese, while others prefer to lay some slices on top and bake it until a crust forms. In any case, this one is only for those who keep their minds and palates open to new experiences. Are you one of them?

2

Kentucky - Bourbon Chocolate Pecan pie

Image: nikohoshi

In Kentucky, bourbon flows as freely as hospitality, and it’s no surprise that the state’s beloved Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie is a crowd favorite—especially on Derby Day. This dessert combines crunchy pecans, smooth chocolate, and a splash of Kentucky bourbon for a sweet, boozy finish.

Now, here’s the thing with this one: You can’t call it a Derby Pie unless you are Kern’s Kitchen. Why not? Because they own the trademark. But that didn’t stop the locals—they came up with creative alternatives like "Not Derby Pie" or "Derby Dessert."

To make it yourself, try mixing a bit of melted butter with your chocolate for an extra velvety texture. Just don’t forget to sip a little bourbon on the side while you’re baking—it’s only fitting!

3

New Jersey - Green tomato pie

Image: Sophie Dale

New Jersey’s Green Tomato Pie might sound odd to some, but locals know it’s a delicious treat . Made from either ripe green tomatoes (which often have lovely stripes) or unripe red ones, this pie has a flavor that is surprisingly similar to apples. The tomatoes soften as they cook, and they blend beautifully with the cinnamon and the sugar. The result? A refreshing, unique filling.

If you’re giving it a go at home, make sure to use the ripest green tomatoes you can find—they add a more vibrant flavor to each bite.

4

Pennsylvania - Shoofly pie

Image: Kenneth Schipper

Pennsylvania’s Shoofly Pie is one of those old-time desserts that never goes out of style. Based on molasses, the pie comes in two styles: a dry-bottom version that’s more like a cake, or a wet-bottom version with a gooey custard layer.

But what about the name? Traditionally, it’s believed that the name came from the flies that bakers had to "shoo" away while the pie cooled. However, some say it's named after Shoofly the Boxing Mule, a celebrity from the 19th century.

Either way, this pie is a taste of Pennsylvania's Dutch heritage. If you’re up for a baking challenge, aim for the wet-bottom style—its sticky, rich filling is worth the extra effort. Just be ready to shoo some flies away!

5

Georgia - Peanut pie

Image: Isaac Quesada

Were you expecting to see a peach-based pie in this section? Not today, sir! Though Georgia is often called the Peach State, its real star crop is peanuts. Thousands of peanut farmers call Georgia home, including one very famous name. Do you know it? Jimmy Carter, the peanut-farming president!

Peanut Pie might not be as well-known as peanut butter, but it’s just as flavorful and rich. This Southern staple blends sweet, salty, and nutty goodness in every bite. Serve it with whipped cream, and you’ve got a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and even easier to enjoy.

Now, in case you were wondering, Carter wasn’t the only one: Thomas Jefferson was also a fan of peanuts! With a history like that, you know this pie is something worth trying.

6

Vermont - Maple pie

Image: Mary West

This one lives up to our expectations: Vermont’s connection with maple syrup is legendary, and Maple Pie is the sweet—and logical—result. As the nation’s leader in maple syrup production, Vermont has turned this delicious treat into a delicious pie.

In the 1860s, maple sugar was cheaper than cane sugar , making it the go-to sweetener, and today, it still holds that place of honor. Maple Pie is rich, buttery, and perfectly sweet… So, Vermont in a nutshell.

Are you giving this pie a go? Use a deep-flavored maple for an intense result!

7

Alaska - Blueberry Rhubarb pie

Image: Erol Ahmed

We may all know Alaska for its rugged wilderness, but it’s also home to some fantastic pie ingredients, like blueberries and rhubarb. These two grow in abundance, especially thanks to Alaska’s long summer days. And did you know? Back in the early 1900s, Henry Clark, who was nicknamed "The Rhubarb King," helped feed Gold Rush workers with fresh rhubarb.

You can use any kind of berry in this pie, but wild Alaskan blueberries are especially tasty! Add a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top, and you’ve got a true Alaskan treat. It’s tart, sweet, and perfect for any adventure. Just be sure to gather your berries before the bears do!

8

Colorado - Rocky road pie

Image: Dagmara Dombrovska

When you think of Colorado, the mighty Rocky Mountains are the first thing to come to mind, right? What better way to honor them than with a Rocky Road Pie? Done and done, thanks to the locals.

This pie brings together chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts, just like the famous ice cream flavor. Now, here is a fun fact: legend says the original Rocky Road ice cream was made by cutting marshmallows with sewing scissors!

We can’t really confirm whether that’s true or not, but you can’t deny the charm of the story. The pie version is just as rich and satisfying, with layers of melted chocolate and fluffy marshmallows. If you’re a fan of sweet and crunchy, this one’s for you.

9

Maryland - White potato pie

Image: Josephine Amalie Paysen

Most people think of sweet potatoes when they hear "potato pie," and that makes sense, but in Maryland, it’s all about the white potato .

This pie has been a local favorite for over 150 years, and early recipes date back to nothing less than the 1850s! Baked in a buttery crust, this pie is sweet and custard-like, with just a hint of cinnamon. It’s a bit like pumpkin pie’s lighter cousin.

Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new holiday go-to! Marylanders have been enjoying it for generations, and it’s easy to see why. Serve warm or cold—it’s the perfect ending to any meal.

10

Ohio - Buckeye pie

Image: Tanya Semenchuk

And we come to the end with Ohio’s signature pie: Buckeye pie take center stage , please! This delicious pie, along with its name, is inspired by the famous buckeye candy that mimics the state tree’s nut.

Though the real buckeye nut is toxic, you can eat this version without any worries. The pie is pure indulgence, layered with chocolate and peanut butter. The combination of creamy peanut butter filling and rich chocolate is hard to resist, and it looks just as good as it tastes. Simply mouthwatering!

1

Self-Educated

Image: Wojciech Pacześ

George Washington’s father, died when he was just 11 years of age. There isn’t much information about his childhood and most of his virtues and qualities were invented by an admirer after he passed.

However, we do know one thing: George Washington was mostly self-educated since there was little money to support formal education.

Most of his knowledge and education came from his curiosity and eagerness to learn and become a better soldier, then farmer, and, in turn, president.

2

First Official Job

Image: Matt Briney

Since he lost his father at such an early age, Washington started working very young. His first official job was as a surveyor, which was a pretty respectable job for the 18th century. His aim in this job was to measure the land.

At the age of 16, he took on an expedition across Virginia’s western frontier in order to map the land. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of the land, the resources, and the insight he would later need in his political and military career.

3

His Only Trip Off the Mainland

Image: Tom Jur

At the age of 19, George Washington accepted going on a trip to the tropics with his half-brother Lawrence who was suffering from tuberculosis.

Now, during this trip, Washington kept a diary in which he narrated his days on the ship and the island of Barbados, confessing being struck by the beauty of the place. The trip went South shortly after his arrival: On the island, he contracted smallpox, a dreaded disease during the 18th century.

Curious enough and dreadful as it was, this gave him immunity which ultimately saved him from death during the Revolutionary War, since smallpox rapidly spread across his army.

4

Agriculture Innovator

Image: Raphael Rychetsky

It is no surprise that Washington was an innovator, a forward-thinking kind of person. Besides politics and, as we learned, whiskey, he was also interested in technology.

In the 1760s, he went from growing tobacco to cultivating wheat, which revolutionized the farming practices in his estate. He experimented with crops, fertilizers, and tools to improve productivity.

He didn’t keep innovations for himself: As a president, he patented Oliver Evans’s automated mill technology, and he designed a 16-sided, two-story threshing barn that enhanced the efficiency of wheat processing.

5

Never Lived in Washington, D.C.

Image: Edoardo Cuoghi

Washington is the only president to have never lived in the White House! He, together with his family, lived in different houses along New York and Philadephia where he used to receive members of Congress, officials, and people of the sort.

The Residence Act, which moved the capital from Philadelphia to a new city along the Potomac River (later named Washington, D.C.), actually set the White House as the official presidential residence.

6

Only President To Have a State

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

Have you ever noticed that there is no Lincoln State or Jefferson State? George Washington is the only U.S. President to have a state named after him .

As a Founding Father, the first President of the United States, Hamilton, Madison, and Jefferson thought it was necessary to pay homage to his great contributions by naming a state after him.

Together with the president’s name, the state of Washington is named Columbia, after the female personification of the country.

7

First To Sign The Consitution

Image: Anthony Garand

George Washington is a Founding Father, and we all know that. As such, he was deeply involved in the writing of the Articles of Confederation, the first frame of government.

He suggested changes and his voice was regarded in the highest esteem by his fellow countrymen. In this sense, he was chosen president of the Constitutional Convention which took four months and gave, as a result, the Constitution of the United States. In his role as president, Washington was given the privilege of signing the governing document first .

8

He Was a Natural Entertainer

Image: Adam Nemeroff

When you look at pictures of Washington, you may think he was unapproachable, stiff, and serious, but history tells us otherwise.

According to many accounts, he actually loved entertaining and welcoming guests, and having company. Parties, cotillions, balls, these kinds of events were a perfect opportunity to combine entertainment and dancing, which he also enjoyed. Did you know this?

9

Post-retirement Hobby

Image: Thomas Park

Of course, they are considered national heroes, but the Founding Fathers were people with diverse interests and pursuits. George Washington was not the exception and, after he retired he took up a most interesting hobby: whiskey.

Once he ended his life in politics, he built up a whiskey distillery where he created whiskey from rye, corn, and barley. Even if it began as a hobby, the distiller became one of the most productive in the nation and, by the time he died, it remained as one of the largest.

10

One-Dolar Bill Face

Image: Marek Studzinski

Washington’s portrait on the one-dollar bill was inspired by a painting created by Gilbert Stuart. Back in 1795, Stuart painted Washington, but this piece of work comes with a few curious facts.

The first one is that the work is known only from copies. The second is that the painting was so successful that Washington’s wife commissioned a second portrait for herself. However, the painter never finished the first commission and kept it as a reference for future work.

That incomplete painting, known as the "Athenaeum," served as the reference for creating the portrait on the dollar bill.

1

Banana duct‑taped to a wall

The world was shocked in 2024 when an infamous piece consisting of a banana stuck to a wall via a piece of tape was sold… for $6.24 million !

The buyer was Justin Sun, a crypto mogul who saw it as a powerful statement of art and cryptocurrency culture. It was the certificate of authenticity he cared for, not the fruit itself.

2

Britney Spears’ chewing gum

Pop stars do drive their fans crazy. Apparently, people are willing to pay any sum for anything they allegedly touched. That was made sufficiently clear when a piece of chewing gum, reportedly chewed by Britney Spears , sold on eBay for $14,000.

3

A Virgin Mary grilled cheese sandwich

You might remember this story spreading through the internet many years ago. In 2004, a grilled cheese sandwich became famous because someone noticed, halfway through eating it, that it bore the burnt image of the Virgin Mary .

GoldenPalace.com, an online casino notorious for quirky purchases, bought it on eBay for $28,000.

4

Princess Diana’s sweatshirt

How much would you pay for a fleece sweatshirt worn by beloved Princess Diana ? In an auction held in Beverly Hills in 2025, a buyer paid $221,000 for it. The sale of several of her old belongings totaled around $5 million.

5

A ghost town

A ghost town named Buford, Wyoming, was sold for $900,000 in 2012. Its population was one person, and it was nicknamed "the smallest town in America."

The winning bidder was Vietnamese entrepreneur Pham Dinh Nguyen, who purchased the 10-acre hamlet to launch PhinDeli Coffee. It might have all been a very expensive marketing stunt.

6

Wallace Hartley’s Titanic violin

A relic from the Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage fetched a remarkable $1.7 million in 2013. It was the violin that belonged to bandleader Wallace Hartley , who famously played music to calm passengers as the ship sank.

This one is not an odd object, but it shows how much value a well-told story can add!

7

Darth Vader’s mask

Darth Vader’s original screen-worn helmet sold for around $1 million. The iconic mask came up for auction along with several other Star Wars treasures, each piece triggering nostalgic gasps among wealthy fans. Of all the memorabilia sold, this one fetched the highest price .

8

Olivia Newton-John’s jacket and pants from Grease

In a Beverly Hills auction, Olivia Newton-John’s iconic black jacket and pants from the legendary film Grease sold for a cool $405,700. The dark uniform represented the rebellious transformation of her character, Sandy Olsson. Pop culture and movie magic combined!

9

The "Del Monte Note"

Back in 2003, a curious item known as the "Del Monte note" sold on eBay for $10,100. It was a piece of currency featuring a rare, collectible Del Monte label, famous for its canned fruits and vegetables.

What made it stand out was the mystery surrounding the random tag, which intrigued collectors. Another example of an inflated myth summoning a fortune!

10

Lincoln’s last gloves

Dark and gory. In 2025, a pair of white leather gloves worn by Abraham Lincoln the night he was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre, sold for $1.52 million at a Chicago auction.

The gloves were the top lot among 144 items aimed at helping the Lincoln Presidential Foundation repay an $8 million loan.