1

Alcatraz Island, California - "Escape from Alcatraz"

In 1962, one of the most incredible prison escapes in history happened on Alcatraz Island. Three inmates, Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin, managed to vanish using makeshift tools like spoons to chip through walls, plaster-and-paint dummy heads to fool guards into thinking they were still sleeping, and escape across the freezing San Francisco Bay on a raincoat raft.

This remarkable event later inspired the 1979 movie "Escape from Alcatraz", starring Clint Eastwood as Morris, and the actual prison location was used for filming. Authorities have never found the men, and their fate remains officially unknown to this day.

2

Kennedy Space Center, Florida - "Apollo 13"

"Apollo 13" is a movie based on the true story of the aborted lunar mission of the same name in 1970. As the spacecraft approached the Moon, an oxygen tank exploded 200,000 miles from Earth , turning the mission into a life-or-death rescue instead of a landing.

Hollywood later brought this moment back to life with the 1995 blockbuster, which included several real NASA sites, such as the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center on Merritt Island, Florida, to recreate the mission as closely as possible.

3

Lake Placid Olympic Center, New York - "Miracle"

A group of underdog American college players defeated the powerful Soviet team in 1980, at the Lake Placid Olympic Center (now known as Herb Brooks Arena), in what became known as the "Miracle on Ice." The young U.S. ice hockey team achieved the impossible when they defeated the four-time defending gold medal-winning Soviet Union.

Considered an unbelievable Cold War triumph, Disney’s 2004 movie "Miracle" immortalized the game, with scenes filmed in the same arena where the historic game was played.

4

The Hudson River, New York – "Sully"

Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after both engines failed midair, following an encounter with a flock of geese after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport.

With no runway in reach and only seconds to make a decision, Sully landed the plane on the freezing Hudson River, miraculously saving all 155 people on board, in what became known as "The Miracle on the Hudson". Filmmakers later recreated this moment for audiences worldwide in "Sully", filming in real New York locations.

5

The Biograph Theater, Chicago, Illinois - "Public Enemies"

On July 22, 1934, the notorious bank robber John Dillinger, dubbed "Public Enemy No. 1" and one of the most wanted criminals in the United States, was shot outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago, Illinois, by FBI agents after watching the gangster film "Manhattan Melodrama".

This dramatic real-life event was later adapted for the screen in the 2009 film "Public Enemies", which included filming of the real exterior of the theater.

6

Holcomb, Kansas- "In Cold Blood"

Truman Capote wrote a genre-defining "nonfiction novel" about the true 1959 murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kansas, titled "In Cold Blood", after spending six years investigating the case and interviewing locals, including those responsible for the killings.

It was based on the true, brutal, and senseless quadruple homicide that shocked the nation , committed by two ex-cons, Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, after they realized there was very little cash in the house they had broken into. The story eventually made its way to Hollywood in the 1967 film by the same name, which was shot at the real Clutter family home, and authentic Kansas exteriors were also used.

7

Selma, Alabama - "Selma"

The movie centers on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights. This included the historic civil rights march, which faced gut-wrenching violence. The pivotal 1965 demonstrations , including what was known as the "Bloody Sunday" attacks at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, were vividly adapted in the Oscar-winning film "Selma".

The movie, released in 2014, recreated the famous march across the real Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, a turning point that helped lead to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

8

Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii - "Pearl Harbor"

The 2001 blockbuster titled "Pearl Harbor" was a dramatic representation of the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base in Oahu, Hawaii , of the same name on December 7, 1941, which brought America into World War II.

The movie portrays the tragic air raid that took over 2,400 American lives, and also fictionalizes many details through a love story. The film included island scenes shot across real Hawaiian locations, including Oahu and Kualoa Ranch.

9

Gettysburg Battlefield, Pennsylvania – "Gettysburg"

The Battle of Gettysburg, which took place in July 1863, was one of the most important and bloodiest battles of the Civil War. It lasted three days, and over 51,000 men became casualties.

The 1993 movie was filmed on the actual fields of Adams County , Pennsylvania. It was the first time the National Park Service allowed war scenes to be recreated there, including Devil’s Den.

10

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas - "The Alamo"

During the Texas Revolution in 1836, around 200 Texian defenders held off thousands of Mexican troops at the Alamo for 13 full days . Although they didn’t make it, they became a powerful symbol because their stand gave Sam Houston time to rally troops and later win Texan independence at the Battle of San Jacinto.

The film shot almost all of its exteriors in Texas, using locations that recreated the historical battle. The 4.3-acre historic landmark at 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas, can also be visited today.

1

There are 52 states in the U.S.

Image: Chris Lawton

Remember that Friends episode where the characters were racing to write down as many state names as they could? When they asked Joey how many he’d gotten, he leaned back and proudly announced: "Fifty-six."

While not many Americans would share Joey’s confusion, believe it or not, some people are lost about the exact number . Many, when asked, reply that the country contains 52 states! Nope, it’s still just 50. People often mistakenly include Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. as states.

2

The Declaration of Independence was signed by everyone on July 4th, 1776

Image: Ryan Wallace

You’ve seen the paintings—quills raised, scroll unfurled, patriotic ambiance in full bloom. You probably pictured the famous document (scribbled on dramatically aged paper) being passed around the table and filled with names.

But reality was less cinematic . While July 4, 1776, is when the Declaration was adopted, only a few signatures made it on the page that day. Most of the 56 signers added their names over the course of weeks, and some not until August... or even later!

3

The Founding Fathers were all old men with powdered wigs

Image: The New York Public Library

You’d think the Founding Fathers were all 60-something aristocrats in wigs , sitting by candlelight. But many were in their twenties and thirties—Alexander Hamilton was just 21, and James Madison 25. Wigs weren’t as common as Hollywood would have you believe. Most preferred their natural hair, styled with a bit of 18th-century flair.

4

The U.S. Constitution was signed on July 4th, 1776

Image: Tara Winstead

It’s easy to jumble up America’s important dates , but this one’s a whopper. July 4th marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution. The Constitution came along in 1787, over a decade later, and was signed on September 17.

5

The Statue of Liberty belongs to New Jersey

Image: Avi Werde

You’d be right to observe that Lady Liberty is surrounded by Jersey’s waters. But there’s a caveat: Liberty Island itself is federal property administered by the National Park Service. And while the island is closer to the shores of New Jersey, it remains under the sovereignty of New York State .

6

Benjamin Franklin was a U.S. president

Image: Adam Nir

No! He may have earned his place on the $100 bill, but it wasn’t for being the POTUS. He will always remain, however, one of the most recognizable Founding Fathers . He flew kites in storms, and he founded institutions like it were a hobby. He was a diplomat, inventor, philosopher... basically everything but president.

7

The Liberty Bell cracked on the first ring

Image: Joe Richmond

Not exactly. But it sounds poetic, right? A symbol of freedom breaking as it sounded its first call. Except... not true. The Liberty Bell didn’t crack on its first ring. It cracked years after its arrival and was recast twice before the famous fracture, which likely developed in the early 1800s, during a routine toll.

8

The Grand Canyon is visible from the moon

Image: Tim Hart

The Grand Canyon is not visible from the moon. At least not to the naked human eye! Neither is the Great Wall of China, as great as it may be. In fact, no man-made structure or geological feature is visible from the moon with the naked eye.

9

Walt Disney is cryogenically frozen

Image: Steve DiMatteo

Disney was cremated in 1966, and his ashes rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. No secret cryo-labs under Disneyland. Just a very enduring urban legend. But the myth persists ; some even think he's buried under Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

10

Hawaii is the westernmost state

Image: Roberto Nickson

Alaska is officially considered the westernmost state, even when counting Hawaii. That’s because the Aleutian Islands stretch so far west that some cross the 180th meridian, which is the line that separates the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. And here’s the twist: since those islands wrap around the globe’s edge, they also make Alaska the easternmost state.

11

Hollywood is a city

Image: De'Andre Bush

It might feel like its own world (glamorous, chaotic, full of paparazzi), but Hollywood isn’t its own standalone city. Sure, it has its own sign and red carpet events, which led people around the globe to believe it was independent from L.A., but "Tinseltown" is technically a neighborhood within Los Angeles

12

Mount Rushmore is a natural formation

Image: VERONICA LIVESEY

Finally, the unbelievable one. Some tour guides from Mount Rushmore report that tourists have, indeed, looked them straight in the face and asked about the natural phenomenon that carved those profiles into the mountains. Nope —Gutzon Borglum and his team spent 14 years blasting the four former presidents into the rock.

1

Harrison Ford - Carpenter

Image: Hunter Haley

Before the world got to know him as Han Solo or Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford was a struggling actor dissatisfied with the roles being offered to him. To support his wife and his two young sons, Ford started learning carpentry and worked as a professional carpenter for several years.

Had history taken a different turn and Harrison not achieved the stardom he deserved, we are sure he would have still managed to build an extremely impressive business. Fortunately for us, casting director Fred Roos introduced him to George Lucas, and the rest is history.

2

Rachel McAdams - McDonald’s

Image: Jurij Kenda

There’s a slim chance that in 2004, someone went into a movie theater to watch that summer’s blockbuster The Notebook and yelled, "Hey! That girl sold me a Big Mac once!" And, as crazy as it sounds, they wouldn’t be wrong: after all, Rachel McAdams did work at her local McDonald’s while attending high school.

As it turns out, McAdams was quite an overachiever during her teenage years. Although she wasn’t particularly interested in her school subjects, she was remarkably active in student life, playing several sports and participating in her student council. Not only that, she was an exceptional figure skater, competing until she turned 18.

3

George Clooney - Insurance salesman

Image: Scott Graham

Surely, the insurance firm George Clooney worked for must have been sorry to see him go. Can you honestly think of a more charming door-to-door salesman than him? Before landing his first major role in 1984, Clooney worked many odd jobs that included selling women's shoes, cutting tobacco, and working in construction. Not only that, he even attempted to become a professional baseball player and tried out for the Cincinnati Reds, but didn’t make it past the first round of player cuts.

Clooney landed his first role in a CBS comedy named, of all things, E/R . This show shouldn’t be confused with the now iconic medical drama ER , on which Clooney played Dr. Doug Ross for five seasons. A few years after his debut on this show, he starred in his first breakthrough role, the 1996 film From Dusk Till Dawn .

4

Jennifer Anniston - Bike Messenger

Image: Florian Kurrasch

Do you think that, during her years as a bike messenger, Jennifer Anniston wore a special helmet to keep her soon-to-be world-famous "Rachel" haircut intact? Probably not, since this stint happened years before her big break starring as Rachel Green in the groundbreaking sitcom Friends . However, thinking that this struggling actor was aware of the great future ahead of her is still an encouraging thought we’d like to hold on to.

Much like her character in Friends , Aniston worked a number of part-time jobs before her big break. Besides her aforementioned job as a bike messenger, she worked as a telemarketer and a waitress. She also had several small roles before Friends , which included the 1993 horror film Leprechaun .

5

Christopher Walken - Circus

Image: Becky Phan

From his strange dancing to his magnetic presence, Christopher Walken is no stranger to eccentricity. This iconic actor is known for his strange yet captivating mannerisms, which have resulted in a myriad of nominations and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. In that sense, it stands to reason that such a unique actor landed his first job in an equally unique place.

As a teenager, Christopher Walken worked in a circus as a lion tamer trainee. Much like with Harrison Ford, should history have been different, we are confident that Walken would have made a superb lion tamer, dazzling big cats with his delightfully odd ways.

6

Steve Carell - Mailman

Image: Ethan Hoover

For many Americans, our mail carrier is almost another neighbor, that familiar face that always greets us with a big smile and often takes those extra 5 seconds to wish us a good day. For a brief period in the ‘90s, some lucky residents of Littleton, Massachusetts had actor Steve Carell delivering their mail. We can be sure that these citizens began their days with a big laugh from this all-around comedian.

Granted, Carell wasn’t particularly good at his job as a USPS mail carrier. He left after seven months, partly because his boss told him that he needed to be faster. Regardless, shortly after quitting, Carell got his TV start in the 1996 short-lived series The Dana Carvey Show.

7

Melissa McCarthy - Starbucks

Image: kevs

At age 20, Melissa McCarthy left her hometown of Plainfield, Illinois to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. After a few years in New York City, she moved to Los Angeles hoping to make it in "La La Land." What followed were years of resilience and casting calls for this struggling actor, which were supported by part-time jobs in the local YMCA and as a barista at Starbucks.

Thankfully, McCarthy’s efforts paid off, her first break came with a recurring role in the 2000 drama Gilmore Girls . Not only that but she was catapulted into stardom after her role in the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, which eventually turned her into one of the highest-paid actresses in the world.

8

Ken Jeong - Doctor

Image: Online Marketing

If there’s one thing you’ll often see while flipping channels on your TV, is actors and actresses playing doctors, and for good reason. Medical dramas are extremely successful, in large part due to their compelling casts. However, seeing a doctor-turned actor playing a doctor is a rare sight (and a refreshing one at that), which is exactly what happened with Ken Jeong’s performance in the 2007 film Knocked Up .

Jeong is a fully licensed doctor, specializing in internal medicine, although he chose to stop practicing after becoming an actor. While working as a physician in Los Angeles, he began performing in comedy clubs, which led to some TV appearances. His big break occurred with the 2009 comedy The Hangover , which eventually led to a main role in the NBC sitcom Community .

9

Sandra Bullock - Bartender

Image: Daniel L

Can you imagine going to your local bar and being handed your drink by none other than Miss Congeniality herself? Well, if you lived in New York City in the late ‘80s then there’s a pretty good chance Sandra Bullock mixed your cocktails.

After receiving her BFA in Drama from East Carolina University in 1987, Bullock moved to the Big Apple, where she took on a number of part-time jobs while auditioning for roles, which included bartender, cocktail waitress, and coat checker. In 1989, Bullock was offered her first film role in the made-for-tv movie Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman .

10

Steve Buscemi - Firefighter

Image: Matt C

We’ll finish this article with a tale of heroism and selflessness. Years before playing his breakthrough role in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs , Steve Buscemi worked as a firefighter for the New York City Fire Department. During this time, he secretly took acting classes, which eventually led him to fully embrace an acting career in 1985 with his debut in the film The Way It Is .

However, Buscemi still looks proudly onto his firefighter days, often acting as a spokesperson and activist for firefighter rights. Not only that, after the September 11 attacks, he went back to New York and volunteered in his old firehouse to aid his fellow firefighters.