1

Vinyl records are spinning again

For something declared obsolete decades ago, vinyl is doing remarkably well. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, U.S. vinyl revenue has now increased for 19 consecutive years. In 2025 alone, Americans bought 46.8 million vinyl albums, compared with 29.5 million CDs .

And this revival is happening in the age of streaming, not instead of it. Vinyl topped $1 billion in wholesale revenue in 2025, while streaming still dominated the music business. Apparently, plenty of listeners want both: instant access when convenient and a record they can hold, admire, drop a needle onto, and, yes, get up to flip halfway through.

2

Film photography gets another shot

Digital cameras were supposed to send film the way of the floppy disk. Instead, a generation raised on smartphone cameras has discovered the novel-again pleasure of taking a picture without immediately seeing it . The comeback became difficult to dismiss when Ricoh introduced the Pentax 17, a brand-new 35mm film camera, in 2024.

The company specifically pointed to growing interest among younger photographers. Demand in Japan was so strong that Ricoh temporarily stopped accepting orders shortly after launch. Film hasn't disappeared from Hollywood, either: Kodak counted 33 film-shot productions at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

3

Game night isn’t over

Board games survived television, video games, and smartphones, and somehow came out cooler on the other side. Today's tabletop world extends far beyond Monopoly and Clue, with strategy games, role-playing adventures, collectibles, and board-game cafés turning an old family pastime into a thriving social hobby .

American spending reflects that enthusiasm. Circana reported that U.S. sales in the broader Games & Puzzles category jumped 37% in 2025 , although that figure also includes the booming Pokémon trading-card market. Adults are increasingly important customers, too.

4

Baking is back

Remember when everyone suddenly had a sourdough starter? The great bread-baking revival exploded during the pandemic spring of 2020, when homebound Americans transformed flour, yeast, water, and an abundance of spare time into homemade loaves.

King Arthur Baking shipped one million bags of flour to retailers in just two weeks in April 2020 . The company also found that 80% of previously infrequent bakers had started baking at least several times per month. The lockdowns ended; plenty of bread starters survived.

5

Birdwatching gains popularity

Birdwatching may conjure images of binoculars, field guides, and extremely patient retirees, but modern American birding is much bigger than that stereotype. Maybe not NFL big, but still big. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service estimated that approximately 96 million Americans aged 16 and older participated in birdwatching in 2022: roughly 37% of that population .

Most didn't travel to remote forests. About 91 million watched birds around their homes, while 43 million ventured at least a mile away specifically to see them. Birders also spent billions on trips and equipment. Smartphones have unexpectedly helped the hobby, allowing beginners to identify calls and photograph unfamiliar species. Sometimes technology's best trick is getting us to look away from it.

6

Model kits build a new audience

Model building never completely vanished. Dedicated hobbyists kept assembling miniature cars, aircraft, ships, trains, and military vehicles while other generations moved toward digital entertainment. But the basic satisfaction of turning a box full of tiny pieces into something recognizable is finding fresh admirers.

The hobby has also become far more international . Japan's Gundam model kits, commonly called Gunpla, have become a global phenomenon, with manufacturer Bandai Namco reporting that overseas sales were approaching half of total model-kit sales in 2024 . Whether the finished product is a WWII fighter or a giant Japanese robot, the attraction remains wonderfully old-fashioned: patience, precision, paint, glue, and something real to put on the shelf afterward.

7

Knitting and crochet are cool again

Grandma may have been onto something. Knitting and crochet have joined a broader resurgence of so-called "grandma hobbies," with younger adults embracing needles, hooks, and yarn as a welcome alternative to endless scrolling. The pandemic gave fiber crafts an additional boost, but enthusiasm continued after people were free to leave their homes again.

The appeal isn't difficult to understand. A Craft Yarn Council survey of more than 5,000 knitters and crocheters found that enjoyment was the leading motivation, while stress relief, creativity, and gift-making were also common reasons. Unlike another hour spent online, an evening crocheting leaves behind physical evidence that you actually did something.

8

Canning makes a comeback

For generations of Americans, late summer meant turning a garden's excess tomatoes, cucumbers, and berries into shelves filled with jars. Supermarkets and freezers made home preservation less essential, but the practice never disappeared, and t he pandemic gave it an unexpected jolt .

The University of Minnesota Extension says interest in home food preservation surged during COVID-19 and remains popular, helped by gardening, farmers' markets, household budgets, and efforts to reduce food waste. Today's enthusiasts aren't limited to canned tomatoes, either: pickling, fermenting, drying, freezing, jams, and jellies are all part of the revival.

9

Book clubs are back too

A book club may be one of the simplest social technologies ever invented: read something, meet other humans, and talk about it. That formula still works remarkably well. Physical bookstores and libraries remain gathering places, while younger Americans haven't abandoned printed books nearly as completely as the arrival of e-readers once suggested.

The concept is evolving, too. Silent Book Club, founded in San Francisco in 2012, reverses the usual formula: members gather together but bring whatever book they happen to be reading. By 2025, the organization said it had more than 1,500 chapters around the world .

10

Painting becomes a night out

Paint-and-sip nights put a modern spin on an extremely analog activity. Instead of sitting alone with an easel, participants gather in studios, follow an instructor, socialize, and usually enjoy a drink while attempting to produce something vaguely resembling the example at the front of the room.

One of America's biggest paint-and-sip businesses grew from an unlikely place. Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney started what became Painting with a Twist in Louisiana in 2007, following Hurricane Katrina . Originally called Corks & Canvas, it offered residents a fun communal escape while the region recovered. The idea eventually expanded to roughly 300 franchise locations.

11

Home gardens are getting bigger

You don't need a farmhouse, or even a backyard, to grow food. Container gardening has brought an old American pastime onto balconies, patios, rooftops, and tiny urban spaces, where tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers, and even strawberries can thrive inside surprisingly modest pots.

Gardening's broader popularity remains enormous. The National Gardening Association estimated that 122.3 million U.S. households participated in some form of lawn or garden activity in 2024, including 51.8 million that grew vegetables . The idea isn't new: a predecessor of today's USDA was publishing advice about "The City and Suburban Vegetable Garden" back in 1918.

12

Foraging is cool

Of all the hobbies on this list, foraging is undoubtedly the oldest. Long before supermarkets existed, knowing which plants, berries, nuts, and mushrooms were edible was simply part of staying alive. Today, Americans are voluntarily heading back into the woods to rediscover some of that forgotten knowledge.

Interest has become particularly noticeable among younger adults. Iowa State University Extension reported strong demand for mushroom-identification programs, including a two-year backlog of interested participants and classes regularly reaching their 30-person limit. Of course, this hobby requires more caution than knitting: a misidentified mushroom can be dangerous. Learning from experienced experts is essential.

1

The Pig War (1859)

A boundary dispute on San Juan Island nearly escalated into a U.S.-British war after an American farmer shot a British-owned pig that was rooting in his garden . Troops rushed in, tensions rose, and both sides came to the verge of open conflict.

Thankfully, the "war" ended without a single human casualty. Diplomacy prevailed, leaving history with a famously absurd standoff where the only fatality was the unfortunate hog that started it all.

2

The Toledo War (1835-36)

Believe it or not, Michigan and Ohio once squared off over a slim strip of land containing the city of Toledo . Militias mobilized, tempers flared, and political rhetoric soared past anything that the dispute really deserved.

The conflict produced only one injury: a sheriff was stabbed with a pocket knife. It ended with Michigan receiving the Upper Peninsula as compensation.

3

The Aroostook War (1838-39)

A mix of lumberjacks, militias, and confused officials sparked a border showdown between Maine and British Canada. Though the name sounds dramatic, the "war" consisted mostly of shouting, arrests, and paperwork .

Still, it lasted less than a year and recorded no combat deaths. Its odd blend of frontier folklore and diplomatic missteps gave it a reputation as one of America’s most harmless "wars."

4

Battle of Lake Erie (1813)

In a fierce naval engagement that lasted only a few hours, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry secured control of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 . His quick, decisive victory shifted momentum in the northern theater of the war.

The battle is remembered for its speed and for Perry’s bold message: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours."

5

Battle of Blair Mountain (1921)

For five tense days in West Virginia, thousands of coal miners armed themselves against hired gunmen, local law enforcement, and eventually federal troops . It became the largest labor uprising in U.S. history.

Despite its scale, the conflict ended quickly once the Army intervened. Its strange blend of union struggle, machine guns, and biplanes made it one of the most dramatic yet short-lived labor battles ever fought.

6

Battle of Athens, Tennessee (1946)

World War II veterans took matters into their own hands and clashed with a corrupt county political machine after years of election wrongdoing. In a single night of gunfire and sieges, the veterans seized the jail and exposed the fraud .

By morning, order was restored and democracy reclaimed. The brief uprising became a legendary example of ordinary Americans pushing back against local tyranny.

7

Shelling of Fort Stevens (1942)

During World War II, a Japanese submarine surfaced off the Oregon coast and fired on Fort Stevens for roughly fifteen minutes . The startled gunners held their fire to avoid revealing their positions.

No lives were lost, and damage was minimal. Still, the brief attack stands out as one of the only direct assaults on the U.S. mainland during the war.

8

Battle of Palmito Ranch (1865)

Fought in Texas weeks after the Confederacy had effectively collapsed, this short skirmish featured U.S. and Confederate troops battling despite the war’s official end . Confusion and poor communication kept the fighting alive.

The engagement lasted only a few hours but became the Civil War’s final battle. Its odd timing makes it a historical footnote with a bizarre twist.

9

Battle of Ambos Nogales (1918)

A border misunderstanding escalated into a sudden firefight between U.S. and Mexican troops in the twin towns of Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora. The shooting lasted only a few hours but drew civilians into chaos.

The brief clash prompted both governments to rethink border security. It remains the only World War I-era battle fought on U.S. soil involving foreign troops .

10

The Great Locomotive Chase (1862)

Union raiders stole a Confederate locomotive and sparked a dramatic pursuit through northern Georgia. The "battle" unfolded across railroad tracks and small towns over the course of a few hours.

Though unconventional, it was officially a military operation and became legendary for its daring and scope. The episode showed how even a train theft could become an act of war.

11

Little Belt Affair (1811)

This brief naval encounter between USS President and HMS Little Belt lasted less than an hour. Confusion over signals led to sudden gunfire and heavy damage to the British vessel.

The brief clash worsened tensions between the two nations and helped push the U.S. and Britain toward the War of 1812.

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.