1

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1682 as the capital of the Province of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia was, from the start, a center for philosophical debates, science, and trade. Due to its central location among the Thirteen Colonies, it played a key role in the American Revolution , hosting the First and Second Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1776, and as the birthplace of the United States with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. After the war, it also hosted the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where the Constitution was drafted and signed. Philadelphia also served as the temporary U.S. capital during the construction of Washington, D.C., from 1790 to 1800.

2

Boston, Massachusetts

Established in 1630 by English Puritans, the city of Boston was crucial in accelerating the start of the American Revolutionary War . Among the rising tensions caused by new taxes imposed by the British Parliament, the 1770 confrontation between soldiers and colonists known as the "Boston Massacre" was the initial spark that led to the 1773 Boston Tea Party and later on to the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the Revolutionary War. One of the main American ports, Boston has unfortunately suffered several natural and man-made disasters in its history, such as the Great Molasses Flood in 1919 and the New England Hurricane of 1938.

3

New York City, New York

Originally a Dutch settlement, New York City is currently the most populous city in the U.S. and one of the cultural and economic capitals of the world, but it also played a central role in the beginning of American history. Occupied by British forces during most of the American Revolution, it later served as the first capital of the U.S., with George Washington being sworn in as the first American president at Federal Hall. During the 19th and early-20th centuries, New York City became the gateway to America through Ellis Island , the busiest immigration inspection station between 1892 and 1954, which served as the entry point for more than 12 million immigrants.

4

Washington, D.C.

Conceived in 1789 as the national capital under the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress, the location of Washington, D.C. on the banks of the Potomac was chosen by George Washington himself, although the entirety of his time in office happened in Philadelphia. Established as the seat of government in 1800, the city was set on fire by British troops in 1814. As the political core of America, Washington, D.C. has been the location of many crucial events in American history , such as the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the 1963 March on Washington, and the 1960s protests against the Vietnam War.

5

Atlanta, Georgia

A railroad end station in its origins, Atlanta rose to prominence shortly after the Civil War as the new capital of Georgia, quickly becoming an industrial hub and one of the unofficial capitals of the South. Considered one of the powerhouses of African-American wealth, a fact that clashed with the strong enforcement of Jim Crow laws, it is not surprising that Atlanta became the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement and of one of its leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr. From boycotts, desegregation lawsuits, student movements, and powerful public demonstrations, Atlanta was one of the epicenters of social change that culminated in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

6

Chicago, Illinois

The most populous city in the state of Illinois, Chicago was at the center of the American Labor Movement . Destroyed in the 1871 Chicago Fire, its reconstruction followed strict building codes and became a benchmark for urban fire safety. In 1886, a peaceful rally in support of the eight-hour workday turned catastrophic when a bomb sparked a confrontation between protestors and the police, an event that kickstarted the Labor Movement and that was the origin of the May 1st International Workers’ Day.

7

San Francisco, California

Established by the Spanish as the San Francisco Mission, and later part of Mexico under the name Yerba Buena, San Francisco became American territory in 1846 and transitioned into a bustling city during the 1849 Gold Rush. The birthplace of the United Nations in 1945, it was the epicenter of the Beat Generation in the 1950s and the hippie movement in the 1960s, as well as the backdrop of the tech boom thanks to its proximity to Silicon Valley.

8

New Orleans, Louisiana

The 1803 Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States overnight, but did you know that Jefferson’s original intent was only to acquire New Orleans? Westward expansion was a byproduct of France’s offer to sell its entire Louisiana Territory, but this would not have happened without New Orleans. By acquiring its port, America gained control over the Mississippi River, which ended any threat of foreign interference in agricultural or commercial affairs, and opened the American South to international trade. The strategic importance of the city came into play during the Civil War, when its capture by Union Admiral David Farragut depleted the Confederate finances and allowed Union forces to split and isolate Southern territories.

9

Detroit, Michigan

Established by French settlers in 1701, it passed into British hands a few decades later, before being handed over to the U.S. under the 1796 Jay's Treaty. A bustling port thanks to its connection with the Great Lakes through the Detroit River, the city became an industrial powerhouse in the early 20th century thanks to the motor industry. This earned it the Motown nickname, and it was the site of crucial innovations such as Ford’s moving assembly line in 1913 and the implementation of the $5 workday circa 1914.

10

St. Augustine, Florida

The city of St. Augustine is not the first to come to mind when thinking about historically important cities in America, but many forget that it predates Jamestown by nearly half a century, making it the oldest inhabited European settlement on U.S. soil (without accounting for U.S. territories, in which case San Juan would be the oldest). Founded by the Spanish in 1565 and acquired by the U.S. in 1821, St. Augustine became a tourist resort for wealthy merchants and oil tycoons in the late 19th century. However, the city played a key role in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, as it became one of the battlegrounds for the protests and demonstrations against segregation.

1

Richard Nixon proposed to his wife the day they met

Richard Nixon met Pat Ryan in 1937 while auditioning for a community theater play. According to reports, he fell head over heels for her right away, and even proposed on their very first date! Pat, showing a little more sense, said no at the time, but two years later, in June 1940, she finally said yes and became his wife. The true romantic-in-chief!

2

George H.W. Bush almost chose Clint Eastwood as his running mate

During George H.W. Bush's 1988 presidential campaign, his team considered a candidate who was definitely well-known to everyone, even people who didn’t follow politics. It was none other than Clint Eastwood, Hollywood star and former mayor of Carmel, California. Can you imagine if a movie star had been Bush’s vice president?

3

Martin Van Buren wrote an autobiography without mentioning his wife

How do you write an autobiography and leave out your wife? Well, President Martin Van Buren did exactly that. Historians suggest two reasons: at the time, it was considered poor taste to write about one’s wife, and the other reason was Van Buren’s heartbreak. Hannah Hoes Van Buren, his wife and also his childhood sweetheart, died of tuberculosis years before he became president, and some believe his grief kept him from remarrying or even talking about her.

4

William Faulkner turned down an invitation from JFK

Would you turn down a dinner invitation at the White House? Renowned writer William Faulkner did. He declined an invitation from President John F. Kennedy, who had included him in an event honoring Nobel Prize winners. Faulkner explained he was "a hundred miles away" and that it was "a long way to go just to eat."

5

Jimmy Carter wrote a children's book

Jimmy Carter wasn’t just a state senator, governor, and President of the United States. It turns out he had other interests too, including literature. Did you know he wrote a children’s book? Titled The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer , it was published in 1995.

6

Theodore Roosevelt didn’t think a black eye seemed presidential

Teddy Roosevelt loved boxing, but once he became president, he had to be cautious. He chose to scale back his training sessions at the White House, saying it was, in his own words, "rather absurd for a president to appear with a black eye, a swollen nose, or a cut lip."

7

Bill Clinton's cat had its own video game

Have you heard of Socks the Cat Rocks the Hill ? It was a game developed for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Sega Genesis, starring Socks, the Clinton family’s famous cat. Unfortunately, it was canceled before it ever reached the public.

8

Theodore Roosevelt had a lock of Abe Lincoln's hair

Yes, we know, the title sounds a little odd, but it’s actually a story of loyalty and admiration. When Teddy Roosevelt started his second term, he wore a ring containing a lock of hair from none other than Abraham Lincoln. It was a gift from John Hay, one of Lincoln’s private secretaries, who knew of Roosevelt’s deep respect for Honest Abe.

9

Gerald Ford worked as a model

Many presidents had hobbies, and some even held jobs outside politics before the Oval Office. One of them was Gerald Ford, who worked as a model! In fact, it was through modeling that he met the woman who would become his wife.

10

Herbert Hoover managed the football team

Speaking of hobbies and interests, Herbert Hoover had a pretty common one: He really loved sports. But here’s the interesting part: He came to manage the baseball and football teams at Stanford in 1892.

1

Colorado once rejected the Winter Olympics

In the 1970s, Colorado turned down the opportunity to host the Winter Olympics in Denver. Voters opposed the plan due to concerns about cost, environmental damage, and overcrowding .

This made Colorado the only U.S. state in history to reject the Olympics—even though it’s home to the U.S. Olympic Committee. The decision reflected a strong commitment to protecting the state’s environment and way of life.

2

Wyoming has only two escalators

Wyoming has just two escalators, both located in Casper— one at First Interstate Bank and the other at Hilltop National Bank.

A third once existed at a JCPenney in Cheyenne but was removed when the store relocated to Frontier Mall. The two remaining escalators operate in both directions and remain the only ones in the state.

3

The highest vehicular tunnel in America is in Colorado

The Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado is the highest vehicular tunnel in the United States , sitting at an elevation of 11,158 feet. It stretches 1.6 miles beneath the Rocky Mountains.

Built to improve winter travel across the Continental Divide, the tunnel is both a vital transportation route and an impressive feat of engineering, connecting the eastern and western regions of Colorado.

4

Shootout reenactments in Wyoming

Since 1957, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has hosted the world’s longest-running shootout reenactment. It takes place six days a week in the town square. While the event doesn’t portray a particular historical shootout, it is still fun to watch.

The event runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday through Saturday, beginning at 6:00 p.m. each evening.

5

The world’s largest flat-top mountain is in Colorado

Grand Mesa, located in western Colorado, is the largest flat-top mountain in the world in terms of surface area . It spans over 500 square miles and rises more than 10,000 feet above sea level. The mesa offers sweeping views and breathtaking natural beauty.

The area is rich in forests, alpine lakes, and wildlife, making it a favorite destination for fishing, hiking, and skiing. It’s a must-see for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

6

Ghost stories from Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park—Wyoming’s most famous landmark—is said to be haunted. Over the years, many ghost sightings have been reported throughout the park.

The most well-known spirit is the Headless Bride , believed to be a young woman who was murdered by her husband-to-be . Readers will be relieved to know that the event never actually happened. The entire story is a famous piece of local folklore, albeit a very curious one.

7

Colorado once had 3 Governors in a single day

On March 17, 1905, Colorado experienced a rare political event—three different governors held office in a single day. Alva Adams resigned after allegations of election fraud , including suspicious vote counts in his favor.

He was replaced by his opponent , James H. Peabody , who had contested the results. However, Peabody agreed to step down immediately—on the condition that his lieutenant governor, Jesse F. McDonald, would succeed him . And so, all three men held the governorship within 24 hours.

8

A parachuting daredevil landed atop Devil's Tower in Wyoming

In 1941, George Hopkins parachuted from a plane onto the summit of Devil's Tower as a publicity stunt. However, his plan to descend by rope failed when the rope fell out of reach. Park officials kept him supplied with food while he was stranded for six days . Eventually, a team of seven climbers rescued him—while more than 7,000 spectators watched from below.

Today, the tower’s dramatic rock columns attract climbers year-round. All climbers must register and check in before and after their climbs. The site closes to climbers during the month of June out of respect for Native American cultural practices.

9

Colorado Rose Onyx can only be found in the state Capitol building

Colorado Rose Onyx is a rare decorative stone found only in Colorado . It was quarried in Beulah and used entirely in the construction of the Colorado State Capitol.

Because the entire known supply was used in the building, none remains available today—making it one of the rarest decorative stones in the world.

10

Wyoming King-size bed

Most people are familiar with the California king-size bed, but few know that there’s also a Wyoming king-size bed. It measures 84 by 84 inches, making it a full foot wider than a California King .

Other oversized options include the Texas King and the massive Alaskan King, which offer even more space for those who want extra room to stretch out.

11

Mike, the headless chicken from Colorado

In Fruita, Colorado, locals honor "Mike the Headless Chicken" with a festival and a statue. The odd celebration is rooted in a real event that occurred in 1945.

Farmer L.A. Olsen tried to behead Mike for dinner, but the chicken surprisingly survived . Remarkably, Mike lived for 18 months without a head.

12

A Wyoming town was sold for $900,000

Bufford, a Wyoming town, lost its residents over a span of 150 years through a classic combination of railroad rerouting, urbanization, and personal family life cycles. In 2016, the town, which had just one resident , was sold for $900,000 . The buyer was an anonymous Vietnamese businessman.

The 4-hectare town included a gas station, a store, and a home. Don Sammons, who moved there from Los Angeles in 1980, owned the whole town after his wife passed away.