1

A tough decision

Image: Spencer James Lucas

While the first three figures —Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln— were almost unanimously agreed upon, there was some debate over who should be the fourth face on Mount Rushmore. Gutzon Borglum, the sculptor, advocated for Theodore Roosevelt, but others believed Woodrow Wilson should be included. In the end, Borglum stuck with his original choice, and that's why today we see Teddy Roosevelt up there on America's Shrine of Democracy.

2

The original plan

Image: Jon Sailer

While it's hard to picture the Black Hills without the iconic faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln, the original idea for Mount Rushmore was actually quite different. At first, Sculptor Gutzon Borglum envisioned a more complex job (yes, even more complicated than it already is!) In his original plan, he imagined not just the presidents' heads but their upper bodies as well! There was even talk of including other key figures from American history, like explorers Lewis and Clark.

3

14 long years

Image: piotr sawejko

We can assume that carving the giant heads of 4 presidents into the granite was no easy task. But do you know how long it took to complete the monument we see today? 14 years! That's right; 14 years of hard work, 400 men, and a whole lot of dynamite went into bringing this colossal project to life.

4

The first

Image: Spencer James Lucas

As the first President of the United States and widely known as the "Father of His Country," George Washington was a must for this incredible monument. In fact, his face was the first to be completed and was officially dedicated in a grand ceremony. In addition, as part of the powerful symbolism behind the work, Washington's sculpture is also the most prominent.

5

Starting over

Image: Raimund Schlager

One of the many unexpected construction challenges involved the placement of Thomas Jefferson's sculpture.

The original plan was to place Jefferson's face to the left of Washington. However, when the dynamiting process began, they found quartz beneath the surface, which made it impossible to continue carving in that spot. After 18 months of work, they "erased" (yes, again, with dynamite) what they had of Jefferson and started over to the right of Washington, where it is today.

6

The secret door

Image: Tommy Bond

Did you know there's a secret room hidden behind the 60-foot-tall heads on Mount Rushmore? The sculptor had big plans for the monument, including a Hall of Records carved into the mountain to store important national documents like the Constitution. And he started to build it! However, when Congress found out that part of the budget was set aside for the Hall of Records, they asked Borglum to focus solely on carving the heads.

7

The last one

Image: caleb weiner

After Washington's, the other faces followed: Jefferson's was dedicated second, and Lincoln's was officially unveiled in 1937. So, which one came last? That's right! The last to be completed was Theodore Roosevelt's, with his iconic mustache included! Of course, members of the Roosevelt family attended the big ceremony.

8

The legacy

Image: Ashim D’Silva

Building Mount Rushmore took many years. Unfortunately, Gutzon Borglum, the mind behind the project, didn't get to see it fully completed, as he passed away just a few months before the work officially ended. However, it was his son Lincoln who stepped in to complete the great work his father had started.

9

An extra foot

Image: Andrew Ling

Borglum believed this monument should stand the test of time, built to inspire and be admired for thousands of years to come. So, how did he achieve that? Some historical sources suggest one of Borglum's techniques was adding extra material to certain angled areas of the sculpture, like Washington's nose, for example. That's right! It's believed that the author added an extra foot to George Washington's nose to help it better withstand erosion over time.

10

The man behind the name

Image: Pamela Huber

Long before the presidents were carved into the Black Hills, a New York lawyer paid a visit to the area, and that visit wouldn't go unnoticed. In 1885, attorney Charles E. Rushmore was at the site for business, and he asked for the name of a particular peak. When they told him it didn't have a name, he jokingly suggested they could call it "Rushmore Peak." Charles E. Rushmore was actually the first person to make a private donation to get the project started: $5,000! And so it was that his name stuck.

1

Gilroy Garlic Festival - Gilroy, California

Image: Mitch Hodiondo

This July festival has been going strong since 1979, serving up everything from garlic fries to garlic-infused desserts that'll make you question everything you thought you knew about sweetness. The festival draws over 80,000 garlic enthusiasts who aren't afraid of a little breath situation.

Beyond the obvious eating opportunities, you'll find cook-offs, live entertainment, and enough garlic braids to decorate every kitchen in America. The Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen pageant is a real thing, and yes, contestants probably smell amazing.

2

Maine Lobster Festival - Rockland, Maine

Image: Michelle Tsang

Every August, this coastal town transforms into lobster paradise, where over 20,000 pounds of the crustaceans meet their delicious destiny in a five-day celebration of all things clawed and buttery. The festival serves lobster every way imaginable: boiled, in rolls, and in bisque.

Between lobster courses, you can watch the Maine Sea Goddess Coronation, browse hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, or catch big-name musical acts on the harbor stage. The parade is a charming small-town affair that reminds you why these festivals beat fancy restaurants every time.

3

National Cherry Festival - Traverse City, Michigan

Image: Reza Yaghoobian

Michigan's cherry country goes absolutely bonkers every July with eight days of cherry-flavored everything in one of the prettiest settings you'll ever see. We're talking cherry pie-eating contests, cherry pancake breakfasts, cherry salsa, and enough cherry wine to make you wonder why you ever drank grape-based beverages.

The festival isn't just about cherries: there are air shows, parades, live concerts, and a sand sculpture contest that'll make you feel inadequate about your beach castle skills. You can even participate in the Very Cherry 5K if you want to pretend you're being healthy before eating your weight in cherry pie.

4

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience - New Orleans, Louisiana

Image: Yuri Krupenin

Every May, this city throws a five-day celebration that combines world-class wine with Creole and Cajun cuisine. This is a sophisticated affair with celebrity chef dinners, wine seminars, and events in stunning French Quarter locations that make you feel fancy even with hot sauce on your shirt.

The Royal Street Stroll is the main event, where you can sample dishes from over 50 restaurants while sipping wine and listening to jazz, because New Orleans doesn't do anything halfway. This festival showcases why New Orleans is considered one of America's greatest food cities.

5

Taste of Chicago - Chicago, Illinois

Image: Stéfano Girardelli

The Windy City hosts one of the world's largest food festivals every July, transforming Grant Park into a massive outdoor dining room where deep-dish pizza competes with Italian beef sandwiches for your affection. Since 1980, this free-admission festival has been drawing millions of visitors who want to sample Chicago's legendary food scene without the hassle of restaurant reservations.

With over 300 menu items from dozens of local restaurant s, you can eat your way through Chicago's diverse neighborhoods without leaving the park. There are cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music on multiple stages, and enough food vendors to ensure you'll need a nap by 2 PM.

6

Hatch Chile Festival - Hatch, New Mexico

Image: L'Odyssée Belle

Every Labor Day weekend, this tiny town of 1,600 people swells to over 30,000 as chile pepper fanatics make their annual pilgrimage to the "Chile Capital of the World." The Hatch chile is famous for its unique flavor—earthy, smoky, and just spicy enough to make things interesting without requiring a fire extinguisher. You'll find them roasted, stuffed, turned into salsa, baked into bread , and mixed into ice cream for the adventurous.

The festival is wonderfully unpretentious, with a parade featuring the Chile Queen, live music, arts and crafts, and the kind of small-town charm that makes you want to move to New Mexico. Watching massive roasters tumble thousands of fresh chiles while their aroma fills the air is oddly mesmerizing.

7

Pebble Beach Food & Wine - Pebble Beach, California

Image: Phakphoom Srinorajan

This April event on the stunning Monterey Peninsula is where celebrity chefs, renowned winemakers, and beautiful people gather to celebrate the finer things in life. Set against the backdrop of Pebble Beach's legendary golf courses and dramatic coastline, this is food festival luxury at its finest, with Grand Tasting pavilions, intimate chef dinners, and wine seminars.

You might spot a celebrity chef or two wandering around, and the event attracts serious food lovers willing to splurge for unforgettable culinary experiences. From fresh seafood to innovative cuisine that looks too pretty to eat, this festival proves that California knows how to combine stunning scenery with exceptional food.

8

Vermont Cheesemakers Festival - Shelburne, Vermont

Image: Luba Glazunova

Every August, cheese lovers gather at Shelburne Farms, a stunning 1,400-acre estate overlooking Lake Champlain, for what might be the most civilized food festival in America. We're talking award-winning artisan cheeses from over 40 local cheesemakers, paired with local beers, ciders, and wines in a setting so picturesque you'll think you've wandered onto a movie set.

The festival celebrates Vermont's thriving cheese culture with tastings, demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities to chat with the actual cheesemakers who'll explain why their cheddar is superior to everyone else's (they're all correct, somehow). Live music, children's activities, and farm tours round out the experience, making it perfect for the whole family.

9

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - Orlando, Florida

Image: Paul Lievens

Disney World's Epcot park transforms every fall into a global food court, with over 30 international marketplaces serving small plates from around the world. Running from late August through November, this is the longest food festival on our list, giving you plenty of chances to "drink around the world" while pretending you're culturally enriching yourself. From French wine to German beer to Canadian pretzel bread, you can passport-stamp your palate without airport security.

Sure, it's touristy, but it's also surprisingly delicious and incredibly convenient—where else can you eat in Morocco, drink in Italy, and catch fireworks over a lagoon all in one afternoon? Celebrity chef demonstrations, beverage seminars, and live concerts (included with park admission) make this festival a surprising value despite Disney's reputation for expensive hot dogs.

10

Boudin, Bourbon & Beer Festival - New Iberia, Louisiana

Image: Hybrid Storytellers

In October festival celebrates the holy trinity of Louisiana living: boudin sausage, bourbon, and beer. Held in the charming downtown district, this relatively new festival has quickly become a favorite for anyone who wants to experience authentic Cajun culture .

Local restaurants compete for the best boudin recipe while musicians play zydeco and Cajun music that'll have you dancing whether you know how or not. The bourbon and beer selections showcase both Louisiana craft beverages and national favorites, creating pairing opportunities you never knew you needed.

1

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Image: Tom Def

Let’s kick it off with someone everybody knows. In case the excessive use of consonants in his last name wasn’t enough of a clue, Arnold Schwarzenegger was born and raised in Austria, where he built a successful career in bodybuilding. After winning major bodybuilding titles, he moved to the U.S., where he continued competing and later transitioned into acting. He became a U.S. citizen in 1983 and went on to serve as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

2

Elizabeth Taylor

Image: Daniele Levis Pelusi

One of the brightest stars of 1950s Hollywood, Elizabeth Taylor is known for her unforgettable performances in classics such as Cleopatra , Cat on a Hot Tin Roof , and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Born in London in 1932 to American parents from Arkansas, Taylor held dual British-American citizenship from birth. Although she was initially raised in the UK, her family returned to the U.S. when World War II broke out. There, she began what would become a triumphant acting career, earning her first starring role at age 12 in National Velvet .

3

Charlize Theron

Image: barendlotter

Born in Benoni, in what was then the Transvaal province of South Africa, Charlize Theron began her career as a model and later trained as a dancer. While trying (and failing) to get into the film industry, she got her breakthrough thanks to her not being American: she famously caught the attention of a talent agent while arguing with a bank teller who refused to cash her check because she was a foreigner. She became a U.S. citizen in 2007 and has retained her South African citizenship.

4

Liam Neeson

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Liam Neeson was born and raised in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and started his career as a theater performer in Belfast and Dublin. After being cast in a minor role in the film Excalibur (1981), he built a successful career in both the UK and the U.S. Neeson acquired American citizenship in 2009 and said he was inspired by the overwhelming support he received from Americans following the tragic death of his wife, Natasha Richardson.

5

Cary Grant

Image: thomas cook

One of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Cary Grant was born Archibald Alec Leach in Bristol, England. He first came to the U.S. as a teenager in 1920 as part of a theater troupe, and eventually transitioned into film, becoming famous for his romantic comedies before expanding into other genres. In 1942, he became a U.S. citizen and legally changed his name to Cary Grant.

6

Maureen O’Hara

Image: Mike Fox

Maureen O’Hara might not have been born an American, but she earned her place in one of the most American film genres of all: the Western. Born Maureen FitzSimons in Dublin, Ireland, she got her first major role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Jamaica Inn (1939), where she was billed as Maureen O’Hara, a stage name chosen for her by the studio. She rose to stardom soon after with her leading role in John Ford’s How Green Was My Valley (1941), and went on to become iconic in Westerns and adventure films. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1946.

7

Helen Mirren

Image: Hulki Okan Tabak

Ilyena Lydia Mironoff was born in the UK as part of an exiled Russian noble family who eventually changed their surname to Mirren. She started her career as a theater performer in the Royal Shakespeare Company, and went on to achieve major success in film and television. Though she became a U.S. citizen in 2017, she had considered herself American for a long time. In an interview, she revealed that witnessing the 9/11 attacks in New York City gave her an "epiphany" about where her allegiance lay, which helped prompt her decision to become a U.S. citizen.

8

Anthony Quinn

Image: Jorge Aguilar

Many people are surprised to learn that Anthony Quinn was not American-born. Originally named Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca, he was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, to a Mexican mother of Indigenous heritage and an Irish immigrant father. After a short stint as a boxer, he began a successful acting career and became the first Mexican-born actor to win an Academy Award, ultimately winning two Oscars. He became a U.S. citizen in 1947.

9

Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine

Image: Jeremy Yap

Famous actresses, rivals, and sisters Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine were born in Tokyo, Japan, to British parents, making them British subjects from birth. Both were brought up in the United States after their mother moved the family to California. Their careers in Hollywood were marked by a well-publicized sibling rivalry: according to biographies, their mother favored Olivia and discouraged Joan from using the family name, prompting her to adopt the stage surname Fontaine .

Olivia de Havilland became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1941, just months before the U.S. entered World War II, and she actively contributed to the war effort, including touring to support troops. Her sister Joan gained citizenship a few years later, in 1943.

10

Greta Garbo

Image: Sofia Sforza

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, as Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, Greta Garbo became one of the defining stars of Hollywood’s early Golden Age. After appearing in a supporting role in the Swedish film The Saga of Gösta Berling (1924), she caught the attention of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer executives, who brought her to Hollywood to begin what became a legendary silent-film career, one that only grew stronger with the transition to sound. After nearly two decades in film, Garbo famously retired from acting in 1941 and later became a U.S. citizen in 1951.