1

Dance marathons

Image: Ardian Lumi

Dancing has always been a praised activity for having some fun and passing the time. It’s simple and requires nothing but a music-playing device. So, back in the ‘20s, people felt the need to find a new twist for this basic entertainment and so they thought making dance marathons was a great idea.

How did they work? The concept was as simple as dancing: Couples would compete to see who could dance the longest all for a shot at cash prizes. But we’re not talking hours here—the contest could last for days! Audiences watched in fascination (and a bit of morbid curiosity, we might add) as exhausted dancers pushed their bodies to the limit. Remember, this was a time when missing out on a chance for quick money and a bit of fun was not a possibility!

2

Flagpole sitting

Image: Jonathan Simcoe

We don’t know if he was trying to break a record or if he just needed some alone time, but after Alvin "Shipwreck" Kelly climbed atop a flagpole in 1924 and stayed there for over 13 hours, a new fad was born: flagpole sitting.

And speaking of basic trends, this is exactly as you read it: People all over America were climbing up and sitting on flagpoles to see how long they could stay up there. We can all agree that these people were after entertainment and a bit of competition. And it got so serious the record eventually stretched to an astonishing 49 days!

By the 1930s, though, the thrill wore off and the fad faded, but the absurdity of it all remains—and earned it a spot on this list!

3

Stickball and stoopball

Image: Jeremy Stewardson

Sports today are no longer just about playing the game. For most of them, you need a lot of equipment, which is rather expensive, especially if you’re going to use it in the streets with your friends from the block.

Back in the ‘20s, baseball equipment was hard to come by. As a result, American kids in crowded urban areas came up with their own inventive versions of the game: stickball and stoopball. The fun behind this trend? Using whatever they had on hand to play: Broomsticks for bats, rubber balls, and parked cars or stoops as bases. The games required nothing more than creativity and a few friends. And no one can deny—the 1920s were indeed a creative time!

4

Johnny on a pony

Image: freestocks

This is a trend that started in the 1940s, and the names used for this game are simply hilarious: "Strong horses, weak donkeys," "Hunch, Cuddy, Hunch," just to name a few.

Johnny on a Pony, or Buck Buck, was a rough-and-tumble game in which one team bent over to form a "horse" while the other team took turns jumping on their backs, trying to knock them over .

You may think this was innocent, but not quite—it was chaotic, sometimes painful, and, more often than not, left participants in a pile of tangled limbs.

Kids do not care for those things, but the game’s physical nature made it exhilarating and dangerous at the same time. That’s why, eventually, concerned parents and schools stepped in and banned it—one too many injuries to keep it going!

5

Drive-In movie theaters

Image: Tim Mossholder

Movie theaters are great, but drive-in movie theaters are even better—they were the ultimate fusion of America’s love for cars and entertainment.

The first official drive-in theater opened in 1933, and it was an alternative for families to a fun and affordable night out under the night sky, watching a movie from the comfort of their car . No wonder this quickly became a beloved American pastime. And you can already imagine whose favorite this was: Teens and young couples, who enjoyed the privacy of their cars while watching the latest films of the time.

The trend slowly faded as film rentals became more popular, and later with the rise of streaming platforms. However, keep an eye out for this one, because it’s definitely making a comeback!

6

Miniature golf

Image: Will Porada

Some may argue that the fad behind miniature golf never actually died, and that’s partially true. But let’s go back to the time it first appeared and all the craze that erupted around it.

It wasn’t until Garnet Carter opened his "Tom Thumb" golf course in 1927 that miniature golf became a true sensation . Located in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, Carter’s course wasn’t just about putting greens; it also featured miniature goblins, gnomes, and other fun obstacles for players.

We don’t know if he knew this would be so successful, but Carter went all in: He patented the design, and it hit the jackpot—miniature golf became a nationwide success.

7

Hood ornaments

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Funny thing about the past: You didn’t always need to be extravagant to be trendy—sometimes, just a tiny ornament on your car was enough.

In the 1920s and ‘30s, no car was complete without a stylish hood ornament adorning its radiator . At first, these ornaments were designed to check on the engine temperature. But they soon evolved into artistic expressions of each brand to showcase wealth and personality.

We all recognize the winged goddess or the jaguar jumping out of the car, right?

However, this trend didn’t last long. As car designs modernized and safety became a concern, hood ornaments became less common, and eventually, all but disappeared. If you see a car with one of these today, you can bet it’s worth more than one can get in a lifetime!

8

Kilroy was here

Image: Richard Cohrs

There are two generations: One is looking for Waldo, and the other is looking for Kilroy. Which one do you belong to? Now, if you’re wondering who Kilroy is, let us tell you.

Kilroy was a doodle, and the complete drawing consisted of Kilroy and a message that read "Kilroy Was Here." This graffiti popped up just about everywhere during World War II.

The doodle, featuring a bald, long-nosed figure peeking over a wall, was a symbol of American presence and humor. It’s said that Kilroy was originally the work of James J. Kilroy, a shipyard inspector who scrawled it on equipment he inspected.

But that was just the beginning—the drawing spread to every corner of the globe. Have you ever come across one?

9

Swing dancing

Image: Clarisse Meyer

Few things are as time-sensitive and culturally reflective of an era, don’t you think? In the early 20th century, specifically during the 1920s and 1930s, the dance that dominated every dance floor was swing . And it makes perfect sense—this was the Jazz Age, so swing dancing perfectly matched the exuberance of that music!

Dances like the Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Jitterbug took over dance halls, with young people spinning, jumping, and flipping to the infectious rhythm of big bands.

Older generations sometimes frowned upon the flashy, intimate dance styles, but that only made them more appealing to rebellious youth. Some things never change!

10

Stamp collecting

Image: Tolga deniz Aran

Philately is the collection of stamps or the study of them, and it became a fad across the United States during the 1920s and the ‘30s. Why? Here is the reason.

Stamps offered people a way to explore history, geography, and art. They were everyday items, easy to access, and nobody could escape them. For example, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was an avid stamp collector. Not that he needed them to learn about history or art—it was just a way to have fun.

Contrary to other trends we have discussed, schools encouraged this hobby, because it was both educational and enjoyable. Collecting stuff is a never-ending trend; there are all kinds of collections today and stamp collections today are almost invaluable!

1

A mountaintop with a maintenance plan

Image: Sebastian Enriqu

Each year, around two million visitors make their way to see the monument. But keeping the presidential faces looking sharp takes serious work. Park Service staff actually rappel down the mountain to inspect for cracks. They use silicone sealant to block out moisture and keep the granite from breaking apart in the cold. This isn’t a quick job, it’s a regular, careful operation. The mountain's top sits 5,725 feet above sea level, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

2

One historian’s tourism dream

Image: Engin Yapici

Back in 1923, South Dakota historian Doane Robinson had an idea to attract visitors to the Black Hills. Now, what was his original plan? Carve Western legends like Buffalo Bill and Native American leaders into the rock. The vision then shifted to feature US presidents for broader national appeal.

President Calvin Coolidge helped land the funding, even during tough economic times. The carving began in 1927 and stretched on until 1941. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum died before finishing, and his son Lincoln carried the torch to completion.

3

Four presidents, four chapters

Image: Jeromey Balderrama

Each face on the mountain stands for a key period in our nation’s story. Can you imagine what they are?

Washington symbolizes the birth of the country, while Jefferson represents growth and expansion. Lincoln stands for unity and the preservation of the nation during the Civil War. Roosevelt brought development and the rise of the US on the world stage. Together, they tell a chronological story in stone. The idea was to highlight leadership through the ages, not just popular figures.

4

A presidential switch

Image: Andrew Ling

Originally, Thomas Jefferson was supposed to be on Washington’s left. But during the carving, the rock proved too unstable. So they scrapped the partially finished face and started over, this time on the right side.

It was a major do-over that cost time and money, a lot of it! But ultimately, it worked out for the best, structurally speaking. Today, most visitors never realize Jefferson had a false start.

5

Dynamite and a dream

Image: Takefreebies

It’s easy to forget that Mount Rushmore wasn’t sculpted with tiny chisels: It was blasted into shape. Most of the work was done with dynamite, followed by finer detailing with jackhammers and drills.

From 1927 to 1941, about 400 workers shaped the mountain. Amazingly, no lives were lost during the entire project. Many of the workers were former miners, used to rough terrain and heavy tools. It wasn’t easy, but it was efficient.

6

The presidents were supposed to have torsos

Image: Thomas Fields

The original vision for the monument wasn’t just heads, it included bodies from the waist up! Imagine that! Like many grand ideas, it ran into budget troubles. Funding dried up, and with time running out, the project was scaled back.

What we see today is actually an unfinished version of Borglum’s full plan. Still, the heads alone have become iconic. Imagine how much more impressive it would’ve been with shoulders and coats.

7

Secrets behind Lincoln’s head

Image: Rosanne Rapata

There’s a hidden room carved into the mountain, did you know that? Called the Hall of Records, it was Borglum’s idea to store important American documents and artifacts.

While the grand plans for a museum inside the mountain were never fully realized, a titanium vault was placed there. It contains copies of key US documents, including the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Located behind Lincoln’s head, it’s not open to the public. Still, it adds an air of mystery to the site. It makes you wanna visit, right?

8

Step off the beaten path

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Most visitors snap their photos from the Grand View Terrace, and it’s lovely. But for those willing to take a short walk, the President’s Trail offers even better views.

This loop takes you closer to the monument and into nature. You might spot local wildlife like mountain goats or deer along the way. The trail includes about 422 stairs, so make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes. It’s a quieter, more personal way to experience the monument.

9

Entablature

Image: Tommy Bond

Gutzon Borglum didn’t just want Mount Rushmore to be a visual tribute, he wanted it to tell the story of America, too. His idea was to chisel a brief summary history, covering events from 1776 to 1906, right into the rock face.

This massive engraving, called "Entablature," was to be etched into an 80-by-120-foot depiction of the Louisiana Purchase. President Calvin Coolidge even agreed to write it, but when Borglum edited Coolidge’s draft without permission, the president was so annoyed he refused to try again. Despite the grand vision, the project was eventually scrapped, partly because the lettering wouldn’t have been visible from a distance, and partly because the budget ran dry.

10

Don’t expect a fifth face anytime soon

Image: Ronda Darby

Over the years, people have suggested adding more figures to the mountain. Names like Susan B. Anthony, FDR, JFK, Reagan, Obama, and Trump have all come up. But the National Park Service has said a firm "no." Structurally, there’s just no safe place to add another carving. Plus, the monument is considered complete in its message. So, while the debate pops up now and then, don’t hold your breath. The original four are here to stay.

1

Thomas Jefferson’s mockingbird

Image: Library of Congress

Did you know that one of the first animals to live at the White House was a bird? Dick was Thomas Jefferson's mockingbird and the president loved him so much that he let him roam freely in his office. Dick would sing in the Oval, perch on Jefferson's shoulder, sit on his desk, and even take food directly from the president’s lips.

But Dick wasn’t the only curious animal to inhabit the White House in the early 19th century. In fact, Thomas Jefferson had more than thirty pets, including two grizzly bear cubs. These cubs were a gift from the Lewis and Clark expedition, delivered by explorer Zebulon Pike. However, the bears didn’t stay at the White House for long, as Jefferson decided it was best to send them to a museum in Philadelphia.

2

John Quincy Adams’ alligator

Image: Library of Congress

Jefferson wasn't the only president to own fairly unusual pets during his presidency. According to lore, John Quincy Adams kept a pet alligator in the East Room of the White House. Although there’s no way to prove it, the story goes that the alligator would slither around and even chase visitors.

While the tale of the alligator may be a myth, one thing is certain: President Adams' wife, Louisa, kept silkworms. The worms lived in mulberry trees on the White House grounds, and Louisa used to harvest their silk to feed her sewing hobby.

3

Abraham Lincoln’s goats

Image: Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Lincolns had a variety of animals, including a couple of dogs, a rabbit, a horse, and a turkey. However, perhaps the most curious pets that lived in the White House during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency (1861–1865) were two goats named Nanny and Nanko .

Lincoln let their sons, Willie and Tad, keep their pet goats in their rooms, granting the animals total freedom to roam the Executive Mansion . The Lincoln family was so fond of Nanny and Nanko that the president would even send updates on the goats’ wellbeing when his wife and children were away. In one letter, he wrote: "Tell Tad the goats and father are very well—especially the goats."

4

Rutherford B. Hayes’ Siamese cat

Image: Mathew Benjamin Brady, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Like the Jefferson family, the Hayes family also received some First Pets as gifts from well-wishers, friends, and foreign officials. It was publicly known that First Lady Lucy Hayes loved animals, so the U.S. Ambassador to Siam (now Thailand) gifted her a kitten. This cat became the pet of First Daughter Fanny Hayes and holds the distinction of being the first Siamese cat to live in the United States.

Another Siamese cat, named Miss Pussy, later joined the family, becoming part of a diverse collection of animals. This included two hunting dogs, Juno and Shep; Otis, the miniature schnauzer; Dot, the cocker spaniel; a goat; a mockingbird; pedigreed Jersey cows; four canaries; and several carriage horses.

5

Teddy Roosevelt’s hyena

Image: National Portrait Gallery, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Teddy Roosevelt's brood brought a proper zoo to the White House at the dawn of the 20th century. His large, young family and their pets often captured substantial public attention, frequently appearing in periodicals and newspapers of the time.

The Roosevelts cared for an eclectic collection of animals, including badgers, mice, raccoons, pigs, parrots, dogs, cats, baby bears, snakes, a one-legged rooster, a kangaroo rat, a macaw, and a Shetland pony named Algonquin—who once had the pleasure of riding the White House elevator. But the top prize goes to a spotted hyena named Bill. A gift from the emperor of Ethiopia, Bill was taught tricks by Roosevelt and was even allowed to beg for scraps at the dinner table.

6

Woodrow Wilson’s sheep

Image: National Portrait Gallery, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Some animals that spent time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue had a greater purpose than just being pets. For example, some presidents kept pets for a cause or to set an example. During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson allowed a flock of 48 sheep to live on the White House grounds. The sheep not only kept the lawn trimmed, reducing maintenance costs but their wool was also sold to benefit the Red Cross .

In addition to the sheep, Wilson had a cat named Puffins, chickens, a bull terrier named Bruce, a songbird, and a ram named Old Ike, who was known for his unusual habit of chewing tobacco.

7

Calvin Coolidge’s raccoon

Image: National Photo Company Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Calvin Coolidge, who served from 1923 to 1929, kept several non-traditional pets at the White House . The Coolidges had a variety of animals, including dogs, canaries, Ebenezer the donkey, and Smoky the bobcat. Even more exotic animals were gifted to them by foreign dignitaries, such as Billy the pygmy hippo, two lion cubs named Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau, a wallaby, a small antelope, and a black bear.

However, First Lady Grace's most renowned pet was a raccoon. The raccoon was initially given to the Coolidges as a contribution to their Thanksgiving meal, but Grace managed to save it. She named it Rebecca and had a special tree house built for her.

8

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier

Image: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Perhaps one of the most famous pets to live in the White House was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish terrier, Fala. Roosevelt's presidency came during a very difficult time in history—World War II. For this reason, Fala became a faithful companion not only to the president but also to all the American people.

Fala’s original name was Big Boy, but Roosevelt renamed him "Murray the Outlaw of Falahill" after a Scottish ancestor. In the early 1940s, Fala participated in a campaign by donating his toys to promote scrap rubber collections for the war effort. He also starred in an MGM short-subject film about the war.

9

Warren G. Harding’s Airedale terrier

Image: National Photo Company Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pets have played a significant role in humanizing presidents and shaping public perceptions, as seen with Franklin Roosevelt and his loyal Fala. The same holds true for Warren G. Harding’s presidency. Harding and his wife, Florence, were avid animal lovers, and during their time in the White House, they kept several canaries, dogs, and even a squirrel named Pete.

But the spotlight went to Laddie Boy, a photogenic Airedale terrier that was perceived by the public as an extension of Harding's campaign slogan, "Return to Normalcy." Laddie Boy had his own cabinet chair, attended meetings, greeted official delegations, and even participated in press conferences and news briefings. He also "hosted" the 1923 Easter Egg Roll while the Hardings were away, further endearing himself to the public.

10

George H. W. Bush’s English springer spaniel

Image: National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As we have seen, some presidential pets were as famous as the leaders they accompanied during their time at the Executive Mansion. When George H. W. Bush was elected president in 1988, a springer spaniel named Millie became the new First Pet. The following year, Millie had six puppies and quickly won the hearts of Americans across the country.

Millie's popularity was so great that First Lady Barbara Bush appeared on the cover of Life magazine with the dog and her puppies. Barbara later published Millie's Book , a bestseller that narrates a day in the White House from Millie’s perspective. The book was a huge success, selling thousands of copies.