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

Judy Garland

Image: Sandy Millar

Hollywood's Golden Age wouldn't have been the same without the iconic Judy Garland. Born in Minnesota as Frances Ethel Gumm in 1922, Garland began her acting career at the age of seven. Most of us, however, know her best for her role as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Acting and art weren't the only things in Judy Garland's life; love also played a significant role. Throughout her life, the actress married 5 times. Her first wedding took place in Las Vegas, where she married composer David Rose in 1941. They divorced 3 years later. In 1945, Judy Garland had her second wedding, this time to director Vincente Minnelli. They had a daughter who would later become a world-renowned star: Liza Minnelli (who, in turn, has been married 4 times). Her third marriage was the longest—her union with Sidney Luft lasted from 1952 to 1965. After divorcing Luft, Garland married two more times: first to Mark Herron (1965–1969) and then to Mickey Deans (1969).

2

Clark Gable

Image: Thomas AE

Known to many as "the King of Hollywood," we all remember the actor Clark Gable for his role as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind (1939). His irresistible charisma and looks made him a heartthrob in his time. Among many love stories—some more tranquil than others—Gable married five times over his life.

In 1924, he married actress Josephine Dillon, who was 17 years older than him. The marriage lasted 6 years. In 1931, Gable became a husband for the second time, marrying actress Maria "Ria" Franklin, whom he divorced 8 years later. Shortly after his second divorce, the actor married Carole Lombard in 1939. Sadly, Lombard passed away 3 years after the wedding.

Several years passed before Gable found love again. In 1949, he married British actress Sylvia Ashley, but they broke up 3 years later. Finally, in 1955, he entered his fifth and final marriage to actress and model Kay Williams, whom he declared to be the love of his life.

3

Tony Curtis

Image: Laura Gariglio

He was born Bernard Schwartz on June 3, 1925, in The Bronx, but the world knew him as Tony Curtis.

After serving in the US Navy, Curtis changed his career to become one of the most memorable actors of Hollywood's Golden Age. You might remember him alongside Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot (1959).

Curtis didn't shy away from saying, "I do"—he married 6 times! His wives included actresses Janet Leigh (1951-1962), Christine Kaufmann (1963-1968), Leslie Allen (1968-1982), Andrea Savio (1984-1992), Lisa Deutsch (1993-1994), and Jill Vandenberg (1998-2010). The actor had a total of 6 children from his different marriages, including the well-known actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

4

Rita Hayworth

Image: Cate Bligh

In 1918, New York City saw the birth of the iconic Rita Hayworth. Although she began her career as a teenager, most of the public remembers her for her performance in the noir classic film Gilda (1946).

Noted for her extraordinary beauty and captivating performances, Hayworth tied the knot 5 times during her lifetime. Her first husband was Edward C. Judson, whom she wed in 1937, though the marriage ended 5 years later. Rita Hayworth's second husband may ring a bell: it was Orson Welles, to whom she was married from 1943 to 1947. From 1949 to 1953, she was married to socialite and ambassador Aly Khan. Then, she walked down the aisle with singer Dick Haymes, whom she divorced in 1955. Her fifth and final marriage was to producer James Hill, lasting from 1958 to 1961.

5

Larry King

Image: Marcus Lewis

It's the turn of a TV and radio star. We're talking about the iconic Larry King, one of the most famous hosts in entertainment history.

King was born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger on November 19, 1933, in New York City. His career began in the 1950s, and it didn't take him long to gain national fame.

King said, "I Do" 8 times! His first marriage was to Freda Miller when he was only 19 years old. They were married from 1952 to 1953, though the marriage was allegedly annulled by their parents. Later, he was the husband of Annette Kaye (1961), Alene Akins (1961-1963), Mickey Sutphin (1963-1967), Alene Akins again (1967-1972), Sharon Lepore (1976–1983), Julie Alexander (1989–1992), and finally, Shawn Southwick (1997–2021).

6

Rue McClanahan

Image: Thomas AE

The Golden Girls (1985-1992) was one of the most beloved TV shows of the 20th century. In addition to the legendary Betty White, The Golden Girls featured other great actresses, including Rue McClanahan, who famously played Blanche Devereaux on the show.

Throughout her life, Rue McClanahan married 6 times. Her first marriage was in 1958 to Tom Bish, although the couple only lasted a year. In 1959, she married actor Norman Hartweg, to whom she remained married for 2 years. Then, the actress walked down the aisle 4 more times: with Peter DeMaio (1964–1971), Gus Fisher (1976–1979), Tom Keel (1984–1985), and Morrow Wilson (1997-2010).

7

Lana Turner

Image: Jeremy Wong Weddings

The 1938 film Love Finds Andy Hardy brought actress Lana Turner to stardom, who became one of the most famous figures of Hollywood's Golden Age. Her most recognized role, however, was in the film The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946); have you seen it?

Despite a busy professional life, Lana Turner found time to marry on 8 occasions. In chronological order, her husbands were: Artie Shaw (1940-1941), Stephen Crane ( twice, from 1942 to 1944), Henry J. Topping, Jr. (1948-1952), Lex Barker (1953-1957), Fred May (1960-1962), Robert Eaton (1965-1969), and Ronald Pellar (1969-1972). It seems that getting married was all the rage in the early 20th century!

8

Mickey Rooney

Image: Tom Pumford

Perhaps the famous actor Mickey Rooney may have unknowingly set a record when, at just 17 months old, he stepped on stage for the first time as part of his parents' vaudeville act.

But his fame took off when he played the iconic teenager Andy Hardy in A Family Affair (1937), the first in a series of films that would make him an absolute star. His career expanded over 90 years, with major roles in TV, film, and theater.

Hi s love life was almost as famous as his professional life: Rooney married 8 times! Impressive! His first wife was the renowned Ava Gardner , whom he married in 1942 and divorced a year later. Between 1944 and 1969, the actor would marry Betty Jane Baker, Martha Vickers, Elaine Devry, Carolyn Mitchell, Marge Lane, and Carolyn Hockett. Finally, in 1978, he married his last wife, Jan Chamberlin.

9

Henry Fonda

Image: Nathan Dumlao

We can't talk about Hollywood without mentioning Henry Fonda, one of the best-remembered actors of the 20th century. Fonda initially started out studying journalism, but once he joined a theater company and discovered acting, he never strayed from this great passion. His iconic film roles include Abraham Lincoln in Young Mr. Lincoln (1939), Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1940), and Wyatt Earp in My Darling Clementine (1946).

In addition to a busy professional life, Fonda also had room for love: he married 5 times during his lifetime. His first marriage was to actress Margaret Sullavan from 1931 to 1933. In 1936, hhe married Frances Ford Seymour, with whom he had two children: Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda, who both became stars. Susan Blanchard (1950-1956), Afdera Franchetti (1957-1961), and Shirlee Mae Adams (1965-1982) were his last 3 wives.

10

Nicolas Cage

Image: Gianni Scognamiglio

Let's finish this list with a more contemporary star. We're talking about Nicolas Cage, the famous actor and producer from California.

Between premieres and film sets, Cage had quite a busy love life. The actor proposed to 5 women throughout his life. The first of them was actress Patricia Arquette, to whom he was married from 1995 to 2001. A year later, in 2002, he married singer Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of the King of Rock and Roll, and this marriage lasted 2 years.

In 2004, he tied the knot with Alice Kim, to whom he was married for 12 years until their divorce in 2016. 3 years after his third divorce, he fell in love with makeup artist Erika Koike, to whom he was married for a couple of months. Finally, in 2021, he married for the fifth time, this time to Japanese actress Riko Shibata. They're together to this day.

1

Martha Washington

Let’s begin with the inaugural first lady of our country. In May 1789, Martha Washington inaugurated the role of First Lady of the United States when she arrived in New York City to meet her husband, George Washington. Interestingly, the name "First Lady" wouldn’t be used until some time later. Instead, Martha was simply referred to as "Lady Washington".

As you would expect, Martha Washington installed practices that went on to become traditions held by many future First Ladies, including receptions to the general public on New Year’s Eve. Furthermore, President Washington asked Martha to hold special drawing room events at their residence. These social gatherings became instrumental in forming what was known as the "Republican Court" , an influential group of American intellectuals and politicians.

2

Rosalynn Carter

According to Rosalynn Carter , she first became attracted to her husband, future president Jimmy Carter, when she saw him in a photograph dressed in his U.S. Navy uniform. What followed is a long and prosperous love story, which only ended in 2023 after Rosalynn passed away at the age of 96 years old.

During her tenure as First Lady, Rosalynn became an advocate for mental health and women’s rights, and she continued to support these causes through her work in the Carter Center. Both Rosalyn and President Carter were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999.

3

Barbara Bush

Few First Ladies hold the honor of being both the wife and the mother of a U.S. President, and Barbara Bush is one of them. She served as the First Lady during the presidency of George H. W. Bush, who acted as the 41st U.S. President from 1989 to 1993.

Although she presented herself in an almost apolitical manner, Barbara often engaged in charity work, most notably in campaigns to fight illiteracy. After her husband’s presidency ended, she continued to work in campaigning for her sons, including our 43rd President, George W. Bush.

4

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt is remembered as the longest-serving First Lady in U.S. history. However, the legacy of this amazing figure is not limited to this fact. Roosevelt is considered to be one of the most groundbreaking First Ladies in history, completely revolutionizing the function.

Roosevelt took an active role during her husband’s terms, actively engaging in public events, travels, and cultural activities. Not only that, she was instrumental in President Roosevelt’s involvement with the then-newly formed United Nations. Eleanor served as a delegate to the U.N. General Assembly, acting as the leading figure behind the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

5

Nancy Reagan

Just like her husband, Nancy Reagan’s career before the White House was filled with the glamour and excitement of Hollywood. Between the 1940s and 1950s, she starred in several blockbusters such as "The Next Voice You Hear...", "Night into Morning", and "Donovan ’ s Brain", acting under her maiden name, Nancy Davis.

In 1952, she married then-fellow actor Ronald Reagan, the president of the Screen Actors Guild at the time. Nancy first served as First Lady of California when her husband was governor of the state, and later on as First Lady of the country in 1981.

6

Lady Bird Johnson

Some First Ladies (although not many) are better known by their nicknames, and that’s certainly the case with " Lady Bird" Johnson . Born Claudia Alta Taylor in Karnack, Texas, this First Lady’s nickname comes from the fact that her nursemaid apparently stated that young Claudia was "as pretty as a ladybird".

When she was in her early 20s, Lady Bird met a young congressional aide named Lyndon B. Johnson after a mutual friend introduced them. The First Lady would later declare that she felt "like a moth drawn to a flame" on that first meeting. A few weeks after their first dates, the couple married and went on to have two daughters, Lynda Bird and Luci Baines.

7

Jackie Kennedy

For many Americans, First Ladies are the pinnacle of glamour. Their impeccable manners and warm personalities perfectly match their classy outfits. In that sense, Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy is considered to this day an international icon, known for her daring yet elegant attire and her devotion to their family and her country.

Jackie met President Kennedy, then U.S. Representative for Massachusetts, at a dinner party held by journalist Charles L. Bartlett. A year later, in 1953, the couple married in an event that was listed as the social event of the season. Jackie took a rather active role in her duties as First Lady. She conducted a massive restoration process of the White House and often joined her husband on many trips abroad, becoming a beloved cultural ambassador for America.

8

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton is definitively the person on this list with the most political experience. She was Secretary of State, Senator for the State of New York, and presidential candidate. However, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that she dutifully served as First Lady of the United States while her husband was in the White House.

While the world knew her as Hillary Rodham, she entered Yale Law School in the early 70s, where she met a fellow law student by the name of William "Bill" Clinton. They married in 1975 and welcomed their only daughter, Chelsea, in 1980.

9

Michelle Obama

Following her graduation from Princeton University, a young lawyer by the name of Michelle LaVaughn Robinson started working in a Chicago law firm, focusing on marketing and intellectual property law. During her time in this office, she met another young lawyer named Barack Obama. Did any of them know that they were meeting their future spouse?

Let’s now jump to the year 2009: Barack Obama was the first African-American President of our country, and Michelle Obama became the First Lady of the United States. During her time in the White House, Michelle took a stand against many difficulties, like poverty, childhood obesity, and illiteracy.

10

Betty Ford

Elizabeth Anne "Betty" Ford assumed the role of Second Lady when her husband, Gerald Ford, served as Vice President to Richard Nixon (1973-1974), and she became the First Lady when Nixon resigned from the presidency in August 1974.

However unexpected her rise to the role was, Betty Ford is fondly remembered as one of the most courageous First Ladies of our country; she was not afraid to speak her mind and get involved in politics. During her time in the White House, she became known as a passionate defender of the Equal Rights Amendment, as well as a public spokesperson for breast cancer awareness.