General General 3 min read

Absurd laws still on the books

You’re probably breaking these laws and you don’t even know it!

Image: Tingey Injury Law Firm

Yes, we know that laws are meant to keep society running smoothly, but some of them are really puzzling. Across the US, you’ll find laws that ban everything from dancing on Sundays to stealing crawfish. Even if many of these laws are outdated , quirky, or just bizarre, they’re still technically on the books. So, if you’re planning a road trip, you might want to brush up on these strange state laws, just in case!

1
Georgia: No eating fried chicken with utensils

Image: Shourav Sheikh

In Gainesville, Georgia, it’s i llegal to eat fried chicken with a fork . This law, passed in 1961, was meant as a publicity stunt to promote the city’s status as the "poultry capital of the world."

While no one’s actually getting arrested for improper chicken consumption, a tourist was once jokingly "arrested" for breaking this law in 2009. If you visit Gainesville, just remember, fingers only!

2
Alabama: No stink bombs or confetti

Image: Damiano Lingauri

If you love a good prank or enjoy tossing confetti at celebrations, Mobile, Alabama, is not the place for you. The city has made it illegal to possess or use stink bombs , "funk balls," and anything designed to create unpleasant odors.

That’s not all, confetti and spray string are also outlawed, so don’t plan any glittery parades. Mobile prefers its air fresh and its sidewalks clean. We cannot blame them!

3
Arizona: No spitting in public

Image: Pete F

In Goodyear, Arizona, it’s not just bad manners to spit in public, it’s illegal. The law specifically bans spitting on sidewalks, roads, parks, and public buildings, and if you’re caught doing it, you could face a $2,500 fine or even six months in jail.

So, if you have a bad habit of spitting on the sidewalk , you might want to think twice before visiting Goodyear. Besides, it’s just gross!

4
Louisiana: No crawfish theft

Image: Rasmus Gundorff Sæderup

Think stealing crawfish is a minor offense? Not in Louisiana! Swiping someone’s crawfish , especially if the value exceeds $1,500, is taken so seriously that it can lead to a $3,000 fine or up to ten years in prison.

So, next time you’re enjoying a seafood boil in the Bayou State, make sure you’re not swiping from someone else’s plate!

5
Massachusetts: No dancing to the National Anthem

Image: Jeffrey F Lin

Patriotism is important, but nobody gets it like Massachusetts! In this state, a 1917 law makes it illegal to dance to the national anthem , though enforcing it would likely be a First Amendment nightmare.

It’s unclear why lawmakers felt the need to crack down on patriotic grooves, but to be safe, keep your hand over your heart and save the dancing for later!

6
South Carolina: No working (or dancing!) on Sundays

Image: Jess Bailey

Did you know that in South Carolina, you may technically have an excuse to skip work on Sundays?

An old law still on the books prohibits working on Sundays , though it’s rarely enforced. Strangely enough, dancing is also banned on Sundays. If you were hoping for a weekend filled with productivity and footloose fun, you might have to sit this one out!

7
North Dakota: No late-night fireworks

Image: Ray Hennessy

In Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, you can buy fireworks between December 26th and January 1st, but you can’t set them off after 11 p.m. What?

Let us explain: This law was originally passed for the millennium celebrations in 1999, but it’s still on the books today. Are you planning to ring in the New Year with a bang? Make sure you light those fireworks early or risk breaking the law!

8
Montana: No "folf" allowed

Image: Oskar Kadaksoo

Montana’s wide-open spaces might seem perfect for throwing a Frisbee, but in Helena, playing Frisbee golf (also known as "folf") outside of designated areas is illegal.

If you get caught, you could face a $500 fine or even six months in jail. Where are all these weird laws coming from, anyway?

9
Indiana: Black cats must wear bells on Friday the 13th

Image: Andreea Popa

Are you superstitious? You’ll love this one. In French Lick Springs, located in Indiana, black cats must wear bells around their necks on Friday the 13th.

This law was introduced in 1939 as a "war measure" to reduce stress among the public. While it’s unlikely anyone enforces this rule today, it’s still an amusing nod to old-school superstitions!

10
Hawaii: No billboards allowed

Image: Dennis Maliepaard

Ever notice that Hawaii’s landscapes are free of massive billboards ? That’s because billboards are banned statewide! The law, dating back to 1927, is part of an effort to preserve the state’s natural beauty.

Hawaii is one of the few places in the US where advertisements don’t compete with breathtaking ocean views. Now, that’s a law we can all enjoy!

Culture Culture 4 min read

The power of cinema

Can a movie change a whole generation?

Image: Jakob Owens

Cinema has been, since its inception, a powerful tool to reach the hearts of audiences. A well-told story can have far more influence than many give it credit for. There have been many incredible movies made during the 20th century, but some have left a special mark on American audiences . Here are 10 films that defined their generation and influenced those to come.

1
Gone with the Wind (1939)

Image: Selznick International Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Based on Margaret Mitchell's bestselling novel of the same name, this emotional depiction of Civil War and Reconstruction-era Georgia follows the impoverished Scarlett O’Hara as she strives to overcome the reality of post-war Southern U.S .

With a massive budget and as one of the first films to use Technicolor, the movie broke attendance records and is considered to be one of the greatest American films.

2
Stagecoach (1939)

Image: United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the many Westerns directed by the legendary John Ford, Stagecoach not only cemented John Wayne as an A-list actor but also elevated the concept of the Western film.

Considered a "perfect textbook of filmmaking" by Orson Welles, its characters and plot have often been described as an extraordinary representation of American archetypes and of the nation's ongoing struggle for political equality.

3
Citizen Kane (1941)

Orson Welles’s first film, and considered by many to be the greatest film of all time, this semi-biographical drama follows the life of Charles Foster Kane, loosely based on several American tycoons.

Welles’s filmmaking style featured new and innovative techniques that would later become standard in the industry. Filmed in just 82 days, the film was a critical success despite being suppressed in the media.

4
12 Angry Men (1957)

Image: United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Adapted from a Reginald Rose play, this legal drama critiques the American jury system through the portrayal of 12 jurors as they deliberate whether to convict or acquit a teenager charged with murder, in a case where reasonable doubt exists.

The debate among the jurors, which leads them to question their values and morals, becomes a study of 1950s America and the dangers of mob mentality.

5
Psycho (1960)

Image: Paramount Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A horror classic by legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho follows the encounter of a secretary on the run with a disturbed mother-and-son motel owners. Despite its controversial subject matter, the film was a resounding success, becoming Hitchcock’s most financially successful movie.

Considered to be the first slasher film, it is one of the most influential horror movies of the 20th century , inspiring several sequels and remakes.

6
The Graduate (1967)

Image: Rob Bogaerts / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

An atypical romance-drama for the time, The Graduate was a success because it captured a generational break with its anti-heroic main character, who was disillusioned with the prior generation’s worldview.

Supported by innovative film techniques and featuring several Simon & Garfunkel songs, the film changed how music and marketing were used in cinema.

7
All the President’s Men (1976)

Image: David from Washington, DC, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Based on the Watergate scandal and the journalists who investigated it, this film is considered a landmark political thriller.

A massive success, both critically and commercially, All the President’s Men won four Academy Awards and is considered one of the best portrayals of investigative journalism .

8
The Breakfast Club (1985)

Image: Aiden Sorabji

One of the most influential teenage movies of its time, The Breakfast Club was a huge success despite its low budget and limited production.

Its deconstruction of the mainstream high school stereotypes, along with its discussion of adolescent concerns and insecurities, made the film an all-time classic coming-of-age story.

9
Schindler's List (1993)

Image: Vitalii Kyktov

Based on the life of Oskar Schindler, a German factory owner who saved the lives of thousands of Jews during World War II, Schindler's List is considered a cinematic masterpiece that depicts a harrowing story with compassion and humanity.

A resounding critical and commercial success, the film has been praised by survivors and scholars alike for its role in raising global awareness of the Holocaust.

10
Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Image: Helene C. Stikkel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Following a group of soldiers on a mission to locate and retrieve the last surviving son of a family during World War II, this film was praised for its authenticity, especially its opening sequence depicting the Omaha Beach landing on D-Day.

Widely considered to have redefined the war film genre , Saving Private Ryan distanced itself from other movies that glorified and idealized World War II, showcasing the suffering and struggles of individuals during the conflict.

General General 4 min read

Do you enjoy walking?

A trekker's paradise: Explore 10 amazing American trails

Image: Holly Mandarich

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said: "All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking." And, while this might be a bit of a metaphorical statement, there is some practical truth to it, as any hiker can testify. With an almost infinite array of trails, America is filled with opportunities to wander through its natural parks and ponder about life or simply enjoy it. The following ten are but a small sample of these trails and we encourage you to look for one near your area and, if possible, maybe even go for a hike yourself!

1
Appalachian Trail, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Image: Wes Hicks

Yes, the entire Appalachian Trail is extremely long. Actually, it is over 2,190 miles long. But, the Shenandoah National Park, 75 miles from Washington, D.C., has over 500 miles of hiking trails, including more than 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail ; You can tackle a small section in a day’s hike.

The park is the perfect place to explore the great outdoors in Virginia and it consists of 200,000 acres of protected land that are home to animals like deer and songbirds.

2
Burroughs Mountain Trail, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Image: Scott Longerbeam

More than 260 miles of maintained trails lead visitors through peaceful old-growth forests, river valleys, and subalpine meadows on the Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state.

The park is home to one of the most iconic mountains in the world: Mount Rainier rises 14,410 feet above sea level straight into the clouds. Check out the Burroughs Mountain Trail for stunning views of mountain peaks and the alpine landscape.

3
Rim Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Image: Tim Golder

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah is home to the largest collection of odd-shaped pillars of rock left standing from the forces of erosion, known as hoodoos. Many of them can be viewed from the 5.5-mile Rim Trail .

The park also offers hikes for all levels, including backcountry options for those looking for a little added adventure and guided Full Moon Hikes for night-owl explorers.

4
Upper Emerald Pools Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

Image: Jamie Hagan

A park filled with hiking trails for all experience levels, Zion National Park, Utah's first national park , is famous for its massive cream, pink, and red sandstone cliffs, and freestanding arches.

Hikers should attempt to visit at sunrise and sunset to enjoy the breathtaking views of sunlight splashing off the cliffs and into the rivers below. And if it is an approachable trail they’re looking for, the Upper Emerald Pools Trail is an easy hike leading to sparkling waterfalls.

5
Grinnell Glacier Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana

Image: Aaron Clinard

Over 700 miles of hiking trails, including more than a dozen options around the Many Glacier area , like the popular Grinnell Glacier Trail , can be found at the Glacier National Park.

Lucky visitors can spot some of the park's varied wildlife, including 71 species of mammals, from the tiny pygmy shrew to one of the largest remaining grizzly bear populations in the country.

6
Charlies Bunion Hike, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Image: Leslie Cross

The Great Smoky Mountains are world-renowned for its animal and plant life diversity, as well as for its miles of official and backcountry trails with views of waterfalls and old-growth forests.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spreads across two states and offers plenty of activities for hikers. For a particularly breathtaking vista, hike to Charlies Bunion, a popular outcropping along the Appalachian Trail.

7
Billy Goat Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland

Image: Eduardo Gutierrez

Considered a moderate-difficulty trail, Maryland's Billy Goat Trail has three sections totaling eight miles, though portions are strenuous and challenging . Outdoor enthusiasts can experience the raging Potomac River and the rocky crags of Great Falls. The hike is very popular, so early hours are advisable to beat the crowds.

8
Chautauqua Trail, Chautauqua Park, Colorado

Image: Leslie Cross

An old park, Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado, has been around since 1898. The 80-acre park has miles of hiking, much of which are uphill . But there are less strenuous hikes, too, like the Chautauqua Trail, which offers views of the Flatiron mountains and Boulder.

9
Canyon to Rim Loop, Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Image: Alex Diaz

Hikers of every level can find an appropriate trail at Smith Rock State Park, in Oregon. These vary in length and difficulty, but they all offer beautiful views of the Central Oregon landscape**.**

The park offers hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and visitors may spot golden eagles, prairie falcons, river otters, and beavers throughout the day.

10
Petroglyph Wall Trail, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada

Image: Kristin Melville

As visitors to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area can testify, not all short-distance hikes are the same. Many are labeled difficult, and it can take four to five hours to complete a five-mile hike.

Along the different routes, desert wildlife can be spotted, including lizards, toads, and hawks. One of the park's most beginner-friendly hikes is the 0.2-mile Petroglyph Wall Trail , where centuries-old rock art can be appreciated.

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