1

Baseball

Image: Josh Hemsley

Originating in the early 19th century, baseball evolved from British bat-and-ball games like rounders. By the 1840s, it was widely played in New York and spread quickly across the country.

Professional leagues began forming in the 1870s, and by the 20th century, baseball had become a defining cultural symbol. The Major League Baseball (MLB) remains a cornerstone of American sports identity.

2

American Football

Image: Tim Mossholder

American football developed from rugby and soccer in the late 19th century, with Walter Camp shaping key rules like the line of scrimmage.

Today, the NFL is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, with the Super Bowl considered an unofficial national holiday. Its unique strategic play sets it apart globally.

3

Basketball

Image: Markus Spiske

Invented in 1891 by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, basketball was created as an indoor game to keep athletes active during winter.

Basketball rapidly grew in schools and colleges, evolving into the NBA by 1946. Its fast pace and high scoring made it a uniquely American phenomenon with global influence.

4

Volleyball

Image: Jannes Glas

William G. Morgan invented volleyball in 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, as a less strenuous alternative to basketball for older athletes.

Originally called "Mintonette," it quickly spread through YMCA programs. Today, volleyball is a staple in American schools and a popular recreational and Olympic sport.

5

Lacrosse

Image: Gene Gallin

Though based on Indigenous games, the modern field version of lacrosse was codified in the U.S. in the mid-19th century, particularly in New York and Maryland.

American collegiate leagues helped popularize the sport. Its fast pace, physicality, and unique stick skills differentiate it from similar sports elsewhere.

6

Rodeo

Image: Lee Pigott

Rodeo emerged from cattle herding competitions in the American West in the late 1800s. Cowboys demonstrated skills like bronco riding, roping, and barrel racing.

Rodeo reflects frontier life and is heavily celebrated in states like Texas and Wyoming. It became an organized sport with professional circuits in the 20th century.

7

Skateboarding

Image: Rhendi Rukmana

Developed in California in the 1950s as "sidewalk surfing," skateboarding transformed surfing techniques for urban environments.

The sport gained a professional scene by the 1970s, complete with skate parks and competitions. Its counterculture roots remain distinctly American.

8

Roller Derby

Image: River Fx

Emerging in the 1930s as a banked-track endurance race, roller derby evolved into a full-contact team sport.

Especially popular with women, modern roller derby combines athleticism and theatrical flair. It’s a uniquely American mix of sport and spectacle.

9

Cheerleading

Image: Rojan Maharjan

Starting at the University of Minnesota in 1898, cheerleading began as organized support for college football teams.

Over time, it developed competitive elements with complex stunts and routines. Today, cheerleading is recognized both as a sport and a cultural phenomenon in the U.S.

10

Pickleball

Image: Aleksander Saks

Invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, pickleball blends tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

It gained popularity for all ages due to its accessibility and social appeal. Pickleball’s exponential growth highlights American ingenuity in casual sports.

1

Stand and face the bear

Image: Robert Thiemann

If a black bear approaches you, stand your ground and face it directly . Never run away from or approach it. The bear is most likely just as surprised as you are and will avoid getting into a fight. If the animal sees that you don’t flee, it will simply walk away looking for an easier, less crowded direction.

2

Appear big

Image: Tristan Frank

A trick often employed in nature by animals and insects that need to deter bigger creatures is to make themselves appear larger by any means necessary. The same tactic should be employed if you encounter a black bear. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, using a coat if you have one at hand.

3

Make some noise

Image: Isabel Lee

No other animal in nature can create noises like a human can. Either screaming at the top of your lungs or banging on a pan, the kind of noise you can produce is extremely startling for almost any animal, including bears, which will leave you alone as soon as they can.

4

Keep bear spray at hand

Image: Michael Anfang

Bear spray is a highly effective deterrent against black bears. If a bear approaches and you have bear spray, don't hesitate to use it . The animal will find the whole ordeal extremely unpleasant and will flee immediately.

5

Fight back

Image: Julia Fiander

In the extremely rare event of a black bear trying to attack you, attempt to escape to a secure location. If escape is not possible, fight back using any available object . Focus your blows on the bear's face and muzzle. Never play dead, as this can encourage the bear to continue its attack.

6

Remove what attracted the bear

Image: Susan Elizabeth Jones

If you have seen a bear near your home or the area where you are staying, be sure to remove whatever attracted them to the location . This could include a used barbecue grill with leftover grease or meat, a bird feeder, unattended pet food, or garbage.

7

Alert your neighbors

Image: Alla Kemelmakher

If you have seen bears or any signs of their presence in your area, alert your neighbors. Even if you have taken the necessary precautions to deter the presence of bears, your neighbors might be doing otherwise if they are not aware of the situation.

8

Keep your pet safe

Image: Camerauthor Photos

If you are in an area where black bears, or any bears, are known to exist, always check for their presence before letting your dog, cat, or any other pet go outside. If a bear is in the vicinity, create a safe, enclosed space where your pet can retreat. If possible, move your pet indoors quickly and calmly, keeping them away from windows or doors where they could attract the bear's attention.

9

Give the bear an escape route

Image: Bruce Warrington

If you encounter a bear in your area, follow the advice mentioned earlier and always make sure to leave an escape route for the bear to leave easily. If the animal feels cornered, there is a much bigger chance of getting into an aggressive situation.

10

Airtight containers

Image: Marcus Urbenz

Make sure to store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or other enclosed storage area. Adding ammonia to trash cans and bags will help reduce odors that attract bears. Also, clean garbage cans with ammonia at least once a week to eliminate residual odors.

Do not store recyclables on a porch or in a screened sunroom, as bears can smell these items and will rip through screens to get to them. Place garbage outside only on the morning of collection, not the night before.

1

The Whaley House in San Diego, California

Image: Ivan Borinschi

The Whaley House is one of the few homes officially deemed "haunted" by the US government. Visitors report footsteps echoing in empty hallways, cold spots that won’t go away, and spectral figures on the stairs. How did it come to this? Built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley, the house stands on the site of former gallows. Whaley installed San Diego’s first brick house, which included a courtroom, general store, and theater space.

Unfortunately, Whaley’s daughter died by suicide in the house, and other family members passed away under the same roof. Accumulated tragedies and a spooky old house were enough to turn this eerie spot into a museum.

2

The Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California

Image: pure julia

Built in 1927, this glamorous hotel hosted the very first Academy Awards. Stars like Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, and Marilyn Monroe were among its esteemed guests. But, according to recent visitors, Monroe never really checked out.

She is said to appear in a mirror that once hung in her poolside suite. Guests have reported seeing the reflection of a blonde woman behind them, only to turn around and find no one there. How would you react?

3

The White House in Washington, D.C.

Image: Suzy Brooks

Did you expect to find America’s most powerful address on this list? As it turns out, presidents, first ladies, and staff have all reported eerie encounters over the years, with Abraham Lincoln’s presence as a recurring theme.

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands allegedly fainted after seeing his ghost, and Eleanor Roosevelt claimed to feel his presence. Even Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan contributed to the stories of a mysterious presence in the Lincoln Bedroom. Reagan famously reported that his dog, Rex, refused to enter the room.

4

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California

Image: Brett Wharton

When it comes to haunted mansions, Sara Winchester’s old Victorian-Gothic house will always sit in the podium.

After her wealthy husband and several family members died within months of each other , Sara began commissioning the construction of this puzzling house, which remained under continuous construction for 38 years. Naturally, it’s a bit of a labyrinth.

With staircases that lead nowhere, séance rooms, and flickers of shadowy figures here and there, the house stands as a monument to grief—and to ghosts.

5

The Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca, Iowa

Image: Kevin Schmid

It might look like a quaint white farmhouse, but in 1912, it was the site of one of America’s most brutal unsolved murders. The Moore family and two guests were killed with an axe while they slept. There were no witnesses, and no real explanation was ever found.

Today, the house remains frozen in time, restored to its 1912 condition. Creaking floors, oil lamps, and a whole lot of uneasy silence.

6

Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts

Image: Bee Felten-Leidel

You know the rhyme: "Lizzie Borden took an axe…" This New England house was the scene of one of America’s most infamous double murders in 1892. Lizzie was acquitted, but many believe she was responsible for the deaths of her father and stepmother, who were found dead under violent and suspicious circumstances.

Today, the house operates as a B&B for the brave and the curious. Guests have reported hearing footsteps, whispers, and even muffled cries coming from empty rooms. Some even choose to sleep in the very bedroom where Abby Borden met her tragic end.

7

The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri

Image: Dhruv vishwakarma

Once home to the wealthy Lemp brewing dynasty, the mansion witnessed four family suicides between 1904 and 1949. That’s enough to make anyone who steps inside feel a bit… uncomfortable.

The family was cursed by misfortune: mental illness, failed fortunes, and mysterious deaths. Guests now report heavy footsteps in empty halls, strange knocking, and even ghostly apparitions—especially in the downstairs bathroom, where one Lemp took his own life. Today, it operates as a restaurant and inn.

8

Franklin Castle in Cleveland, Ohio

Image: Rob Potter

This Victorian mansion looks like it was designed to be haunted. Built in 1881 by Hannes Tiedemann, the home witnessed the deaths of several of his children and his wife within a short period.

Since then, tales of secret passageways, Nazi spies, and ghostly weeping have become forever attached to the castle. Owners have come and gone , but as the locals expected, none have chosen to stay.

9

The Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas

Image: Caroline Rogers

What began as a doctor’s residence in the 1800s took a dark turn when a young girl named Sallie allegedly died on the operating table . Her ghost, people say, began tormenting a later male resident, scratching, shoving, and even burning him.

Paranormal teams have confirmed that lights flicker, toys move on their own, and male visitors, especially, report sudden feelings of hostility.

10

The House of Death in New York, New York

Image: With Paul

Behind the brownstone elegance of 14 West 10th Street in Greenwich Village lies one of NYC’s darkest secrets: over 20 reported deaths have occurred there.

Mark Twain was its most famous tenant , living there briefly in 1900. He once recounted a story about a floating log inside the house, but insisted that a rodent must have been responsible. Paranormal enthusiasts, however, refuse to believe his explanation and now claim that Twain’s ghost also haunts the house.

11

The Joshua Ward House in Salem, Massachusetts

Image: Blake Cheek

This Georgian brick home sits under a dark curse in Salem. Its original land once held the jail of Sheriff George Corwin, infamous for torturing accused witches during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Known as the "Strangler," Corwin died of a heart attack at age 30 and was secretly buried in the basement.

Today’s residents and visitors report strangled sensations, cold drafts, and photographic anomalies—including a famous 1980s photo that appears to show a ghostly woman dressed in black with no eyes.

12

LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana

Image: Alain Pierre-Lys

Few stories are darker than that of Madame Delphine LaLaurie, a socialite whose elegant French Quarter mansion concealed an appalling secret. In 1834, a fire revealed a hidden attic where enslaved individuals had been cruelly confined under horrific conditions.

LaLaurie fled to Paris, but the ghost stories remained. Visitors claim to hear moans and phantom footsteps and to see shadowy figures. Actor Nicolas Cage once purchased the property but quickly sold it, claiming bad luck followed him.

13

The Bell Witch Cabin in Adams, Tennessee

Image: Alex Vinogradov

This cabin marks the site of one of America’s oldest and most documented hauntings: that of the Bell Witch . This ghost received the nickname for haunting the Bell family in the 1800s. For years, the family endured a spirit that scratched walls, pulled hair, and even spoke in full sentences.

Legend has it that the entity killed patriarch John Bell. To this day, the rebuilt cabin and nearby cave remain popular destinations for ghost hunters.

14

The Riddle House in West Palm Beach, Florida

Image: Braden Wagner

Originally a funeral home (already a chilling start, right?), the Riddle House was later converted into a private residence. The story goes that it became haunted after an employee named Joseph hanged himself in the attic.

The house was eventually moved to Yesteryear Village to be preserved as a historical site, but it seems the ghosts made the trip too.