1

Arizona skips Daylight Saving Time

Image: Christoph von Gellhorn

This is partly true because most of the state doesn’t bother with Daylight Saving Time . They stopped changing the clocks back in 1967. The exception is the Navajo Nation, which stretches into Utah and New Mexico and keeps DST so all its communities stay on the same schedule. Now, as for the smaller Hopi reservation, inside the Navajo Nation, it sticks with Arizona time… Yes, quite confusing if you’re not a local.

2

Georgia isn’t really the Peach State

Image: Jessica Furtney

Georgia loves its peaches, sure, but the state’s top fruit money-maker is actually blueberries . In recent years, blueberries have brought in several times more cash for farmers than peaches. Meanwhile, California grows far more peaches than Georgia ever has. The nickname stuck from the old days when Georgia peaches were famous for their flavor, not their volume. So while the pride is real, the peaches aren’t quite the powerhouse people may think.

3

Nevada didn’t record the hottest US temperature

Image: tommao wang

You probably think of Nevada’s desert heat as unmatched, but the all-time record belongs to California’s Death Valley . In July 1913, it hit a mind-melting 134 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest temperature not only in America but the hottest ever recorded on Earth!

4

Minnesota doesn’t have the most lakes

Image: Tom Conway

Minnesota proudly calls itself the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," but that’s selling itself short… The real number is closer to 12,000. However, Alaska wins this battle . The state has more than 3 million lakes over five acres in size. In fact, Alaska contains over 40 percent of the nation’s surface water. If you love fishing, kayaking, or just staring at a quiet stretch of water, the true lake capital of America is far up north.

5

Pineapples aren’t native to Hawaii

Image: Christian Joudrey

Pineapples are everywhere in Hawaiian imagery, but the plant actually comes from South America , mainly Paraguay and southern Brazil. Spanish explorers likely brought them to Hawaii in the 1500s after spreading them across the Pacific to places like the Philippines and Guam. Hawaii’s climate turned out to be perfect for growing them and by the 1900s, the islands were producing so many pineapples that the fruit became a symbol of Hawaii itself.

6

Maine isn’t the country’s easternmost point

Image: Chris Henry

If you’re a Geography geek, you’ll love this one. You might picture Maine’s rocky coast as the eastern tip of America, but the actual easternmost point is thousands of miles away, on Alaska’s Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutians. How is that possible? Well, that’s because it crosses the 180th meridian, putting it in the Eastern Hemisphere. That means part of Alaska technically sits farther east than anywhere in Maine.

7

The biggest US earthquake didn’t happen in California

Image: Lala Miklós

California has suffered some big earthquakes in its history, but the most powerful earthquake in America struck Alaska in 1964 . It hit Prince William Sound with a magnitude of 9.2. It was so strong it shook the ground for four and a half minutes and triggered massive tsunamis. In today’s dollars, the damage would total more than $2 billion. Alaska sits on a collision zone of tectonic plates, making it one of the world’s most seismically active regions.

8

The Everglades isn’t America’s biggest swamp

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

A lot of people picture the Florida Everglades when they think of swamps, but technically, the Everglades isn’t a swamp at all. The real title of the largest swamp in the United States goes to Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin , which spans about 1.4 million acres. This swamp has a vast mix of cypress forests, bayous, and marshes, and it’s more than twice as productive as the Everglades when it comes to wildlife and plant life.

9

Big cities aren’t always capitals

Image: Mackenzie Cruz

It surprises people how often the biggest city isn’t the state capital . New York City? Not the capital… Albany is. Chicago? Nope, that honor goes to Springfield. Pennsylvania’s capital isn’t Philly or Pittsburgh, it’s Harrisburg. Even California’s capital isn’t L.A. or San Francisco, it’s actually Sacramento. Out of fifty states, only seventeen have their most populous city as the capital.

10

Alaska isn’t divided into counties

Image: Rod Long

Alaska likes to do things its own way. Instead of counties, it’s split into boroughs , and a massive area known as the Unorganized Borough has no local government at all. People out there don’t pay property taxes, but that freedom comes with challenges, limited services, fewer job options, and tough living conditions.

1

Brothers

Image: Juan Pablo Rodriguez

If you have siblings, you know that the relationship is often a mix of joy, complicity, and occasional rivalry.

The Wright brothers' bond was like that of any other pair of siblings. Wilbur, the eldest, was born on April 16, 1867, in Millville, Indiana. Four years later, he welcomed Orville, his younger brother and fellow adventurer, who was born on August 19, 1871, in Dayton, Ohio.

Their relationship, built on mutual respect and shared interests, led them to be the authors of nothing less than the first sustained, controlled flight in history.

2

The toy

Image: Yurii Khomitskyi

While most of us are familiar with the Wright brothers' historic achievement on December 17, 1903, you might not know how it all began.

Believe it or not, that great adventure started with a toy. That's right! In 1878, their father, Milton Wright, brought home a small flying toy made of cork and paper, which flew thanks to an elastic band. This simple object sparked the brothers' curiosity, which would later become the driving force behind their groundbreaking work.

3

Skilled mom

Image: Matt Artz

We all pick up a few tricks from our moms, don't we? Well, the Wright brothers were no exception. Their father wasn't the only one who fueled the little Wrights' curiosity; their mother, Susan Catherine Koerner Wright, also played a key role.

Susan had impressive mechanical skills and great practical problem-solving aptitudes. As the daughter of a wagon maker, she knew how to use tools to perfection, and often built household items and repaired appliances at home. Her mother's skills definitely influenced Orville and Wilbur's development!

4

Entrepreneurs

Image: Curdin

The brothers were not afraid of business and entrepreneurship—quite the opposite!

From a very young age, Wilbur and Orville dedicated their time and effort to different jobs tied to their passions. One of their earliest endeavors was a bicycle sales and repair business in Dayton, Ohio. Of course, they didn't just focus on repairs; they gave free rein to their irrepressible imagination. The pair of siblings began designing and building their own bicycles, gaining a reputation as skilled engineers and raising money to finance their experiments with flight.

5

All kinds of innovations

Image: Iqbal Pohan

On their path to becoming pioneering aviators, the Wright brothers made important contributions to transportation in many different ways.

Before them, bicycle wheels functioned adequately but often broke down and required regular maintenance. Luckily, Orville and Wilbur's ingenuity came to the rescue. The brothers created a system of greaseable wheel hubs, which provided better lubrication and, therefore, reduced the risk of failure. This innovation made bicycle maintenance less frequent and much more convenient.

6

Coin toss

Image: Derrick Treadwell

Sometimes, fate must be left to chance —and that’s exactly what Wilbur and Orville Wright did at a crucial historical moment.

When they had already succeeded in creating a machine capable of flying and transporting them, it was time for the test. But they couldn't decide which of them would be the first to test their invention, so they let a coin decide.

The coin toss declared Wilbur, the elder brother, as the first to fly their aircraft. However, that first attempt failed. So, On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville piloted the Wright Flyer for 12 seconds, covering a distance of 120 feet and becoming the first man to do so in history.

7

$1,000 plane

Image: History in HD

Did you know that the Wright Flyer—that impressive creation that allowed humans to fly sustainably for the first time in history—cost about $1,000?

That's right! For such an achievement, that price could be considered modest, right? However, the brothers worked very hard to reach their goal.

As you know, the money from their bicycle business, along with income from other ventures, provided the funds they needed to acquire the parts for numerous prototypes, conduct countless tests, and finally build and launch their spectacular airplane.

8

Together

Image: Chalo Garcia

Wilbur and Orville were inseparable since childhood, yet as surprising as it may seem, the brothers only flew together in an aircraft once! This historic event took place on October 5, 1905, when they flew the Wright Flyer III.

It seems it was crucial for one brother to pilot the aircraft while the other stayed on the ground, watching over the flight to ensure the other's safety. Although one stayed on the ground while the other soared through the air, all their work was the outcome of a careful and dedicated team effort.

9

Single

Image: Jack Douglass

As you might expect, the Wright brothers' intense focus on their work left little time for other pursuits, including love.

A fun fact about their personal lives is that neither Wilbur nor Orville ever married. While they formed friendships and social connections throughout their lives, there are no known partners, romantic relationships, or commitments of that nature. One thing is clear: the Wright brothers' one and only true passion was their work!

10

Neil Armstrong souvenir

Image: NASA

Wilbur and Orville’s dream was to reach as high as they could—and so they did. However, their memory not only reached the skies but went beyond that and also reached the moon!

That's right, it was Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, who carried a memento of the Wright brothers on his mission aboard Apollo 11. When the astronaut achieved the iconic feat of reaching the moon on July 20, 1969, he had with him a small piece of fabric from the Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer.

Through that small gesture, Armstrong honored the memory of his fellow Americans who, just like him, took a giant leap for humankind.

1

Norma Jeane Mortenson

Image: Juliane Liebermann

She’s the iconic blonde from 1950s cinema, famously portrayed by artists like Andy Warhol! Films like Some Like It Hot (1959) and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) catapulted her to stardom.

Here’s another hint: This was the real name of the woman who famously sang, " Happy birthday, Mr. President! " You got it?

2

Frances Ethel Gumm

Image: Chau Le

If we say " red ruby slippers, " who comes to mind? Remembered, among other things, for her melodious voice, this actress starred in classics like A Star Is Born (1954) and Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). But the role that made her truly unforgettable was Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Have you guessed it yet?

3

Marion Robert Morrison

Image: Ashim D’Silva

A true gem of Hollywood’s Golden Age, this actor became a legend in Westerns and war films. His commanding presence and deep voice made him the perfect fit for roles like Ringo Kid in Stagecoach (1939) and Ethan Edwards in The Searchers (1956). His birth name was Marion Robert Morrison, but in our hearts, he'll forever be "The Duke."

4

Bernard Herschel Schwartz

Image: Jordan Whitfield

With his bright smile and clean-cut style, he was considered one of the most handsome actors of the 20th century. Bernard Herschel Schwartz starred alongside the blonde from our first entry in the legendary Some Like It Hot (1959) . One of the highlights of this blue-eyed star’s career was his versatility, as he showcased his talent in both dramatic and comedic roles.

5

Margarita Carmen Cansino

Image: Brady Bellini

If anyone ever blended talent and beauty to perfection, it was her! One of the most celebrated stars of the 1940s, she rose to fame with the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier , but her most iconic role was in Gilda (1946) . Her elegant presence and striking red hair made her an unforgettable symbol of the silver screen. In addition, she also had a short marriage to the very famous Orson Welles. Who is she?

6

Issur Danielovitch

Image: Austrian National Library

Maybe his real name might not ring a bell, but his stage name is legendary! His career took off in the 1940s and 1950s, with tough-guy roles that made him stand out, like his performance in Champion (1949), where he portrayed a talented boxer. As a final clue, we can't forget his unmistakable cleft chin!

7

Norma Jeane Mortenson: Marilyn Monroe

Image: Susi Kleiman

Norma Jeane Mortenson was the birth name of the iconic and incomparable Marilyn Monroe! That’s right—the famous actress was born with that name on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California. As her Hollywood career took off, she changed her name to Marilyn Monroe, inspired by Broadway star Marilyn Miller , a celebrated actress and dancer of the 1920s and early 1930s.

8

Frances Ethel Gumm: Judy Garland

Image: Aman

The legendary star we know as Judy Garland was actually born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Coming from a show-business family, she received a stage name at the tender age of 13. That's right—by that age, she had already signed her contract with MGM.

9

Marion Robert Morrison: John Wayne

Image: Eniko Polgar

Marion Robert Morrison was the birth name of one of Hollywood's most beloved and famous actors—the incredible John Wayne . He changed his name when he was still young in the early 1930s , at the start of his career, something that was very common at the time. And who chose his legendary stage name? That would be Fox Studios !

10

Bernard Herschel Schwartz: Tony Curtis

Image: Levi Meir Clancy

Bernard Herschel Schwartz may be a difficult name to remember, which is why this iconic actor changed it to Tony Curtis. Born in New York in 1925, he had a passion for acting from a young age. However, Hollywood wasn't his first career path—before pursuing acting, Curtis joined the Navy during World War II!

11

Margarita Carmen Cansino: Rita Hayworth

Image: Unseen Histories

We all remember the iconic Rita Hayworth , but many don’t know her real name—Margarita Carmen Cansino! Quite different, right? Why did she change her name? Well, when Margarita signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in the late 1930s, the studio believed she needed a shorter, more artistic, and memorable stage name. And so, Rita Hayworth was born—a star who would become an indelible part of American film history.

12

Issur Danielovitch: Kirk Douglas

Image: Natalie Parham

"Issur Danielovitch" may sound exotic, but it was the birth name of the legendary star we know as Kirk Douglas . Before rising to fame as an actor and film producer, Issur worked various jobs to help support his family. In 1940 , he made the bold decision to move to Hollywood and pursue his dream career: acting. It was then that his great stage name was born.