1

A renovation project saved thousands of lives on 9/11

On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., killing 189 people. Few people know this part: the death toll could have been much higher. But there was a renovation project underway at the time of the attacks.

The Pentagon’s five-sided structure is divided into five "wedges," and workers had been renovating them one at a time. Flight 77 struck the wedge that had just been completed. Of the 4,500 people who normally worked in that section, only about 800 had moved back in. Without the reinforced construction and the incomplete occupancy, experts believe the casualties would have been catastrophically higher.

2

The Cold War and the hot dog stand

In the middle of the Pentagon’s five-acre center courtyard once stood a modest hot dog stand. According to a Cold War legend (one still retold by official Pentagon tour guides on every public tour), between the 60s and the 80s, Soviet satellite images tracked large groups of high-ranking military officials converging on that small building at the same time every day.

Soviet intelligence reportedly concluded the structure must be the entrance to some underground bunker in America. In reality, all it did was sell lunch. In 2006, the original stand was torn down, and a sandwich shop was built in its place.

3

Its construction began on September 11th, exactly 60 years before the attack

Builders broke ground on the Pentagon on September 11, 1941. That was exactly 60 years to the day before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that would strike the same building.

Construction had been ordered by Army Brigadier General Brehon Somervell, who wanted a permanent headquarters for the Defense Department to replace its then-17 scattered offices across Washington, D.C.

The project was extraordinarily ambitious: plans called for the world’s largest office building to be completed in just 16 months. In the end, the conception, design, and construction of the entire Pentagon building took a total of 15 months.

4

The same person oversaw its construction and the Manhattan Project

Colonel Leslie Groves of the Army Corps of Engineers took charge of Pentagon construction in August 1941. He worked six days a week and drove his team relentlessly, at one point employing more than 15,000 workers around the clock.

When the Pentagon was finished in January 1943, Groves was assigned to lead the Manhattan Project, America’s secret program to build the atomic bomb . His deputy, Captain Robert Furman, followed him into the Manhattan Project as chief of foreign intelligence. Together, the men who built the world’s largest office building went on to produce the weapon that ended World War II.

5

Why is it shaped like that?

The Pentagon’s iconic five-sided shape was the consequence of a geographic accident. The original site selected for the building, near Arlington Cemetery, **happened to be bordered on five sides by roads. **Architects designed the structure to fit those boundaries, producing a pentagonal floor plan. Then President Franklin D. Roosevelt intervened: worried the massive building would obstruct the view of Washington, D.C. from Arlington, he ordered the site moved to its current location along the Potomac River. But the five-sided design had already been drawn up, and nobody changed it.

6

It was the first desegregated building in Virginia

When the Pentagon was designed in 1941, segregation was the law in Virginia. Original plans called for doubled bathroom facilities: separate ones for Black and white employees, as required by Virginia statute. But President Roosevelt had signed Executive Order 8802 in June 1941, prohibiting racial discrimination in federal employment and government contracting.

As a federal building, the Pentagon was exempt from Virginia law. It became the only building in the state where segregation was not enforced. A fully desegregated federal workplace that opened in 1943. The doubled bathrooms were built anyway, as the plans were too far along to revise, but were never used as separately designated spaces.

7

Its construction was surprisingly frugal and incredibly fast

Ground broke on September 11, 1941, and construction finished on January 15, 1943, just 16 months later. More than 15,000 workers were on site around the clock. Wartime office shortages were so severe that employees moved into completed wings before the rest of the building was finished. Steel was too scarce to use extensively, so builders relied almost entirely on reinforced concrete. The 689,000 tons of sand and gravel required came directly from the nearby Potomac River, cutting transportation costs. The project was budgeted at $35 million, but the final bill was $63 million, which would translate to over $900 million in today’s dollars.

8

You can walk between its farthest points in only 7 minutes

The Pentagon is the world’s largest low-rise office building: 6.5 million square feet of space, which is three times the total floor area of the Empire State Building. Each of its five outer walls is 921 feet long. It has 7,754 windows and 17.5 miles of corridors. Approximately 26,000 military and civilian employees report for work there every day.

Despite that scale, the building’s concentric ring design is so efficient that it takes only about seven minutes to walk between its two farthest points.

9

The man who secretly lived inside its walls

During construction, Colonel Groves drove his deputy, Captain Robert Furman, so relentlessly that Furman rarely left the building. To cope, Furman had contractors build him a small, windowless apartment hidden inside the walls of the Army’s Ordnance Division. In this private room, he could sleep and shower without leaving the premises.

When construction ended and personnel dispersed, knowledge of the hidden room was never passed on to building management. Months later, when Furman returned to Washington on Manhattan Project intelligence business, he found the apartment undiscovered and exactly as he’d left it.

For over a year, he would slip back to the Pentagon, pop open a wall panel, spend the night, and emerge in the morning with his suitcase. He was finally caught in 1943 and forced to surrender the keys. It was never disclosed whether the secret apartment was maintained or eventually absorbed back into the official floor plans.

10

It houses over 30 restaurants, including everyone's favorite chains

The Pentagon feeds roughly 26,000 people a day, and its dining options read less like a military headquarters and more like a mall food court. The main Concourse Food Court, which opened in September 2009 and seats 875 people, is the largest of several dining areas.

Confirmed chains currently inside the building include McDonald’s, Five Guys, Subway, Popeyes, Starbucks (multiple locations), Dunkin’ (two locations), Panera Bread, Taco Bell, Panda Express, Baskin-Robbins, Potbelly, Jamba Juice, and Moe’s Southwest Grill, among others. The building also houses a CVS pharmacy, a florist, a jeweler, and a dry cleaner. In the summer of 2024, Potbelly became the first restaurant to open in the center courtyard. Yes, the very spot where the legendary Cold War hot dog stand once stood.

1

It was almost completely torn down

Did you know that very little of today’s White House interior is actually original? Looking at the building now, it’s hard to imagine that it was once so unstable that it was in danger of collapsing.

By 1948, after decades of heavy use, outdated wiring, poor structural supports, and years of renovations layered over one another, the White House had become unsafe. Floors and walls cracked, and parts of the residence were literally sinking. President Harry S. Truman even joked that the place felt haunted because it made so many strange noises. Rather than abandon it, Truman launched a massive reconstruction project with Congress. Between 1948 and 1952, nearly the entire interior was gutted and rebuilt while the original exterior walls were preserved, giving America a strong and reliable White House.

2

During WWII, they built an underground bunker

Did you know there’s a fortified bunker hidden beneath the White House? A couple of years before Truman’s famous renovation, another major project was quietly built beneath the presidential residence.

In 1942, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the construction of a secure underground shelter to protect government leaders in case Washington, D.C., came under attack. Built quickly and in great secrecy, the bunker was completed within months, though it was luckily never needed during the war. Today, the facility is known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, or PEOC, and it was famously used in 2001 by President George W. Bush and again in 2020 by Donald Trump.

3

It was not originally meant to be white

Can you imagine if it were called "the Gray House"? Today, it’s impossible to picture America’s most famous home as anything other than bright white, but that wasn’t the original idea.

During construction in the 1790s, workers covered the exterior sandstone with a lime-based whitewash to protect it from moisture, cracking, and harsh winter weather. The coating gave the building a pale grayish appearance, not the brilliant white we recognize today. A long-standing myth claims the White House was painted white to hide the burn marks left after British troops set it on fire in 1814, but in reality, the building had already been whitewashed years earlier. Still, after the fire and reconstruction, the white exterior became permanent and eventually inspired the famous name "White House," though for many years people still called it the "President’s House."

4

10 people have died in the White House

Many people have lived and worked in the White House over the centuries, but, according to the White House Historical Association, only 10 people are officially recorded as having died inside the presidential residence.

Among them were two U.S. presidents. William Henry Harrison died there at age 68 in 1841 after falling seriously ill, likely from contaminated water. Zachary Taylor died at age 65 in 1850 from a severe stomach illness after attending Fourth of July celebrations in extreme heat. Three First Ladies also passed away in the White House: Letitia Tyler in 1842, Caroline Harrison in 1892, and Ellen Axson Wilson in 1914. Other deaths included presidential relatives, aides, and staff members, among them Abraham Lincoln’s son, Willie Lincoln, whose death at the age of 11 in 1862 deeply affected the family and became one of the White House’s most heartbreaking stories.

5

Presidential whims

Not every White House renovation happened due to war, damage, or urgent repairs. Some changes came simply from the personal tastes and hobbies of the presidents who lived there, and over the years, there have been quite a few memorable ones.

In 1973, Richard Nixon installed a one-lane bowling alley beneath the North Portico. Years later, in 1989, George H. W. Bush added a regulation horseshoe pit near the White House grounds, where he often relaxed and challenged visitors, including Queen Elizabeth II, to games. Then, in 2009, Barack Obama had the South Lawn tennis court modified so it could also be used for basketball, one of his favorite sports.

6

Jackie Kennedy's furniture

When the Kennedy family entered the White House in 1961, the first lady was disappointed to find that many of the historic rooms had lost much of their original character.

Determined to restore the White House’s history and elegance, Jackie Kennedy famously launched a massive restoration effort. She helped create the White House Fine Arts Committee, brought in historians and curators, and filled the residence with genuine antiques and historical pieces tied to past presidencies. On February 14, 1962, an estimated 46 to 56 million people tuned in to watch the First Lady’s televised tour of the White House, making it one of the most-watched programs of its era. She also supported a congressional act that made many of the White House’s historic furnishings official property of the nation, so future presidents could no longer sell, replace, or discard them.

7

Official name changes

As we mentioned, the building was not always white, and therefore was not always officially called the White House. For much of the 19th century, Americans usually referred to it as the "Executive Mansion" or the "President’s House." Even after its famous white exterior made the nickname popular, it still was not the building’s official name.

That finally changed in 1901, when Theodore Roosevelt began printing "The White House" on presidential stationery. According to official sources, Teddy Roosevelt preferred this name because it clearly separated the president’s residence from the many state "executive mansions" used by governors across the country.

8

It was once America's largest house

There is one thing about the White House that no one can deny: it has always been huge, even in its early days.

When the White House was first occupied in 1800, it already contained more than 100 rooms spread across three floors, making it one of the grandest homes in the United States at the time. In a time when most Americans lived in modest houses or farms, the presidential residence was seen as a palace. Many historians even consider it the largest private residence in the country during its early years. Today, the White House covers about 55,000 square feet, though modern private buildings, like the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, are now far larger.

9

President Benjamin Harrison’s fear

Among the many changes the White House has undergone over the years, few were as revolutionary as the arrival of electricity.

For nearly a century after it was built, the presidential residence relied on candles, oil lamps, and gas lighting. That finally changed in 1891, when electricity was installed during the presidency of Benjamin Harrison. But, like many families in that era, the Harrisons were not exactly thrilled by this modern invention. According to White House stories passed down over the years, President Harrison and First Lady Caroline Harrison were so nervous about the possibility of electric shock that they rarely touched the light switches themselves. Instead, they often asked the house staff to turn the lights on and off for them.

10

Hillary Clinton’s special gift

Of course, Jackie Kennedy wasn’t the only First Lady to leave her mark on the White House. Hillary Clinton added her own personal touch as well, this time as a gift for her husband.

In 1996, Hillary Clinton transformed a little-used room on the White House’s third floor into a private music room for President Bill Clinton. The gift came during the year of Bill Clinton’s 50th birthday and reflected one of his best-known passions: music. Complete with space for listening to records and playing his famous saxophone, the room gave the president a quiet retreat inside the White House.

1

A rivalry becomes a business success

During the Great Depression, Harland Sanders ran a humble Shell station in Corbin, Kentucky. Back then, business was cutthroat, and Sanders found himself in a bitter feud with Matt Stewart, a rival gas station owner who kept painting over Sanders’ highway signs to redirect traffic. After several warnings went unheard, Sanders marched over to confront Stewart.

When Stewart was caught in the act, a physical confrontation quickly escalated. Stewart drew a pistol and shot a Shell manager who was accompanying Sanders, killing him on the spot. Sanders retaliated by firing back and wounding Stewart, who was later arrested and sentenced to prison for murder. With his main competitor safely behind bars, Sanders was able to expand his service station, perfect his pressure-frying method, and ultimately transform his business into a massive commercial success.

2

The KFC you know today exists thanks to Wendy’s

Although you may view KFC and Wendy’s as distinct competitors, the reality is that the chicken giant owes its structural identity to Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s. In the 1960s, Thomas worked as a head chef and regional manager for the Colonel’s franchises.

He was a marketing whiz who personally convinced Colonel Sanders to star in his own television commercials, cementing his status as a living mascot. Furthermore, Thomas created the iconic red and white striped bucket design. He became so wealthy from his shares and success at KFC that he used his payout to establish his own burger empire, Wendy’s, in 1969.

3

The secret recipe's security

The legendary blend of "11 herbs and spices" is one of the most famously guarded secrets. Did you know KFC keeps the recipe locked inside a top-secret vault at the corporate headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky?

The vault, encased in thick layers of concrete, is protected by motion sensors, security cameras, and 24/7 guards. To ensure the formula is never leaked, KFC splits the production pipeline: two different companies are hired to mix separate halves of the spice blend. Neither company knows the other's ingredients, and a computer system automatically combines the two halves before the seasoning is shipped out to individual franchises.

4

KFC for Christmas in Japan

In the United States, a Christmas dinner consists of roasted turkey or ham. In Japan, however, Nativity food comes in a cardboard bucket. This wild tradition dates back to 1974, sparked by Takeshi Okawara, the manager of the country's first KFC branch.

After overhearing homesick Western expats lamenting how difficult it was to source a holiday turkey in Japan, Okawara launched the national "Kentucky for Christmas" campaign, which exploded into a cultural phenomenon. Today, an estimated 3.6 million Japanese families celebrate Christmas Eve with KFC, with patrons placing their orders months in advance to avoid long lines.

5

Colonel Sanders hated KFC

By 1964, 73-year-old Colonel Snaders felt he was no longer cut out for the pace of corporate life. He sold the Kentucky Fried Chicken company to a group of investors for $2 million, under a contract that allowed the brand to continue using his likeness.

As executives changed the original recipes to cut costs, Sanders grew to hate the food KFC was serving. He began travelling the country, showing up unannounced at franchises to taste the food, throw public tantrums, and openly tell the media that the new gravy tasted like "wallpaper paste" or "sludge". He even attempted to open a rival restaurant and sued KFC for using his image, leading the company to counter-sue him. Eventually, KFC paid him an additional million dollars just to stop making public scenes.

6

KFC Double Down

KFC has never been afraid of pushing nutritional boundaries, but in 2010 they certainly hit another level. The Double Down features bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, and a Colonel's special sauce encased between two seasoned, crispy slabs of fried chicken breast instead of bread buns.

The item sparked a media frenzy, with health advocates calling it a dietary disaster and foodies treating it as a dare. Ultimately, it proved to be a commercial hit. As it turns out, when it comes to extreme fast food, consumers are more than willing to ignore the carbs in favor of deliciousness.

7

That time KFC ran out of chicken

A fried chicken restaurant running out of its main ingredient sounds like a nightmare, but in 2018, it became real for KFC in the United Kingdom. In an effort to optimize logistics and save money, management switched its delivery contract to DHL. The transition went completely wrong, resulting in a supply chain jam that left over 900 UK locations with no chicken to fry.

Hundreds of stores were forced to shut down temporarily, sparking nationwide outrage, with desperate citizens even calling the police to complain. KFC managed to restore its reputation by leaning into self-deprecating humor, purchasing newspaper advertisements that featured an empty bucket rearranged to read "FCK".

8

The problem with the slogan in Chinese

When international fast food brands began expanding into foreign territories in the late 1980s, errors were very common. KFC experienced this firsthand when it opened its first store in Beijing, China, in 1987. The company wanted to proudly display its world-famous catchphrase, "Finger-Lickin' Good", to tempt local diners.

Unfortunately, due to an oversight in Mandarin translation, the slogan was literally translated to "Eat Your Fingers Off". While the phrase initially startled and amused local consumers, the brand quickly corrected the translation mishap to something more culturally appropriate and appetizing.

9

KFC's video game

Decades after the Colonel’s passing, KFC’s marketing division decided to lean into modern internet subcultures. In 2019, the brand shocked the gaming community by releasing an official, anime-style video game titled I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin’ Good Dating Simulator.

Developed as a visual novel, the free game places the player in a culinary school alongside a young and handsome romanticized version of Colonel Sanders. The goal of the game is to successfully navigate cooking school battles while attempting to woo the chicken chef. Against all odds, the game became a viral sensation.

10

KFC releases its own console

Following the unexpected success of their video game, KFC’s marketing team announced the KFConsole in 2020. Many assumed it was an April Fool’s joke, but it turned out to be a genuine gaming PC.

The most bizarre feature of the console is its custom "Chicken Chamber". This specialized compartment uses the heat generated by the computer’s internal components to keep pieces of fried chicken warm and crispy while you play video games.