1

The criminal Veep

America never lacked politicians who were suspected criminals —vice presidents included— but not every day is the second most important person in the nation formally accused of murder. It is a known fact that Aaron Burr, America’s third vice president, fatally shot founding father Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804. What many don’t know is that he was formally indicted for that murder in New York and New Jersey , but he fled to South Carolina and never stood trial, and the charge was eventually dropped. He was also accused of treason, but we can’t say that he was unique among politicians in that sense.

2

The first Veep that was actually elected

Did you know that, in the beginning, vice presidents were not elected as running mates of a presidential candidate? For the first three presidencies, the position was filled by the runner-up, which created endless conflicts. After all, who wants to work with the guy who beat you? After Thomas Jefferson struggled to govern with Aaron Burr as his second, he pushed for the 12th Amendment, which allowed vice presidents to be elected on their own . For his next term, Jefferson chose George Clinton as running mate —not only because he was popular, but also because his age (65 years old) made it unlikely that he would challenge Jefferson’s successor, James Madison, for the presidency. In the end, Jefferson didn’t have to worry about it because Clinton was the first vice president to die while in office in 1812.

3

The unelected Veep

In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned under accusations of corruption. The newly ratified 25th Amendment stated that the president, Richard Nixon, had to nominate someone for the position, to be later ratified by Congress. He chose Gerald Ford, at the time the House Minority Leader , and widely respected by his peers. Less than a year later, Nixon was forced to resign due to the Watergate scandal, and Ford assumed the presidency, making him the only vice president and president who was not elected.

4

The first Veep to have a ‘Second Gentleman’

We’ve had many memorable First Ladies in our history, but, seeing that we never had a female President, we don’t know what that role would look like in a reversed situation. But what about a Second Gentleman? In 2021, Kamala Harris was the first woman to serve as Vice President, and her husband, Doug Emhoff, became the first ‘Second Gentleman’ of the nation , which meant that the acronym for the position (SLOTUS) had to be updated to SGOTUS.

5

The first Veep to be a proper Veep

Where does the use of "Veep" for vice president come from? In 1949, Alben W. Barkley was elected as VP under President Harry S. Truman. Barkley thought that ‘Mr. Vice President’ was a mouthful, and it sounded too formal. His grandson suggested the term Veep (after the VP initialism) , which became popular when Barkley told the story to the press. Although the following vice president, Richard Nixon, refused to use the term out of respect for Barkley, it has become the common phrase used to informally refer to vice presidents.

6

The shortest Veep-to-President pipeline

Out of the fifteen vice presidents to later become president, nine of them did so due to the president dying or resigning. The 10th Vice President, John Tyler, was not only the first Veep to assume the role after the President’s death, but also the Veep with the shortest tenure in American history. After only 31 days in office, in 1841, he became president due to the passing of William Henry Harrison , setting the precedent that vice presidents who assumed the presidency were official and not just acting presidents.

7

The first Veep to live at Number One Observatory Circle

Unlike presidents, vice presidents didn’t always have an official residence. Up until 1974, when Congress designated Number One Observatory Circle as the official residence of the vice president , Veeps lived in their own houses. At the time, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller refused to move in and only used the house for entertaining guests. Walter Mondale was the first vice president to officially move in with his family in 1977.

8

The Veeps that had to step down

Only two out of the 50 vice presidents in American history resigned their position. In 1832, Andrew Jackson’s vice president, John C. Calhoun, resigned during his second term to accept a seat in the Senate after a series of political differences with Jackson. In 1973, Spiro Agnew was accused of corruption and bribery , and charged with tax evasion. He resigned and pleaded no contest to the charges. His President, Richard Nixon, would also resign less than a year later.

9

The Nobel Veeps

Only two vice presidents were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: Charles G. Dawes received the prize in 1925 for the "Dawes Plan", an initiative to stabilize the German economy after WWI , while Al Gore received it in 2007 —jointly with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change— for his efforts towards the conscientization of man-made climate change . Some also include Theodore Roosevelt in this list on account of his having served as vice president, but at the moment of receiving the prize in 1906, he was serving his second term as president.

10

The youngest and oldest Veeps

According to the Constitution, the minimum age requirement for the vice president is 35 years old. The youngest ever vice president in office was John C. Breckinridge at 36 years old , serving under James Buchanan in 1857, followed by Richard Nixon and J.D. Vance, who both assumed the role at 40 years old. The oldest vice president to take office was Alben Barkley, who in 1949 served under Harry S. Truman at 71 years old , followed by Charles Curtis at 69 years old, and Hubert Humphrey at 67 years old.

1

Snowball fights

Image: Arina Krasnikova

It may sound like the premise for a coming-of-age comedy film, but it’s absolutely true: in Wausau, Wisconsin, throwing a snowball is technically against the law. The city once grouped snowballs in the same category as "stones and missiles," as if every kid with a pair of mittens were a potential threat to public safety. Of course, local police don’t patrol sledding hills looking for offenders anymore. The rule mostly lives on as a charming reminder that even winter fun can end up in the law books.

2

Camel hunting

Image: Shaun Danny

Camels in Arizona? Well, technically. Back in the mid-1800s, t he U.S. Army brought camels to the Southwest, hoping their strength and stamina would make them the perfect means for desert transport. The experiment didn’t last—soldiers preferred their mules—but the camels did, wandering off into the wild. To protect the survivors, the State of Arizona outlawed camel hunting, a law that still stands today. So if you ever spot one, grab your camera, not your hunting license!

3

Texting while walking

Image: Elizabeth Woolner

Crossing the street with your eyes glued to your phone is the 21st century’s twist on jaywalking. In Honolulu, Hawaii, that nasty habit can cost you up to $99, thanks to a local ordinance meant to curb "distracted walking." Officials say it’s about protecting pedestrians from accidents; residents jokingly call it "the eyes-up law." Whether you see it as common sense or overreach, the rule makes one thing clear: the text, meme, or emoji can wait until you’re safely on the other side.

4

Apple pie must come with ice cream

Image: Patrick Fore

Here’s a rule everyone can get behind. Vermont, proud home of rolling orchards and autumn harvests, officially crowned apple pie as its state dessert. But lawmakers didn’t stop there; they added a charming twist, recommending that each slice be served "in good faith" with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a piece of sharp cheddar, or a glass of cold milk. It’s less a regulation and more a warm invitation to enjoy a simple American treat. Yes, the law can sometimes be fun and downright delicious!

5

Bear wrestling

Image: Florian Schindler

Believe it or not, there was a time when people thought wrestling a bear was a good idea. Traveling shows and roadside attractions once featured men squaring off against hulking bruins for cheers and pocket change. Eventually, Alabama decided it was a spectacle best to leave it in the past. In 1996, the state officially banned bear wrestling, making it illegal to train, promote, or even sell tickets to such events. Today, the law stands as a small but noble victory for animal welfare. As for the bears? They walked away undefeated, every single one of them.

6

Password sharing

Image: cottonbro studio

Before Netflix made it official, Tennessee was already ahead of the curve. Back in 2011, the state passed a law making it illegal to share passwords for paid streaming services. The rule was originally meant to stop hackers from selling stolen logins, but it ended up being a cautionary tale for the streaming wars to come. Technically, lending your password to a friend could cost you $2,500 and even land you a year in jail. What once seemed overcautious now feels oddly prophetic, almost like Tennessee read the fine print of the future.

7

Dueling

Image: Leon Kohle

If you’ve ever challenged someone to a duel—yes, the kind with pistols and a handshake at dawn—you can forget about running for office in West Virginia. The state’s constitution, written in the 1800s, includes a clause that permanently bars any duelist from holding public office. The idea was to keep gentlemen of "honor" from turning government into a shooting gallery. More than a century later, the law remains untouched, a relic of a time when reputations were defended at ten paces.

8

Roller-skating

Image: Harrison Haines

Can you imagine roller-skating being banned in your town? Back in the 1930s in Biddeford, Maine, sidewalks were sacred ground for Sunday strolls, not racetracks for daredevils on wheels. So, the city downright prohibited skating and biking on sidewalks. Believe it or not, the rule, established in a slower era when the biggest traffic hazard downtown wasn’t a speeding car, but a kid on skates, still lingers in the city code today.

9

Fishing with your hands

Image: Patti Black

Think you’re tough enough to catch a catfish with your bare hands? In Indiana, that risky stunt—known as "noodling"—will earn you more than bragging rights; it could get you fined. The practice involves reaching into murky holes and hoping the fish bites, but lawmakers decided it was safer for everyone if they didn’t. The ban protects catfish during breeding season and probably saves a few bold fishermen’s lives. So, if you’re visiting Indiana and are feeling adventurous, bring a rod instead!

10

Confetti

Image: jameson wu

Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, bursts with color, music, and flying beads, but there’s one thing you won’t see floating in the air: confetti or silly string. The city banned both to keep its historic streets clean after the celebrations. The rule might sound like a party pooper, but locals don’t mind. They’ve turned cleanup into an art form, celebrating with floats, jazz bands, and smiles instead of streamers. After all, the joy of Mardi Gras isn’t in what you toss but in the rhythm, the laughter, and the sparkle that doesn’t need sweeping up.

1

Construction costs that’d make your wallet faint

Image: Jaime Labra

Back in 1912, the Titanic cost $7.5 million to build, and if you're wondering what that’d be today, it’d be over $400 million. That’s more than some sports stadiums! It took nearly three years to complete and was one of the most extravagant ships ever made.

2

Yes, there were dogs

Image: Yuki Dog

As it turns out, the Titanic wasn’t just for people. At least 12 dogs came along for the ride , lounging in a special first-class kennel. There was even a dog show scheduled for the morning of April 15. Sadly, only three tiny dogs survived, all small enough to sneak onto lifeboats tucked in coats or handbags.

3

The band really did play on

Image: Parizan Studio

Wallace Hartley, the bandleader, went down in history, and with his violin! His group kept playing as chaos unfolded around them, trying to calm passengers with music, just like the movie portrays. He didn’t make it, but his violin was found intact and later sold at an auction for $1.7 million!

4

A pocket watch frozen in time

Image: Otto Hyytiälä

The violin was not the only treasure found. Sidney Sedunary was a young steward whose pocket watch stopped ticking at exactly 1:50 a.m. , just before the ship went under. He was last seen handing out lifejackets to third-class passengers. That same watch, rusted but intact, still tells his story.

5

A survivor with frostbitten legs and Olympic dreams

Image: Shep McAllister

Richard Norris Williams spent six hours in icy water, and doctors on the rescue ship wanted to amputate his legs. He refused . And you may think he was crazy to do so, but thank God he did! He went on to win a Wimbledon title and an Olympic gold medal. How crazy is that?

6

Finding the Titanic by accident

Image: Karl Callwood

In 1985, oceanographer Robert Ballard found the Titanic wreck. But that was just an accident ; he was actually sent by the Navy to look for two lost nuclear submarines and used the Titanic as a cover story.

7

Dishes still stacked neatly on the ocean floor

Image: Jannet Serhan

When explorers visited the Titanic wreck in 1986, they found plates still stacked like someone had just finished doing the dishes. Turns out, the wooden cabinet they were in rotted away , leaving the china perfectly arranged on the sea floor. It’s as eerie as fascinating, considering the many years that passed.

8

The ship is rusting away

Image: NOAA

And speaking of the amount of time the Titanic has been underwater, we have to say that nature is reclaiming the Titanic bit by bit. A newly discovered bacterium is literally eating the ship. Scientists estimate it could disappear completely in 20 to 30 years. The latest expeditions have already shown evidence that pieces that were previously there are gone. So… the clock's ticking.

9

No photos of the grand staircase?

Image: Maria Orlova

You’ve probably seen images of the Titanic’s beautiful grand staircase. We’re sorry to disappoint, but they’re not of the Titanic . They’re from her sister ship, the Olympic. No one thought to take a picture of the real deal before the maiden voyage. And they definitely didn’t think of doing it while it happened!

10

Milton Hershey almost boarded

Image: Janne Simoes

If the name rings a bell, that’s because it’s the same Hershey from the chocolate you love. The man behind Hershey’s chocolate bars almost booked a room on the Titanic . He even wrote a $300 deposit check (big money back then!). But business delayed him, and he skipped the trip. Who do we thank for that?

11

The baker who survived two hours in icy water

Image: Maxim Hopman

Here’s a fascinating fact: Charles Joughin, the Titanic’s chief baker, survived one of the worst parts of the sinking: the freezing Atlantic water. He was reportedly treading water for two hours before rescue. Wanna know how he made it? He had been sipping whiskey to face his fate, and the alcohol in his blood kept him warm enough to survive.

12

The last lunch menu went for a tasty sum

Image: Zoshua Colah

In 2015, a copy of Titanic’s last first-class lunch menu sold for $88,000 . That’s one pricey memento. The menu included grilled mutton chops, chicken à la Maryland, and corned ox tongue. Safe to say lunch on the Titanic wasn’t your average sandwich and chips.