1

The Cardiff Giant

Image: Anton Ivanov

In 1869, workers digging a well in Cardiff, New York, uncovered what appeared to be a 10-foot-tall petrified man. Locals rushed to see the "giant," paying admission to witness history in the soil.

But, as it turned out, it wasn’t ancient at all. A man named George Hull had buried the statue as a prank and made some quick money from the curious crowd.

2

War of the Worlds Broadcast

Image: Michal Balog

This very famous hoax took place on the eve of Halloween 1938. Orson Welles’s radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds aired as if it were breaking news . Many listeners tuning in late thought Martians had really landed in New Jersey.

Some packed up their cars or called the police in panic. Though no invasion occurred, the broadcast became a legend in media history.

3

The Balloon Boy

Image: Ankush Minda

In 2009, Americans watched live TV coverage of a silver balloon drifting across the skies of Colorado , fearing that a six-year-old boy was trapped inside . The story gripped the nation for hours.

When the balloon finally landed empty, police discovered the child hiding safely at home. His parents later admitted it was a publicity stunt gone wrong.

4

The Feejee Mermaid

Image: Nsey Benajah

In 1842, showman P. T. Barnum unveiled a marvel: a preserved "mermaid" supposedly from the South Seas . Crowds lined up to see the half-fish, half-woman curiosity.

The truth was stranger still. It was the upper body of a monkey sewn onto a fish tail and covered in papier-mâché.

5

The Great Moon Hoax

Image: Ganapathy Kumar

6

Readers of The New York Sun in 1835 were astonished by reports claiming that scientists had spotted bat-like people and crystal palaces on the Moon through a powerful new telescope.

The story was pure invention, but circulation went up. By the time the truth came out, the paper’s readership had reportedly increased dramatically.

7

The Crop Circles Craze

Image: Agent J

When perfect circles began appearing overnight in wheat fields , people talked about UFO landings. The shapes seemed too precise to have been made by human hands.

But, in 1991, two Englishmen confessed they’d used boards and ropes to flatten the crops. While this revelation explained many of the formations, the mystery lives on in popular imagination.

8

Alien Autopsy Film

Image: Leo_Visions

In 1995, a grainy black-and-white video surfaced, showing doctors dissecting what seemed to be an alien recovered from the 1947 Roswell crash. The footage spread quickly worldwide.

Years later, the filmmaker admitted that the film was staged, using latex models and fake organs.

9

The Manti Te’o girlfriend hoax

Image: Kaleb Becker

 Notre Dame football star Manti Te’o captured hearts when he revealed that his girlfriend had died of leukemia . Sports fans wept over the tragic love story.

But reporters later learned that the woman never existed. It was an elaborate online catfishing scheme.

10

The Patterson–Gimlin Bigfoot film

Image: Jon Sailer

In 1967, a short film shot in California showed a large, hairy creature striding through the woods . Many viewers thought this was real proof of Bigfoot´s existence.

Decades later, one participant claimed it was a man in a gorilla suit, but that claim failed to convince many people who prefer to believe in the existence of this creature.

11

The Drake’s Plate of Brass

Image: David Dibert

12

In 1936, a shiny brass plate found in California seemed to confirm that explorer Sir Francis Drake had landed there in 1579. Historians called it a priceless relic.

For decades, the plate was displayed proudly, until metallurgical tests in 1977 proved it was modern . It had been made as a practical joke among historians that went too far.

13

Paul Is Dead

Image: Jiamin Huang

The final entry on our list might not be American per se, but it drew much attention on these shores. In 1969, rumors spread that Beatle Paul McCartney had died and been secretly replaced by a double . Fans scoured album covers for "clues" like hidden messages and backward songs.

Paul, very much alive, later joked about it. The bizarre theory became a lasting pop-culture phenomenon.

1

Blockbuster

During the 1980s and 1990s, Friday night often meant one thing for American families: a trip to Blockbuster. Browsing the aisles for a movie, debating what to watch, and grabbing popcorn at the counter became a weekly routine. But nothing lasts forever.

Born in 1985, Blockbuster conquered the massive home-video market with thousands of stores by the late 1990s and early 2000s, catering to families with at-home VCRs. Then technology changed everything. First came DVD-by-mail services like Netflix, followed by streaming, which left Blockbuster struggling. Late fees and inconvenience only pushed more customers away. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2010. Today, just one official store remains in Bend, Oregon, where visitors still stop by for a dose of the video-store era.

2

Kodak

Back in the day, almost every vacation, birthday, wedding, or holiday gathering seemed to include a Kodak camera, or at least a roll of Kodak film. Founded in 1881, Kodak helped keep the moments that filled family photo albums for generations.

From the 1960s through the 1990s, Kodak dominated the world of film and photography. But that success also made the company slow to accept that technology was changing. Ironically, Kodak helped invent one of the first digital cameras in 1975, yet it hesitated to embrace the future. By the 1990s and 2000s, digital cameras (and later camera phones) quickly replaced traditional film. In 2012, the company declared bankruptcy.

3

Pan Am

Long before flying became an everyday experience, Pan American World Airways, better known as Pan Am, was already carrying Americans across the world. It was founded in 1927, and during the 1960s and 1970s, the airline became a symbol of glamorous air travel.

Its famous blue globe logo was instantly recognizable, even to those who rarely flew. But by the late 1970s, rising competition, fuel costs, and financial troubles began weakening the company. After years of mounting losses and debt, Pan Am shut down in 1991. Even so, its fame was such that even today, more than 30 years later, we still remember it.

4

Woolworth’s

Before Woolworth's made the "five-and-dime" famous, shopping in America looked very different. For decades, Americans visited Woolworth’s for everything from toys and school supplies to household goods and everyday essentials. By the 1960s, the brand had become a familiar part of American life.

Created in 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth, the chain grew into one of the country’s largest retailers. But in the 1970s, malls and discount giants like Walmart changed the way Americans shopped, and Woolworth struggled to keep up. By the 1980s, the iconic chain was slowly disappearing. Most stores closed during the 1990s, and the Woolworth retail chain officially ended in 1997.

5

Circuit City

Testing giant stereo systems, browsing rows of CDs and video games, and shopping for the newest TV were all part of the experience at Circuit City, once one of America’s biggest electronics chains.

Founded in 1949 by Samuel S. Wurtzel in Richmond, Virginia, as "Wards Company," the retailer adopted the Circuit City name in 1984. During the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, it became the go-to place for Americans buying a TV, stereo, computer, or any electronic device. But like many companies on this list, Circuit City struggled as shopping habits changed and online stores became more convenient. A controversial 2007 decision to lay off thousands of experienced employees further hurt the company’s reputation. Circuit City couldn’t survive mounting losses and closed all remaining stores in 2009.

6

Borders

Remember Borders? Born in 1971, its huge stores, filled with books, music, magazines, and cozy reading spaces, invited customers to spend entire afternoons there.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, the rise of large shopping malls actually helped Borders thrive, turning its bookstores into popular destinations inside malls across the US. But eventually, the company ran into a challenge it couldn’t overcome: online shopping and digital reading. Competitors like Amazon surged ahead, while Borders struggled to adapt and made costly business decisions, including outsourcing its online sales to Amazon for years. The company collapsed financially in 2011 and soon closed all remaining stores.

7

Bugle Boy

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, teenage fashion became almost synonymous with Bugle Boy. Famous across the country for its casual jeans and memorable TV commercials, the brand became a major part of American mall culture and was sold in department stores nationwide.

But fashion never stands still, and brands have to constantly adapt to survive. By the late 1990s, newer youth-oriented labels had taken over with fresh styles that quickly made Bugle Boy seem outdated. Sales began to fall, and after years of struggling to keep up with changing trends, the company closed its stores in 2001.

8

Howard Johnson’s restaurants

During the 1960s and 1970s, a stop at Howard Johnson's was part of the classic American road-trip experience for many families, and that was no accident.

Founded in 1925 in Quincy, Massachusetts, the famous orange-roofed chain reached its peak when America’s expanding highways and booming car culture made roadside travel more popular than ever. But by the late 1970s and early 1980s, the growing popularity of fast-food chains like McDonald's began changing the way Americans ate on the road. Drivers increasingly wanted meals that were faster, cheaper, and more standardized, while interstate highways also redirected traffic away from many older roadside locations. Unlike some other brands on this list, Howard Johnson’s faded away slowly over the decades. The last restaurant finally closed in 2022.

9

Burger Chef

In 1958, a name emerged as one of the pioneers of America’s growing fast-food industry: Burger Chef. By the late 1960s, the chain had more than 1,000 locations across the country and had become one of McDonald's’s biggest competitors.

Long before Happy Meals became famous, Burger Chef helped popularize the idea of marketing meals directly to children with toys and themed publicity. But during the fast-food wars of the 1970s, competition became fiercer than ever. While McDonald’s and Burger King expanded by leaps and bounds, Burger Chef struggled with financial problems and changing consumer tastes. In 1982, the company was sold to Hardee's, which gradually converted most Burger Chef locations into Hardee’s restaurants.

10

Sports Authority

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, many Americans looking for running shoes, gym shorts, and sports gear headed straight to Sports Authority.

Known for its huge stores packed with athletic apparel, exercise equipment, bicycles, camping gear, and team sports products, Sports Authority became the ideal shopping destination for families and athletes across the US. But as online shopping rapidly changed retail in the 2000s, the company struggled to adapt. Heavy debt from expansion efforts and a slow shift to e-commerce eventually caught up with the chain. Sports Authority declared bankruptcy in 2016 and closed all remaining stores later that year.

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.