Whether you refer to it as The Land of the Free or ‘Mericuh, take a brief pause from igniting fireworks and barbecuing hamburgers to appreciate these 25 Intriguing Facts About America! As we commemorate the founding of a nation, be sure to show gratitude to any veterans you know. Have a joyous Fourth of July!
A Chilly Commute
Alaska is the state with the highest percentage of people who walk to work.
Conspiracy Theory
Some estimates say that up to twenty-seven percent of Americans believe we never landed on the moon.
Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue
The American flag’s official colors are “Old Glory Red,” “White,” and “Old Glory Blue.”
A Grisly Realization
Even though the grizzly bear is California’s official state animal, none have been seen there since 1923.
Cereal City
Breakfast cereal was started, accidentally, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Although many plants have closed, it’s still known as Cereal City.
Crowning Glory
The seven rays on the crown of the Statue of Liberty represent the seven continents. Each measures up to 9 feet in length and weighs as much as 150 pounds.
Outnumbered
Montana has three times as many cows as it does people.
High Morale
Many people claim the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper as the paper used for the draft was likely Dutch in origin, and hemp was a common paper material in Europe at the time. However, the final signed copy was on parchment, which was made out of animal skin.
Creeper
The American one-dollar bill contains several hidden images, including a spider in the upper right-hand corner.
Coincidence?
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 – 50 years to the day after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
We Speak American
Although English is the most commonly spoken language in the United States, no official national language exists.
Let Freedom Ring…Or Not
The Liberty Bell was last rung on George Washington’s Birthday in 1846. It received its fatal crack a few hours later.
Island Time
In addition to its mainland, Louisiana consists of 2,482 islands that cover nearly 1.3 million acres.
Pilgrim Pride
About 35 million Americans share DNA with at least one of the 102 pilgrims who arrived aboard the Mayflower in 1620.
Where The Streets Are Paved With Gold
US Highway 550 in Colorado became known as Million Dollar Highway because its roadbed was paved with low-grade gold ore.
Cast Off The Shackles
Broken shackles lie at the feet of the Statue of Liberty, signifying freedom from oppression and tyranny.
Feeling Crowded?
The state of Alaska is 429 times larger than the state of Rhode Island, but Rhode Island has a significantly larger population. Alaska’s population sits around 740,000, where as Rhode Island has over 1 million.
Oops!
Although Ohio is listed as the 17th state in the U.S., it is technically 47th because Congress forgot to vote on a resolution to admit it to the Union until 1953.
On Shaky Ground
About 500,000 detectable seismic tremors occur in California each year.
Twists and Turns
Snake Alley, the most crooked street in the world, can be found in Burlington, Iowa.
Positively Presidential
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson were all born in Virginia, making it the birthplace of more Presidents than any other state.
Home Sweet Home
Venus Fly Traps can only be found natively in the Carolinas and nowhere else in the world.
Such Great Heights
The world’s tallest roller coaster will soon open in Orlando, Florida; it’s estimated to open in 2020. At over 500 feet (150 m) high, this ride will also include the steepest drop and the highest inversion!
BOMBarded
The Japanese sent bombs aboard balloons to the United States during World War II. Dozens of them actually landed, causing some damage. One of them even killed an Oregon family in 1944. The scary part is that there might be more lying around undiscovered!
And The Rockets’ Red Glare
The British deployed the first rockets in America during their attack against Fort McHenry in the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key witnessed the attack and immortalized it in a song he titled “The Star-Spangled Banner.” That song is now the national anthem of the United States.