RD.COM Knowledge Facts
ByTamara Gane
Updated: May 14, 2024
From little-known trivia about presidents to amazing facts about the land we walk on, these 50 facts about America will blow you away
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America the beautiful
With 50 states and a nearly 250-year history, there’s plenty about our majestic nation that will amaze and awe you. From politics and geography to notable citizens and more, you’ll be surprised by all the America facts that are unknown, forgotten or just not taught in schools.
So if you love United States trivia, random fun facts and learning about the history of states and how they came to be, read on to learn 50 fascinating facts about America—some you may know and others that may surprise you.
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The current flag was designed by a 17-year-old
Our current 50-star flag was designed as part of a high school project by 17-year-old Robert Heft. It was 1958, and there were only 48 states at the time, but Heft had a hunch Hawaii and Alaska would soon be granted statehood. His teacher gave him a B– but went on to update the grade to an A after Heft submitted his design to the White House, eventually leading to a call from President Eisenhower that it had been selected as the official U.S. flag.
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They call it Lake Superior for a reason
Everyone knows Lake Superior is big (they don’t call it one of the Great Lakes for nothing), but few people know exactly how large it really is. Not only is Lake Superior the largest freshwater lake in the world, but it holds three quadrillion gallons of water. That’s enough liquid to completely cover both North and South America under a foot of water.
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We love our pizza
It’s no secret that Americans love pizza, however it might surprise you to learn that we eat enough pizza every day to cover 100 acres. Total it up and that’s 3 billion pizzas a year. Sadly, no official data is available regarding how many of those pies were consumed due to Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezo’s “Two Pizza Rule.”
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Ol’ man river
“Ol’ Man River” is a famous song from Show Boat, and as it happens, America knows a thing or two about old rivers. Although its exact age isn’t known, the New River, which flows from the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina to Virginia and West Virginia, is thought by most scientists to be the oldest in North America. Many believe the New River is older than the continent of North America itself.
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Irene Triplett was the last recipient of an American Civil War pension
The Civil War ended in 1865, but Irene Triplett was still collecting a pension until her passing in 2020. Her father served in the war, which entitled Triplett to a survivor’s benefit of $73.13 a month.
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Americans are a generous bunch
One of the coolest fun facts about America is that, according to the World Giving Index, the United States was once the most generous country in the world, based on a tally of charitable donations, volunteer hours and a track record of reaching out to help others. As of 2023, the U.S. is the fifth most generous country in the world.
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You can shoot hoops with a supreme court justice
Being a supreme court justice is undoubtedly a stressful job. One way they let off a little steam is with a friendly game of basketball. A storage room on the top floor of the Supreme Court was converted into a basketball court. Justices and their clerks shoot hoops there.
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The Constitution wasn’t original
If you thought Ben Franklin and the Founding Fathers came up with the Constitution all by themselves, you’d be wrong. Here’s one of the historical facts about North America you may not know: They actually modeled it after the constitution of the Iroquois confederacy of Native American tribes.
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We don’t have an official language
Most people assume English is the official language of the United States, but the truth is, although that might be the case in many of the states, the federal government has never declared an official language, not English or anything else.
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You might be surprised by the oldest city
Many people assume Jamestown, Virginia, is the oldest city in the United States, but the reality is Jamestown is merely the oldest English settlement. The oldest city in the United States is actually St. Augustine, Florida. The area was originally claimed for Spain by famed explorer Ponce De Leon in 1513; the United States took control in 1821.
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That’s an old book
The book believed to be the first-ever to be printed in America was called Bay Psalm Book, published way back in 1640. In 2013, one of the 11 copies known to be still in existence sold at auction for $14.2 million. Needless to say, Bay Psalm Book is one of the most expensive books in the world.
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Thanksgiving was when?
You may think it’s a fact that Thanksgiving was always held on the fourth Thursday of November, but that’s not the case. The holiday was held on several different dates until Abraham Lincoln declared in 1863 that it would henceforth be held every year on the fourth Thursday in November. This day was honored by every subsequent president until FDR moved it to the third Thursday of November in 1939, to extend the Christmas season. After many complaints, he realized his mistake and two years later moved it back to the fourth Thursday; that’s when we celebrate it today.
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Eleanor Roosevelt was groundbreaking
Eleanor Roosevelt is known as a groundbreaking first lady in many regards, and generations later, she’s still considered to be a role model. Perhaps one of her most memorable moments was holding her own press conference, something no first lady had done before. More memorable still? She invited only female reporters to attend.
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Independence Day could have been on July 2
One of the things many people don’t know about Independence Day is that Congress officially declared its independence from England on July 2, 1776. We celebrate the holiday on the fourth of July because this is the day John Hanco*ck became the first man to sign the Declaration of Independence.
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Women rock it in space
If you’re thinking the astronaut who has spent the most time in space is a man, you’d be wrong. That honor belongs to a woman. Astronaut Peggy Whitson has spent the most cumulative time in space.
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Don’t stand too close to this volcano
Geologists consider Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii to be the most active volcano in the world because it has been erupting continuously for more than 35 years. The longest period the volcano has been inactive was the 18 years between 1934 and 1952.
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Sacagawea was a new mom
Sacagawea is well-known for her important contribution as an interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark’s Discovery Corp. expedition in 1805–1806. What many people don’t know is that Sacagawea gave birth just two months before the expedition and took her newborn son with her on the dangerous journey. Her husband, who was also part of the expedition, was paid $500.33 and 320 acres for his work.
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Mustangs were imported
There is perhaps no creature that encapsulates the image of the old American West more than the wild mustang. But mustangs aren’t actually native to the United States. They are descendants of Spanish or Iberian horses that were brought here during the 16th century.
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Dinosaurs loved it here
If you love dinosaur museums, then you’ll love this interesting fact about America: The United States has not only found the most dinosaur fossils, but it also has the most variety. Although the finds have been scattered throughout the country, most of them were in desert areas, where vegetation isn’t likely to grow and fossils remain more accessible, since they are covered by nothing but sand and rock, as opposed to trees and soil.
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The words on the Liberty Bell
Did you know the word Pennsylvania is spelled wrong on the Liberty Bell? Actually, “spelled wrong” is probably a bit harsh: In 1752, when the bell was made, “Pensylvania” was one of several acceptable spellings of the state name. Our forefathers also made some glaring grammar mistakes in the Constitution.
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George Washington didn’t have wooden teeth
Most of us have heard at one time or another that George Washington had teeth made of wood, but this isn’t true. Although he did rely on dentures due to losing his teeth early in life, forensic research has proved that his teeth were made from a combination of donkey, horse and human teeth.
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Amelia Earhart was more accomplished than you realize
Amelia Earhart has seized the hearts and imagination of the country for decades. It seems every year a new conspiracy theory emerges about her disappearance. Unfortunately, all this mystery and intrigue tend to overshadow her achievement. Although it’s well known that she was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, many people lose sight of the fact that she was the second person, male or female, to fly solo across the Atlantic, period, after Charles Lindbergh.
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Harriet Tubman was a war hero
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy her, not when so many other people were still enslaved. She became a conductor for the Underground Railroad, putting her life on the line to lead hundreds of human beings to freedom.
What many people don’t know is that Tubman was a pioneering woman who also fought and led soldiers in the Civil War. In fact, she was the first woman to lead an armed excursion in the war, and she successfully liberated 700 slaves in the Combahee River Raid.
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Bison are huge
The largest mammal in all of North America is the bison: The males are up to 6 feet tall and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. If you want to see bison in the wild, there are nearly 5,000 of them in Yellowstone National Park, which is the only place to serve as a continuous home to the bison since prehistoric times.
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The Wright Brothers never went to college
Wilbur and Orville Wright, better known as the Wright Brothers, famously invented the airplane, which might lead you to believe they were a highly educated pair, but in actuality, neither of them graduated college. The invention brought the brothers fame and fortune, so fortunately, they didn’t go on to become one of the inventors who ended up regretting their inventions.
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The story of the Clotilda
The Clotilda, believed to be the last known slave ship to arrive in the United States, was smuggled into the country in 1860, when slavery was still legal but importing new slaves was outlawed, on the eve of the Civil War. The captain oversaw the transfer of his unwilling passengers to a second boat before burning and sinking the Clotilda. In 2019, the wreckage of the Clotilda was discovered in Alabama.
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You’ve got to see this bridge
The oldest bridge in the United States is the Frankford Avenue Bridge in Philadelphia. The 73-foot stone bridge was erected in 1697, which makes it older than America itself. It was reconstructed in 1893 and is still in use today. The Frankford Avenue Bridge is one of 14 of America’s fascinating, lesser-known bridges.
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George Washington never lived in the White House
Although George Washington chose the site of the White House in 1791, he never got to live in it. John and Abigail Adams were the first president and first lady to move into the White House, and it was still under construction at the time. Since then, every president has resided in the White House while in office.
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They didn’t tell you the truth about Ben Franklin
You’ve probably heard that Benjamin Franklin wanted the sturdy turkey to be our national bird instead of the majestic bald eagle. It’s an interesting story, but it’s false. Franklin wrote his daughter a letter, stating that he thought the Great Seal looked more like a turkey than a bald eagle, and from there, he went on to philosophize about the attributes of both birds. This letter became the source of the turkey-instead-of-eagle myth.
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S’mores are an American food
Do you love camping? Well, s’mores are a camping classic, and they were invented right here in the USA. They are said to have been invented by Loretta Scott Crew, and in 1927 the recipe was published for the first time in a Girl Scouts book.
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Presidents and Virginia are a thing
The United States is a mighty big country, yet for some reason, one state has produced an inordinate number of presidents. One of the interesting facts about America: Eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia. (As it’s one of the 13 original colonies, Virginia has an edge over younger states.) Next in line is Ohio, with seven presidents born there, and New York with five.
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This library is old
If you love libraries, then you’ll truly enjoy our library facts about America: The Darby Free Library in Pennsylvania is the oldest continuously operating library in the country. Originally opened by Quakers in 1743, it has been serving community members for more than 275 years.
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Talk about a big cave
Situated in the Green River Valley, Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is home to a hidden gem: the largest known natural cave system on the planet, with more than 400 miles of cave explored.
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The real-life Barbie and Ken were siblings
The diminutive Barbie is arguably the most famous doll in America, which makes sense, since it came from California, where Ruth Handler invented the doll in 1959 and named it after her daughter, Barbara. It might not surprise you to learn that Handler also had a son named Ken.
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We’ve been setting off fireworks on July 4th for hundreds of years
The traditional Fourth of July celebration started in 1777 one year after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Large celebrations took place in Pennsylvania and Boston and included fireworks. When fireworks became available to the public in 1783, the tradition spread even further.
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FDR served a long time
Franklin D. Roosevelt served as president longer than anyone else: He served four terms, and was in office from 1933 to 1945. During that time he started the Social Security program, levied heavier taxes on the rich and implemented the New Deal programs. The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1951, now limits presidents to serving two full terms.
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Denali is one tall mountain
The highest mountain peak in the United States is Denali, formerly called Mt. McKinley. It stands at more than 20,310 feet tall. If you want to see Denali in person, it sits within a national parkwith more than 6 million acres of land to explore.
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Columbus never set foot on mainland North America
Okay, so here’s an interesting fact about America that everyone should learn in school: Most people think Christopher Columbus landed in North America, but what you probably never learned about Columbus is that the explorer never set foot on the mainland. The only New World sites visited by Columbus were the Caribbean Islands and parts of Central America and South America.
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Frank and Jesse James were in it for themselves
There are perhaps no criminals in American history more notorious than Frank and Jesse James. Popular folklore paints them as Robin Hood–like bandits who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, but there is no evidence this is true. The truth is, the James Brothers committed their robberies for personal gain and, worse yet, sometimes murdered people in the process.
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Long live the newspaper
The oldest continuously run newspaper in the United States is The Hartford Courant, known originally as The Connecticut Courant. The paper has been published since 1764, and the first issue was only four pages long. The newspaper recently digitized its archives, allowing historians to study issues from 250 years ago.
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Niagara Falls was the first state park in the United States
Niagara Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in the world. In 1885, Niagara Falls State Park became the first state park established in the country. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park in New York City.
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Seattle owes a great deal to the Gold Rush
Seattle is known for an economy that largely revolves around the tech industry, but there was a time when it owed its prosperity to the Klondike Gold Rush. Seattle, it seemed, was ideally situated for prospectors to obtain their provisions before heading up to Alaska, leading to a booming economy that allowed the city to grow.
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That’s a lot of money
The largest currency denomination circulated is the $10,000 bill. One money fact is that unlike most other bills, it didn’t picture a president, but rather treasury secretary Salmon P. Chase, who went on to serve as chief justice of the Supreme Court, starting in 1864. If you haven’t seen a $10,000 bill floating around, there’s a reason for that. The government stopped producing them in 1969.
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Alexander Hamilton established our first bank
Alexander Hamilton established the first federal bank in Philadelphia in 1971, aptly named First Bank. Although the building is now a park service office, the history behind it and the gorgeous, columned exterior still make it a major tourist attraction.
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Hollywood has been making movies for more than 100 years
There’s a reason Hollywood is synonymous with the movies: Hollywood has been making films for more than 100 years. The first movie made in Hollywood was The Count of Monte Cristo in 1908, although the movie was also partly filmed in Chicago. The first movie made entirely in Hollywood was a 1910 short film called In Old California.
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Women had to fight for basic rights
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which finally gave women the right to vote, was passed by Congress in 1919 and ratified in 1920. It was a moment that changed women’s history forever. Not only did women finally have the right to vote, but the amendment also gave them the right to own property.
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Rosa Parks knew exactly what she was doing
Many people like to portray Rosa Parks as an ordinary woman who was simply too tired to give up her seat on the bus to a white person in Alabama. But this narrative sells her short. The truth is, in 1955, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus, she was already a leader in the Civil Rights Movement who went on to help organize and plan the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
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You owe your bifocals to Ben Franklin
Ben Franklin was famously one of the Founding Fathers of our country, but he was also a revered inventor and scientist. His inventions included bifocals, the Franklin stove, the urinary catheter and swimming fins. He is also one of the people who signed the U.S. Constitution.
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We grow a lot of corn
Corn is the most widely grown produce in the United States. In fact, in 2019, U.S. farmers produced a mind-blowing 91.7 million acres of corn. That’s enough to fill 69 million football fields.
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There are millions of descendants of the Mayflower
In American folklore, perhaps no group of immigrants looms larger than the passengers of the Mayflower. In fact, the Mayflower pilgrims are so ingrained in our culture it’s easy to forget that they were real people. Today we have living proof of this, as there are an estimated 10 million Americans and 35 million worldwide descendants of the Mayflower. Among the most famous are John Adams, Julia Child, Humphrey Bogart and Norman Rockwell.
Sources:
- Washington Post:”We eat 100 acres of pizza a day in the U.S.”
- Charities Aid Foundation: “CAF World Giving Index”
- Los Angeles Times: “Bay Psalm Book sells for record $14.2 million in New York auction”
- Sports Illustrated: “The Highest Court in the Land”
- Space.com: “Peggy Whitson Breaks US Record for Most Time in Space by an Astronaut”
- History.com: “Sacagawea”
- Live Science: “Mustangs: Facts about America’s ‘wild’ horses”
- Live Science: “Where Are the Best Places to Find Dinosaur Fossils?”
- U.S. Department of the Interior: “15 Facts About Our National Mammal: The American Bison”
- CNN: “Historians have been searching for the last slave ship that came to America. They found it in Alabama”
- The Franklin Institute: “Did Benjamin Franklin Want the National Bird to Be a Turkey?”
- Chicago Tribune: “13 foods born in America”
Originally Published: December 20, 2019
Author
Tamara Gane
Tamara Gane is a regular contributor to Reader's Digest. She's a travel expert who takes an average of 30 to 40 trips a year and covers vacation destinations, luggage, road trips, air travel and hotels.
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Originally Published in Reader's Digest
