1. The Statue of Liberty wasn’t always green
Lady Liberty, a gift from France, was originally a shiny copper color. Over time, her exterior oxidized, giving her that iconic green hue we know today.
2. The U.S. has a fake “President’s Desk”
The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office has a replica used for movie sets and photo shoots. The real desk was made from timbers of a British ship and has been used by presidents since the 1880s.
3. The U.S. is home to the world’s largest library
The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., holds more than 173 million items! From books to maps to historical recordings, it’s a treasure trove for history lovers and knowledge seekers.
4. Alaska is both the westernmost and easternmost state
Because the Aleutian Islands cross the 180th meridian, Alaska technically stretches into the Eastern Hemisphere, making it the farthest west and east part of the U.S.
5. The U.S. has 35,000 museums
From quirky spots like the International UFO Museum in New Mexico to iconic institutions like the Smithsonian, America has more museums than McDonald’s restaurants!
6. The Pentagon has five sides for a unique reason
It was originally designed to fit into a pentagonal plot of land. Even though it moved to a new site, the five-sided design stuck, giving us one of the most recognizable government buildings in the world.
7. The U.S. invented the internet
This one might seem obvious now, but it’s wild to think that the precursor to the internet—ARPANET—was developed by American researchers in the 1960s. Without it, your memes, Zoom calls, and online shopping wouldn’t exist!
8. Americans eat 100 acres of pizza daily
Pizza lovers, rejoice! The United States consumes about 3 billion pizzas each year—enough to cover about 100 acres every single day.
9. The U.S. has more volcanoes than any other country
Thanks to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest, the United States has more volcanoes than anywhere else on Earth, with over 160 considered active.
10. The U.S. is one of the few countries without a value-added tax
Unlike many other nations, America doesn’t have a VAT system. Instead, sales taxes vary wildly by state—some don’t even charge one at all!
11. There’s a town with only one resident
Monowi, Nebraska, holds the title for the smallest incorporated town in the U.S., with a population of one. The lone resident, Elsie Eiler, serves as the mayor, librarian, and bartender.
12. Mount Rushmore’s “extra” room is a secret
Behind the iconic presidential faces of Mount Rushmore is a hidden chamber containing historical documents and records meant to tell future generations about America’s history.
13. The U.S. has the most diverse weather on Earth
From Alaska’s Arctic tundra to Hawaii’s tropical paradise, the U.S. boasts nearly every climate zone, making it a hub for extreme weather diversity.
14. Americans invented blue jeans
Denim jeans, a global wardrobe staple, were first patented by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss in 1873. Originally designed for miners, they’re now a fashion icon.
15. The U.S. is one of the few countries that still uses Fahrenheit
Most of the world uses Celsius, but Americans hold onto Fahrenheit, a relic from early British colonists. It’s just one of many measurement quirks here!
16. There’s an underground vault of U.S. seeds
At Fort Collins, Colorado, there’s a National Seed Storage Laboratory that preserves thousands of plant seeds, ensuring the survival of crops in case of disasters.
17. The U.S. has no official language
That’s right—while English is the most widely spoken language in the United States, the country doesn’t have an official language at the federal level. This reflects the nation’s identity as a melting pot of cultures and languages.
18. The U.S. has more public libraries than Starbucks
Believe it or not, there are over 17,000 public libraries in the United States, compared to around 15,000 Starbucks locations. Books and caffeine—two American staples!
