Beyond the familiar narratives of American history lie lesser-known anecdotes, from the actual date of Independence Day to the unexpected origins of iconic symbols, shedding new light on the nation’s past.
Independence Day Wasn’t On July 4th
Congress’ vote to end our control by the British came on July 2. However, John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence for the first time on July 4th to publicize the vote. The declaration of intended freedom from British control was signed by 56 persons.
The First Capital Of America Was Philadelphia
Philadelphia served as the country’s first capital. The Declaration of Independence was penned there on July 4th, 1776, and from August 1790 until December 1800, it served as the nation’s first capital. Although the nation’s current capital is Washington, DC, Philadelphia remains known as the origin of America.
The $1 Bill’s First Face Wasn’t Washington
Although most people believe George Washington’s visage appeared on the first $1, the history dates back longer. Salmon P. Chase, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during Abraham Lincoln from 1861 to 1864, was the first person to appear on a dollar note. Bills with George Washington’s image were introduced in 1929 to replace these notes.
Some Regions Of The Country Are More Spanish-Speaking Than English-Speaking
You may be surprised to learn that Spanish is a language spoken by more people in some regions of the US than English. In Texas, New Mexico, and California, more individuals speak Spanish than English. As of 2022, roughly 42.5 million people in the United States speak Spanish as their first language. This equates to around 13.4% of the total population.
There Are More Than Two Political Parties In The US
The media consistently focuses on the Republicans and Democrats, the two major political parties in America. But there are at least five additional parties that have filed paperwork to run candidates. These include the American Independent Party, Constitution Party, Green Party, and Reform Party.
The USPS Has Its Police Force
The third-largest police force in the United States, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), is the government agency in charge of upholding regulations about the US Postal Service. Their officers are appointed as federal law enforcement officials with the power to seize property used for the postal service or to commit offenses regarding mail theft.
Alaska Was Purchased From Russia By The United States For Pennies
Alaska was purchased by the United States from Russia in 1867 for the pitiful sum of 7.2 million dollars, or around 2 cents per acre! William Seward, who was the secretary of state at the time, made the acquisition. Alaska formally joined the United States on October 18, 1867, after a great public uproar led to Congress’ ratification of the treaty.
There Is A Town Where There Is Only One Resident
Boyd County in Nebraska’s sole incorporated village, Monowi, has just one person. Elsie Eiler and Rudy created it in 1921. Elsie became Monowi’s lone resident after Rudy passed away in 2004; she does all of the labor herself, including receiving taxes from herself.
There Are 27 Variations Of The American Flag
The flag of the United States has undergone multiple modifications since it was formally established in 1777 by the Continental Congress. The flag known as Old Glory has undergone 27 versions since its original design, which included 13 red and white stripes to signify the first 13 colonies.
The White House Wasn’t Where George Washington Resided
John Adams is the first US president to stay in the White House. The structure was never occupied by Washington, and it wasn’t finished until 1800, during Adams’ presidency. In November 1800, Adams moved into the President’s House, but Thomas Jefferson won reelection four months after that.
In Certain States, Cows Outnumber People
There will be cows forever! The report claims that fewer people are living in Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Wyoming than there are cows. The total number of cows in these states is 32,489,391. That represents more than one-third of all the cows in America.
Abraham Lincoln Was The Tallest President Of The United States
The sixteenth US president was a tall 193 cm, or six feet four inches. James Madison was the tiniest president in our country’s history. The fourth president, who held office from 1809 until 1817, was 163 cm, or five feet and four inches, tall. Also, he was under 100 pounds.
The America Constitution Was Not Written On Cannabis Paper
Contrary to popular myth, hemp paper was not used to write the United States Constitution. Although hemp was often used to make paper in the late 18th century, when the United States Constitution was drafted, historians now agree that the actual Constitution was penned on parchment. Parchment, which is produced from animal skin, is far stronger and more durable than hemp paper, which is why it was employed for such a significant and long-lasting document.
The Design Of The American Flag Was Not Created By Betsy Ross
Another common misconception is that the American flag was created by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross. There is no proof that she designed the flag, even if she did sew them for the newly constituted United States.
15 High-Paying Jobs People Refuse, Even with a $100,000 Monthly Salary
10 Stupid and Unhealthy Foods Americans Should Stop Eating
10 Scams That Are So Sneaky, You’ll Be Surprised You Fell for Them. Have You?
Are Men Really Expected to Embrace These 12 Outlandish and Unfair Roles in Modern Society?
Even in a modern world, there are unrealistic expectations of men, with these 15 being the most outlandish.
14 High-Paying Jobs Designed Perfectly for Introverts
