16 Facts You Never Knew About the U.S.

Americans tend to know the basics about the United States. They can tell you George Washington was the first president and that there are 50 states in the union.

However, if you drill a little deeper into U.S. trivia, you’ll find that many citizens remain stumped. The U.S. features diverse landscapes, a complex history, and a number of citizens who are among the best and brightest. Nevertheless, it would be impossible for anyone to know everything about the United States.

These 17 fascinating facts prove that point. No matter how well-versed you are in all things American, there’s probably at least one fact on this list that you didn’t know.

1: An Enormous River System

If you grew up in the USA, you’ve probably sung about the shining seas that border this giant country more than once. But, you may not have given much thought to the vast waterways that carve through our inland areas.

America has the 4th longest river system in the world. It starts at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Montana and travels all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Over the years, it’s provided necessary transportation, fresh water, and hydroelectric power.

2: A Flag With Many Versions

Many Americans know about the original American flag. It featured 13 stars in a circle alongside the prominent red and white stripes.

However, you might not realize that the flag didn’t go from the Betsy Ross original to the one we fly today. There were 25 versions in between as states joined the union.

3: The World’s Gambling Capital

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to visit Las Vegas, you know it’s an exceptionally unique city. From its flashing lights to its all-you-can-eat buffets, Vegas certainly makes an impression.

While you may have figured it was the gambling capital of the U.S., you might not have realized it’s also the gambling capital of the world. Over 42 million people visit the city each year, and it’s home to 20 of the world’s largest hotels.

4: More Bourbon Than People

Bourbon is an American phenomenon. This type of whiskey is federally regulated, must be made of at least 51% corn, and must be aged in a charred new oak barrel.

Kentucky is responsible for 95% of the world’s bourbon. The state stores about 4.7 million barrels of bourbon whiskey at any time but is only home to 4.3 million people.

5: Lake Superior Earned Its Name

You’re likely well aware that Lake Superior is large. But unless you’re a trivia nerd, you probably don’t know just how big it is.

Lake Superior is truly superior. It’s the largest freshwater body in the world, and it holds three quadrillion gallons of water.

6: The Last Civil War Pension

If you assumed survivors of the Civil War and their direct dependents had long since passed away, we wouldn’t blame you. After all, the Civil War ended in 1865.

However, Irene Triplett was the last person to receive a Civil War pension, and she didn’t pass away until 2020. Her father fought in the war, which entitled Ms. Triplett to a pension of $70.13 per month until her death.

7: Extremely Generous

According to the World Giving Index, the U.S. consistently ranks among the top ten countries for charitable giving. The index measures charitable donations, volunteering, and other generous actions.

From 2009 to 2018, the U.S. held the number one spot. While it’s fallen from the top position in recent years, the U.S. remains high on the list.

8: The Supreme Court’s Court

Being on the Supreme Court is a huge honor, but it’s not without its stressors. The justices who serve take their positions seriously, but they’re only human. Every once in a while, they need to blow off some steam.

You might not know the Supreme Court has its own court: a basketball court. They converted an unused room on the top floor of the courthouse specifically for shooting hoops.

9: The Oldest Book

The oldest book published in America is The Bay Psalm. It was published in 1640, long before the United States became a country.

This book isn’t just old; it’s also valuable. The Bay Psalm sold at auction in 2014 for $14.2 million.

10: Eleanor Roosevelt Trailblazer

You might know Eleanor Roosevelt was one of America’s more prominent first ladies, but you might not realize the many ways she made history. Eleanor wasn’t your typical White House spouse.

She was the first First Lady to call a press conference on her own. She went a step further by only inviting female reporters.

11: World’s Most Active Volcano

The United States is home to the world’s most active volcano. Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii is almost constantly erupting.

Since geologists began monitoring it, the longest period Mt. Kilauea has gone without an eruption was from 1834 to 1952. Otherwise, this volcano has been going off regularly.

12: Sacagawea Was a Mom

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Sacagaewea. She was the native American who helped Lewis and Clark navigate the continent on their famous exploration journey.

However, there’s one detail history teachers tend to leave out about the historic trip. Sacagawea was a new mom. She brought her newborn son on her adventure with Lewis and Clark.

13: A Not Native Symbol

When Americans think about the Wild West, horses are typically involved. More often than not, the stallions we imagine are mustangs.

However, the mustang isn’t a native species to the U.S. In fact, mustangs are descendants of Spanish Iberian horses and didn’t arrive in America until the 1600s.

14: Dinosaur Haven

Paleontologists are big fans of the United States. The U.S. is home to more dinosaur fossils than any other country and has the widest variety of specimens.

America features a couple of large deserts that make fossil discoveries more likely. In these areas, fossils are covered by sand alone rather than trees, soil, and other vegetation.

15: Misspelled Bell

If you’ve ever visited the famous Liberty Bell, you might have noticed something strange. Pennsylvania is spelled incorrectly!

The Liberty Bell’s makers weren’t bad spellers, though. “Pensylvania” was an accepted spelling of the state name at the time.

16: A Bigger Hero Than You Realized

You can’t graduate high school in America without learning Harriet Tubman’s name. Many Americans know about her incredible feats as an Underground Railroad conductor.

However, fewer people realize Tubman was also a hero in the Civil War. She was the first woman to lead a soldier expedition, during which she successfully liberated 700 slaves.

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