The United States is a nation with a rich history. You probably learned the basics at school, but the story of the U.S. has too many twists and turns to fit in a single textbook. Here are 19 facts about American history you probably never learned in the classroom.
Several Nukes Have Been Lost
Given their destructive potential, we’d expect the U.S. to keep a tight grip on its supply of nuclear weapons. However, this hasn’t always been the case—the Atomic Archive reports that the country has mislaid at least six nuclear bombs, while it’s also accidentally dropped several on U.S. soil (though luckily none exploded)!
America Was Nearly Called a Different Name
The U.S. is known by many names—the Land of Opportunity, the Land of the Free, and ‘Murica—but it once could have had a very different official name. Potential alternatives included Columbia and Fredonia (citizens of the latter would have been known as ‘Fredes’).
President Coolidge Was Called ‘Silent Cal’
Calvin Coolidge did a lot of good as president, such as supporting women’s suffrage and improving the government’s reputation. However, he didn’t earn the nickname ‘Silent Cal’ for nothing. His reserved nature could be seen as rude—when a woman bet that she could make him speak more than two words, Coolidge just said, ‘You lose.’
The Explosion of the USS Maine Started a War
The Spanish–American War (1898) began after an American ship, the USS Maine, mysteriously exploded near Cuba. This led to a popular and colorful catchphrase: remember the Maine, to hell with Spain. One memorable figure during this conflict was Theodore Roosevelt, who made a name for himself due to his daring actions in Cuba.
Richard Nixon Was a great Poker Player
Richard Nixon was a talented poker player during his wartime service in the U.S. Navy. It’s estimated that the former president made about $100,000 in today’s money, some of which helped fund his early political campaigns. Unfortunately, Nixon’s talent for bluffing didn’t save him from dishonor during the Watergate scandal.
George Washington Produced Whiskey
Between kicking the British out of America and signing the Declaration of Independence, George Washington had an impressive resume, but did you know that America’s first president was also an accomplished alcohol producer? Washington was prolific when it came to making whiskey—he produced 11,000 gallons of the liquor in a single year!
Kennedy Was a War Hero in WWII
John F. Kennedy is famous for his death, but he went above and beyond to save another soldier in 1943, according to the jfklibrary. After their boat was destroyed, Kennedy towed the soldier several miles to safety, holding the man’s belt in his teeth. Kennedy was stoic about his heroism, stating: “It was involuntary. They sunk my boat.”
Woodrow Wilson Played Both Sides at the Start of WWI
During World War I, Woodrow Wilson faced a tough dilemma. He needed the votes of the German and Irish communities to be reelected, but he also needed votes from Americans who supported the rival Entente. This delicate balancing act is one reason why America was so late in joining the conflict.
The U.S. Conducted Horrific Experiments on Its People
America is no stranger to unethical scientific experiments. Among the most infamous are the country’s human radiation experiments (where patients were unknowingly exposed to radiation to monitor its long-term effects) and the Tuskegee Study, which denied treatment to sick African Americans in order to track the progression of syphilis.
The ‘Real McCoy’ Comes from Steam Train Development
Who was the real ‘real McCoy?’ In 1872, Elijah McCoy patented a groundbreaking lubrication system for steam trains—his system could oil the wheels while the train was in motion. His competitors tried to come up with their own versions of McCoy’s device, but it remained unbeatable, hence the famous saying.
Why is the Democratic Party Symbol a Donkey?
If you’ve ever wondered why a donkey is the symbol of the Democratic Party, it’s because Andrew Jackson wanted to beat his opponents at their own game. Jackson was tired of his rivals calling him a jackass, so he decided to twist the insult to his own advantage in 1828, says the BBC.
Tomatoes Were First Thought to be Poisonous
The U.S. is home to hundreds of poisonous plants, but tomatoes aren’t one of them. However, this wasn’t always common knowledge. In 1820, Robert Johnson drew a crowd in Salem by eating a whole basket of this then-unusual fruit—Johnson survived, and tomatoes are now enjoyed by millions of Americans every day.
The Anthem ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ is not Patriotic
Since its release in 1984, Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ has become an iconic patriotic anthem. Politicians often play its feel-good chorus at their rallies. However, the lyrics are anything but patriotic—they discuss the difficulties faced by Vietnam veterans in a country that idolizes them while neglecting their needs.
The Most Common Breakfast Foods Were Engineered
You might be surprised to learn that many American breakfast staples are popular because advertisers heavily promoted them during the 20th century. However, while initial demand for bacon and eggs, orange juice, and cereal may have been engineered, we can all agree that they’re a tasty way to start the day!
Which American Astronaut Was in Space for the Longest?
America is a trailblazer when it comes to outer space, having landed the first man on the moon in 1969. According to NASA, the country’s most prolific astronaut is Peggy Whitson, who has spent a whopping 675 days exploring the final frontier. Frank Rubio’s 371-day streak is the longest single U.S. stay.
The U.S Tried to Develop Mind-Control Serums
While mind-control rays are fictional, this didn’t stop the CIA from having a go at developing one. The MKUltra project (1953–1973) built upon Nazi experiments to develop a truth serum. LSD was used in some experiments to trigger amnesia, while electric shocks were used to reprogram subjects’ brains.
America’s Invasion of Guam Was Their Easiest Victory
America’s easiest military victory happened in 1898 when American forces captured the island of Guam during the Spanish–American War. Guam’s governor had no idea the two countries were even at war. He apologized for not firing a salute to the incoming U.S. ships because his troops had no ammunition and then promptly surrendered!
There Were Other U.S. Secret Weapons
America has devised several incredibly destructive weapons, including Oppenheimer’s nuclear bomb. However, some potential U.S. weapons were a little goofier: aphrodisiac chemical weapons were once considered, while Reagan pushed for the development of a space laser to shoot down incoming nukes during the 1980s.
Benjamin Franklin Was a Man of Many Talents
Benjamin Franklin wore many hats during his lifetime, including inventor, diplomat, and U.S. president. While Franklin is best remembered for his lightning experiments, those were just the tip of the iceberg. He also pioneered bifocal lenses, catheters, and an early take on swimming flippers.
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