For better or worse, in the United States, everything is done big: cars, McDonald’s large menus are endless and even the country’s debt is the largest in history. It is a country that you love or hate. We tell you unknown facts about the USA so that you learn more about the country.
Unknown fact about the USA
1. A 16-year-old student designed the current flag
One of the United States’ funniest curiosities is the process of choosing the country’s current flag. Robert G. Heft, a 16-year-old student, created the design by cutting parts of an old flag from his grandparents as work for his history class.
The professor put a notable bass on him, but Heft believed he deserved more. They challenged each other, agreeing that if Congress accepted the design, the professor would give it an excellent. Not only did it turn out that way, but Heft has visited the White House up to 14 times thanks to that history work. The first American flag is found in Philadelphia. So you can take the opportunity to get to know the city!
2. The Armed Forces only accept “Made in USA” flags.
Since 2014, the law requires the Department of Defense to buy flags made in the United States. One more patriotism sample, since they consider that the army should fight alongside the flags created in their country. Also, this way, they avoid paying taxes abroad.
3. Christmas was illegal
One of the most incredible curiosities of the United States is that celebrating Christmas was illegal until 1907. The reason? It was considered an old pagan festival that did not fit in with the religiosity of the country. It’s funny that now there are many towns called “Christmas” or even three “Santa Claus.”
4. United States of Earth? One of the most surreal curiosities of the United States
In 1893 an amendment was proposed to change the United States of America’s name to the United States of the Earth. The congressmen who promoted the change believed that the country had power over its territory and the entire world.
5. It has had 9 different capitals
The original capital of the United States was Philadelphia, but from there, it did not go directly to Washington DC. Not much less! From 1774 to 1800, Congress met in numerous locations. For this reason, it can be considered that up to 8 more cities were the political capital of the country in their day: Baltimore, Lancaster, York, Princeton, Annapolis, Trenton, New York and, finally, Washington DC
6. It is the most obese country in the world
This is surely one of the least surprising curiosities of the United States. It is known for being the country of fast food and it shows. Two-thirds of Americans are overweight and half of them are obese. So much McDonald’s has made a dent, though Subway recently surpassed the hamburger chain, becoming the world’s largest restaurant chain.
7. 40 hectares of pizza are consumed per day
It’s not just hamburgers that contribute to weight gain. Pizza is an American favorite. Every day so many pizzas are consumed that the surface of 40 soccer fields could be filled. There are more than 60,000 pizzerias across the country, which crash, especially on the night of the Superbowl finale. The oldest is Lombardi’s, which opened in 1905. It’s in New York and it’s still one of the best in the city.
8. Each citizen owes $ 54,000
The cradle of capitalism cannot boast of having a healthy economy. Each person would have to pay $ 54,000 to end their debts. Unfortunately, 48% of the population is considered to have low income. Simultaneously, there are almost 170,000 students with loans of more than $ 200,000 to pay for their studies. The last day without national debt in the United States was January 8, 1836. Crazy, right?
9. It has the least populated capital in the world
Only 0.21% of the country’s population lives in the capital, the lowest percentage in the world behind Pakistan and Nigeria. One of the most amazing facts of the United States. Would they like to be last in something, with how competitive they are? Without a doubt, one of the best curiosities in the United States.
10. It would take 4 planets to support the consumption of the United States
With the rate of consumption and waste generated by the United States, it would take four planets Earth to endure without suffering. To give you an idea, an American consumes the same as 32 Kenyans. Although be careful, not only happens in the United States but most developed countries. Indeed, Luxembourg tops the list of EU consumption per capita.
11. They have a problem with the environment
One of the most worrying curiosities of the United States is that they recycle almost nothing. Only 34% of waste is recycled. It is estimated that reaching 75% would be equivalent to eliminating 50 million cars. But it does not seem that it is an issue that will improve since Trump removed the country from the Paris Agreements, which limit the emission of polluting gases. The United States, Syria and Nicaragua are the only countries that are not a party to the agreement.
12. Maternity leave is not paid
Unfortunately, the United States is one of the three countries that does not give financially to sick mothers after giving birth. The other two are Suriname and Papua New Guinea. It is a very controversial issue that has caused complaints from many women.
13. “In God We Trust”
The current motto of the United States was chosen in 1956, but it already had a long history. It originated in 1861, during the Civil War when religious sentiment grew in the population. Since then, this inscription appears on all coins and dollar bills.
14. Canada could be the 51st state
If Canada requested admission to the United States, it would automatically be admitted as the country’s 51st state. This is indicated by one of the 13 Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781.
15. The United States government can disable all GPS in the world
The United States Department of Defense purchased the GPS. It is paid with the Americans’ taxes, but at any moment, it can be deactivated by some interest of the country. Since 1995, it has never been turned off despite the participation of the United States in various wars.
16. It has no official language, one of the most surprising curiosities of the United States
Although English is the most widely spoken language in the United States, no law establishes it as its official language. Besides English, hundreds of languages and dialects are spoken, with Spanish being the most common.
17. Interracial marriages were prohibited for many years
For most of the United States history, couples of different ethnicities could not have sex or marry. It was not until 1967 that the pitiful Racil Integrity Act was abolished. That law distinguished human beings according to their skin color and prevented mixed relationships. In addition, it required the sterilization of crazy people, idiots, imbeciles or epileptics.
18. The Liberty Bell has a misspelling
For the first time on July 8, 1776, the famous bell rang during the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. After being officially sounded for the last time in 1846 the famous crack that is now so characteristic was made.
19. If you visit the United States, avoid Detroit
Detroit is the most dangerous city in the country, with 1,988 murders for every 100,000 people. Instead, Honolulu is the safest large city in the country, with only 230 crimes per 100,000 residents. Of course, many Hawaiians still claim to be very different from the rest of continental America. The truth is that there is a difference: they lead a much more relaxed life.
20. The highest mountain in the world is in the United States
We have been deceived our whole lives. When measured from the bottom of the ocean, the dormant Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii surpasses Everest. On the surface, only 4,200 meters of Mauna Kea protrude, but the total height exceeds 10,000 meters! While Everest is considered the highest mountain in the world, it measures 8848 meters.
21. The population did not like the idea of going to the moon
In the 1960s, half of Americans were not overly in agreement with the space mission that would see Armstrong and Aldrin land on the lunar surface. The main reason was the great expense involved. In fact, it is estimated that today almost a third of Americans still do not believe that they will reach the moon.
22. The United States and the USSR planned to step on the moon hand in hand
Before President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, the two countries negotiated to do a joint mission to the moon. But when Johnson took power, the Soviets did not trust him and the plan was never carried out.
Curiously, although it seems that the two leading countries of the Cold War are far away, they are only 3800 meters apart in the Bering Strait. Don’t miss the best curiosities in Russia.
23. How much did Alaska cost?
Another business that the United States and Russia have had is the purchase of Alaska. The US government paid $ 7.2 million for the territory in 1867. For another reference, when you bought the Danish part of the Virgin Islands, you paid the equivalent of 25 million in gold bars.
24. A deadly law against alcohol
The US government banned alcoholic beverages from 1919 to 1933. The 18th amendment was made to the constitution to introduce the famous dry law. But not only had that anyone who tried to cheat to get liquor in one way or another ended up dead. The government poisoned alcoholic beverages, causing more than 10,000 deaths.
25. With or without alcohol, the first bar in the country is in New York
The oldest bar in the United States was built in 1668 in Tappan, in upstate New York. It’s called ’76 House and you can still visit it. What’s more, it is interesting to see because it still has an old look.
Finally, a not funny curiosity is that healthcare in the United States is private and very expensive. For example, an overnight stay for any minor ailment costs about $ 7,000. That is why it is essential to take out travel insurance.
