Though the U.S. is not even 250 years old, history textbooks already must omit a great deal. Here are in-depth looks at a few of the most fascinating and less flattering events and scenes that took place on American soil.

America's Forgotten History

Jeopardy!

American history - relatively speaking, there's not that much of it, right? As far as the timeline of world civilizations goes, the United States is pretty young. Maybe that's why a lot of people really enjoy learning <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/greatest-american-eras/jacob-shelton">American history</a> in school. It's accessible, and the names and events are familiar.&nbsp;Well, that's what we thought, but then we looked at all the different questions (or answers, depending on how technical you want to get) about US history that appear on Jeopardy! and realized there's a whole lot more than what was in our textbooks. The number of things <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jeopardy-questions-that-stumped-best-players/damon-davis">Jeopardy! questions</a> brought to light about the history of the US are truly remarkable.&nbsp;Here's a selection of questions about American history that have been asked on Jeopardy! that make all of those history tests we took in school look easy. What do you think?&nbsp;

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'Jeopardy!' Questions About US History That Most Americans Can't Answer

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The 22 Hardest 'Jeopardy!' Questions About American History, Ranked

Melissa Sartore

From the early inhabitants of the original 13 colonies, to the pioneers who moved West and South as America expanded, there was one common problem when it came to establishing new settlements: What would they name their city?Some US cities and towns were named after a founder, a nearby geological feature, or a place the settlers had come from, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-american-small-towns/noah-henry">others</a> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-american-town-names/laura-allan">had very unusual names.</a>And the city or town could end up being renamed, sometimes multiple times. Here are the stories about how some US cities got their original monikers, and the reason(s) why the name ended up being changed.

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US Cities That Changed Their Names, And The Surprising Reasons Why

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US Cities That Changed Their Names

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Everything you didn't know about the so-called leaders of the free world, from their favorite foods to their pets' names.

U.S. Presidents

History

The death of a president is always a big deal, whether it is unexpected - such as John F. Kennedy&#39;s assassination - or predictable, like Ronald Reagan&#39;s death after suffering from Alzheimer&#39;s disease for ten years. While former presidents always get the full memorial Monty, the death of a sitting president can cause political upheaval as the successor takes the reigns. But just how many US presidents have died? Sure, you probably have a rough idea, but do you know the circumstances of their deaths and the legacy they left behind?&nbsp;

Looking to the past is crucial to understanding the present. And knowing how all the US presidents died - especially the ones that died in office - can shed some light on our current political situation. In total, 39 US presidents have passed on. Keep reading to learn about all the US president deaths that have happened since the inception of our country.

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Weird American History

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How All The Departed US Presidents Have Died

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How All the Departed US Presidents Have Died

Mel Judson

Wild Facts

The United States and Canada have had a relationship full of ups and downs, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries. As a colony of Great Britain, Canada was a threat during the Revolutionary War and again during the War of 1812. As a result, the US pushed into Canada to try to seize land for itself while simultaneously snatching it out of the hands of its enemy.The War of 1812 was especially devastating and humiliating for the young country. While the American Continental Army had unsuccessfully tried to take Canadian land and drive out the British, the US now faced its former rulers while simultaneously trying to prove itself to the world.&nbsp;The War of 1812 became the first conflict the US took part in as an independent nation after the British repeatedly seized American goods and ships in its contest with France to control international trade. France and Britain also battled in the Napoleonic Wars that took place in Europe and Africa. The US was neutral in that conflict but was ultimately unable to escape it entirely.

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The Last Time The US Tried To Take Over Canada, It Went Horribly Wrong

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A deep look at the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.

Alcohol Through the Ages

Food History

Wise prophet&nbsp;Homer Simpson <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUVwR0rw5fk" target="_blank">famously described alcohol</a> as &quot;the cause of and solution to all of life's problems&quot; and it turns out he's kind of right.&nbsp;Alcohol isn't just a mostly overpriced social lubricant at best (and horribly destructive and addictive poison at worst);&nbsp;&nbsp;it actually played a huge role in the daily routine of almost every man, woman,&nbsp;and child in early America.&nbsp;&nbsp;The drinking habits in early America shaped the country into what it is today, for better or for worse. Take a look back in time with this list and check out all of the old laws, resourceful criminals, and fearless leaders that changed our boozy history.&nbsp;

Substance Abuse

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The True Story Behind America's History with Alcohol

10 Fascinating Facts About Early American Booze Consumption

Rachel Souerbry

Weird History

“The Soiling of Old Glory” is a picture that is as symbolic as it is striking. Taken by Stanley Forman in 1976, the image captures the moments before a young protester accosted a Civil Rights advocate in the middle of a Boston street.The photograph <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c9/Soiling_of_Old_Glory.jpg">“The Soiling of Old Glory”</a> won a Pulitzer Prize in 1977, but has largely been forgotten today. The context within which it was taken, the people involved, and the story it continues to tell are no less relevant now than they were decades ago. “The Soiling of Old Glory” is a poignant reminder of how race, protest, and hate have shaped the United States. It's also an eye-opening reminder that some aspects of life in America haven't changed much in 50 years.

The Story Behind 'The Soiling Of Old Glory' Reveals Some Uncomfortable Truths

The True Story Behind 'The Soiling Of Old Glory' Photo

Lists about some of the most extraordinary women who made history, forever changing the world and how we see it.

Well-Behaved Women

Lists about the first ladies who have reached America's highest status (for women) — being married to the President — from Martha Washington to Hillary Clinton to Melania Trump. 

FLOTUS: America's Mom

Who are those people who lived in the White House, making appearances and speeches and promises and mistakes? To understand them, you must get to know the spouses, children, and even siblings of U.S. Presidents, past and present. 

The First Family

Julia Gardiner Tyler

Before the revolutionary Eleanor Roosevelt or the glamorous Jackie O, there was Julia Gardiner Tyler, the second wife of President John Tyler. Despite the fact she became First Lady in the 1800s -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/different-waves-of-feminism-and-what-they-mean/rylee_en">a stifling and oppressive era for women</a> - Julia Gardiner Tyler was bold, brazen, and fabulous. The wild side of Tyler's young bride was much gossiped about, but rather than letting the headlines dictate her life, Tyler dictated the headlines. She branded herself into the first celebrity First Lady through her opulent and dramatic lifestyle. She was the opposite of modesty in a time where women were meant to be modest to the core.&nbsp;Wild stories about Julia Gardiner Tyler make her one of the most scandalous first ladies in history. She was a strong, independent woman who did what she wanted when she wanted. These facts about Julia Gardiner Tyler and her unconventional life might make her story even more interesting that that of her husband.&nbsp;

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16 Facts About Julia Tyler, The Most Controversial First Lady of the 1800s

16 Facts About Julia Gardiner Tyler, A Scandalous First Lady

Elle Tharp

Lists about the history and quirks of America's highest office.

The American Presidency

Explainer

The health of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-u-s-presidents-from-best-to-worst">US Presidents</a> is a well-kept secret, especially while they&rsquo;re in office.&nbsp;The public is on a need-to-know basis, and, generally speaking, the government doesn&#39;t&nbsp;think the public needs to know at all &ndash; especially when it comes to presidents&#39; illnesses.&nbsp;From George Washington to Teddy Roosevelt to Barack Obama, presidents have suffered from various ailments before, during, and after holding their positions. Considering how unwell some of these guys were, it&#39;s amazing they accomplished anything at all during their <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/us-president-first-100-days/stephanroget" target="_blank">first 100 days in office</a>.

Some presidents were pretty healthy from a young age;&nbsp;others were sickly during their whole lives, and others were plagued with maladies on and off &ndash;&nbsp;no actual instances of plague, though, luckily. However, some of these presidential ailments might just surprise you.

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Every U.S. President &amp; Every Medical Problem They've Ever Had

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All The Medical Ailments Of Every US President

There are<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/origins-of-easter/emily-mast"> holidays for just about everything</a> nowadays, from National Hot Dog Day to Super Mario Day. However, there are only 11 federally-recognized holidays in the United States (plus one more in a year with a presidential election).&nbsp;The oldest holidays on this list were ratified more than 150 years ago, while the newest is just a few years old. While you're likely familiar with most of the holidays on this list, do you know where they came from? How they came to be?&nbsp;While some holidays represent celebrations of people or events, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/christian-holidays-with-pagan-origins/ryan-sargent">others were born</a> out of darker origins. Who knew that Labor Day came to be after dozens of deaths from strikes and riots? And while some of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/history-of-valentines-day/tracey-graham">America's holidays</a> can be controversial, some groups are working to change how we view and think about these days rooted in centuries of tradition.&nbsp;

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How Holidays In The United States Actually Came To Be

The Real History Of Holidays In The U.S.

Emily Pogue

Lists about the indigenous people and cultures native to modern day Canada and the United States. 

Native America

Interesting

In 1856, a 19-year-old girl named Olive Oatman caused a big stir in Arizona. The daughter of white settlers who were&nbsp;murdered on their way to California, she emerged from years of being a captive of the Mohave tribe with a striking and distinctive blue tattoo on her chin. So who was Olive Oatman, and how did she come to live with the Mohave? Her story is one of extreme tragedy that also captures&nbsp;the incredible strength of the human spirit.

The American public was fascinated by Olivia Oatman, and the stories of&nbsp;her time as a captive continue to spark interest to this day.&nbsp;Her journey from&nbsp;desert pioneer to <a href="https://historydaily.org/olive-oatman-the-girl-with-the-blue-tattoo" target="_blank">orphaned Native American captive</a> left lasting marks on her that went much deeper than a tattoo; it was said that she carried around a Mohave staple, a jar of hazelnuts, for the rest of her life to remind her of her experiences.

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The Fascinating Story Behind The Girl With The Mohave Tattoo

The True Story of Olive Oatman, The Pioneer Girl With The Face Tattoo

Are you already an expert in everything America? Great! No need to read about these fascinating facts and important events that have shaped the U.S. as we know it today.

US History You Should Know

Fort Knox US Bullion Depository Kentucky

Located in Kentucky, Fort Knox is a United States Army base which&nbsp;houses most of the US&#39;s gold reserves. One of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-break-ins/megan-summers" target="_blank">most&nbsp;secure</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/inaccessible-places/kellen-perry" target="_blank">inaccessible places</a> in the world, the facility once held the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.&nbsp;

Only one president has ever been inside -&nbsp;and the US Mint remains largely mum on the contents of the vault -&nbsp;making Fort Knox a hotbed for conspiracy theories. Many&nbsp;question the amount of gold that supposedly exists in the vault,&nbsp;and wonder what else hides within the building&#39;s&nbsp;walls. So, what&#39;s really inside Fort Knox? The public may never know.

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Fort Knox Is So Mysterious And Heavily Guarded, Only One US President Has Ever Been Inside

Fort Knox Is More Mysterious Than You Think

Only One President Has Ever Been Inside Fort Knox... Why Is It The Most Mysterious, Heavily Guarded Place In America?

US History

These United States came <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-revolutionary-facts/melissa-sartore">from humble beginnings in 1776</a>, where founding fathers in funny wigs signed a document forming the country. Since then, America has had many highs and many lows, from incredible, groundbreaking moments like the moon landing and women's suffrage, to the bitter and violent battles waged over race and systemic oppression. Considering it all, the good and the bad, when was the nation actually at its best?We've provided each decade's peak achievements, major moments, and presidents. How you define the best is up to you. It could be a time with a cultural spirit you connect with, or one with new technologies you found the most beneficial.&nbsp;As you vote, remember this: Each decade had its good and bad, triumphs as well as tragedies. A vote up certainly does not condone the “bad” that happened in that decade, just as a vote down does not ignore the good.

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What Decade Did America Peak?

Fun facts and interesting trivia to know about religious beliefs and practices around the world.

Cultural  Differences

It’s easy to assume that whatever customs, systems, processes, and general facts of life you’re accustomed to are the “norm.” However, as soon as you venture out of your home country or region, it becomes extremely apparent that not everything you do or have at home is the norm elsewhere. For Americans, this means coming&nbsp;across <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-dont-americans-use-bidets/genevieve-carlton">a bidet</a> on a French vacation, or having a tip refused at a restaurant, or being forced to make sense of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-dont-americans-use-metric-system/melissa-sartore">the metric system</a> can come as a shock to the system.The truth is, the US does many things differently from the rest of the world. From minor differences like&nbsp;an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-american-flags-everywhere-in-united-states/megan-summers">obsession with the American flag,</a> to major ones with political or economic implications, like the use of a sales tax instead of value-added tax, or the refusal to recognize the International Criminal Court’s authority, the US is unique in a number of ways. Below you’ll find many things Americans do differently from the rest of the world - and why.

All The Things The US Does Differently From The Rest Of The World

Why America Does Things Differently Than Other Countries

Garri Chaverst

There are numerous holidays in the United States celebrated annually. Holidays that are <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/obscure-local-holidays-united-states/melissa-sartore">local and obscure</a> may receive little to no attention outside of a small group. National and federal holidays can lead to a day off of work or some other much-anticipated acknowledgment but are usually days with no mail and the closure of business and government offices across the country.Knowing when holidays are celebrated is engrained in the American psyche. The reasons specific <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/holiday-dates/brenden-donnelly">holiday dates are chosen</a> are important and often unrealized, as are the actual meanings behind the biggest American holidays.Why do Americans celebrate Memorial Day and Veterans Day? What's the difference? And what's the significance of Juneteenth? How does a country with a divide between church and state afford holiday status to Christmas?&nbsp;These are all questions that deserve to be answered.

Holiday Meanings: What The Biggest American Holidays Actually Mean

American Holiday Meanings: Every Major US Holiday, Explained

Smarts

When it comes to the smartest first ladies in U.S. history, we're diving into a legacy of brilliance and influence behind some of the most powerful men in the world. These women were more than just the partners to presidents; they were strategists, advocates, and thought leaders in their own right. Through their actions and intellect, they've rocked the nation, making us rethink what it means to be a leading woman in the White House.Take Laura Bush, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Abigail Adams, for example. Laura Bush championed literacy and education with an unwavering focus, while Eleanor Roosevelt redefined the role by actively shaping public policy and championing civil rights. Abigail Adams pushed her husband and those around him to consider women's rights and education during America's formative years. Each of these first ladies brought their style of intellect and strength to the table, serving as role models for generations.Now it's your turn to make your voice heard. Who do you think were the first ladies with the highest IQ? Click through, read up on these amazing women, and cast your vote. Join the conversation and let's see who stands out in the legacy of America’s most brilliant first ladies.

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The Smartest First Ladies in U.S. History, Ranked

The 40+ Smartest First Ladies In U.S. History, Ranked

Wacky pics, zany products, and totally weird, absolutely true stories that are too kooky to make up.

How Bizarre, How Bizarre

In the long history of American products, some initially odd ideas were transformed into household staples and cultural icons that&nbsp;Americans now take for granted.&nbsp;Most US invention stories involved luck, perseverance, and usually a strange quirk of ingenuity.&nbsp;Some backstories of American items, like the Etch-A-Sketch or the aerosol can, merely involved ideas or technologies developed elsewhere and adapted creatively in the US.&nbsp;But there are also some very unique US product stories, frequently involving unintended consequences and bizarre outcomes, behind how certain products were invented. Here is a list of some of the best.

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15 Weird But True Stories Behind Unique American Products

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15 Weird Origin Stories of Iconic American Products

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US History lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of US History lists and rankings

US History lists on Ranker

Donald Trump

George W. Bush

Barack Obama

Throughout the history of the United States, several leaders have emerged as less than stellar commanders-in-chief. Analyzing their actions and decisions during their time in office reveals who deserves the title of "worst president." The presidents discussed in this article demonstrate various reasons for their unfavorable rankings, from political scandals to policy failures and beyond.&nbsp;Peeling back the layers on these unfortunate presidencies offers an illuminating glimpse into how seemingly different factors can contribute to a leader's ultimate inclusion on this unenviable list. It's fascinating and enlightening to examine how different factors contribute to a leader's downfall and ultimate inclusion on such a notorious list. By delving into the events that shaped their presidencies, it becomes clear why these individuals are regarded as the worst US presidents.&nbsp;The infamous presidencies of Donald J. Trump, Richard Nixon, and Andrew Johnson serve as prime illustrations of why certain leaders are labeled among the worst in United States history. Trump's presidency was marred by controversies like his impeachment trials, contentious policies, and divisive rhetoric. Nixon's Watergate scandal cast a long shadow over his accomplishments while in office, leading many to consider him among the most disgraced <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-important-leaders-in-us-history/mel-judson?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">leaders in US</a> history. Andrew Johnson faced impeachment due to his unpopular policies during Reconstruction following the Civil War; he narrowly avoided removal from office but remains firmly entrenched as one of America's least effective leaders. These infamous figures offer just a glimpse into why they're considered among the worst American presidents ever.&nbsp;In reflecting upon these ill-fated presidencies, it is crucial to understand what led them astray and how they ultimately wound up with such tarnished legacies. Studying the complexities behind each president's tenure offers valuable insights into what makes an effective leader - or perhaps more accurately put, what doesn't make an effective leader - for future generations to learn from. As history continues to unfold before our eyes, recognizing these cautionary tales can only serve to better inform those who strive for greatness within the highest office in the land, ensuring that such mistakes are not repeated. &nbsp;