Random American History Facts. Did You Know...

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Differences of oldest towns in the United States:

*Hudson, NY is the 1st city to be incorporated after the 13 colonies became the U.S. *Lewes, DE is the 1st town in the 1st state after the 13 colonies became the U.S. *Albany, NY is the longest continuously chartered city in the U.S. *St. Augustine, FL is both America's oldest city AND oldest non-Indigenous settlement in the U.S. *Jamestown, VA, was the 1st English settlement in the U.S. but was abandoned for 80+ years and is now a National Historic Site. 

*For more details see our Oldest Towns page.

The United States Of America initially consisted of the original 13 states that had been British colonies until their independence in 1776. The first 13 original states in the U.S. are Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. So far our team of explorers have traveled to eight of the thirteen 13 original colonies.

 The U.S. Postal Service is the largest postal service in the world according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. If you find that interesting then see our first mailbox in North America page and oldest postal route in America page.

According to the the Bureau Of Transportation Statistics (a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation Department), America has the most airports of any country in the world with over 20,000. See the airport we visited which is not only the oldest in America but also the oldest airport in the world. 

 According to Guinness World Records, Cape Cod Canal in America (connecting CT to MA) is the world's widest canal at 540 feet wide and 17.4 miles long. With reference to canals, see our "oldest canal in America" page. 

 America has the largest number of seaports in the world with 587 ports. Also related to seaports, visit our "oldest seaport in America" page.  

 America has the most sports stadiums of any country in the world with over 900 stadiums. Speaking of sports, visit our "oldest sports in America" page.

According to the Association Of American Railroads the United States Of America has the world's largest railroad network which consists of an estimated 140,000 miles of track. Speaking of American railroads, take a look at our "oldest railroad in America" page.

America is the 4th largest country in the world with land mass (when including bodies of water) or 3rd largest when counting just land. It shares the world’s longest land border with its northern neighbor, Canada, at over 5,500 miles. America spans over 3.5 million square miles with 50 states.  When you include all bodies of water in the United States, the country’s area is 2,429,914,880 acres. Follow our tracker page to see how many of the 50 states we visited so far. 

 The small city of Hudson, New York has the distinction of being the first city in America —that is, it was the first city to be incorporated after the thirteen colonies became the United States.  See our Hudson, NY page content from our visit there.

The United States was the first country in world history to successfully land humans on the moon back on July 20th, 1969. In fact the United States is still the only country to have landed humans on the moon, with the Apollo 11 mission.  See our "birthplace of the moon landing" page which documents where the spacecraft was originally designed and manufactured.

 Rhode Island witnessed the beginning of the American Revolution. Newport, the colonial capital of Rhode Island, was the first (of the 13) colonies to declare its independence from England. Rhode Island is also the smallest state in America and has the fewest acres of federal land at 5,157 acres. View our Newport page.

 According to the US Census Data, there are an estimated 19,500 incorporated cities, towns and villages in the United States. About 76% of these 19,500 places have fewer than 5,000 residents in population. And almost half, 47%, have fewer than 1,000. Many of these are considered historic towns. See the latest list of towns we have visited so far.

America is the oldest democracy in the world. It has been governed by representatives elected by the people since 1776. Philadelphia, PA is where the U.S. Constitution was written and signed, in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. This was the same place the Declaration of Independence was signed. Check out our Philadelphia page.

The French Quarter (port town of New Orleans, LA) has the second most registered historic houses per capita in the United States with over 10,500. The State and National Registers are the official lists of properties significant in history, architecture, engineering, landscape design, archeology, and culture. See our French Quarter, New Orleans historic town page.

The United States is only 1 of 3 countries in the world (along with Liberia and Myanmar) that does not use the metric system as the official system of measurement. Speaking of measurements, see our photos of the America's, and world's, longest elevated pedestrian bridge which is located in Hudson Valley, New York.

Maine has the most forest coverage of any state in America with 89% coverage. In reference to forests, visit our oldest forest page. 

Maine is also the only state with just one other state on its border (New Hampshire). And Maine is the most easternmost state in the US both in its extreme points and in its geographic center. Maine is also home to the first ever federal execution when Thomas Bird was hanged in Portland, Maine. Stay tuned for our Kittery, ME page.

The Battle of Gettysburg was not only the largest battle of the Civil War, it remains the largest battle ever fought in North America. Our team took a tour in the The Gettysburg National Military Park where the battle took place in July of 1863 with more than 40,000 casualties. Also Jennie Wade was the only civilian to die as a direct result of the fighting during the Battle of Gettysburg. Check out our Gettysburg page.

America's (and the world's) first true penitentiary was the Eastern State Penitentiary built in 1829 in Philadelphia, PA. Today it is a museum that hosts tours and special events. Our photos of this Eastern State Penitentiary during a trip to Philadelphia.

Salem Maritime in Salem, Massachusetts is America's First National historic site which was established on March 17, 1938 and is often recognized as America's best Halloween town to visit during the entire month of October. Our photos of Salem Maritime.

America is home to more lighthouses than any other country in the world. According to US Lighthouse Society there are close to 780 lighthouses, See our oldest lighthouse in America page which documents the Sandy Hook Lighthouse in the state of New Jersey.

The state of New York has both the highest number of National Historic Landmarks and historical markers in America. In total NY state has nearly 280 National Historic Landmarks and an estimated 1,000 historical markers. See photos of our several New York excursions on Historic Towns, Oldest Places and notable mentions pages.

 Mystic, Connecticut is home to both the largest maritime museum in the United States and the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States. Mystic is also home to two of Connecticut's most visited attractions See our photos taken of this historic town of Mystic, CT. during our visit there

Thomas Mundy Peterson of Perth Amboy, New Jersey was the first African-American to vote in an election. His vote was cast on March 31, 1870. Peterson voted in a local election held at Perth Amboy City Hall.  Perth Amboy City Hall is also the site of the first ratification of the United States Bill of Rights. Our photos of Perth Amboy City Hall

In 1662, Hartford, CT (30 years before the infamous Salem witch trials) the first ever witch trials took place, resulting in seven total trials and four executions. The executions included Alse Young being the first recorded instance of execution for witchcraft in colonial American history. The first Witchcraft was one of 12 capital crimes decreed by Connecticut’s colonial government in 1642. Photos of our Hartford, CT visit.

America is the 3rd most populated country in the world with an estimated 330 million people. Although the 3rd most populated, America has a relatively low population density of 36/km² ( 92/mi²) ranking 174th most dense country in the world. NYC is the most populated city in America with an estimated 8.2 million people. It also has the highest population density in America. And has most streets named after past presidents. See our Manhattan, NYC page.

New York City is also homes to the highest number of skyscrapers in the United States with over 250. The One World Trade Center, built in 2013, is the tallest skyscraper and building in America with 104 floors and standing at 1,776 feet tall. See our pics during or visit to the tallest building in the United State Of America.

America is the only country in the world that has all of the earth’s five climate zones. Dry, tropical, temperate, continental, and polar climates. We have visited all 5 climates. See all the towns we visited.

The United States has the world's largest military budget, spending more on defense than the next 10 countries combined. Speaking of the U.S. military, see our oldest military base in America page.

South Beach, Miami, Florida is home to the largest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. See our Miami Beach page for more details.