12 Lesser-Known Facts About U.S. History

Yes Abraham Lincoln was a wrestler, and no the flag wasn’t always red, white, and blue

American history is full of fascinating, lesser-known stories and facts that often get lost in the shuffle between major wars, geopolitical shifts, and celebrity news. While knowing random historical facts won’t necessarily make you a National Merit Scholar, they could land you in an episode of jeopardy—or at the very least earn you the title of “random fact guy” at your next company retreat or family gathering. 

You’re welcome. 

#1 The U.S. Flag Was Modified Several Times

The first official U.S. flag, adopted in 1777, had 13 stars and 13 stripes to represent the original 13 colonies. However, the design of the flag was modified several times throughout the years as more states were added. It wasn’t until 1818 that the flag's design became the one we recognize today—13 stripes (to represent the original colonies) and a star for each state.

#2 The U.S. Capital Has Moved

Washington, D.C. wasn’t always the nation’s capital. From 1789 to 1800, the U.S. capital was in Philadelphia. Washington, D.C. became the capital in 1800, chosen for its strategic location between the northern and southern states.

#3 The First American University Was Founded in 1636

Harvard University, established in 1636 in Massachusetts, was the first university in America. Its first students were required to be proficient in Greek and Latin, and it was founded to train ministers in the Puritan faith.

#4 Abraham Lincoln Was a Wrestler

Before becoming president, Abraham Lincoln was known for his wrestling skills. In his younger years, he was an accomplished wrestler, known for his strength and skill in the ring. He is credited with winning around 300 matches and earning a reputation as one of the toughest men in Illinois.

#5 The U.S. Has Never Had a National Language

While English is the de facto language of the United States, the country has never declared an official national language. The U.S. Constitution doesn’t specify a national language, and various regions in early American history spoke different languages, including Dutch, German, and Spanish.

#6 The Original "Uncle Sam" Was a Real Person

The iconic image of Uncle Sam, a symbol of the U.S. government, originated from a man named Samuel Wilson. During the War of 1812, Wilson was a meat packer who supplied barrels of meat to the U.S. Army. The barrels were stamped with the letters "U.S." to indicate they were for the United States, and soldiers jokingly referred to the food as coming from "Uncle Sam" Wilson. Over time, the name became synonymous with the U.S. government.

#7 The U.S. Has a History of Secret Codes

During World War II, the U.S. military employed a group of Native American Code Talkers, primarily from the Navajo tribe, to create unbreakable codes. The Navajo language was used to send encrypted messages, and the Axis powers were never able to crack the code.

#8 The U.S. Had a Presidential Election During the Civil War

Despite the ongoing Civil War, Abraham Lincoln (aka “the wrestler”) was re-elected in 1864. The election took place during a time of national turmoil, and there were fears that Lincoln might lose, but his victory helped solidify the Union’s commitment to ending slavery and preserving the nation.

#9 The U.S. Had a "War" with Canada (Sort Of)

The "Pig War" in 1859 between the U.S. and Canada (then a British colony) was a standoff caused by the shooting of a pig. No one died in the "war," but it resulted in military mobilizations and was resolved peacefully by negotiations, marking an unusual chapter in U.S.-Canadian relations.

#10 The U.S. Had a Controversial National Bank 

In the early 19th century, Alexander Hamilton established the First Bank of the United States to help stabilize the new nation's economy. This led to fierce debates, and the bank was ultimately dissolved in 1811. The debate over the national bank would continue throughout U.S. history, and President Andrew Jackson famously vetoed the re-charter of the Second Bank of the United States in the 1830s.

#11 The U.S. Constitution Was Not Originally Signed by Everyone

When the U.S. Constitution was first drafted in 1787, not all states were represented, and not all the delegates signed the final document. Some individuals, like Rhode Island’s representatives, chose not to participate. Additionally, key figures like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were absent from the Constitutional Convention.

#12 The U.S. Once Banned Alcohol Nationwide

The United States experienced a nationwide ban on alcohol from 1920 to 1933, known as Prohibition. This era was marked by the rise of illegal bootlegging, speakeasies, and organized crime, and it ended with the ratification of the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition.

Now that you’re armed with 12 quirky and random facts about U.S. History, you are free to head on over to that networking event or family reunion to test out your newfound knowledge.

Standard disclaimer: Like drinking alcohol, you must drop knowledge responsibly to avoid becoming the girl you wish you hadn’t started a conversation with at a party.

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