Official Language: from "none" to "English."

For a long time, it was believed that the USA had no official language at the federal level, even though many states had established English. Since March 1, 2025, an Executive Order has designated English as the federal official language. This is not a constitutional article or a law, but a presidential directive that is legally straightforward and politically visible. Concurrently, rules for language accessibility in certain areas continue to exist and are adjusted or reviewed based on legal grounds.

The oldest functioning constitution.

The U.S. Constitution is not a museum relic but an active text from 1787 that breathes through interpretation and amendments. The fact that it is the oldest still-valid written national constitution may sound like a barroom fact, but it is a sober archival statement. The key lies in the interplay: a concise foundational text, supplemented by amendments and decisions that fill gaps without having to recast the foundation each time. This is why the Constitution feels both old and familiar, yet constantly produces new developments. For learners, the "operating system" perspective helps: the kernel remains stable, while drivers and apps are updated.

Hawaii is drifting towards Japan.

The Hawaiian archipelago isn't sitting on a stationary spot but on the Pacific Plate, which is moving northwest. As a result, the islands drift a few centimeters towards Japan each year. This direction can be traced by the chain of old, eroded volcanic remnants scattered across the ocean like breadcrumbs. For a mental image: imagine a conveyor belt running under a stationary blowtorch; new "drops" of lava form at one spot, while the old ones are carried away. Measurements from the US Geological Survey indicate about one hundred millimeters per year, roughly four inches. If you do the math with a map in hand, you'll realize: it takes time, but it's real-time geology.

Death Valley: deep, dry, extremely hot.

Badwater Basin in Death Valley lies eighty-six meters below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America. The terrain looks like a tiled pan of salt polygons, distorting perspective. Then there's the heat: The World Meteorological Organization records the highest official temperature on Earth as 134 degrees fahrenheit, set on July 10, 1913, in Furnace Creek. Modern measurements approach similar values but are thoroughly verified. Quite a few people have already tried to fry an egg here with the help of the sun. For travelers, this means impressive geology and extreme conditions require careful planning.

1. The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library by holdings.

2. The Great Lakes hold about 21% of the world’s surface fresh water.

3. The Statue of Liberty started copper-brown; the green is patina.

4. Alaska is larger than Texas, California and Montana combined.

5. Yellowstone is often called the world’s first national park.

6. The U.S. sees more tornadoes than any other country.

7. The Supreme Court has a basketball court—“Highest Court.”

8. Six time zones from Eastern to Hawaii–Aleutian.

9. The American bison has been the national mammal since 2016.