1

Josephine Baker

Image: Richie Lugo

Josephine Baker was the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture , the 1927 French silent film Siren of the Tropics . During her early career, Baker was among the most celebrated performers to headline the revues of the Folies Bergère in Paris. Her performance in the 1927 revue Un vent de Folie caused a sensation in the city. Her costume, consisting only of a short skirt made of artificial bananas and a beaded necklace, became an iconic image and a symbol both of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties.

Baker was celebrated by artists and intellectuals of the era, who variously dubbed her the "Black Venus," the "Black Pearl," the "Bronze Venus," and the "Creole Goddess." She aided the French Resistance during World War II, and after the war, she was awarded the Resistance Medal by the French Committee of National Liberation, the Croix de Guerre by the French military, and was named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by General Charles de Gaulle.

2

Rudy Vallée

Image: Matt Botsford

Rudy Vallée was the first male singer to rise from local radio broadcasts in New York City to national popularity as a "crooner." He had a thin, wavering tenor voice and seemed more at home singing sweet ballads than jazz songs. But his singing, saxophone playing, and the innovative arrangements he wrote for his band attracted the attention of a rapidly increasing number of listeners, especially young women.

Singers needed strong voices to fill theaters in the days before microphones. Crooners had soft voices that were suited to the intimacy of radio; the microphones, in this case, promoted direct access to "a vulnerable and sensuous interior," or, in other words, "a conjured intimacy." Vallée was one of the first celebrity radio vocalists.

3

Bobby Darin

Image: Jack Sharp

Bobby Darin was an American teen idol and, later, an adult crooner who, in 1958, co-wrote and recorded his first million-selling single, "Splish Splash," followed by "Dream Lover" and his covers of "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea," which brought him worldwide fame.

In the early 1970s, his health was beginning to fail due to a weak heart. The knowledge of Darin's vulnerability had always spurred him on to use his musical talent while still young. Darin died in 1973 at the age of 37 in a hospital recovery room after having open-heart surgery in Los Angeles.

4

Keely Smith

Image: Harry Shelton

American jazz and popular music singer Keely Smith performed and recorded extensively in the 1950s with her then-husband Louis Prima , and throughout the 1960s as a solo artist. The couple were stars in the entertainment business, including stage, television, motion pictures, hit records, and cabaret acts.

They won a Grammy in 1959, its inaugural year, for their smash hit, "That Old Black Magic," which remained on the charts for 18 weeks.

5

The Ink Spots

Image: Jorge Flores

The first band on the list, the Ink Spots was an American vocal pop group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s due to their unique musical style, which predated rhythm and blues and doo-wop .

On January 12, 1939, the Ink Spots recorded "If I Didn't Care," one of their biggest hits, selling over 19 million copies and becoming the 8th-best-selling single of all time. Since they disbanded in 1954, there have been well over a hundred vocal groups calling themselves "The Ink Spots," with and without any original members of the group.

6

Ella Fitzgerald

Image: zachrie friesen

A frequent collaborator of the Ink Spots, Ella Fitzgerald was a singer, songwriter, and composer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song," the "Queen of Jazz," and "Lady Ella." She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, absolute pitch, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

Outside her solo career, she recorded music with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and the aforementioned Ink Spots. These partnerships produced songs such as "Dream a Little Dream of Me," "Cheek to Cheek," "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall," and "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)."

7

Bing Crosby

Image: Alexander Wark Feeney

A one-man orchestra, Bing Crosby was a singer, actor, television producer, radio personality, and businessman. The first multimedia star , he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide.

In 1948, American polls declared him the "most admired man alive," ahead of Jackie Robinson and Pope Pius XII. That same year, Music Digest estimated that Crosby's recordings filled more than half of the 80,000 weekly hours allocated to recorded radio music in America.

Crosby is one of 33 people to have three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , in the categories of motion pictures, radio, and audio recording.

8

Perry Como

Image: Oscar Sutton

Perry Como was an American singer, actor, and television personality who sold over 100 million records worldwide and pioneered a weekly musical variety television show. His weekly television shows and seasonal specials were broadcast around the world. He recorded primarily vocal pop and was renowned for his recordings in the intimate, easy-listening genre pioneered by our newly acquainted friend, Bing Crosby.

In the official RCA Records memorial in Billboard magazine, his life was summed up in these few words: "50 years of music and a life well lived. An example to all."

9

Nina Simone

Image: Artem Bryzgalov

A bigger-than-life figure, Nina Simone was a singer, songwriter, pianist, composer, arranger, and civil rights activist whose piano playing was strongly influenced by baroque and classical music, and accompanied by expressive, jazz-like singing in her contralto voice .

Early in her career, Simone played piano at a nightclub in Atlantic City, where she was told that she would have to sing to her accompaniment. This effectively launched her career as a jazz vocalist. Simone also became known for her work in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, and she later fled the United States and settled in France following the assassination of her friend Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

10

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

Image: Music HQ

The closer of this list is one of the most colorful characters in American music. "Screamin' Jay" Hawkins was a singer-songwriter, musician, actor, film producer, and boxer, best known for his powerful, shouting vocal delivery and wildly theatrical performances with macabre props onstage, making him an early pioneer of shock rock.

Screamin’ Jay’s most successful recording, "I Put a Spell on You," was created when the entire band was intoxicated during a recording session where "Hawkins screamed, grunted, and gurgled his way through the tune with utter drunken abandon." The resulting performance became his greatest commercial success and reportedly surpassed a million copies in sales.

1

Pacific Coast Highway

Image: Lance Anderson

We’ll begin this hypothetical trip of ours in California, and "The Golden State" offers an equally convenient and panoramic way to travel along its stunning coastlines. California State Route 1 is known by many names, such as Cabrillo Highway, Shoreline Highway, or Coast Highway, but it is perhaps best recognized as the "Pacific Coast Highway."

This state route crosses many iconic and gorgeous locations in California, including Big Sur, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Monterey Bay Area. Beyond its scenic beauty, the Highway is a pop culture icon in its own right, referenced in songs by bands like the Beach Boys and the Decemberists.

2

Yosemite

Image: Jordi Vich Navarro

Yosemite truly needs no introduction. This iconic national park spans 759,620 acres across four California counties, with nearly 95% of its total area designated as wilderness.

From its stunning giant sequoia trees to its breathtaking waterfalls, granite cliffs, and pristine streams, the park offers something for everyone. Yosemite is a quintessential example of the natural beauty America has to offer.

3

Red Rock Canyon State Park

Image: Kristen P

Since we’re still on the California portion of our fictional road trip, let’s make a quick stop at another natural treasure. Red Rock Canyon State Park is renowned worldwide for its stunning rock formations and its arid yet strikingly beautiful scenery.

While the weather is definitively drier than in other parts of California, don’t think for a moment that nature is absent in Red Rock Canyon. In fact, this park is home to the rare Red Rock Canyon monkeyflower, a unique flower found exclusively in this region.

4

California’s Lost Coast

Image: Paulius Dragunas

Last but certainly not least on the California leg of our trip is the stunning region known as the "Lost Coast." Situated in Humboldt and Mendocino counties, this area earned its name because it remains largely natural and undeveloped, the product of a surge in depopulation in the 1930s.

While the inaccessibility of the area is definitively a hurdle—its steep terrain makes establishing roads difficult—we highly recommend it to those adventurous enough to explore on foot. Its pristine, unspoiled landscapes are truly a sight to behold.

5

Willamette Valley

Image: Dan Meyers

Let’s now step into the wonderful state of Oregon to continue our fictional journey. What better place to start our tour through the "Beaver State" than through the beauty of Willamette Valley ? While this region is undeniably vast—stretching 150 miles and encompassing Oregon’s five largest cities—we’d like to highlight a few features that truly make this valley a beautiful area.

Driving through this predominantly agricultural landscape, publicized in the 1820s as a "promised land of flowing milk and honey," means running across rather scenic and bountiful sights. Trust us: watching the golden grapevines shimmer in the autumn sun is just one of the many experiences that make Willamette Valley so magical.

6

Oregon Coast

Image: Kevin Butz

The Oregon Coast not only offers unparalleled and gorgeous sights of the Pacific Ocean, but it's also a unique and massive area that encompasses more than 25 cities, lush landscapes, and a rich variety of birds, marine life, and other wildlife.

As you would expect, the many wonders of this area make the Oregon Coast a popular tourist destination. Those looking for adrenaline-fueled activities may be interested in surfing or sandboarding, while some history buffs might find intrigue in historic landmarks such as Fort Clatsop, Battle Rock, and Oregon’s many lighthouses.

7

Olympic National Park

Image: Georg Eiermann

Now that the route has taken us to the state of Washington, why not visit Olympic National Park and its gorgeous sights? Originally designated as Mount Olympus National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, this park is divided into four distinct regions, each hosting three unique ecosystems.

Due to its amazing variety, a single entry could never encompass all the natural wonders this park has to offer. However, we can highlight a few favorites: for instance, Mount Olympus, the tallest peak in the Olympic Mountains, or the Hoh Rainforest, renowned for its stunning Bigleaf maples.

8

The San Juan Islands

Image: David Lang

The San Juan Islands is a four-island archipelago at the border between Washington State and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Islands are considered the go-to place for birdwatching enthusiasts, boasting the highest concentration of bald eagles in the contiguous United States.

If bird-watching is not your thing, don’t worry—there’s plenty more to see and do on these breathtaking islands. Several ferry tours offer access to some of the best panoramic views of the region, which, as you might imagine, are nothing short of stunning.

9

Denali National Park

Image: Bryson Beaver

We’ve now arrived in the final state of our West Coast road trip. In that sense, what better place to conclude our journey than the "Last Frontier"? With that in mind, let’s begin our exploration of Alaska with what many consider to be the state’s crown jewel: Denali National Park.

Denali holds the distinction of being the highest peak in North America, and while this is truly no small feat, that’s not what makes this area so special. This mountain’s immense size is rivaled only by its breathtaking magnificence. Denali is renowned for its stunning glaciers, lush forests, and diverse wildlife, which includes brown bears, beavers, and Arctic foxes.

10

Kenai Fjords National Park

Image: Kedar Gadge

Kenai Fjords National Park’s beauty is as stunning as it is diverse. Its landscapes are marked by truly unique and stunning features, such as glaciers, islands, and fjords. In addition to its remarkable terrain, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, black bears, and sea otters.

Designated by President Carter in 1978, the park is primarily visited by cruise ships and tour boats. Thousands of visitors are awestruck each day by the grandeur of Kenai Fjords, including the famous Exit Glacier, which is located at the end of the park’s only road.

1

Pancakes

Image: Ala

Imagine you are a tourist in Michigan and decide to go for pancakes. You enter a suitable establishment, sit at the counter, and ask… what, exactly? Yes, most people call them pancakes, and there is a fair chance that you will receive just that without further questions, but if you want to speak like a local, you will ask for flapjacks .

The "flap" part of flapjack is derived from the word the British used to mean "flip." As for the "jack" part, historians say it may refer to the small size of the pancake because "jack" referred to something that was small. You’ll hear pancakes more in the North and flapjacks in the South, but there are exceptions, such as the Flapjack Shack in Traverse City, Michigan.

2

Dessert Toppings

Image: Kate Trysh

For many Americans, dessert toppings for ice creams and milkshakes are like cheese on a pizza: a must. If you happen to be one of them and are visiting New England, you should know that the local word for toppings is " with jimmies. "

Jimmies are a subgroup of the larger category of dessert toppings known as sprinkles, although people across the U.S. might use the terms interchangeably. Jimmies are cylindrical sprinkles, but some people use the word to refer specifically to chocolate or colored varieties. As for round sprinkles, they are technically marketed as nonpareils.

3

Cold Sandwiches

Image: Allen Rad

The word "sandwich" has come to represent practically any food that is stuffed between two pieces of bread and can be eaten—usually—with your hands. But in certain regions of America, this ubiquitous food item goes by different names.

Pennsylvania has its own term: hoagie . Back in the day, the Italian-American community lived in an area called Hog Island, and local cooks were known for their big "Hog Island Sandwiches," which eventually became known as "hoagies." In New England, many people call a sandwich a grinder . That’s because it’s traditionally made from Italian bread, which has a thicker crust than the typical sandwich bread.

4

Stuffing or Dressing?

Image: Louis Hansel

In the northern parts of the U.S., stuffing refers to the thick mixture of seasoned breadcrumbs or croutons often used to fill poultry dishes.

But, in the southern parts of the country, the word used to describe that is dressing . Yes, the same word that is used in the North to describe any kind of liquid topping for salads. It can be confusing, right?

5

Pop or Soda?

Image: Taylor Swayze

Soft drinks are referred to by different names in different parts of the country. If you are on the East Coast, along the Illinois-Missouri border, in southeastern Wisconsin, California, or nearby areas, you probably call it soda .

However, if you are from the Great Plains region or the Midwest, you likely refer to it as pop . And, if you refer to it as Coke or cola —whether it’s Coca-Cola or something else—you’re most likely from the South.

6

Jelly donuts as Bismarck

Image: Leon Ephraïm

Jelly donuts are quintessentially American. These delicious pastries filled with sweet jelly are everywhere—and for good reason. However, in the midwestern region of the country, as well as in Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, jelly donuts have a different name altogether.

That is because the German immigrants who settled in the region named the dessert "Bismarck" after the 19th-century Prussian chancellor, Otto von Bismarck because those pastries were a favorite snack of his.

7

Milkshakes as "frappes"

Image: Sebastian Coman Photography

A milkshake and a frappe are pretty much the same thing across most of the country—and even the world, we dare say. However, that’s not the case in New England. If you were to ask for a milkshake in that area, you would receive a slightly different—but equally delicious—beverage.

Nearly everywhere else in the U.S., a milkshake is made with milk, ice cream, and syrup blended together. But in New England, that's a recipe for a frappe . A milkshake in that part of America consists of just milk and syrup, shaken or blended until a foamy head appears.

8

Casseroles as a hotdish

Image: sheri silver

A casserole is a warm dish made by layering meat, vegetables, and noodles, along with a can of condensed soup thrown into the mix and then taken to the oven. However, in Minnesota, that same recipe is called a hot dish.

According to Howard Mohr, author of How to Talk Minnesotan , "A traditional main course, hotdish is cooked and served hot in a single baking dish and commonly appears at family reunions and church suppers."

9

Poached Egg vs. Dropped Egg

Image: Unsplash

New England has appeared a couple of times already on this list, and it’s about to make another appearance. In most parts of the country, the cooking technique of gently dropping an egg into boiling water is called "poaching an egg."

But in New England, the name for this technique has a much more literal term, calling this particular preparation a dropped egg .

10

Peppers and Mangoes

Image: Paul Morley

We’ll close this list with perhaps the most curious case of regional naming we came across. In the Midwestern region of the country, a "mango" does not refer to the tropical fruit commonly known as a mango.

Instead, if a midwesterner asks for a mango at a local grocery store, they will receive a mild, green bell pepper . The suggested explanation for this is that as green bell peppers ripen, they develop red-gold splotches that make them look similar to mangos.