You know those things we say are as American as apple pie? Well, it turns out that a lot of them didn’t even start here—yes, you heard that right! Let’s uncover the true origins of 15 classic American icons. Trust us, some of these might just surprise you.
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The Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty stands tall & proud in New York Harbor, but guess what? She’s actually French. France gave her to us in 1886 as a symbol of friendship. Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the Statue of Liberty, while Gustave Eiffel (yes, that Eiffel) built it. And she’s been holding up that torch for freedom ever since!
Apple Pie
Apple pie is as American as…well, apple pie. But it turns out that this delicious slice of Americana actually comes from England because the Brits were mixing apples, sugar & spices as far back as 1381. Even though we’ve claimed it as our own, we’ve got to give our props to the English for this tasty treat.
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Baseball
Now, here’s a curveball for you. Baseball may be America’s pastime but it didn’t start in America—it evolved from the English game of rounders. Of course, we’ve definitely made it our own with hot dogs & home runs. But its roots are firmly planted across the pond—so thanks to the English, once again.
The Hamburger
The hamburger is one of the most iconic dishes of American cuisine, though it actually came from Germany. German immigrants brought over the idea of the Hamburg steak in the 19th century and boy, did it catch on! You can see hamburgers practically everywhere, from fast food joints to backyard BBQs, but it’s the Germans who created this beefy delight.
The Hot Dog
Speaking of fast food, the hot dog is another all-American favorite with foreign roots—and it’s German immigrants yet again! They brought over their frankfurter sausages in the late 1800s. It didn’t take long for it to become the perfect snack at baseball games & picnics, even though we have our own take on hot dogs by slathering them in ketchup and mustard.
Jeans
You can’t get more American fashion than jeans, right? Well, the sturdy denim fabric originally came from Nimes, France, which is why it’s called “denim” – get it, de Nimes? Levi Strauss & Jacob Davis made them famous in 1873 but the fabric is French. Honestly, we’re rather grateful for everything Europe has given us!
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a huge part of American Christmas and most people think Coca-Cola made him. The truth is that Santa actually started as Sinterklaas in the Netherlands and Dutch settlers brought him over in the 17th century. He’s been working his magic ever since! Coca-Cola does get a shout-out, though—they helped to establish the image of him as a jolly man wearing red.
Ketchup
Ketchup also didn’t start here. It traveled all the way from ancient China, where it was a fermented fish sauce called ke-tsiap. Eventually, people added tomato to it to make the ketchup we know & love. The next time you squirt it on your fries, you might want to remember its globetrotting past.
The White House
You’d think The White House is as American as they come—but no. James Hoban, an Irish architect, modeled it after the Leinster House in Dublin. Even though it’s the symbol of American politics, its architectural heart beats with an Irish rhythm and you can think of it as a little piece of Ireland right there in Washington, D.C.
Jazz Music
Most people think of jazz as quintessentially American music. Yet it actually has roots in West African rhythms & European musical structures and was born in the melting pot of the American South. The music is a sign of how many rich cultures have helped to build our great nation—and made it better for it.
The Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is the ultimate symbol of American innovation…but it actually came from British & European manufacturing techniques. Sure, Henry Ford revolutionized the auto industry with his assembly line. However, he was inspired by the efficiency of British meatpacking plants, showing once again how those across the pond have helped us.
The National Anthem
Even our national anthem isn’t American! “The Star-Spangled Banner” borrows its melody from a British social club song called “To Anacreon in Heaven.” Francis Scott Key’s words are all-American yet the tune has British origins, meaning that we celebrate a little bit of Britain every time we stand hand on heart.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the most American of holidays…right? Actually, it comes from English & Native American harvest festivals, with the first Thanksgiving in 1621 coming from the celebrations that Pilgrims knew from back home. They mixed these with Native American traditions to eventually create Thanksgiving.
The Teddy Bear
Let’s talk about something cuddly—the Teddy Bear. Since its name is a reference to President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, you’d think it would be American. But the truth is that Germans were creating these long before they became popular in America. We have a lot to thank them for!
Yoga
Although yoga seems like a modern American fitness trend, it’s actually ancient—and it comes from India. It began as a spiritual & physical practice long before it became a popular workout for people looking to de-stress in the U.S. Nowadays, though, you can’t swing a yoga mat without hitting a yoga studio in most American cities!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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