15 Forgotten American Heroes Who Deserve Their Own Holiday
America’s history is packed with legendary figures, but for every household name, there’s a forgotten hero quietly collecting dust in the back pages of history books.
While some bask in eternal glory, these unsung trailblazers, daredevils, and game-changers deserve their own parades, statues, and maybe even a national holiday (complete with themed cupcakes).
From inventors who never got their due credit to fearless pioneers who changed the world without the fanfare, these heroes pulled off feats so epic, they should come with a slow clap and a celebratory fireworks display. Yet, somehow, they’ve been overshadowed by bigger names or sheer bad luck.
Well, not today! We’re turning the spotlight on 15 forgotten figures whose stories will make you wonder, Why didn’t I learn about them in school?! So, grab a party hat and get ready to celebrate the heroes who totally deserve a standing ovation—and maybe a slice of cake while we’re at it!
1. Bass Reeves
Before the Wild West was tamed, Bass Reeves was capturing criminals, outdrawing outlaws, and being an all-around cowboy legend. As one of the first Black U.S. Marshals, he arrested over 3,000 felons and was so good at disguises that criminals never saw him coming.
Imagine a lawman so stealthy that the bad guys didn’t even know they were caught until they were behind bars! His reputation was as legendary as his mustache was magnificent.
Holiday Tradition: Everyone dresses as cowboys and randomly issues warrants to friends and family. It’s a day of playful justice and Old West nostalgia, complete with epic mustache contests.
2. Sybil Ludington
Paul Revere got all the fame for yelling, “The British are coming!” but Sybil Ludington rode TWICE as far—alone, at night, in the rain—when she was just 16. She riled up her father’s militia, saved the day, and then history completely forgot about her.
On this day, we honor her late-night heroics and the stamina of a teenager who probably didn’t even get a thank you.
Holiday Tradition: A midnight bicycle ride through the neighborhood, screaming about any major sales happening the next day. It’s the perfect blend of exercise, history, and shopping hysteria.
3. Robert Smalls
Robert Smalls, an enslaved man, stole a Confederate warship, disguised himself as the captain, picked up his family, and then sailed straight through enemy lines to freedom. Later, he became a U.S. Congressman. Absolute legend.
Imagine playing Capture the Flag, but with a warship, and you’ve just described Smalls’ incredible escape.
Holiday Tradition: Everyone plays Capture the Flag, but with boats. Bonus points if you escape in style. It’s a nautical nod to bravery, with a splash of creative problem-solving.
4. Hedy Lamarr
While dazzling Hollywood as a famous actress, Hedy Lamarr also invented frequency-hopping technology—the foundation for WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. You can thank her every time you stream cat videos on your phone.
Talk about brains and beauty; Lamarr had a patent for genius long before it was cool.
Holiday Tradition: A nationwide “No Buffering Day” where we appreciate fast internet—until someone’s WiFi crashes. It’s a day to honor innovation and the frustration of the buffering wheel.
5. Eugene Bullard
When America refused to let Black pilots fly in World War I, Eugene Bullard said “Forget that!” and joined the French Air Force instead. He shot down enemies, fought in both World Wars, and later became a jazz musician.
Bullard didn’t just break barriers; he soared over them with style.
Holiday Tradition: Parachuting out of planes for fun (or just playing a really intense game of “Flight Simulator”). It’s all about flying high and living with no limits.
6. Nellie Bly
Nellie Bly faked being mentally ill just so she could expose the horrific conditions inside a women’s asylum. She later traveled around the world in 72 days, beating Jules Verne’s fictional Around the World in 80 Days.
Bly was the original undercover journalist, making headlines by risking being held captive in her quest for truth.
Holiday Tradition: A city-wide escape room challenge, inspired by her daring journalistic missions. It’s a day of puzzles, intrigue, and a nod to the fearless pursuit of justice.
7. Mary Fields (aka “Stagecoach Mary”)
Mary Fields was a 6-foot-tall, cigar-smoking, shotgun-wielding, ex-enslaved woman who became the first Black female mail carrier in America. She fought off wolves, never missed a delivery, and once rode 10 miles on foot through a snowstorm to bring the mail.
Fields’ story is one of grit, determination, and a refusal to let anything slow her down.
Holiday Tradition: A relay race where people deliver mail on horseback, in extreme weather. It’s the ultimate test of endurance and postal prowess.
8. Benjamin Lay
Benjamin Lay was an anti-slavery activist who did not mess around. He once stormed into a Quaker meeting, smashed a hollowed-out book filled with fake blood, and yelled “THUS SHALL GOD SHED THE BLOOD OF THOSE WHO ENSLAVE THEIR FELLOW MEN!”
Lay might have been small in stature, but his actions and words packed a mighty punch.
Holiday Tradition: Public dramatic reenactments where people overact as much as possible. It’s a day to channel your inner thespian and make a scene for justice.
9. Elizebeth Smith Friedman
This woman broke coded messages for the U.S. government, took down Prohibition-era gangsters, and helped defeat Nazi spies in WWII. Oh, and she did this while the men around her took all the credit.
Friedman’s legacy is a testament to intelligence, perseverance, and the power of invisibility.
Holiday Tradition: A national “Crack the Code” scavenger hunt where people solve puzzles to find free pizza. It’s a day to celebrate brains over brawn with a cheesy twist.
10. Joshua Norton
Joshua Norton declared himself “Emperor of the United States” in 1859. The weird part? People actually went along with it. San Francisco let him print his own money, eat at fancy restaurants for free, and even had a state funeral when he died.
Norton’s reign was a peculiar blend of whimsy and social commentary.
Holiday Tradition: Everyone makes up their own royal title for the day and demands to be treated accordingly. It’s a day of playful sovereignty and imaginative rule.
11. Harriet Quimby
Harriet Quimby was the first U.S. woman to get a pilot’s license and then casually flew across the English Channel before anyone noticed. Unfortunately, her achievement was overshadowed by the Titanic sinking the same day.
Quimby was a trailblazer who flew high and soared beyond society’s expectations.
Holiday Tradition: A “Don’t Steal My Spotlight” protest, where people take turns interrupting each other dramatically. It’s a playful nod to history’s unsung heroines.
12. Frank Zybach
Zybach invented the center-pivot irrigation system, which basically ensured that cornfields in the Midwest never dried up and died. Without him, we’d have no corn, no tortilla chips, and no movie theater popcorn.
His invention was the lifeline to the cornfields and a crunchy cornerstone of snack culture.
Holiday Tradition: A day where everyone appreciates corn in all forms, including unlimited free popcorn. It’s crunchy gratitude and buttery bliss all around.
13. The Night Witches
These Soviet women flew biplanes at night, cut their engines to glide silently, and dropped bombs on Nazi camps. The Nazis were so scared, they called them “The Night Witches.”
Their silent wings and daring deeds made them legends of the night sky.
Holiday Tradition: A nationwide stealth competition where people try to sneak up on each other undetected. It’s a day of whispers, shadows, and strategic surprise.
14. Fred Rogers
Mr. Rogers was more than just a cardigan-wearing, gentle soul—he was a tireless advocate for children’s education, kindness, and understanding. The world could use a little more “Won’t you be my neighbor?” energy.
His legacy is one of warmth, acceptance, and the power of a simple, friendly gesture.
Holiday Tradition: A mandatory “be nice to everyone” day, where the punishment for rudeness is having to wear an itchy cardigan. It’s a day to spread kindness like confetti.
15. Bessie Coleman
When American flight schools refused to train her, Bessie Coleman went to France, learned to fly there, and came back as the first Black female pilot in the U.S. She later performed aerial stunts that put male pilots to shame.
Coleman’s sky-high ambitions broke ceilings and opened doors for future aviators.
Holiday Tradition: Trampoline park stunt competitions where people try to pull off the wildest tricks (safely). It’s an airborne adventure celebrating daring dreams.