The following roundup highlights 10 influential slaves whose extraordinary lives and achievements have shaped history, yet they remain far too hidden in mainstream narratives.

10 Influential Slaves: A Quick Overview

10 Ukawsaw Gronniosaw

Ukawsaw Gronniosaw began his life in what is today Nigeria. As a young child, Gronniosaw was lured away from his village by slave traders who promised to show him “houses with wings to them (that) walk upon the water.” These “houses” turned out to be slave ships, and Gronniosaw was sent to New York and purchased as a slave there.

His master, a minister named Theodore Frelinghuysen, ensured that he received a religious education. When Frelinghuysen died, Gronniosaw was freed—he remained at the Frelinghuysen home, however, serving the late minister’s wife and her children until they too passed away.

At that time, Gronniosaw decided to go to England, where he married a white woman. The couple worked hard to keep their children fed, and Gronniosaw published an autobiography to contribute to their meager income. His book, A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Grunniosaw, an African Prince, first appeared in 1772. Grunniosaw is heralded as the first former slave to publish his life story, shedding light on the awful circumstances of slavery that had, until then, been largely unknown by everyday people.

9 Olaudah Equiano

Olaudah Equiano was born to a respected Ibo village leader in the mid-1700s. At the age of 11, he was captured and forced into the slave industry. After surviving the harrowing Middle Passage and making it to Virginia, Olaudah was sold to a naval captain named Michael Henry Pascal, who took him to England. He learned to read and write there, and also became a skilled ship crewman, accompanying Captain Pascal on many voyages around the world.

After about five years, Pascal sold Equiano to Robert King, a merchant from Philadelphia. King was kind to Equiano, and by working hard and trading, Equiano was able to buy his freedom from his master. After becoming free, Equiano continued to work as a sailor, but his pursuit of a career was not without struggle. On one occasion, a ship captain ordered that Equiano be bound by the ankles and wrists and strapped to the ship’s mast, where he hung all night long. They only released him the following morning because he was blocking the sails.

Equiano eventually traveled back to England, where he became a public speaker and activist. He formed an abolitionist group called the Sons of Africa, and petitioned Parliament to condemn the practice of slavery. In 1789, he published his autobiography, The Life of Olaudah Equiano, which became an immediate best seller.

8 Jupiter Hammon

Jupiter Hammon was born to slave parents in Long Island, New York in October of 1711. Though his father was rebellious and had tried to escape numerous times, Jupiter was quite loyal to his slaveholders. He frequently accompanied his master on business trips, eventually donning the hat of house bookkeeper.

Having found such favor with his master’s family, he was allowed to attend school and quickly became an accomplished writer. He published a number of works while remaining a slave, the first of which was 1760’s Elegy on the Death of Whitefield.

Hammon seems to have realized that slavery was a deeply embedded component of American culture and economics at the time, and thus was not something that could be done away with quickly or easily. He addressed this belief extensively in his writings as well as his interactions with fellow slaves. In 1784, at age 76 (and still a slave), Hammon further promoted this message at an African Society meeting. There, he gave a rather depressing speech exhorting his fellow slaves to remember God and to serve their masters dutifully, for whether it was fair or not, slavery was their lot in life. His speech later came to be known as the “Hammon Address.”

7 Absalom Jones

Absalom Jones was born in 1746 in Sussex County, Delaware. Both of his parents were slaves, so an education was a privilege not bestowed upon Jones. He taught himself to read, however, by buying books with pennies given to him by his master’s visitors. In 1770, Jones married a fellow slave, Mary Thomas, and purchased her freedom later that year (although he was unable to purchase his own until 1784).

Jones and his close friend, Richard Allen, were active members of St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Due to community outreach, the black congregation actually doubled in size during Jones’s tenure. This was ill‑met by white churchgoers, who tried to segregate one Sunday in November 1786. Jones and his fellow congregants, refusing to be ushered onto the balcony, left the building in a historic walkout.

Jones went on to become priest of the St. Thomas African Episcopal Church—this was the first black Episcopal parish in the colonies, which made Jones the first priest of African descent in the United States.

6 Lucy Terry

Lucy Terry was kidnapped from Africa at a young age and brought to Massachusetts as a slave. She was purchased by Ebenezer Wells and brought to live in the small town of Deerfield. Wells was a tavern owner who seemingly integrated Lucy into the family—he even went so far as to have her baptized at the age of five.

Lucy was serving the Wells family when, in 1746, the nearby Abenaki tribe attacked Deerfield. The 21‑year‑old Lucy, known for being gifted at storytelling, composed a poem called “The Bars Fight” directly after the incident. Although it wasn’t published until 1819, it’s still heralded as the most famous account of the attack.

Lucy remained a slave to the Wells until 1756, when she married a free man named Abijah Prince. Soon after, Lucy was freed either due to her own hard work or her husband’s pocketbook. The Prince family settled in Vermont, where Lucy had six children and remained an active voice in her community—in 1803, she successfully presented a land appeal before the Virginia Supreme Court.

When Lucy Terry passed away, the Vermont Gazette printed her obituary—a gesture unheard of for a woman (let alone a former slave) at the time. Her obituary was even reprinted in a Massachusetts newspaper, showing that Lucy Terry’s influence in her former state had not been forgotten.

5 Ignatius Sancho

Ignatius Sancho was born in 1729, either onboard a slave ship or just after it landed in the Americas. At any rate, Sancho was enslaved in Grenada until he was two years old, at which point he was taken to England with his master.

Later in life, Sancho became a free man. It’s unknown exactly how this happened, but it’s assumed that he was granted liberty upon his master’s death. He soon persuaded a powerful man—the Duke of Montagu—to hire him as a butler. In this employment, he taught himself to read and write, eventually becoming adept as a playwright and composer.

When the Montagus passed away, they left him a small amount of money—this was beyond generous given the social circumstances at the time. Sancho used this purse to buy a grocery shop in Westminster, which he and his wife operated. This shop became a hub of anti‑slavery sentiment as well as a meeting place for many famous politicians and activists. Sancho, as an independent householder, is in the record books as the first black person of African origin to vote in an election, doing so in 1774 and 1780.

He was regaled as an “extraordinary Negro” of his day, and his legacy lived on after he passed. In 1782, two years after his death, a collection of his letters was published and later used in the fight to end slavery.

4 John Anderson

John Anderson was known as Jack Burton for much of his life, as he worked as a slave for Moses Burton in Fayette, Missouri. In 1850, Jack married a slave named Marie Tomlin who lived near the Burton plantation. Jack visited Marie often but, in 1853, Jack was sold to an owner in Glasgow, Missouri—a distance considerably farther from Fayette.

One night, he secretly made the illegal journey to visit his wife and three children. He was soon discovered by a farmer named Seneca T.P. Diggs, who threatened to reveal his crime. Panicked, Jack killed Diggs and ran for his life. He ended up in Canada, changed his name to John Anderson, and began working as a laborer in the town of Hamilton. In 1854, the United States government’s request of Anderson’s extradition was denied by the governor general of British North America. However, six years later Anderson was thrown in jail by a small‑town magistrate and charged with murder.

At this point, a Hamilton lawyer—appropriately named Samuel B. Freeman—got involved. Freeman successfully pleaded Anderson’s case and he was released, but not for long. Less than six months later, Anderson was pursued by a Detroit detective named James A. Gunning who saw that he was imprisoned again. The court ruled that Anderson had indeed committed murder and could be extradited, though there was a small window of time before that could occur. Within that window, angry abolitionists rallied for Anderson’s defense and even wrote to the Anti‑Slavery Society in London.

In a groundbreaking legal move, Anderson was granted a writ of habeas corpus from a British court, and in 1861 he was released. This whole debacle resulted in the British Habeas Corpus Act of 1862, which prohibited writs of habeas corpus from being administered to any foreign territory where a legal system was set in place. As if changing legal precedent wasn’t enough, Anderson went on to speak at over 25 anti‑slavery gatherings in London.

3 Mary Prince

Mary Prince was born a slave in Bermuda in 1788—shortly thereafter, she was sent to work in Antigua. She was treated horribly during her early years, suffering numerous beatings at the hands of her cruel masters. In 1826, she married a former slave named Daniel James, who had purchased his freedom and worked as a carpenter in the town. He was free to marry as he wished, but Mary was brutally beaten for marrying without her master’s permission.

Within two years, her owners decided to move to England, taking Mary with them. Once abroad, Mary began campaigning openly for her freedom. She even presented an anti‑slavery petition to Parliament, becoming the first woman to ever do so.

She was eventually able to escape but couldn’t return to her husband in Barbados. She continued her fight against slavery until her death, becoming involved with the Anti‑Slavery Society and publishing an autobiography. (This was another major accomplishment, as no black woman had ever written or published her life story before.) Prince’s book grew to be an important reference for proponents of the abolition movement, and her firsthand accounts of the cruelties of slavery were eye‑opening for colonists who had—up until then—ignored the practice’s realities.

2 John Thompson

John Thompson was born into slavery on a plantation in Maryland in 1812. His master, John Wagar, was a violent man who ordered his slaves whipped regularly to ensure their “humble submission.”

When Thompson was 12, Mr. Wagar’s wife (who was apparently the owner of the property) passed away, and the land was divided among family members. Thompson and his family were sent to work for George Thomas, an experience that was no less miserable than the one under Wagar. At one point, Thomas’s son, Henry, beat Thompson so intensely that he was laid up and unable to move for five weeks.

Thompson was lent to a family member, Richard Thomas, who eventually discovered that Thompson had secretly been learning to read and write for years. Richard threatened to sell Thompson “down‑river” (the dreaded term for the incredibly brutal plantations of the Deep South) when he learned of this ability. Rather than endure Hell on Earth, Thompson decided to make a break for it and escape. He and a friend managed to make it all the way to Pennsylvania, dodging all kinds of obstacles along the way including slave catchers and their dogs. At one point, the two of them even had to steal a pair of horses and assemble grape vines into bridles to escape.

Once in Pennsylvania, Thompson married and began working. However, when fugitive slaves in the area were arrested and sent back to their masters, Thompson decided that the safest place for him was at sea. He boarded a whaling vessel and quickly became a skilled whaler, only returning home after several years at sea.

Thompson’s autobiography, The Life of John Thompson, A Fugitive Slave, offers amazing insight into the life of a slave and a later world traveler.

1 James Derham

James Derham was born a slave in Philadelphia but was one of the fortunate few who was taught to read and write by his masters. Owned by a series of doctors, Derham also picked up on the practice of medicine. He was eventually bought by a Scottish physician in New Orleans who encouraged him to further explore his interest in the field. Eventually, Derham was performing medical services on his own.

Sometime in the late 1780s, Derham earned his freedom (whether he purchased it or his master willingly bestowed it on him, nobody knows) and began working as a doctor for free black people and slaves in the New Orleans area. He quickly earned a reputation as a remarkable physician, and in 1788 he was even recognized by Dr. Benjamin Rush (whose signature is on the Declaration of Independence). During the yellow fever epidemic of 1789, Derham successfully treated all but 11 of his 64 patients—an extremely successful ratio given the era and mortality rate of this disease.

Unfortunately, new laws passed in 1801 required doctors to have earned a degree; this restricted Derham from continuing his practice, since he did not have one. Derham disappeared in 1802, and no records of what he did afterward exist. Despite his influence being cut short by the new law, Derham remains a source of inspiration—he is still recognized as the first African American to practice medicine in the United States.

Films that slip a make‑believe movie into their own story aren’t exactly a rarity, but not every on‑screen fake feature is compelling enough to make you wish you could binge‑watch the whole thing. In this roundup of 10 fictional films, we spotlight the ones that actually appear on‑screen and leave you craving a full‑length version.

10 fictional films Worth Watching Within Real Movies

10 The Night the Reindeer Died from Scrooged (1988)

Richard Donner’s holiday‑capped comedy Scrooged opens with a tongue‑in‑cheek trailer for IBC’s Christmas lineup, showcasing oddball specials like Robert Goulet’s Old‑Fashioned Cajun Christmas and a quirky “Father Loves Beaver” segment.

The real gem, however, is the over‑the‑top action‑Christmas flick titled The Night the Reindeer Died. In this absurd tableau, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves are gearing up for a festive season when a gang of “psychos” storms the workshop. Cue Six‑Million‑Dollar‑Man Lee Majors (playing himself) swooping in to rescue Santa, who gives the heroic actor a classic line: “You’ve been a real good boy this year!”

Though conceived as a gag, the concept has inspired genuine comedy‑action holiday movies in recent years. Fatman (2020) pits Mel Gibson’s gritty Santa against a hitman, while Violent Night (2022) showcases David Harbour’s weapon‑wielding Saint Nick.

9 The Stab Franchise from the Scream Franchise

(Spoilers ahead for the Scream saga.) The fictional horror series Stab first surfaces in Scream 2 (1997), presented as a movie based on the in‑universe book “The Woodsboro Murders” written by Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox). It’s portrayed as being directed by a faux‑Robert Rodriguez and stars Heather Graham as Casey Becker, Tori Spelling as Sidney Prescott, and Luke Wilson as Billy Loomis.

Later, Scream 4 (2011) drops more Stab footage. The opening murder scene is revealed to be from Stab 6, which is being watched by Rachel (Anna Paquin) and Chloe (Kristen Bell). When Chloe complains about modern horror lacking surprise, she’s abruptly stabbed—only to be revealed as a clip from Stab 7, creating a film‑within‑a‑film‑within‑a‑film loop.

A brief glimpse of the 2021 Stab reboot appears in Scream (2022), featuring a chrome‑masked Ghostface wielding a flamethrower and shouting, “That sh*t is lit.” The line is actually delivered by Matthew Lillard, one of the original Ghostfaces.

8 Rick Dalton’s Films in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)

Quentin Tarantino’s homage to 1960s‑70s Hollywood, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, sprinkles in several fictional titles from the career of fading TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio). Some of these are playful insertions—like Dalton’s cameo as Virgil Hilts in the classic The Great Escape (1963), a role originally played by Steve McQueen.

Other entries are outright fabrications built on real‑world inspirations. One such faux‑spy adventure, Operazione Dyn‑o‑Mite, masquerades as an Italian James Bond‑style flick, cleverly re‑using footage from Sergio Corbucci’s Moving Target (aka Death on the Run, 1967).

Dalton also stars in the imagined war‑action piece The 14 Fists of McCluskey, where he torches a room full of Nazis with a flamethrower—a clear nod to Tarantino’s own Inglourious Basterds (2009). That movie, in turn, contains its own fictional propaganda short, Stolz der Nation (Nation’s Pride).

7 Pineapple Express 2: Blood Red from This Is the End (2013)

After the cult hit Pineapple Express (2008), co‑writer‑actor Seth Rogen dreamed of a sequel, only to have Sony shut it down. In a 2020 interview, Rogen admitted the project likely fell victim to “too much money.” The abandoned sequel, however, lives on as a meta‑scene inside the apocalyptic comedy This Is the End, where Rogen and James Franco (playing themselves) improvise a home‑movie‑style “Pineapple Express 2: Blood Red.”

The faux sequel opens with Red (Danny McBride) ruling a drug empire, only to have his operation threatened by Woody Harrelson (portrayed by Jonah Hill) pushing for legalization. Rogen’s Dale and Franco’s Saul are forced into a ridiculous assassination plot to keep Red alive, with low‑budget touches—like toy‑car chase sequences—adding to its comedic charm.

6 Batman vs. E.T. from Chip’ n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)

The animated romp Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers is riddled with Easter eggs, posters, and tongue‑in‑cheek nods. In one street‑level gag, Chip spots a series of fake movie posters, among them a gender‑bent Mr. Doubtfire starring Meryl Streep, a “Fast & Furious Babies” teaser, and the headline‑grabbing Batman vs. E.T., which Chip deems “looks pretty good.”

The fictional trailer parodies Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), culminating in a melodramatic moment where E.T. collapses in Batman’s arms, pleading “E.T. forgive Bat,” to which the Dark Knight simply replies, “Fine.” The absurdity elicits both a laugh and a heartfelt “yeah, right, like that would happen.”

5 Jump Street Sequels from 22 Jump Street (2014)

When 22 Jump Street wrapped, Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) nudged Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) toward another covert mission—an ending that left test audiences craving an infinite sequel chain. Director Phil Lord explained, “All they want at that point is to think that this goes on forever and ever and ever,” prompting a clever post‑credits gag.

The film’s end‑credits showcase imagined future installments, ranging from poster‑only teasers like 38 Jump Street: Dance Academy and 43 Jump Street: Mariachi School to fully‑filmed snippets. Highlights include 27 Jump Street: Culinary School starring Bill Hader as the villain, and 29 Jump Street: Sunday School, which swaps Jonah Hill for Seth Rogen, complete with assurances that “no one will notice.”

4 Mant! from Matinee (1993)

Joe Dante’s early‑’90s homage to drive‑in culture, Matinee, follows TV horror‑host Lawrence Woolsey (John Goodman) as he promotes his latest creature feature, Mant!. To embed the fake film within the narrative, Dante actually shot a 15‑minute short that plays in‑movie, faithfully emulating 1950s monster‑movie aesthetics.

Mant! pays love‑letter homage to classics like Them! (1954) and The Fly (1958). Dante instructed his effects crew to avoid cheap, deliberately cheesy tricks, instead crafting visuals that would have been plausible for the era—resulting in a surprisingly authentic retro monster showcase.

3 Numerous Films from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

At the climax of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, our titular duo wanders onto the Miramax lot and stumbles into a montage of on‑set shenanigans. Among the faux productions is a tongue‑in‑cheek version of Scream 4, starring Shannen Doherty and even an orangutan donning the Ghostface mask.

Another spoof is Good Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season, where Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Scott William Winters reprise their original characters, only this time Will pulls out a shotgun and obliterates his opponent. The segment culminates with the adaptation of the in‑world comic Bluntman and Chronic, where Jay and Silent Bob are mistaken for stunt doubles and must battle the supervillain Cocknocker (Mark Hamill) in a Star Wars‑style showdown, complete with the line “Don’t f*ck with the Jedi Master, son.”

2 Hamlet from Last Action Hero (1993)

Meta‑action comedy Last Action Hero stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Jack Slater, the titular hero of an in‑universe franchise. The film opens with a high‑octane climax from Jack Slater III, featuring Tina Turner’s final screen appearance. The plot truly kicks off when Danny (Austin O’Brien) watches a classroom screening of Sir Lawrence Olivier’s Hamlet (1948) and day‑dreams a version where Slater slaughters Claudius and anyone else standing in his way, with a narrator quipping, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, and Hamlet is taking out the trash.”

This tongue‑in‑cheek reimagining suggests a full‑length Schwarzenegger‑led Hamlet would be a wildly entertaining, over‑the‑top adventure—something fans have long wanted to see.

1 Angels with Filthy Souls from Home Alone (1990)

Many of us grew up believing the gritty black‑and‑white gangster clip in Home Alone was a real vintage film—especially after the iconic line, “Keep the change, ya filthy animal,” echoed through the house as Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) defended his home from the Wet Bandits. The faux‑movie, titled Angels with Filthy Souls, plays a pivotal role in the kid’s battle plan and even pops up briefly in the 2019 blockbuster Detective Pikachu.

Shot in a single day just before the main production began, the film was initially untitled. Art director Dan Webster explained that the name was coined solely to label the tape Kevin inserts into his VHS player. The title nods to the classic crime‑drama Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), cleverly swapping “Dirty” for “Filthy.”

The sequel, Angels with Even Filthier Souls, appears in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), again starring Ralph Foody as the murderous Johnny. Foody originally was cast as Snakes in the first film but switched roles with Michael Guido after a knee‑replacement surgery prevented him from taking the fall required for the Snakes character.

Modern prosthetic technology is nothing short of spectacular, with sensors that let users feel textures and mind‑controlled limbs that respond to thought. Yet the quest to replace missing body parts stretches back millennia. In this roundup of 10 ancient prosthetics, we travel from a bronze hand unearthed in Switzerland to a 5,000‑year‑old artificial eye, uncovering the remarkable craftsmanship of our ancestors.

10 Ancient Prosthetics: A Glimpse Into Early Innovation

10 The Hand of Prêles

In the summer of 2017, a group of treasure hunters combing the fields near the Swiss village of Prêles accidentally disturbed an ancient burial site. Among the assorted relics they recovered were a rib bone, a bronze dagger, and an enigmatic metal hand that instantly stole the spotlight when handed over to the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern.

This curious artifact measures just a shade smaller than an actual human hand and is forged from a bronze‑tin alloy, accented with a gleaming gold cuff. It tips the scales at roughly 18 ounces (about 17 grams) and features a hollow socket at its base, hinting at a functional purpose beyond mere decoration.

Scholars have debated its role: it might have been a prosthetic limb, a ceremonial ornament mounted on a scepter, or a decorative element of a statue. Its interment with the individual leans toward a personal prosthetic or a status symbol. At an estimated 3,500 years old, it claims the title of Europe’s oldest metal sculpture representing a human body part.

9 A Special Foot

During a 2013 excavation beside a medieval church in southern Austria, archaeologists uncovered a burial that belonged to a man aged between 35 and 50, laid to rest sometime between AD 536 and 600. Grave goods identified him as a member of the Frankish tribes, a Germanic people known throughout early medieval Europe.

Three years later, researchers published their findings: the individual possessed a wooden prosthetic foot reinforced with an iron ring. The device showed clear signs of wear, confirming that it was not merely a decorative funerary addition but a practical walking aid the wearer relied upon during life.

The lower leg and foot were missing, yet healed bone tissue indicated the man survived the amputation and lived for at least two additional years—an impressive feat given the high risk of infection in that era.

8 A Four‑Fingered Hand

In 2023, pipeline work near Munich, Germany, unintentionally disturbed an ancient grave. Archaeologists soon determined that the interred male, who died between 1450 and 1620 at an age of 30 to 50, was missing the bones of four fingers, though his thumb remained intact.

In place of those absent digits, he wore an iron glove fashioned with four artificial fingers. The prosthetic fingers were hollow, rigid, and subtly curved to mimic a natural hand shape. Straps of leather appear to have secured the glove, while a gauze‑like fabric was packed inside to cushion the skin and prevent chafing.

The exact cause of the loss remains unknown, but the timeframe coincides with periods of intense military conflict, making a combat‑related injury a plausible explanation for the amputation.

7 A Luxury Toe

West of Luxor, Egypt, a modest chapel once housed the burials of individuals close to the royal family. Among the tombs, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a priest’s daughter who possessed a remarkably realistic wooden big toe, meticulously carved and strapped to her foot.

In 2017, a suite of modern analyses—including computer tomography, X‑ray imaging, and high‑resolution microscopy—revealed that the artisan who crafted the toe possessed an advanced understanding of human anatomy. The prosthetic was not merely decorative; it was designed to restore a natural appearance and function.The researchers also discovered that the toe had been refitted multiple times, indicating a sustained effort to ensure the wearer could walk comfortably and as naturally as possible.

6 Precursor to Modern Tooth Bridges

Excavations in 2016 at two burial sites in Lucca, Italy, yielded a curious dental prosthesis among the remains of roughly a hundred individuals. Although the exact owner could not be identified, experts dated the device to around 400 years ago based on its context.

The prosthetic comprised five real teeth sourced from different donors, assembled in a non‑traditional order—three incisors followed by two canines. Despite the haphazard arrangement, the maker demonstrated ingenuity by trimming the tips of each root, slicing them lengthwise, and aligning the teeth before fastening them with a delicate gold band.

Each tooth was secured to the band with two tiny golden pins, a technique that mirrors the modern Maryland bridge—a method developed in the 1970s that uses small “wings” attached to adjacent teeth for stability. This find thus represents the earliest physical evidence of a bridge‑type dental appliance.

5 A Deadly Prosthetic

In a 1985 discovery at an Italian burial site, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Middle‑Age man whose forearm had been amputated at the mid‑forearm level. The individual, likely a member of the Longobard (Lombard) Germanic tribe, lived to an age of 40‑50.

Rather than a conventional prosthetic, he replaced his missing hand with an iron knife, effectively turning his limb into a weaponized tool. Researchers believe the knife served both defensive purposes and practical daily tasks, granting him a uniquely formidable appearance.

The blade was attached to the residual arm using straps that the man apparently tightened with his own teeth—a hypothesis supported by severe wear observed on the right side of his dentition.

4 A Golden Mouth Plate

Fast forward to the 18th century in Poland, where a man born with a cleft palate faced the challenges of speech, swallowing, and breathing without modern surgical remedies. Archaeologists unearthed his remains in 2024, accompanied by a striking prosthetic palate.

The device was an expertly forged amalgam of copper, gold, and silver, padded internally with wool and felt to enhance comfort and fit. This combination of precious metals and soft materials created a functional yet elegant solution for his congenital condition.

Analysis of the remains confirmed that the prosthesis allowed him to lead a relatively normal life until his death around age 50, highlighting an early example of personalized medical engineering.

3 A Postmortem Prosthesis

Ancient Egypt’s turbulent political landscape once saw the murder of Pharaoh Ramesses III in 1155 BC, orchestrated by conspirators seeking to place the queen’s son on the throne. Forensic examinations in 2012 revealed that the pharaoh suffered a brutal assault, including a slashed throat and a hacked‑off big toe.

To restore the visual completeness of the king’s body, embalmers fashioned a replacement toe from linen and positioned it on his foot. This post‑mortem prosthesis underscores that even in antiquity, caretakers sought to preserve the dignity of the deceased through artificial means.

2 The World’s Oldest Prosthetic Eye

In 2006, an Iranian team excavating the ancient Burnt City near Zabol uncovered a 5,000‑year‑old female skeleton. Among the most striking finds was an artificial eye lodged in the left orbital socket, composed of animal fat and natural tar, wrapped in gold and etched to mimic an iris.

The eye featured delicate golden wires that simulated tiny blood vessels, and two tiny holes on either side likely served to secure the prosthetic during the wearer’s lifetime. Remarkably, remnants of eyelid tissue clung to the artifact, indicating it was not a post‑mortem adornment but a functional replacement used throughout her 25‑30 year life.

1 A Non‑Amputee With A Prosthetic Leg

Near Turpan, China, a 2,200‑year‑old tomb revealed a man whose left knee had fused at an extreme 80‑degree angle, rendering the joint immobile. To aid his mobility, archaeologists found a wooden prosthetic leg positioned beneath the knee, affixed to the thigh with leather straps.

The prosthetic’s foot was fashioned from a genuine horse hoof, providing a sturdy base for walking. Evidence suggests the man may have suffered from tuberculosis, which could have triggered inflammatory processes leading to the abnormal bone fusion.

This ingenious solution demonstrates that ancient societies engineered functional aids for individuals who, despite severe deformities, retained both natural limbs.

The 1970s are now hailed as “Hollywood’s Second Golden Age,” and it’s hard to argue with that assessment. Blockbusters such as The Godfather, Jaws, Star Wars and countless other classics defined the decade. Yet, tucked away in the archives, there are a handful of movies that were once praised, starred notable talent, and have since faded into obscurity. In this roundup of 10 forgotten 1970s titles, we shine a light on those overlooked gems and explain why they deserve a fresh look.

10 Forgotten 1970s Films Worth Revisiting

10 An Early Richard Pryor Film With Steely Dan Music

You’ve Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You’ll Lose That Beat boasts one of the most unwieldy titles ever to grace a movie marquee, and it has languished in near‑oblivion since its 1971 debut. That’s a real shame given the roster of talent attached. Zalman King leads the cast – a man who later produced erotic hits like 9½ Weeks (1986) and the TV series Red Shoe Diaries (1992). The supporting ensemble is even more intriguing, featuring Robert Downey Sr. and a very young Richard Pryor in one of his first on‑screen appearances.

Information about the picture is scarce today, and it might have vanished completely if not for its quirky soundtrack. The music was penned and performed by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen just before they formed Steely Dan, with guitarist Denny Dias (who would play on the first six Dan albums) also contributing under the moniker “The Original Sound Track.” Steely Dan devotees have chased down copies of that soundtrack for decades, unintentionally keeping the film’s memory alive.

Director Peter Locke has hinted that the film isn’t a masterpiece and seems content with its current anonymity. Nevertheless, critics who managed to view it praised Pryor’s early performance, and music lovers remain fascinated by the glimpse into Steely Dan’s pre‑fame era, ensuring the film retains a modest cult curiosity.

9 Playboy’s First Film Production

Zoologist Desmond Morris’s 1967 bestseller The Naked Ape sparked a cultural firestorm, arguing that human sexuality evolved into something distinct from other animals. The book’s mix of serious insight and playful tone made it ripe for adaptation – perhaps a BBC documentary, one might have guessed. Instead, in 1973, Hugh Hefner seized the opportunity to turn the work into Playboy’s inaugural Hollywood venture.

The resulting picture stars former TV child‑actor Johnny Crawford (remember him from The Rifleman?) alongside a pre‑Dallas Victoria Principal. The adaptation takes great liberties, weaving animated interludes to illustrate the book’s sociological ideas while Crawford and Principal play a college couple navigating typical human mating rituals. Crawford’s character is eventually drafted and, spoiler‑alert, meets his end in Vietnam, adding a grim twist to the otherwise off‑beat narrative.

Even though the film vanished from theaters almost as quickly as it arrived, it has never been completely erased. A niche community of Playboy aficionados, collectors of ’70s cinema, and fans of the two leads keep the title circulating. While it never saw an official home‑video or streaming release, a copy salvaged from old TV broadcasts circulates among underground collectors.

8 A Critical Favorite Gone Missing

Diary of a Mad Housewife began life as a 1967 novel by Sue Kaufman, chronicling the frustrations of a young New York wife and mother trapped by an unbearable husband and demanding children. The book’s sharp humor and feminist undercurrents made it a perfect candidate for a film adaptation during the rise of second‑wave feminism.

The husband‑and‑wife filmmaking duo Eleanor and Frank Perry brought the story to the screen in August 1970. The film earned considerable acclaim, highlighted by a Best Actress Oscar nomination for newcomer Carrie Snodgress. It also marked the big‑screen debut of Frank Langella, who would later portray Dracula (1979) and Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon (2008).

Despite the glowing reviews and strong audience response, the movie slipped into obscurity. The independent nature of the Perrys’ production meant the original film elements never entered a major studio archive, complicating any restoration attempts. In 2021, a Blu‑ray finally emerged, sourced from a well‑preserved print. Hopefully, the original negatives will surface someday, allowing a proper, high‑quality revival of this overlooked classic.

7 The Film Debut of Samuel L. Jackson

There’s no denying that Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most recognizable faces in modern cinema. After his iconic turn as Jules Winnfield in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 classic Pulp Fiction and his long‑running role as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he has become a cultural mainstay. Yet his very first screen credit dates back to 1972, appearing in the obscure curio Together for Days.

The film follows a Black activist and a White woman who find themselves “drawn to one another” amid the charged racial atmosphere of early‑1970s America. Jackson plays a character simply named “Stan,” and beyond that, details are scarce. He landed the part while a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, where the production was taking place.

During a Tonight Show interview, host Jay Leno mentioned his futile search for a copy of the film (also known as Black Cream). Jackson quipped that he was glad Leno couldn’t find it, leaving fans to wonder about the movie’s quality. Nonetheless, his legion of admirers would love to see this early work, and perhaps one day it will resurface on home‑video or streaming platforms.

6 A Popular Documentary Narrated by Orson Welles

Alvin Toffler’s 1970 bestseller Future Shock sold millions of copies, warning that rapid societal change was causing “future shock”—a kind of cultural disorientation. The book’s predictions about technology, disposable consumer goods, and a nascent internet‑like network resonated strongly with readers.

Capitalizing on the book’s momentum, director Alex Grasshof produced a 1972 documentary adaptation, enlisting none other than Orson Welles to provide narration. Welles’s gravitas adds a timeless, authoritative tone to the film, which explores the anxieties of a world hurtling toward unprecedented change.

Although the documentary never received an official home‑media release, fan‑restored versions have surfaced on YouTube, keeping the work accessible to curious viewers. Watching it offers a fascinating glimpse into how people in the early ’70s imagined the future we now inhabit.

5 A Notable Early Directorial Effort

John G. Avildsen is best remembered for winning Best Director for Rocky and later shepherding the Karate Kid trilogy. Before those Hollywood triumphs, Avildsen earned critical praise with 1970’s Joe, a gritty drama starring Peter Boyle as a working‑class man driven to extremism.

He followed that success with another commendable picture in 1971: Okay, Bill. Variety lauded the film as “creative and inventive,” and audiences who caught it responded positively. Unfortunately, the movie never secured a wide release, being distributed by the modest Four Star‑Excelsior. Its subsequent fate is a mystery, and it now appears on numerous “most‑wanted” lost‑film lists. Enthusiasts continue to dig for information, hoping the film will someday re‑emerge.

4 An Acclaimed George Segal/Robert De Niro Film

During the late ’60s through the mid‑’70s, George Segal built a reputation for delivering relatable, everyman performances. One of his most praised roles, however, has largely slipped from public memory: the 1971 drama Born to Win. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Karen Black, Hector Elizondo, and a very young Robert De Niro.

Born to Win follows a heroin‑addicted protagonist striving to balance a semblance of normal life with his habit, resulting in a gritty comedy‑drama packed with complications. Critics highlighted Segal’s work, with Paste Magazine calling his performance “one of the great unsung performances of the ’70s.”

Today, the movie lives on in bargain‑bin DVD racks, offering curious viewers a cheap entry point into a film that once garnered critical admiration but now remains a hidden treasure for those willing to hunt it down.

3 A Dennis Hopper Western

The early 1970s saw a surge of “revisionist Westerns,” which turned the classic genre on its head. Films like Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch (1969) and Robert Altman’s McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971) exemplified this trend. Among them, Dennis Hopper’s 1973 western Kid Blue has largely faded from the public eye.

Hopper portrays the titular Kid Blue, a train robber who discovers the Old West is disappearing and attempts to go straight. The film explores the difficulty of leaving a criminal past behind, blending action with introspection.

Although critics responded positively and the movie earned modest box‑office returns, it never secured a lasting place in the cultural conversation. Revival theater The New Beverly noted in 2017 that the film “did not linger in the public’s imagination.” Fortunately, 20th Century Fox now offers it via on‑demand DVDs in its Archive Collection, making it accessible for modern audiences.

2 Sci‑Fi From a Young Spielberg

Even the most celebrated directors start somewhere, and Steven Spielberg’s early career began in television. While most remember his 1971 TV movie Duel, which later received a theatrical release, he also crafted a feature‑length sci‑fi segment that aired as part of the NBC series The Name of the Game.

The episode, titled “L.A. 2017,” uses a dream sequence to plunge viewers into a dystopian future where pollution forces humanity underground and America has transformed into a fascist state. The young Spielberg used the premise to experiment with camera work and storytelling, showcasing his emerging talent at just 24.

Because the series itself has largely been forgotten, “L.A. 2017” remains known primarily to devoted Spielberg fans. It has never seen an official home‑video release, though fan‑restored versions from original TV airings circulate online for those eager to experience this early glimpse of his visionary style.

1 A Star‑Studded Cast in a Family Drama

Following the cultural upheaval of the 1960s, many films of the ’60s and ’70s tackled the fraught issue of parents dealing with their children’s drug use. One standout example is the 1970 drama The People Next Door, which earned high praise from both critics and audiences.

Roger Ebert famously wrote, “It’s the best movie so far about parents, kids, and drugs, and probably the best we’re likely to get.” The film boasts an impressive ensemble, including Eli Wallach, Julie Harris, Hal Holbrook, and Cloris Leachman, delivering powerful performances that still resonate.

After a period of relative obscurity, the movie received a 4K restoration on Blu‑Ray in the UK in 2021 and is now available for rental on several streaming platforms. Its renewed accessibility makes it a worthwhile watch for anyone interested in a nuanced, era‑defining family drama.

The world is brimming with hidden corners and lesser‑known wonders just waiting to be explored. These 10 tourist attractions range from ancient desert oases to remote marine reserves, each offering a unique slice of culture, nature, or history that can turn any ordinary trip into an unforgettable adventure.

Explore These 10 Tourist Attractions

1 Extremadura

Often whispered about as “Spain’s best kept secret,” Extremadura rests between Andalucía and Portugal, bearing a legacy that stretches back to Roman times when it sat on a vital copper‑and‑tin trade route. Though it is the country’s poorest and sparsely populated region, its landscape overflows with historic marvels and sweeping open spaces.

The regional capital, Mérida, sits where the historic Ruta de la Plata meets the Guadiana River. Its Roman bridge, the longest of its kind still standing, spans the water alongside a grand Roman theatre, stadium, three aqueducts, and an amphitheatre, all testifying to the empire’s once‑great presence.

Extremadura also cradles two storied monasteries: Santa María de Guadalupe, where Christopher Columbus gave thanks for his New World discovery, and the Monastery of Yuste, the final residence of Emperor Charles V during his last two years. Together, they weave a tapestry of spiritual and imperial history rarely seen by tourists.

2 Tsitsikamma National Park

While many travelers flock to South Africa’s iconic cities, the Garden Route hides a treasure in Tsitsikamma National Park. As the largest marine reserve in the nation, it shelters towering Outeniqua yellowwood trees and a coastline that feels almost untouched.

The park’s crown jewel is the 42‑kilometre Otter Trail, a rugged hike that winds through dense forest, past dramatic cliffs, and into the surf‑kissed Storms River. Below the water’s surface, divers and snorkelers discover vibrant marine life, and the nearby river boasts the world’s highest commercial bungee jump for thrill‑seekers.

Beyond the adventure, Tsitsikamma’s rugged mountain range funnels the powerful Storms River into the Indian Ocean, creating a dramatic backdrop that makes every visit feel like stepping into a wilderness postcard.

3 New Caledonia

Located roughly 900 miles east of Australia in the southwestern Pacific, New Caledonia is a mosaic of turquoise waters, lush rainforests, and striking limestone formations. The Isle of Pines, part of the archipelago, showcases the breathtaking Upi Bay, where turtles and dolphins play amid clear aquamarine seas and massive rocks appear to float on the surface.

Visitors can glide across the water in traditional outrigger canoes, swim in the inviting bay, or trek through adjacent rainforests. Turtle Bay offers encounters with reef sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles, while Brush Island presents a secluded beach begging for exploration.

The main island invites travelers to savor Melanesian cuisine, wander around pristine lakes, and chase waterfalls that tumble through verdant valleys, making every moment a sensory feast.

4 Tohoku

In 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami devastated the Tohoku region, claiming over 18,000 lives and wreaking havoc on infrastructure. The disaster also damaged the Fukushima nuclear plant, leading to the meltdown of three reactors and the release of radioactive material.

Yet the resilient spirit of Tohoku’s residents has breathed new life into the area. Today, visitors can revel in the vibrant Aomori Nebuta Festival, explore the ancient archaeological treasures of Hiraizumi, and trek the rugged Hakkoda Mountains. A standout attraction is the bright yellow “Pokemon with You” train, designed to bring smiles to children impacted by the tsunami; its carriages are adorned with Pikachu and Poké Balls, and it even features a dedicated playroom.

5 Southern Namib Desert

Deserts may not be the first destination that springs to mind, but Namibia’s Southern Namib Desert offers some of the planet’s most spectacular night skies and sweeping, otherworldly vistas. Believed to be the oldest desert on Earth—about 55 million years old—it teems with wildlife such as springbok, ostriches, zebras, cheetahs, and even lions despite its harsh, arid climate.

Morning mists often roll in as the chilly Benguela Current collides with the hot desert air, creating a dramatic, fog‑filled horizon. The desert also hosts rare desert‑adapted elephants, though sightings are scarce due to historic poaching pressures.

6 Penghu

Penghu, an archipelago of 90 islands and islets nestled in Taiwan’s Taiwan Strait, offers a blend of pristine beaches, vibrant cultural sites, and a glimpse into centuries‑old history. Strolling through the islands reveals ornate temples, striking basalt cliffs, and the Chixi Rock Waterfall, famed for its shape that resembles a galloping horse.

The historic Penghu Paradise Road, once a bustling ship port, now serves as a narrow footpath that stretches out into the ocean, inviting explorers to wander along its scenic route.

Among the islands, Duxinghsi Village stands out as Taiwan’s oldest military housing, originally built for the Japanese army during World War II, with many traditional Japanese‑style homes still intact. On the West Island’s southwest side, the Sitai Ancient Fortress—constructed during the Qing Dynasty and concealed within basalt—offers a tangible link to the region’s martial past.

7 Heaven Lake

China dazzles travelers with iconic landmarks like the Great Wall and giant pandas, yet hidden gems such as Heaven Lake lie tucked away on the border between North Korea and China. Perched within the crater of Paektu Mountain, this volcanic lake holds the title of the world’s highest volcanic lake.

Local legend speaks of the Lake Tianchi Monster, a mythical creature said to haunt its depths. Rumors also swirl that former North Korean leader Kim Jong‑il was born near the lake and that the ice covering it ruptured with a thunderous crack following his death, adding an eerie allure to the serene waters.

8 Bazaruto Archipelago

Mozambique is celebrated for its sun‑kissed beaches, rhythmic music, and delectable seafood, but the Bazaruto Archipelago remains a lesser‑known treasure. Consisting of six islands protected as a national park since 1971, the archipelago preserves pristine ecosystems that few tourists have trodden.

Wild horses frolic along the surf, untouched coral reefs shimmer beneath the surface, and around 180 dugongs—often called sea cows—glide through the clear waters. The area also boasts 141 bird species, 18 reptiles, 21 mammals, and five dolphin species, making it a biodiversity hotspot.

9 Cosmosphere

The vastness of space has always sparked human curiosity, and the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, offers a stellar gateway into that fascination. Housing over 13,000 spaceflight artifacts, the museum delivers immersive educational experiences for visitors of all ages.

Guests can wander through the Hall of Space Museum, marvel at the Carey Digital Dome Theatre’s cosmic documentaries, gaze at the night sky in the Justice Planetarium, and explore Dr. Goddard’s Lab, where interactive shows trace the evolution of rockets. Highlights include the Liberty Bell 7 Mercury spacecraft, an Apollo 11 Moon rock, and the Gemini 10 capsule.

10 Huacachina

Peru draws millions each year to iconic sites like Machu Picchu, yet the tiny oasis village of Huacachina often slips under the radar. Nestled amid sweeping sand dunes in southwestern Peru, this settlement of just 100 residents revolves around a striking desert lake.

Legend tells of a native princess preparing to bathe when she spotted a hunter. She dropped her mirror, fled, and the mirror transformed into the lake. Locals still whisper of a mermaid inhabiting its waters, believed by many to be the very princess herself.

The lake’s waters are reputed to possess therapeutic qualities, with locals bathing to alleviate rheumatic ailments and asthma, adding a soothing, health‑focused dimension to this surreal desert paradise.

National parks are one of America’s greatest and environmentally worthwhile achievements. As many know, the first national park to be established—likely one of the first in the world—was Yellowstone National Park in 1872. This amazing park lies mostly in Wyoming and covers over 2.2 million acres. After its creation, President Theodore Roosevelt would build on this and establish five more national parks and 18 national monuments.

Today, the U.S. is home to 63 national parks for visitors to enjoy. However, there are many other sites and natural wonders that are deserving of federal park status but, for one reason or another, have not been protected under the National Park System. Since there are so many amazing natural wonders in the U.S. and not enough space to list them all, we’ll focus on states that currently do not have a national park but definitely have a contender.

Related: 10 Weirdest Life Cycles In Nature

10 Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Alabama

One of the least talked about but most biologically diverse places in the U.S. is the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. It has been called America’s Amazon. The area is the second-largest delta in the U.S.—after the Mississippi. It contains one of the highest densities of different turtle species in the world, and scientists suspect that there is still flora and fauna in the area waiting to be discovered.

Apart from its natural wonders, the area also contains many historical sites that have been lost to time and swallowed up by the vast swampland. For example, it was the site of the last major battle of the Civil War, fought at Fort Blakely after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. It also contains one of the largest discovered Native American mounds on the Gulf Coast. Unfortunately, the area is unlikely to become a national park anytime soon, as a 2016 push to fold the area into the National Park System stalled.^[1]

9 Smoky Hills, Kansas

Many might think of flat prairies when thinking of Kansas, but the state is also home to canyons, rivers, and streams. The Smoky Hills region in the north-central part of the state was formed during the Cretaceous Period and includes craggy canyons and streams made up of sandstone, limestone, and chalk.

With so much geological history, the area also sports some strange rock formations, such as mushroom rock near Kanopolis State Park. The area’s rolling hills, canyons, and wetlands are definitely usually overlooked when one thinks about Kansas. Still, if the state was to be approved for a national park, this area would definitely be in contention.^[2]

8 Natchez Trace, Mississippi and Tennessee

Though administered by the National Park Service, the 444-mile Natchez Trace Trail that meanders through Mississippi and north into Tennessee is technically considered a “parkway.” Visitors can drive, bike, or hike along the road and the surrounding forests, which follow a trail used for centuries by Native Americans and then early settlers.

Former President Thomas Jefferson widened the corridor in order to link Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville and encourage expansion. The original trail even contains a marker for the grave of Meriwether Lewis (of Lewis and Clark Expedition fame). If it so wanted, the state of Mississippi would probably have no problem convincing the National Park Service to create a national park around the historic parkway and surrounding forests.^[3]

7 The Adirondacks, New York

Located in upstate New York, the Adirondacks is a region containing over 30,000 square miles of rivers and streams. The park itself is administered by the state of New York, and while you might have heard of the area, did you know that the park is larger than Yellowstone, Glacier, the Everglades, and the Grand Canyon National Parks combined?

Almost half of the land in the park is owned by the state, while just over 55% is privately owned. However, all of the land within, including private land, must adhere to a strict set of development rules that are meant to protect the park. With rivers and forests, you can enjoy nearly 2,000 miles of hiking trails and other outdoor adventures. Paired with small towns and farmland, the area also boasts numerous historic sites, including forts, museums, and even the Olympic Center in Lake Placid.^[4]

6 The Apostle Islands, Wisconsin

There are 22 islands near Bayfield Peninsula in Lake Superior. Twenty-one of those islands belong to a national lakeshore in Wisconsin. These islands encompass an area of 720 square miles (Link 11), offering adventurers caves to explore, miles of coastline to kayak, and 108 square miles of land and forest to hike.

The shores of these jewel-like islands also mark the northwestern limits of hardwood-white pine. The area hosts bald eagles, black bears, the endangered American marten, and numerous aquatic life and migratory birds. But no matter the season, the islands always offer spectacular views of one of the most pristine Great Lakes.^[5]

5 Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands

What is essentially a collection of two national forests and three national grasslands starting in Nebraska and spanning into South Dakota make up the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

One area of forest inside this vast expanse makes up some 90,000 acres and is actually the largest hand-planted forest in the world. Yeah, that’s right, much of this forest was planted by humans. In 1890, a member of the University of Nebraska suggested that the federal government plant trees in order to stem erosion and provide sanctuary for wildlife and a source of lumber for locals.

The federal government apparently thought it was a good idea and a year later established an experimental plot of land that has grown into the forest that exists today. While not technically “natural,” it makes one wonder what kind of positive precedent for the future it would set to elevate this area into national park status.^[6]

4 Hammersley Wild Area, Pennsylvania

Spanning an area of almost 30,000 acres, this wild area is some of the most pristine forested regions in the state of Pennsylvania, if not the most. The brochure even warns those looking to hike the area to carry topographic maps as getting lost here could “have serious consequences.”

The region contains old-growth and hardwood forests, but it is perhaps more notable for what is absent. There are no roads inside Hammersley, meaning the only thing you are likely to hear while camping or hiking is the sweet, sweet sound of the wilderness.^[7]

3 Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana

Located in north-central Louisiana, Kisatchie National Forest is over 600,000 acres and contains old-growth pine—the type that used to cover most of the southeast U.S. It was even featured on the America the Beautiful quarter series that highlighted various national parks and other natural resources in the U.S.

The forest contains over 100 bird species year-round, Louisiana black bears, and escaped wild horses. Almost logged completely in the early twentieth century, the area is named after a local tribe of Kichai Native Americans, who called themselves “Kitsatchie.” The park offer camping (both in camps and more primitive), fishing, hunting, hiking, and numerous other outdoor adventures to keep everyone busy.^[8]

2 The Green Mountains, Vermont

Green Mountains National Forest is another forest on this list that could easily be elevated to National Park status. The forest spans some 400,000 acres and 550 square miles, with the park established in 1932.

The area the forest gets its name from—the Green Mountains—is part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. They run north-south through the center of Vermont and include peaks rising over 3,000 feet in height. The national forest was established to protect many of these verdant peaks and their hardwoods. With its diverse vegetation and focus on forest stewardship, the park—along with its sister park, the Finger Lakes National Park in New York—functions as a research and educational center. It also has various recreational activities along its many trails.^[9]

1 Atchafalaya, Louisiana

The last area on our list, the Atchafalaya Basin, is the country’s largest swamp. It spans an area of almost one million acres and stretches 140 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Located in Louisiana, the basin is larger than the Florida Everglades and is home to the largest nesting population of bald eagles in the southern U.S.

The basin contains the largest contiguous hardwood forest in the U.S. and an abundance of wildlife. Situated west of New Orleans, the basin would probably be covered by the ever-changing Mississippi River by now if it weren’t for controls put in place along the northern edge of the basin. However, the basin takes in about 30% of the water from the Mississippi Rivers as it flows into the Gulf. The waters provide essential habitat for more than 300 species of wildlife and 100 different aquatic species, as well as a rich diversity of native plants.

You can enjoy various activities while visiting this bayou, including paddling, biking, golfing, birding, and camping. Oh, and don’t forget a swamp tour!^[10]