America has long been defined by people and communities keen to forge their own independent path. Look no further than its 50 states, which each have a distinct government and cultural identity. While there are still hopes for places like Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico to join them one day, other proposed states over the centuries have fallen by the wayside. Here are five would-be states from America’s past.

Transylvania

Central Kentucky residents know Transylvania well — and not as the home of Count Dracula. When pioneer Daniel Boone crossed the Cumberland Gap into what is now Kentucky, he established a fort called Boonesborough. He hoped that this would one day be the capital of the 14th state, which was dubbed Transylvania in the 1770s. However, Virginia claimed that they already owned the land and were not willing to let it break away. Congress also wasn’t too keen on the idea, so the proposal was ultimately shelved. Several years later, the region did indeed become a state, but it was named Kentucky. The original name lives on in Transylvania University, founded in 1780 as the first college west of the Allegheny mountains.

Forgottonia

What started as little more than a satirical publicity stunt in the early 1970s turned into a grassroots campaign that helped to draw attention to rural Illinois. Local businessmen in western Illinois were frustrated at the lack of attention their region received from the state government, especially poor investment in transportation. They proposed a new state, appropriately named Forgottonia, comprising 16 counties. The organizers recruited a theater student to be their governor, appointed the small community of Fandon state capital, and proclaimed that they would secede and apply for foreign aid. The movement gained some attention for a short period but fizzled out in 1972. Nevertheless, Amtrak later established a train route through the area, so perhaps Forgottonia wasn’t so forgotten after all.

Texlahoma

Decades before the residents of western Illinois felt forgotten by their representatives, so did folks in the Texas panhandle. By the 1930s, automobiles had become more affordable and were more common on American roads. Cars were especially useful for covering distances in the open spaces of the West, such as Texas and Oklahoma — as long as the areas they passed through had decent infrastructure. Unfortunately, that was sorely lacking in the panhandle of Texas and neighboring western Oklahoma. A proposal for the 49th state (at the time) combined 23 Oklahoma counties and 46 Texas counties into Texlahoma, with the capital in Amarillo.

Residents believed that having their own statehood and legislature would give them better access to improved infrastructure and services. The proposal even earned the support of then-Vice President John Nance Garner. The plan was ultimately dropped, with some suggesting that those proud Texans couldn’t quite bring themselves to give up their Lone Star identity.

Absaroka

In 1939, a street commissioner in Sheridan, Wyoming, named A. R. Swickard declared himself governor of Absaroka, a combined chunk of Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota. At the time, the Federal Writers’ Project was sending journalists across the country in search of local color, and so what might have remained a little-known local oddity captured the national imagination. 

Although the proposal for statehood never reached any of the state legislatures involved, a Miss Absaroka beauty pageant did take place, and Absaroka license plates were produced. Organizers even claimed a royal visit when the King of Norway happened to be in Montana. Ranchers and farmers in the region might have latched onto the proposal, especially given recent droughts and a lack of federal aid, but with war breaking out overseas, their attention quickly turned to patriotism. By the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the idea of secession and the future of Absaroka had faded entirely. If not for that, visitors to Mount Rushmore might have found themselves in the state of Absaroka instead of South Dakota.

Jefferson

If you are wondering why there is not a state named after Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, it isn’t for lack of trying. There have been four attempts to establish one over the years. In 1859, a group of miners proposed the Jefferson Territory in western Kansas, which later became Colorado. Two Jeffersons have also been suggested on different occasions in Texas, while the fourth was in Northern California. As in the case of Absaroka, talks of these proposed states halted after the outbreak of World War II. 

Nevertheless, there are still some residents of northern California and southern Oregon who hold out hope for a breakaway state named Jefferson, with Redding as the state capital. There’s even a Jefferson flag depicting a gold mining pan on a field of green with two X-es on the pan that symbolize abandonment of their current states.

We’re taught from a young age that our nation’s capital is Washington, D.C. Perhaps you’ve even visited some of its most famous landmarks, such as the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial. But despite serving as the capital for more than 200 years, D.C. wasn’t always the center of the federal government. In fact, D.C. didn’t even exist in the early days of the nation and didn’t become the official capital until 1800. Take a trip back in time and discover eight former U.S. capitals before before Washington, D.C. you may have forgotten.

Baltimore, Maryland

After initially meeting in Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, the Continental Congress moved to a new capital in December of that year to evade capture by British troops. To draw as little attention to themselves as possible, delegates held secret meetings at the Henry Fite House, located on West Baltimore Street between South Sharp and North Liberty Streets. Its owner, Henry Fite — who built the tavern and inn in 1770 — rented the house to Congress for a sum of 60 pounds for a period of three months, after which Congress would return to Philadelphia. The building later became known as the Old Congress Hall, but sadly, it was destroyed by fire in 1904.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

At first glance, Lancaster — now home to some of the nation’s oldest Amish communities — may seem like an unlikely choice for capital of the United States. Perhaps our forefathers agreed, because Lancaster’s stint as capital lasted just one day: September 27, 1777. One day prior, British forces captured Philadelphia, forcing Congress to flee to Lancaster, which at the time was the next-largest town west of Philadelphia. 

Interestingly, the delegates also took with them the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell for safekeeping, but they were forced to abandon the latter on the way, successfully hiding it in a church in Allentown during the British raid. While the court house that served as the capital for a single day in 1777 sadly burned down, fortunately, the Liberty Bell is still on display at the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia.

York, Pennsylvania

Seeking further protection from the British, Congress moved 25 miles further west to York, which served as the U.S. capital until June 1778. During these nine months, several major events took place in York: The Articles of Confederation were adopted there, and the first National Day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed in the city. However, it wasn’t enough to keep the capital there — to evade British troops again, Congress soon began looking for a new location for the nation’s capital. Today, visitors can explore York’s history as one of the nation’s first capitals at the Colonial Complex.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Known as the birthplace of the United States, Philadelphia is where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the Constitution was drafted in 1787. After earlier stints as the national capital between 1774 and 1778, the City of Brotherly Love was chosen to serve as the temporary capital from 1790 to 1800. This was stipulated in the Residence Act of 1790, signed by George Washington, which called for a new national capital to be built on the Potomac River.

However, when the Continental Congress convened in Independence Hall in 1783, delegates faced a mutiny from soldiers in the Continental Army, whom Congress had neglected to pay during the war against the British. Eventually, the legislators sent Alexander Hamilton to negotiate with the angry soldiers. Hamilton approached John Dickinson, Pennsylvania’s head of state, to ask for protection for Congress. For his part, Dickinson saw no reason to commit Philadelphia troops, so the delegates fled to Princeton instead. Today, visitors can explore the early history of the nation at Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park. 

Princeton, New Jersey

Princeton served as the national capital from June 30 to November 4, 1783. Here, Congress convened in Nassau Hall, which was built in 1756 and remains the oldest building at Princeton University. However, moving the capital from the much-larger Philadelphia to what was, at the time, a small village that had suffered significant damage during the American Revolution, proved difficult. The legislators didn’t dare return to Philadelphia to face the disgruntled soldiers, but since Princeton’s size couldn’t accommodate the growing number of delegates, Congress was forced to make another move after just four months.

Annapolis, Maryland

Congress arrived in Annapolis in November 1783 and stayed until August 1784. It was here that the Treaty of Paris was ratified, officially ending the American Revolution, and it’s also where George Washington stepped down after serving as the country’s first commander-in-chief. But, as fate would have it, America wasn’t finished with Washington yet. Washington was unanimously elected as the president of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and, on April 20, 1789, America voted him in as the first president of the United States. 

Meanwhile, Annapolis turned its attention back to its primary role as the capital of Maryland. In 1845, it became the home of the United States Naval Academy, originally called the Naval School, which opened with seven professors and fifty midshipmen. The Maryland State House, where Congress convened, is the country’s oldest state house in continuous legislative use and the only state house to have also served as the national capital. It’s open daily to the public for self-guided tours.

Trenton, New Jersey

Congress next moved to Trenton, the site of Washington’s first major victory in the Revolutionary War, for the final two months of 1784, choosing to set up the government in a local pub known as the French Arms Tavern. Not much of note happened during this Congressional session. The bright lights of New York were calling, and delegates packed up for New York on Christmas Eve, and the city of Trenton got its tavern back, but unfortunately, the building was torn down in 1837.

New York, New York

On July 26, 1788, New York became the 11th state to ratify the Constitution, making New York City the first U.S. capital post-Constitution. During New York’s stint as the seat of government, Congress met at Federal Hall, though it has since been torn down. Delegates grew uncomfortable putting the national capital under the permanent jurisdiction of any particular state, so Congress decided that it would be better to set aside federal land for the capital. 

In 1790, Washington, D.C., was founded on land that once belonged to the states of Maryland and Virginia and was chosen by George Washington himself. Washington tapped French-American engineer Pierre Charles L’Enfant to design the new district. On November 17, 1800, Washington, D.C., officially became the capital of the United States of America.

The world’s ancient wonders feature on many bucket lists, but how much do you really know about them? In some cases, even archaeologists and historians have struggled to figure out precisely what purpose they once served. But in many respects, the more mysterious they are, the keener travelers are to visit. From Machu Picchu to Stonehenge, dive into the fascinating histories of six of the world’s most famous ruins.

Treasury Building – Petra, Jordan

The Nabataeans built Petra as their capital, carving dozens of buildings out of the desert’s distinctive rose-red sandstone. The civilization flourished in southern Jordan between the fourth century BCE and 106 CE, but Petra appears to have been completely abandoned by the middle of the seventh century. Today, many visitors approach the popular site — once hidden to the outside world until a Swiss explorer discovered it by accident in 1812 — via the Siq. 

This narrow slot canyon leads to Petra’s most recognizable building: the Treasury (Al Khasneh). Historians estimate it dates back to about the first century BCE. No more than an elaborate façade, it conceals a small hall in which a royal tomb may once have been placed, making it likely this could have been a mausoleum for a time. A solid rock urn bears the bullet holes from shots fired by those who once believed it contained treasure. Nearby, the Deir (Monastery), another rock-hewn highlight, is an unfinished tomb that was later used as a church during Byzantine times.

The Parthenon – Athens, Greece

Dating back more than 2,500 years, Athens’ most prominent landmark has a long and fascinating history. Originally, the Parthenon was built as a shrine honoring the Greek goddess Athena, as the centerpiece of an impressive temple complex. The Parthenon’s hilltop location meant that it could be seen from all over Athens; as such, it became an emblem of the city. 

Over the course of its existence, the Parthenon has been repurposed as a Byzantine church and, under the Ottomans, a mosque. Earthquakes, fire, gunpowder and looters have all taken their toll. Yet it remains an architectural icon, copied and adapted all over the world — including in Nashville, Tennessee, which is home to a full-size replica. Interestingly, the Doric columns that support the structure were tapered to achieve the illusion of symmetry; those on the four corners are wider than the others.

Machu Picchu – Peru

The Inca Empire once stretched from southern Colombia to Chile, but its capital was in Cusco, a city high in the Peruvian Andes. Remaining undiscovered by the Spanish after they colonized the region, the nearby site of Machu Picchu lay hidden for centuries. To this day, despite extensive excavations, the sprawling ruin is still an enigma. There are no written records that definitively identify what it was used for, though many theories have been offered — perhaps it had a ceremonial or religious focus, or possibly it was a fortress or a crop testing site. 

Current thinking holds that it was most likely the palatial base for Pachacuti (Pachacútec), who was the ninth Sapa Inca, ruling from 1438 to 1471. Royal retreat or not, its skillfully crafted stonework and breathtaking location now make Machu Picchu a favorite among travelers.

Stonehenge – England

Stonehenge has occupied a commanding position on Salisbury Plain in southern England for approximately 5,000 years. Building this stone circle would have been a colossal undertaking, yet historians can only guess at why the Neolithic and Bronze Age peoples who built it went to so much trouble. Some of the stones used in its construction even came from quarries that were 180 miles away from the site.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Stonehenge is the Heel Stone. It was once one of a pair of stones (the other since lost) that aligned perfectly to frame the sunrise on the summer solstice. Similarly, on the shortest day of the year, the sun would have set within Stonehenge’s tallest trilithon (the name given to two upright stones topped with a lintel). Perhaps, therefore, Stonehenge was an ancient solar calendar or simply a place where people came to celebrate the solstices. Other theories that have been put forward include it being a burial ground or Druid temple.

Temple of Kukulcán – Chichén Itzá, Mexico

The name Chichén Itzá means “mouth of the well of the Itza,” referring to the group of Maya peoples who ruled this part of Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula in the 13th century. This archaeological site remains one of the region’s most important Maya ruins today. At its heart is the Temple of Kukulcán, which the Spaniards called “El Castillo.” 

Architecturally, the pyramid is impressive, with a four-sided, stepped construction whose total number of stairs equals the number of days in the Maya calendar. At the top, there’s a small temple where priests once performed sacred rituals, and inside, archaeologists discovered another temple. Interestingly, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the serpent deity Kukulcán appears to descend as the sun casts a shadow to create a snakelike silhouette on the pyramid’s staircase when viewed with the stonework at the bottom.

Sigiriya – Sri Lanka

Sigiriya (Lion Rock) is an ancient fortress that tops a vertiginously steep 650-foot-high rock in Sri Lanka. Its significance is the result of a royal feud. During the fifth century, the ruler Kassapa overthrew and entombed his father. In the process, he usurped the throne from his brother Moggallana, who was the rightful heir. In an attempt to remain king, the unpopular monarch constructed a palace atop the plug of an extinct volcano in the hope that it would be easier to defend.

Halfway up this 1,200-step climb, visitors today will pass through a gateway that resembles a lion, hence the site’s name. Other highlights on the way to the top — where the king’s palace lies — include the Mirror Wall and a series of colorful frescoes. And in case you’re wondering, justice was indeed served: Moggallana’s army was able to defeat his power-crazed sibling to retake the kingdom. After Kassapa’s death, Sigiriya became a Buddhist monastery.