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Thanksgiving Eve Stabbing At Popular Berkshire County Restaurant
THANKSGIVING EVE STABBING AT POPULAR BERKSHIRE COUNTY RESTAURANT
Eric Greene
Eric GreenePublished: November 23, 2023
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The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving has always been a very busy time for
bars and restaurants as friends and family are either coming back home or
visiting because of the big holiday.
At least, that's the way it used to be before the pandemic temporarily halted
that. Now that things are getting back to (the new) normal, it's slowly becoming
a Thanksgiving Eve tradition yet again
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Meeting and catching up with friends and family the night before Thanksgiving
can be quite fun and certainly alleviate some stress. But, as last night proved,
sometimes it can be dangerous.
Shortly before 10 pm last night, there was an apparent stabbing at a popular bar
and restaurant on West Street in Pittsfield. According to a media report from
Lt. John Mazzeo of the Pittsfield Police Department, the incident occurred at
the Thistle & Mirth Wednesday night.
According to Lt. Mazzeo, around 9:40 pm Wednesday night, Pittsfield Police
Department officers responded to Thistle & Mirth at 44 West Street for a report
of a stabbing.
Police officers turned up evidence of a stabbing but were unable to locate a
victim. However, a little while later, an adult male showed up at BMC with a
stab wound. The man is expected to survive the attack.
Not much more is known at this time but the PPD believes this was not a random
act and does not think there is an immediate threat to the general public. If
you have any information regarding the incident, the Pittsfield Police
Department would like to hear from you.
Contact Detective Losaw at 413-448-9700, extension 572. You can also provide
info anonymously by calling the Detective Bureau Tip Line at 413-448-9706. The
PPD thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
25 TRUE CRIME LOCATIONS: WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE TODAY?
Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and
what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)
John Wayne Gacy House: Then
Bettman, Getty Images
JOHN WAYNE GACY HOUSE: THEN
Known as the Killer Clown, John Wayne Gacy was responsible for assaulting and
murdering at least 33 boys and young men. The serial killer and sex offender
performed regularly as a clown at children’s hospitals and charity events in
Cook County, a metropolitan area of Chicago, earning him the sinister moniker.
At the time, his conviction for 33 murders in one trial was the most for any one
person in U.S. history.
John Wayne Gacy House: Now
YouTube
JOHN WAYNE GACY HOUSE: NOW
John Wayne Gacy’s house has since been torn down and replaced with a new
residence, built on the same land where Gacy reportedly buried many of his
victims. The home, located at 8215 W. Summerdale Ave., was sold for just shy of
$400,000 in May 2021.
Amityville Horror House: Then
Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images
AMITYVILLE HORROR HOUSE: THEN
On November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo murdered his mother, father, two brothers and
two sisters with a high powered rifle in their Long Island home. Two years
later, George and Kathleen Lutz, the new owners of the house, began spreading a
story that ghosts and evil spirits had scared them out of the house that they
had just purchased. A book based on their apparent hoax became a number one
bestseller and the subsequent film was a box office smash.
Amityville Horror House: Now
Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images
AMITYVILLE HORROR HOUSE: NOW
Despite that it’s now widely accepted that the Lutzs completely fabricated their
horror story, the home located at 112 Ocean Ave. remains a popular tourist
attraction, even though it no longer features the iconic quarter-moon windows.
The Spot Where Black Dahlia’s Body Was Found: Then
International News Photo, Getty Images
THE SPOT WHERE BLACK DAHLIA’S BODY WAS FOUND: THEN
On January 15, 1947, the horribly mutilated body of the “Black Dahlia,” a.k.a.
aspiring 22-year-old actress Elizabeth Short, was found cut in half in a Los
Angeles-area open field. Still unsolved to this day, her slaying remains one of
the most infamous murder cases in the history of Hollywood. It’s a spectacularly
gruesome crime that has gone on to inspire books and films alike, including the
James Ellroy bestseller The Black Dahlia and 1981’s cinematic effort True
Confessions.
The Spot Where Black Dahlia’s Body Was Found: Now
YouTube
THE SPOT WHERE BLACK DAHLIA’S BODY WAS FOUND: NOW
Today, the once-undeveloped area known as Leimert Park is a residential
neighborhood located approximately two blocks east of the Crenshaw Plaza Mall in
Baldwin Hills. The body was found near the current address of 3925 South Norton
Avenue.
Mount Carmel Center: Then
Greg Smith, Getty Images
MOUNT CARMEL CENTER: THEN
On February 28, 1993, a team of federal agents launched an assault on the
premises of a religious community called Mount Carmel, outside Waco, Texas. The
community was occupied by a sect called the Branch Davidians, who were led by a
man named David Koresh. The raid resulted in a shootout in which four federal
agents and six Davidians were killed.
Mount Carmel Center: Now
Greg Smith, Getty Images
MOUNT CARMEL CENTER: NOW
This was followed by a 51-day standoff which ended in an assault on the
premises on April 19, 1993. A fire broke out and 76 of the occupants died,
including many women and children. The location of the former compound is
located in Waco on Double EE Ranch Road but is not accessible to the public.
Jonestown: Then
Michèle Vignes, Getty Images
JONESTOWN: THEN
In the dense rain forest of Guyana, Jim Jones built a compound where he and his
followers were meant to live in utopian harmony: the Peoples Temple. There were
several huts for sleeping, teaching, working and Jones’ own sermons. On November
18, 1978, Jones led 909 of those cult members to death by cyanide poisoning.
Jones encouraged his followers to take the cyanide as an act of protest; a way
to go down in history.
Jonestown: Now
Bettman, Getty Images
JONESTOWN: NOW
The dwellings from the Peoples Temple remained standing for more than a year
after the horrific incident took place. Today, the infrastructure has become
completely overgrown and is devoid of any signs of human activity. Its location
is close to the small town of Port Kaituma, on the border of Venezuela.
Sharon Tate's House: Then
Evening Standard, Getty Images
SHARON TATE'S HOUSE: THEN
On August 9, 1969, fanatical members connected to a psychopathic loner named
Charles Manson murdered actress Sharon Tate and several of her house guests at
her Los Angeles mansion. One of the most infamous murders in United States
history, the crime spree (which would continue days after these murders), was
immortalized in the best-selling book, Helter Skelter.
Sharon Tate's House: Now
Bettman, Getty Images
SHARON TATE'S HOUSE: NOW
Today, Tate’s home at 10048 Cielo Dr. has been all but completely rebuilt and is
a private residence, not visible from the street.
Jeffrey Dahmer's Apartment: Then
Ralf-Finn Hestoft, Getty Images
JEFFREY DAHMER'S APARTMENT: THEN
Jeffrey Dahmer remains one of the most infamous serial killers of all time. He
was arrested in July 1991 when Milwaukee police officers noticed a distraught,
handcuffed man on the street. Terrified, the man explained to the officers that
he just escaped from the apartment of Dahmer, who had threatened to not just
kill the man but also eat his heart. Once entering the apartment, police
officers discovered human remains including skulls and other body parts, along
with photographs of dead men who had either been mutilated or completely
dismembered.
Jeffrey Dahmer's Apartment: Now
Steve Kagan, Getty Images
JEFFREY DAHMER'S APARTMENT: NOW
Dahmer was sentenced to 15 life terms in 1992 but was murdered in prison by a
fellow inmate in 1994. Today, there’s a vacant lot where Dahmer’s apartment was
located at 924 N. 25 th St. in Milwaukee.
La Bianca Murder House: Then
Bettman, Getty Images
LA BIANCA MURDER HOUSE: THEN
In 1969, Charles Manson’s followers brutally murdered Leno and Rosemary
LaBianca, a working class couple living in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los
Angeles. Unlike Sharon Tate and several other victims with Hollywood clout, the
LaBiancas weren’t famous or even involved in the entertainment industry. They
were stabbed nearly 50 times apiece, all the while struggling and fighting back
against their assailants.
La Bianca Murder House: Now
Bettman, Getty Images
LA BIANCA MURDER HOUSE: NOW
The two-bedroom house, located at 3311 Waverly Drive, was previously owned by
Ghost Adventures host Zak Bagans. But even Bagans couldn’t stay there for long —
he recently sold the house to an anonymous buyer for around $1.8 million,
significantly less than the asking price of $2.2 million.
Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast: Then
Bettman, Getty Images
LIZZIE BORDEN BED & BREAKFAST: THEN
On the morning of August 4, 1892, Lizzie Borden murdered her stepmother with an
axe in the Borden’s Fall River, Massachusetts family home. Abby Borden’s body
was found in the guest room between the bed and bureau. Soon after, Lizzie axed
her father, Andrew Borden, to death. While there is little doubt that Lizzie
committed the crime, she was acquitted at trial due to a lack of evidence.
Although ostracized by the community, Lizzie lived in the house until she died
on June 1, 1927.
Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast: Now
Getty Images
LIZZIE BORDEN BED & BREAKFAST: NOW
After her death, the house located at 230 2nd St. Fall River remained a private
residence for several decades before being converted into a bed and breakfast.
Guests are allowed to view the murder scene and can sleep in Lizzie and her
sister Emma’s bedrooms, Abby and Andrew’s bedrooms, or the guest room where Abby
was killed.
H.H. Holmes Murder Castle: Then
Chicago History Museum, Getty Images
H.H. HOLMES MURDER CASTLE: THEN
Henry Howard Holmes’ hotel was located just three miles from the site of the
1893 Columbian Exposition: World’s Fair in Chicago, offering a resting place for
fairgoers after the day’s festivities. The informally named “Murder Castle”
featured a series of hidden passages and torture chambers that Holmes used to
execute his murders. Holmes would trap guests inside the building, tormenting
them with acid vats and poisonous gas. He confessed to the murders of 27 guests
— although the actual total is still unknown — and was hanged on May 7, 1896.
H.H. Holmes Murder Castle: Now
YouTube
H.H. HOLMES MURDER CASTLE: NOW
Today, the modest Englewood Post Office sits on part of the site where Holmes’
hotel once stood at 601-603 West 63rd Street. The rest of the space is occupied
by a grassy knoll. The post office itself is nothing out of the ordinary, but
history fans still flock to the site for pictures.
Columbine High School: Then
Steve Starr, Getty Images
COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL: THEN
On April 20, 1999, two high school students named Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold
walked into Columbine High School and began firing from a multi gun arsenal.
They also distributed homemade bombs throughout the school. In all, they killed
12 students and one teacher, as well as injured 23 others, before dying via
suicide.
Columbine High School: Now
Michael Ciaglo, Getty Images
COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL: NOW
In 2019, Superintendent of Jeffco Public Schools Jason Glass asked his district
to consider tearing down the school and rebuilding it in an act of reverence
towards victims. However, the school, which is located at 6201 South Pierce St.
in Littleton, Colorado, is still in operation to this day.
Wonderland Murders Site: Then
Boris Yaro, Getty Images
WONDERLAND MURDERS SITE: THEN
On July 1, 1981, four people were bludgeoned to death in a split level home on
Wonderland Avenue, a cramped street in the heavily wooded section of Hollywood
called Laurel Canyon. It has been widely speculated that the murders were a hit
ordered by the underworld figure Eddie Nash. Adult film star John Holmes was
present during the murders, and was actually forced to watch the crimes as they
took place.
Wonderland Murders Site: Now
YouTube
WONDERLAND MURDERS SITE: NOW
Supposedly, this was because he owed Nash money and Nash’s form of punishment
was making Holmes watch. Even though there were three trials running over 10
years, no one was ever convicted of the crimes.The home today at 8764 Wonderland
Ave. remains essentially unchanged from 40 years ago.
Nancy Spungen Murder Site (Hotel Chelsea): Then
Allan Tannenbaum, Getty Images
NANCY SPUNGEN MURDER SITE (HOTEL CHELSEA): THEN
On October 12, 1978, Nancy Spungen was found murdered in a New York
City hotel room, the victim of stab wounds in her abdomen. Former Sex Pistols
bassist Sid Vicious was charged with her death, and after being bailed out in
February 1979, died from a heroin overdose.
Nancy Spungen Murder Site (Hotel Chelsea): Now
Cindy Ord, Getty Images
NANCY SPUNGEN MURDER SITE (HOTEL CHELSEA): NOW
The Hotel Chelsea is still located at 222 W. 23 St. Spungen’s murder took place
in Room 100. Renovations are currently underway to re-open the hotel, which has
been closed for a number of years.
John Lennon Murder Site (The Dakota Apartments): Then
Yvonne Hemsey, Getty Images
JOHN LENNON MURDER SITE (THE DAKOTA APARTMENTS): THEN
John Lennon was killed by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 as he returned
to his New York apartment from a recording session. At almost 11 PM that night,
Lennon’s limo pulled up outside the building when Chapman pulled a snub-nosed
.38 revolver from his pocket and fired five shots, four of which struck the
music legend.
John Lennon Murder Site (The Dakota Apartments): Now
Stephen Chernin, Getty Images
JOHN LENNON MURDER SITE (THE DAKOTA APARTMENTS): NOW
Today it’s possible to stand near the exact site where the fatal shots struck
Lennon just outside the Dakota Apartments at 1 W. 72nd St.
Rajneeshpuram Site: Then
Paul Harris, Getty Images
RAJNEESHPURAM SITE: THEN
Between 1981 and 1988, Wasco County, Oregon became home to a religious community
known as Rajneeshpuram. Following the words and teachings of Rajneesh (later
known as Osho), the makeshift town’s members all dressed in bright orange and
carried out the difficult labor that needed to be done. However, under the rule
of Rajneesh — and his right-hand woman Ma Anand Sheela — some particularly shady
crimes went down. These included attempted murder, biological warfare and
assault.
Rajneeshpuram Site: Now
YouTube
RAJNEESHPURAM SITE: NOW
The land where Rajneeshpuram stood was sold to Dennis R. Washington in 1991.
Washington attempted to run the ranch for profit, eventually negotiating with
the state to turn it into a state park. When neither of these options panned
out, he donated the land to Young Life, a Christian youth organization. Young
Life continues to hold annual summer camps on the property.
Arrest Site of Son of Sam: Then
Robert R. McElroy, Getty Images
ARREST SITE OF SON OF SAM: THEN
In the summer of 1977, the greater New York city area was terrorized by a serial
killer who came to be known as the “Son of Sam.” Methodically stalking
attractive young women for months, the killer used a .44 caliber pistol to
assassinate his victims.
Arrest Site of Son of Sam: Now
Al Aaronson, Getty Images
ARREST SITE OF SON OF SAM: NOW
Finally, on August 10, 1977, police were able to arrest 24-year-old David
Berkowitz, a postal worker who eventually pleaded guilty to all of the
shootings. 42 Pine St. (formerly 35 Pine St.) in Yonkers is the location of the
home where Berkowitz was arrested that August day.
Gianni Versace Murder Site: Then
Sotheby’s, Getty Images
GIANNI VERSACE MURDER SITE: THEN
Iconic Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was on the front steps of his
Miami Beach mansion, Casa Casuarina, when he was murdered by Andrew Cunanan on
July 15, 1997. Versace was returning from a morning visit to News Cafe when he
was shot in the back of the head with the same Taurus pistol Cunanan used to
carry out the murders of two other victims, William Reese and David Madson.
Gianni Versace Murder Site: Now
Cliff Hawkins, Getty Images
GIANNI VERSACE MURDER SITE: NOW
Since 2015, Versace’s opulent mansion, located at 1116 Ocean Drive in Miami
Beach, has been operating as a luxury boutique hotel known as The Villa Casa
Casuarina. The hotel is fitted with 10 unique suites, a gourmet restaurant and a
mosaic pool designed by Versace himself.
Tupac Shakur Murder Site: Then
Jeff Kravitz, Getty Images
TUPAC SHAKUR MURDER SITE: THEN
Tupac Shakur had made headlines over a series of run-ins with the law, but none
garnered more attention than the hit that ended up taking his life on September
13, 1996. After exiting the Tyson/Seldon fight at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las
Vegas, Shakur and record executive Suge Knight drove away in a BMW. Based on
eyewitness accounts, the car was stopped by two men on Flamingo Road, who
blasted 13 rounds into the car.
Tupac Shakur Murder Site: Now
YouTube
TUPAC SHAKUR MURDER SITE: NOW
Shakur was hit four times, while Knight only suffered a minor head injury.
Several days later, Shakur succumbed to his injuries. The exact site still
remains, just east of Las Vegas Boulevard near the intersection of Koval Lane.
Ford’s Theater: Then
Hulton Archive, Getty Images
FORD’S THEATER: THEN
John Wilkes Booth, a popular actor, ended his full-time stage career in May
1864. The Maryland native wanted to spend most of his time on his primary
interest: supporting the Confederacy. Within months, Booth was working actively
with Confederate partisans. On April 14, 1865, at about 10:15 PM, Booth opened
the door to the State Box at Ford’s Theater where then-President Abraham Lincoln
and his party were seated. He shot Lincoln once in the back of the head, stabbed
Henry Rathbone in a struggle and then jumped to the stage, 11 feet below.
Breaking his leg in the fall, he made his way across the stage, left through the
back door and escaped on his horse.
Ford’s Theater: Now
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
FORD’S THEATER: NOW
Ford’s Theater has been preserved as one of Washington D.C.’s many historic
landmarks. Visitors can make an appointment to tour the infamous site, which is
located at 511 10th St.
JonBenet Ramsey’s House: Then
Chris Rank, Getty Images
JONBENET RAMSEY’S HOUSE: THEN
On Christmas Day 1996, in an upscale neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado,
six-year-old beauty queen Jon Benet Ramsey was discovered missing. Soon after,
the little girl’s body was found in the basement of the family home, murdered.
JonBenet Ramsey’s House: Now
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
JONBENET RAMSEY’S HOUSE: NOW
Today, nobody has been arrested for what was one of the most intensely covered
crimes in U.S. history. The family home where the murder is believed to have
taken place is located at 755 15th St. in Boulder.
Marvin Gaye Murder Site: Then
John Minihan, Getty Images
MARVIN GAYE MURDER SITE: THEN
On April 1, 1984, legendary Motown soul singer Marvin Gaye was taken from the
world all too soon. He was shot to death by his father during an argument at
their home in Los Angeles.
Marvin Gaye Murder Site: Now
Ron Galella, Getty Images
MARVIN GAYE MURDER SITE: NOW
Gaye, who was living at the house with his family, staggered out onto the front
lawn after the shooting occurred. He died on site. The home at 2101 South
Gramercy Place remains unchanged to this day.
Notorious B.I.G. Murder Site: Then
Luis Sinco, Getty Images
NOTORIOUS B.I.G. MURDER SITE: THEN
A Soul Train Awards party took place on March 9, 1997 outside of the Petersen
Automotive Museum, where rapper Notorious B.I.G. — also known as Big E. Smalls —
was gunned down by a drive-by shooter shortly after midnight while sitting in
his Chevrolet Suburban. While it was speculated that Smalls might have supplied
the gun that killed rival Tupac Shakur a year prior, the Smalls family disputes
the charges outright.
Notorious B.I.G. Murder Site: Now
Erik Voake, Getty Images
NOTORIOUS B.I.G. MURDER SITE: NOW
Today, the Petersen Automotive Museum is fully functioning and open to visitors.
It is located in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles, situated on
Wilshire Boulevard’s Museum Row at 6060 Wilshire Blvd.
JFK Assassination Site: Then
National Archive, Getty Images
JFK ASSASSINATION SITE: THEN
It was from the sixth floor window of the Texas School Book Depository — now
called the Dallas County Administration Building — that Lee Harvey Oswald took
aim and killed President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. President Kennedy
was riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas when he
was struck.
JFK Assassination Site: Now
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
JFK ASSASSINATION SITE: NOW
Also called the “Sniper’s Nest,” the window is visible from the street—it’s the
last window on the far right on the building’s sixth floor side facing Dealey
Plaza. Inside the fascinating museum that now exists on the sixth floor, boxes
of books have been stacked around the window to simulate what it would have
looked like in November 1963.
The Villisca Axe Murder House: Then
YouTube
THE VILLISCA AXE MURDER HOUSE: THEN
The Villisca axe murders took place in June of 1912 in Villisca, Iowa, but the
case remains unsolved to this day. All six members of the Moore family, as well
as two guests, were found bludgeoned on the floor. The eight victims had severe
head wounds from what appeared to be an axe. While there were several suspects —
one of whom was tried twice — no one was arrested for the murder.
The Villisca Axe Murder House: Now
YouTube
THE VILLISCA AXE MURDER HOUSE: NOW
If you find yourself in Villisca, you can visit the house, which sits on a quiet
residential street at 508 E. 2nd St. The Villisca Axe Murder House offers day
tours of the premises, with an option for overnight stays... if you dare.
Nicole Brown Murder Site: Then
Gary Leonard, Getty Images
NICOLE BROWN MURDER SITE: THEN
Nicole Brown Simpson, ex wife of pro football player OJ Simpson, lived with
their two children in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, at 875 South
Bundy Drive. On Sunday, June 12, 1994, Brown was murdered in front of her home
alongside her friend, 25-year-old waiter Ron Goldman. Brown was found in a pool
of blood, having been stabbed multiple times in the neck and scalp. Simpson was
tried for the murders, and after a public trial of nine months, he was
acquitted.
Nicole Brown Murder Site: Now
Mike Nelson, Getty Images
NICOLE BROWN MURDER SITE: NOW
The true identity of Brown’s killer still remains a mystery. Her townhouse on
South Bundy Drive sat unoccupied for two years following her murder. When the
house was finally resold, the new owner extensively remodeled the unit and had
the address changed to avoid association with the traumatic event.
HOW MANY IN AMERICA: FROM GUNS TO GHOST TOWNS
Can you take a guess as to how many public schools are in the U.S.? Do you have
any clue as to how many billionaires might be residing there? Read on to find
out—and learn a thing or two about each of these selection’s cultural
significance and legacy along the way.
Gallery Credit: RACHEL CAVANAUGH
Guns (civilian): 393,000,000
Wolf Blur // Pixabay
GUNS (CIVILIAN): 393,000,000
According to the Small Arms Survey report, which analyzes gun data from 230
countries worldwide, there are more than 393 million civilian-owned firearms in
America. Analysis by the Washington Post concluded that the number represents a
cache large enough for "every man, woman and child to own one and still have 67
million guns left over." At roughly 120.5 guns per every 100 residents, the
United States has double the ratio of Yemen, the next-highest country on the
list, where there are an estimated 52.8 guns for every 100 residents.
McDonald's: 13,837
anthony92931 // Wikimedia Commons
MCDONALD'S: 13,837
As of 2019, there were 13,837 McDonald's restaurants in the United States.
Arkansas carries the distinction of having the highest density per population of
the fast-food chain, with 5.8 stores per 100,000 residents. After that, the next
most McDonald's-populated states include West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, and
Ohio. On the opposite end, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, and California
have the fewest McDonald's per capita.
Pay phones: 100,000 phone booths
StockSnap // Pixabay
PAY PHONES: 100,000 PHONE BOOTHS
Although times have changed and the age of cell phones has mostly replaced
landlines and pay phones, there are still a few lone booths hiding out in random
nooks and crannies of America. According to the Federal Communications
Commission, there were still about 100,000 pay phones in operation in the United
States in 2018. New York is home to roughly one-fifth of those phones, which
brought in $286 million in revenue in 2015.
Churches: 380,000 congregations
Dwight Burdette // Wikiamedia Commons
CHURCHES: 380,000 CONGREGATIONS
While there isn't an organization that tracks up-to-date figures on the number
of U.S. congregations, the National Congregational Study Survey estimates that
there were 380,000 churches in the U.S. in 2019. The number has been vacillating
up and down over the years, increasing and decreasing rather than showing any
overarching trend one way or another.
Walmarts: 5,347 stores
MikeMozartJeepersMedia // Wikimedia Commons
WALMARTS: 5,347 STORES
The retail giant has 5,347 stores in operation that employ more than 1.5 million
people. Of those stores, 3,570 are considered "supercenters" while the rest are
broken down into discount stores, neighborhood markets, small format stores, and
Sam's Clubs. In 2017, Walmart's global net sales totaled $520 billion. A 2018
study found Walmart to be the retailer engaging in the most wage theft against
its employees, with $1.4 billion in total settlements and fines going to
employees who experienced wage theft. Wage theft includes such practices as
forcing employees to work "off the clock," refusing to pay overtime wages,
violating minimum wage laws, and requiring workers to buy clothing for work
without compensation.
You may also like: States with the most seniors
National parks: 63
Brigitte Werner // Wikimedia Commons
NATIONAL PARKS: 63
There are 63 national parks in the United States, some of the most famous of
which include the Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite,
Yellowstone, and Joshua Tree. In 2019, three parks--Golden Gate National
Recreation Area, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Great Smoky Mountains National
Park--each enjoyed in excess of 10 million recreation visits. California and
Alaska are the states with the most parks--nine and eight, respectively. New
River Gorge in West Virginia became the 63rd National Park in December 2020.
Zoos (accredited): 217
wildburro // Pixabay
ZOOS (ACCREDITED): 217
Although the Department of Agriculture licenses some 2,400 "animal exhibitors,"
a much smaller number are considered true zoos and accredited as such. The
Association of Zoos and Aquariums reported 217 accredited facilities in the U.S.
as of April 2020. The figure includes zoos, aquariums, nature centers, aviaries,
butterfly houses, safaris, and theme parks.
You may also like: 50 photos of American life in 2020
Cats: 58.4 million
12019 // Pixabay
CATS: 58.4 MILLION
Also prevalent and beloved in the U.S. are cats, which number 58,385,725 in the
country. Slightly over a quarter of U.S. households contain at least one cat.
Vet visits and vet bills are both lower for cats than for dogs.
Dogs: 76.8 million
Senbonzakura // Pixabay
DOGS: 76.8 MILLION
Nowhere is it more true that dogs are everyone's best friend than in the United
States, where more than 48 million households have at least one dog. The figure
means that 38.4% of all homes have one or more canine companions. When tallied
up, the total number of dogs as companion pets in the United States is an
impressive 76,811,305 dogs.
Automobiles: 286.9 million cars
Free-Photos // Pixabay
AUTOMOBILES: 286.9 MILLION CARS
Hedges & Company estimates that there were 286.9 million registered cars in
2020, up from 279.1 million in 2018. The year 2016 marked the first time more
than 70 million cars were manufactured globally in a year (72,105,435, to be
exact). That same year, 17.5 million vehicles were sold in the U.S. An
astonishing 65% of those were also produced here.
Zip codes: 42,000
mikeledray // Shutterstock
ZIP CODES: 42,000
There are nearly 42,000 zip codes spread across in America, each of which routes
mail to its appropriate destination. The numbers range from 00501 (the lowest
one for the Internal Revenue Service in Holtsville, New York) to 99950 (the
highest one in Ketchikan, Alaska). Perhaps the easiest zip code to remember,
according to USPS, is 12345, which belongs to General Electric in Schenectady,
New York.
Public schools: 98,158
Jacob Hamblin // Shutterstock
PUBLIC SCHOOLS: 98,158
If you tally up all of the elementary, secondary, and combined schools
throughout the United States, there were a total of 98,158 public schools in
operation during the 2016-17 school year, according to the National Center for
Education Statistics. The number gradually increased between the '80s and late
'00s, going from 85,982 schools in the 1980-81 school year to 98,916 in 2007-08.
The total peaked that year and has gradually declined since.
14,000-foot mountains: 96
Free-Photos // Pixabay
14,000-FOOT MOUNTAINS: 96
Known as "14ers" among mountain climbers and outdoor enthusiasts, the United
States is home to 96 mountains that clock 14,000 feet or more in elevation. Of
those, 53 are found in Colorado and 29 are found in Alaska. The other mountains
are all found in Washington and California. Alaska holds the 16 highest peaks
with Mt. Denali being the tallest at 20,320 (and the only one to surpass 20,000
feet).
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Lawyers: 1.3 million attorneys
witwiccan // Pixabay
LAWYERS: 1.3 MILLION ATTORNEYS
Despite all of the lawyer jokes, Americans actually love lawyers--or at least
they produce a lot of them. There were 1,338,678 licensed and active attorneys
in the United States in 2018. The figure represents a small increase of 0.2%
from 2017 and a 15.2% rise since 2008.
Billionaires: 614
QuinceMedia // Pixabay
BILLIONAIRES: 614
According to Forbes' list of the world's richest people from March 2020, the
United States is home to 614 billionaires whose combined net worth totals 2.9
trillion. The 50 wealthiest people on that list hold as much wealth as half of
the United States, and since the COVID-19 pandemic tanked the economy in March
2020, America's billionaires have grown their wealth by more than $1
trillion--more than the last $900 billion relief bill.
Serial killers: 2,000
Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons
SERIAL KILLERS: 2,000
There are thousands of unsolved mysteries throughout America every year, many of
which are homicides. Although it's impossible to arrive at an exact number of
serial killers, officials at the Murder Accountability Project (MAP) estimate
there are as many as 2,000 at large. "There are more than 220,000 unsolved
murders since 1980, so when you put that in perspective, how shocking is it that
there are at least 2,000 unrecognized series of homicides?" MAP's Thomas
Hargrove asked Live Science. A serial killer is defined as anyone who has
murdered two or more people.
Households: 128.45 million
StockSnap // Pixabay
HOUSEHOLDS: 128.45 MILLION
In 2020, the United States comprised approximately 128.45 million households,
defined as a group of people living in a single housing unit. The housing unit
could be a house, apartment, or room, as long as that room is meant to be a
separate residence. The figure has doubled since 1970 when there were only 63
million households in the country. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the
average household size is now 2.53 people.
Casinos: 465
stokpic // Pixabay
CASINOS: 465
There were 465 commercial casinos in operation in the United States in 2019. In
Nevada alone, there are 138 casinos that generate $6.52 million or more in
annual revenue. Even with institutions numbering in the mere hundreds, gambling
is a huge industry. In 2017, for instance, commercial gaming raked in more than
$40 billion in revenue. The casino industry has been hard-hit during the
COVID-19 pandemic, and high numbers of coronavirus cases in Nevada are tied to
the state's casinos reopening.
Homeless people: 567,715
SergeBertasiusPhotography // Shutterstock
HOMELESS PEOPLE: 567,715
About 567,715 people were homeless in the United States in 2019, according to
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The agency's Annual
Homeless Assessment Report indicated that roughly 0.17% of the population was
homeless on any given night. The figure represents the first increase since
2010, with Los Angeles and New York City being among the cities most affected.
With unemployment and a looming eviction crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
the number of people experiencing homelessness in 2021 is expected to rise.
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Birds: 1,147 species
Virginia State Parks // Flickr
BIRDS: 1,147 SPECIES
America is a veritable paradise for bird lovers far and wide. There are 965
species in the lower 48 alone, and 1,147 in total. According to the federal Fish
and Wildlife Service, no less than 10 billion birds breed in America every year.
That number approaches 20 billion during fall migrations.
Movie theaters: 5,798
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
MOVIE THEATERS: 5,798
In 2019, the National Association of Theater Owners reported that there were
5,798 movie theaters open for viewings in the United States. Of those, 5,477
were regular indoor cinemas and 321 were drive-ins. Theaters have been among the
hardest-hit businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with some of the largest
chains closing indefinitely and suffering enormous losses in 2020.
Starbucks: 15,041
Engin_Akyurt // Pixabay
STARBUCKS: 15,041
There are 15,041 company and licensed Starbucks stores sprinkled across the
United States. Worldwide, there are a total of 31,256 Starbucks stores.
Starbucks boasts a 40% market share of coffee chains in the U.S. Its closest
competitor is Dunkin', with a 26% market share.
Libraries: 116,867
ElasticComputeFarm // Pixabay
LIBRARIES: 116,867
Americans love to read, and there's no shortage of places to do it given the
116,867 libraries sprinkled throughout the country. The vast majority of these
institutions--or 98,460 of them to be exact--are school libraries, found in
public and private schools, according to the American Libraries Association. The
remainder includes public libraries (9,057), academic libraries (3,094), special
libraries (5,150), armed forces libraries (239), and government libraries (867).
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families
Religions: 9 religious identifications
Mark Skalny // Shutterstock
RELIGIONS: 9 RELIGIOUS IDENTIFICATIONS
The Pew Research Center defines nine key religious groups or identifications in
the United States: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist,
Agnostic, Other World Religion, and Other Faith (Unitarian, New Age, and Native
American religions). Within each main group, there are dozens of families and
denominations. Christians make up 70.6% of the denominations while non-Christian
faiths constitute 5.9%.
Cities with 1 million people: 10
12019 // Pixabay
CITIES WITH 1 MILLION PEOPLE: 10
The United States is currently home to 10 cities with populations of more than 1
million people. At the top of the list is New York with 8.3 million people,
followed by Los Angeles (3.9 million) and Chicago (2.7 million). The other
cities on the 1 million-plus list include Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San
Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, and San Jose.
Subway restaurants: 23,801
QualityHD // Shutterstock
SUBWAY RESTAURANTS: 23,801
With 23,801 locations in the United States in 2019, Subway is the largest
restaurant chain in America. The number dwarfs McDonald's, which was 13,837 in
2019. However, the number doesn't necessarily mean the sandwich chain is
experiencing total success--the number of Subway stores has decreased in the
last few years, and in 2020 Subway slipped out of the top five most profitable
restaurant chains in the U.S. Those more-profitable chains are Burger King, Taco
Bell, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and McDonald's.
Police departments: 12,000
Paul Sableman // Flickr
POLICE DEPARTMENTS: 12,000
The Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates that in 2016 there were more than
12,000 police departments in operation throughout the United States. The number
includes tribal police but does not include sheriffs' offices, which are
typically run by counties or other state subdivisions rather than local
governments. The average number of full-time sworn officers per 1,000 residents
decreased by 11% between 1997 and 2016, dropping from 2.42 to 2.17.
Bars and nightclubs: 58,074 establishments
Christian_Birkholz // Pixabay
BARS AND NIGHTCLUBS: 58,074 ESTABLISHMENTS
From coast to coast, there are currently 58,074 bars serving drinks in America.
The industry, which includes establishments that serve distilled spirits, wine,
and beer, grew by 3.4% in terms of revenue from 2015-2019, according to research
firm IBISWorld. Then COVID-19 struck, shuttering most of the industry and making
for a dismal year for bars and nightclubs.
Rivers: 250,000
KeYang // Pixabay
RIVERS: 250,000
America's wild and scenic rivers are famous worldwide for their beauty. Although
the exact number is unknown, there are at least 250,000 rivers flowing
throughout the United States. They total more than 3.5 million miles--enough to
stretch to the moon and back seven times. The longest river in the country is
the Missouri River at 2,540 miles in length, although the volume of the
Mississippi River is greater due to its depth.
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Colleges and universities: 5,300
Nic McPhee // Flickr
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: 5,300
There are approximately 5,300 universities throughout the country. Roughly 19.7
million students were forecast to attend colleges and universities in the United
States in the fall of 2020. Female students were expected to make up the
majority at about 11.3 million, while approximately 8.5 million male students
were anticipated.
Death row inmates: 2,553
Justin Sullivan // Getty
DEATH ROW INMATES: 2,553
According to a report filed by the NAACP's Legal Defense and Educational Fund,
there were 2,553 inmates on Death Row in the fall of 2020. Of those, 42.15% were
white, 41.60% were Black, 13.44% were Latino, 1.84% were Asian, and 0.94% were
Native American. The race of one person, or 0.04%, was unknown at the time of
the report. Most of the inmates awaiting death were men--98% (or 2,502
people)--while 2% (or 51 people) were women.
Bison: 500,000
skeeze // Pixabay
BISON: 500,000
Although they once roamed in giant herds numbering up to 30 million, today there
are only about 500,000 bison in America. It's still a number that impresses many
citizens, though, given that they only reside in national parks and refuges in
Wyoming, Montana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, and Colorado. The animals, which are
the largest land animal in North America, are called bison in the Americas and
Europe and buffalo in Africa and Asia.
Veterans: 17.4 million
jennifer1051 // Pixabay
VETERANS: 17.4 MILLION
The most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that there are
approximately 17.4 million veterans living in America as of 2019. The Department
of Veterans Affairs, which has 1,255 health care facilities throughout the
country, serves roughly 9 million veterans. The agency offers services such as
mental health treatment, physical therapy, prosthetics, dental exams, urology,
and vision care.
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Languages: 350
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP // Getty
LANGUAGES: 350
Linguistically speaking, America is a strikingly diverse place where hundreds of
languages converge. A 2015 report by the U.S. Census Bureau concluded that at
least 350 languages are spoken in the United States. After English, the Spanish
language is the next-most common language in the U.S. with about 40.5 million
speakers, or 1 in 5 U.S. residents, as of 2018. The next most-common languages
are Chinese (including Mandarin and Cantonese), Tagalog (including Filipino),
Vietnamese, Arabic, French, and Korean.
Time zones: 6
Photographee.eu // Shutterstock
TIME ZONES: 6
There are six time zones in the United States which, running from west to east,
include Hawaii Standard Time, Alaska Standard Time, Pacific Standard Time,
Mountain Standard Time, Central Standard Time, and Eastern Standard Time. Each
time zone is one hour apart from the next, beginning in Hawaii and getting later
as you move west. Daylight saving time in 2021 kicks off at 2 a.m. on March 14
and ends at 2 a.m. on Nov. 7.
Teachers: 4 million
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
TEACHERS: 4 MILLION
According to the National Center For Education Statistics, there were 3.3
million public school teachers, 205,600 public charter school teachers, and
509,200 private school teachers as of the 2017-18 school year. Teaching remains
a career dominated by women: about 77% of teachers were women in the 2017-18
school year.
Smiths: 2.4 million surnames
Oliver Hoffmann // Shutterstock
SMITHS: 2.4 MILLION SURNAMES
Smith is one of the oldest surnames in the U.S., so perhaps it's no surprise
that it's the nation's most common last name. In the 2010 Census, there were 2.4
million instances of the surname recorded in the United States. After Smith, the
next-most common names included Johnson (1.93 million), Williams (1.62 million),
Brown (1.43 million), and Jones (1.42 million)
Restaurants: 660,755
falconp4 // Pixabay
RESTAURANTS: 660,755
Americans love eating out, a fact that's evidenced by the 660,755 restaurants
that were open for business in the United States in the spring of 2018. The
COVID-19 pandemic has wrought devastation on the restaurant industry, with an
estimated 17% of restaurants closed either permanently or long-term, according
to a National Restaurants Association survey.
Trees: 228 billion
invisiblepower // Pixabay
TREES: 228 BILLION
The U.S. is covered in trees, which adorn its open space from coast to coast. A
2015 study in Nature reported there are an estimated 228 billion trees growing
throughout the country. The number makes it fourth on the list worldwide after
Russia (642 billion), Canada (318 billion), and Brazil (302 billion). The more
common species in the U.S. include oak trees, maples, Douglas firs, balsam firs,
aspens, and dogwoods.
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Ghost towns: 3,800+
Mike Goad // Pixabay
GHOST TOWNS: 3,800+
Ghost towns in the U.S. vary in nature but typically date back to the Wild West
era from roughly 1880 to 1940 when frontiersmen went in search of gold, silver,
oil, and other valuable resources. The exact number is unknown, but one report
by Geotab estimates there are at least 3,800 ghost towns spread across the
United States. "Americans know them as vivid reminders of the country's
compressed, dynamic and turbulent past," Peter Ling, Professor of American
Studies at the University of Nottingham, said of ghost towns.
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Correctional facilities: 7,147
txking // Shutterstock
CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: 7,147
With a criminal justice system holding nearly 2.3 million people, the U.S. has
7,157 correctional facilities spread across all 50 states. The facilities are
divided into state prisons (1,833), federal prisons (110), juvenile correctional
facilities (1,772), local jails (3,134), immigration detention facilities (218),
and Indian Country jails (80). Beyond this number, there are additional sites
where people are detained such as military prisons and civil commitment centers.
Uber drivers: 5 million
Tero Vesalainen // Shutterstock
UBER DRIVERS: 5 MILLION
According to the ride-hailing company, there were 5 million Uber drivers in the
U.S. at the end of 2019. Uber experienced financial losses due to the COVID-19
pandemic. Uber Eats, which delivers food, was a lifeline for the company during
the pandemic, though workers and restaurant owners have pushed back against the
model.
Post offices: 31,322
Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
POST OFFICES: 31,322
The United States Postal Service (USPS) plays an important role in daily
American life, a fact that's highlighted by the 31,322 USPS-managed retail post
offices that exist throughout the country. The U.S. postal service is one of the
largest and most complex in the world, handling 48% of the world's mail volume.
In 2019, the agency's operating revenue was $71.1 billion.
Gas stations: 111,100
ElasticComputeFarm // Pixabay
GAS STATIONS: 111,100
In 2016, there were roughly 111,100 gas stations in the U.S. ranging from small,
family-owned pumps to major chain operations like ARCO and Exxon Mobil. In
September 2020, approximately 926,200 people were employed in the gas station
workforce, including service station attendants, cashiers, food preparation
workers, and station managers.
Lighthouses: 700
Dennis Jarvis // Flickr
LIGHTHOUSES: 700
The U.S. contains stunning coastlines, many of which are decorated with old,
historical lighthouses. There are approximately 700 lighthouses decorating the
United States, the first of which was the Boston Light, built on Little Brewster
Island in 1716. It was reconstructed in 1784 after being destroyed by the
British. The oldest lighthouse in existence that's never been rebuilt is the
Sandy Hook Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1764 and still stands.
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Nuns: 42,441
Michkasova Elena // Shutterstock
NUNS: 42,441
The number of nuns in the United States reached their highest in 1965, when they
numbered 181,421, and their population has been shrinking ever since. In 2019,
data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate put their number at
42,441. Still, there's a consistent trickle of women taking vows.
Hazardous waste sites: 450,000 brownfields
markzvo // Wikimedia Commons
HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES: 450,000 BROWNFIELDS
When a commercial site gets contaminated by some sort of chemical, pollutant, or
other hazardous substance, the Environmental Protection Agency labels it a
"brownfield" (nicknamed after the agency's Brownfields Program, which helps
clean up or mitigate the situation). In the United States, there are currently
more than 450,000 brownfield sites. Common contaminants at the sites include
pesticides, asbestos, lead, and other hazardous materials.
Jobs: 6.5 million openings
Feng Yu // Shutterstock
JOBS: 6.5 MILLION OPENINGS
The number of American job openings was at 6.5 million in November 2020. The
unemployment rate was at 6.7% in December 2020, or 10.7 million. The so-called
"skills gap" helps explain how so many jobs go unfilled despite high
unemployment rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After an initial employment
downturn in early 2020, jobs started getting added back to the economy in May
2020. December marked the first month that job losses have returned. Notably,
the jobs lost were women's roles, with women losing 156,000 jobs and men gaining
16,000 jobs.
Hospitals: 6,090
SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP // Getty
HOSPITALS: 6,090
There are 6,090 hospitals in the United States, according to 2019 data from the
American Hospital Association. Within that system, there are 919,559 beds that
receive 36.2 million admissions each year. The total expenses for all of those
hospitals run a sizable $1.16 trillion.
Bald eagles: 9,789 nesting pairs
Andy Morffew // Flickr
BALD EAGLES: 9,789 NESTING PAIRS
As the national emblem of the country, the bald eagle was chosen to represent
the U.S. due to its "association with authority and statehood." President John
F. Kennedy later said that the "fierce beauty and proud independence of this
great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America."
Over the years, however, the real-life bird--which once numbered over
100,000--struggled to survive. It was placed on the Endangered Species List in
1967 and another updated version in 1973 but was removed in 2007 after officials
said it was no longer needed. Recent counts suggest there are now at least 9,789
nesting pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states.
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WHAT ARE THE SIGNATURE DRINKS FROM EVERY STATE?
It's Battle of the Beverages
petereleven // Shutterstock
IT'S BATTLE OF THE BEVERAGES
So what are the signature drinks from every state? Stacker looked at official
state websites, news, culinary profiles, and historic reports that tie specific
beverages to states across the country. Some states had several drinks in the
running, so in those cases, the majority ruled.
Are you ready to discover signature beverages from across the country? In fact,
do you even know the signature drink from your home state? Read on to discover
which state is known for your favorite drinks.
By: Meagan Drillinger
From: Signature drinks from every state
Alabama: Yellowhammer
baibaz // Shutterstock
ALABAMA: YELLOWHAMMER
An Alabama game day isn't the real deal without a Yellowhammer. Named for the
eponymous bird, it is the signature beverage of Gallette's in Tuscaloosa and
favored when the University of Alabama is playing. According to The Daily Meal,
it contains vodka, light rum, amaretto, orange juice, and pineapple juice,
topped with a Maraschino cherry.
Alaska: Duck farts
Impact Photography // Shutterstock
ALASKA: DUCK FARTS
An Anchorage original, Duck Farts are much tastier than they sound. According to
Chowhound, the drink was named for the sound people make after drinking one.
They are made with Kahlua, Baileys Irish cream, and Crown Royal Whisky.
Arizona: Tequila sunrise
Brent Hofacker // Shutterstock
ARIZONA: TEQUILA SUNRISE
The origin of the Tequila Sunrise is a bit murky. Some say it was invented in
Arizona in the 1930s, while others say the modern version hails from Sausalito,
California, in the ’70s. Another group believes it dates back to Tijuana,
Mexico, during Prohibition. Whatever the story, Arizona's Tequila Sunrise is
both a signature drink and part of a signature event that celebrates Northern
Arizona University's homecoming. The OG cocktail includes tequila, creme de
cassis, lime juice, and soda water (the newer version is tequila, orange juice,
and grenadine).
Arkansas: Arkansas razorback
Chuleeporn meeyat // Shutterstock
ARKANSAS: ARKANSAS RAZORBACK
Go Hogs! is the rallying cry for the beloved University of Arkansas Razorbacks'
football team. It's also the rallying cry for the eponymous state beverage. Made
with raspberries, fruit punch, and turbinado sugar, it’s sure to fill you with
team spirit, so to speak.
California: Wine
FloridaStock // Shutterstock
CALIFORNIA: WINE
The majority of American wine comes from the vineyards of California. In fact,
according to the Wine Institute, California makes up 81% of all U.S. wine and is
the fourth-leading wine producer in the world. From Napa and Sonoma to the
Central Coast, the Central Valley, and the South Coast, you don't have to go
very far in California to taste a world-class glass of wine.
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Colorado: Colorado bulldog
Ekaterina_Molchanova // Shutterstock
COLORADO: COLORADO BULLDOG
It may look like a White Russian, but the Colorado Bulldog packs a bubbly extra
treat. Made with the signature vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, the Colorado
Bulldog adds a splash of Coke. Its origins are a bit enigmatic, but some believe
it was named for the English bulldog and mascot of Colorado State University
before its sports teams were renamed the Aggie Rams, according to Spoon
University.
Connecticut: Moscow mule
Elena Veselova // Shutterstock
CONNECTICUT: MOSCOW MULE
While the name leads one to believe that this cocktail is Russian in origin,
it’s far more Connecticuter in reality. According to the Hartford Courant, the
Moscow mule was invented by John G. Martin of G.F. Heublein Brothers of
Hartford, a spirits and food distributor. He named it the Moscow mule because it
contains vodka, which actually is associated with Russia, while “mule” is the
term for the group of drinks prepared with ginger beer and citrus.
Delaware: Dogfish Head
David Tonelson // Shutterstock
DELAWARE: DOGFISH HEAD
Delawareans worth their suds will tell you that a bottle of Dogfish Head is
unequivocally the signature drink of the state. The brewery opened in 1995 in
Milton. Today the empire spans restaurants, an inn, and a distillery.
Florida: Orange juice
Brent Hofacker // Shutterstock
FLORIDA: ORANGE JUICE
When it comes to Florida, it has to be orange juice. Florida produces more than
70% of the country’s supply of citrus, according to Visit Florida. More than 90%
of the eponymous juice in the United States comes from Florida oranges. If you
want to keep with the cocktail theme, throw a little bubbly in and make it a
mimosa.
Georgia: Scarlet O’Hara
Andreas Argirakis // Shutterstock
GEORGIA: SCARLET O’HARA
Named for the world's most famous Southern belle, Georgia's signature drink is
the Scarlet O'Hara cocktail. It's made with cranberry juice, a dash of lime, and
Southern Comfort, according to The Daily Meal.
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Hawaii: Mai tai
Mix and Match Studio // Shutterstock
HAWAII: MAI TAI
Hawaii and tiki go hand-in-hand, so it's no surprise that the most popular drink
at Hawaiian bars is the mai tai. Made with orange, lime, and rum, it's the
perfect tropical cocktail to pair with those stunning Hawaii beaches. According
to Eater, the mai tai was so popular in the 1940s and ’50s that it actually
depleted the world’s rum supply.
Idaho: Canadian whisky
Chetty Thomas // Shutterstock
IDAHO: CANADIAN WHISKY
Idaho loves its Canadian whisky. It will get you through those long, cold
winters. In fact, the state's top-selling booze is Black Velvet, according to
the Idaho Statesman.
Illinois: Jameson Irish Whiskey
Leron Ligred // Shutterstock
ILLINOIS: JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY
With its Irish population and the yearly tradition of dyeing the Chicago River
green on St. Patrick's Day, Illinois is all about Ireland. So when it comes to
choosing a signature drink, it has to be Jameson Irish Whiskey, which is the
state's most popular spirit.
Indiana: Water
SedovaY // Shutterstock
INDIANA: WATER
It may not be the most creative state drink, but it certainly is the most
important. According to 2007’s 115th General Assembly of Indiana Senate
Resolution 20, the official beverage of Indiana is water.
Iowa: Frozen blue water margarita
Victor Moussa // Shutterstock
IOWA: FROZEN BLUE WATER MARGARITA
West Okoboji Lake is one of Iowa's biggest claims to fame. In fact, the
naturally blue lake is so beloved that it inspired Iowa's signature drink, the
frozen blue water margarita. According to Taste of Home, the cocktail is made
like the classic margarita with tequila, Cointreau, and lime. The brilliant blue
comes from Blue Curacao.
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Kansas: Horsefeather
Rimma Bondarenko // Shutterstock
KANSAS: HORSEFEATHER
The city of Lawrence is said to be the true home of the new(ish) cocktail, the
Horsefeather. According to Punch Drink, the cocktail includes Old Overholt rye,
ginger, lemon juice, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters.
Kentucky: Mint julep
Ivan Mateev // Shutterstock
KENTUCKY: MINT JULEP
For more than two centuries, Kentuckians have been filling their highball
glasses with mint juleps. The official drink of the Kentucky Derby, according to
Taste of Home, mint juleps include bourbon (another Kentucky native), sugar
syrup, and fresh mint.
Louisiana: Sazerac
Brent Hofacker // Shutterstock
LOUISIANA: SAZERAC
While tourists are slinging hurricanes on Bourbon Street, locals from Louisiana
are sipping on Sazeracs. Invented in the 19th century at a New Orleans
coffeehouse, the modern iteration includes rye whiskey, absinthe, and bitters.
Maine: Moxie
David Tonelson // Shutterstock
MAINE: MOXIE
As of 2005, the official soft drink of the state of Maine is Moxie. Moxie soda
is made from gentian root extract and combines bitter and sweet flavors.
Maryland: Milk
NaturalBox // Shutterstock
MARYLAND: MILK
Bones are strong in the state of Maryland. That's because milk has been the
state drink since 1998. Maryland cows are world-famous for their black and white
spots. According to Maryland Manual, as of 2019, the state had around 43,000
milk cows.
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Massachusetts: Cranberry juice
Tatjana Baibakova // Shutterstock
MASSACHUSETTS: CRANBERRY JUICE
Known for its beautiful crimson cranberry bogs, it's no wonder Massachusetts
chose cranberry juice at its state drink in 1970, according to CBS Boston. In
fact, Ocean Spray is based in Massachusetts.
Michigan: The hummer
Oleksandra Naumenko // Shutterstock
MICHIGAN: THE HUMMER
Michigan's unequivocal signature drink is the hummer. Created by Jerome Adams in
1968 in Detroit at the Bayview Yacht Club, the hummer is made with white rum,
Kahlua, and two scoops of vanilla ice cream, according to Punch Drink.
Minnesota: Milk
Davizro Photography // Shutterstock
MINNESOTA: MILK
Producing more than 9 billion pounds of milk per year, according to the Office
of the Minnesota Secretary of State, the state designated—you guessed it—milk as
its official beverage in 1984. Minnesota ranks eighth in dairy production in the
United States.
Mississippi: Milk
S_Photo // Shutterstock
MISSISSIPPI: MILK
Got milk? Mississippi does. In 1984, the state of Mississippi made milk its
official beverage, according to Made in Mississippi.
Missouri: Budweiser
DenisMArt // Shutterstock
MISSOURI: BUDWEISER
Anheuser-Busch, America's iconic brewery, started in the 1850s in St. Louis
Today, it’s where the headquarters and flagship brewery remains.
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Montana: Whiskey ditch
Rungrutta // Shutterstock
MONTANA: WHISKEY DITCH
Montanans are of strong stock. That's why their signature drink is a whiskey
ditch, which is basically just whiskey and water, according to Spoon University.
A drink order ending in “ditch” means “with water.”
Nebraska: Red beer
Rodrigo Lucentini // Shutterstock
NEBRASKA: RED BEER
In Mexico they call it an ojo rojo (red eye), but in Nebraska they call it red
beer, according to Eater. Either way, it’s beer with a splash of tomato juice,
and it's absolutely essential for a morning after a big night out.
Nevada: Picon punch
Fo0bar // Wikimedia Commons
NEVADA: PICON PUNCH
Nevada has a large population of Basque immigrants, especially in the northern
part of the state, according to NBC News Las Vegas. That's why the state drink
is none other than the Picon punch, a Basque Country drink that is made with
grenadine, club soda, brandy, and Amer Picon.
New Hampshire: Apple cider
pilipphoto // Shutterstock
NEW HAMPSHIRE: APPLE CIDER
When autumn rolls around, New England's apple orchards come alive with activity.
Tourists flock from all around for apple picking and to sip a mug of hot apple
cider, which happens to be the official drink of New Hampshire since 2010. There
are more than 1,400 acres of orchards in the state, according to State Symbols
USA.
New Jersey: Jäger-bombs
Marie-Louise Garratt // Shutterstock
NEW JERSEY: JÄGER-BOMBS
New Jersey doesn't have a true official cocktail or state drink, but college
students across the state (especially along its iconic Jersey Shore) know their
way around Jäger-bombs. Made iconic on the reality show The Jersey Shore,
according to The New York Times, Jäger-bombs are made by dropping a shot of
Jägermeister into a glass of Red Bull.
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New Mexico: Chimayó cocktail
Andrew Pustiakin // Shutterstock
NEW MEXICO: CHIMAYÓ COCKTAIL
The birth of the Chimayó cocktail can be traced to Rancho de Chimayó, where it
was created in the 1960s, according to Taste of Home. The drink blends tequila
and apple juice with fresh lemon juice and Creme de Cassis.
New York: Milk
Kabachki.photo // Shutterstock
NEW YORK: MILK
Did you know that New York is the third-largest milk producer in the United
States? According to State Symbol USA, that's why milk is the official state
drink of New York. The milk produced in New York is used for consumption but
also for butter, cheese, ice cream, and processed products.
North Carolina: The cherry bounce
13Smile // Shutterstock
NORTH CAROLINA: THE CHERRY BOUNCE
Technically, the official state drink of North Carolina is, once again, milk.
But in the spirit of keeping things interesting, let's look at its unofficial
cocktail, the cherry bounce. Spoon University says that the signature cocktail
was created at Hunter's Tavern near Raleigh and consists of cherries, sugar, and
your choice of hard alcohol.
North Dakota: Beer
Leszek Czerwonka // Shutterstock
NORTH DAKOTA: BEER
North Dakota is one of the top states for beer consumption per capita, according
to VinePair. A 2020 report shows that as with Montana, Vermont, and New
Hampshire, beer is the most preferred beverage in the state.
Ohio: Bloody mary
jefftakespics2 // Shutterstock
OHIO: BLOODY MARY
The official state juice of Ohio is tomato juice, so it makes sense that the
bloody mary would be a signature drink of the state. Every bartender makes their
own version of this iconic brunch cocktail, but the base is always a blend of
tomato juice, vodka, and a blend of spices.
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in America
Oklahoma: Roy Rogers
Brent Hofacker // Shutterstock
OKLAHOMA: ROY ROGERS
It doesn't get much more Oklahoman than Roy Rogers. Known as The King of
Cowboys, the legend was married at the Flying L Ranch in Davis. According to
Taste of Home, Rogers did not drink alcohol, so the mocktail after his name
contains only grenadine, Cola, and a Maraschino cherry.
Oregon: Negroni
Shyripa Alexandr // Shutterstock
OREGON: NEGRONI
Portland's cocktail scene is strong, with some of the best bartenders in the
country churning out delectable drinks. One of their state favorites is the
negroni. In fact, there's an entire week dedicated to it every year in Portland.
The cocktail contains gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
Pennsylvania: Craft beer
Rido // Shutterstock
PENNSYLVANIA: CRAFT BEER
There was a time when Pennsylvania was the #1 producer of craft beer in the
country, according to Breweries in PA. While it has slipped to the #2 spot
(behind California), beer is still pretty important to the Pennsylvanian
economy.
Rhode Island: Coffee milk
Pixabay
RHODE ISLAND: COFFEE MILK
A blend of milk with a shot of sweet coffee syrup is the now-iconic drink of
Rhode Island known as coffee milk, according to Imbibe magazine. The drink came
about in the 1930s and can boast of being a household name across the state.
South Carolina: Sweet tea and vodka
Liliya Kandrashevich // Shutterstock
SOUTH CAROLINA: SWEET TEA AND VODKA
There are few things more Southern than sweet tea. And while sweet tea itself
was invented in Virginia, Firefly Distillery on South Carolina's Wadmalaw Island
created the very first blend of sweet tea with vodka, according to The Daily
Meal.
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extinct soon
South Dakota: South Dakota martini
natali_ploskaya // Shutterstock
SOUTH DAKOTA: SOUTH DAKOTA MARTINI
It's not fancy or elaborate, but it's a South Dakota classic. The South Dakota
martini is simple: take any light draft beer and add a briny pickle spear, per
the Argus Leader. That's about it, and it's all you need.
Tennessee: Jack Daniel’s
Jozef Sowa // Shutterstock
TENNESSEE: JACK DANIEL’S
If there's one thing Tennessee does well, it's whiskey. Lynchburg is home to the
world-famous Jack Daniel distillery. Whether you're crafting a cocktail, mixing
it with classic Coke, or sipping it on the rocks, you're right at home if you're
drinking Jack in Tennessee.
Texas: Margarita
Brent Hofacker // Shutterstock
TEXAS: MARGARITA
While the margarita conjures images of a beach in Mexico, the drink was actually
born in Texas. Invented by Pancho Morales, a truck driver from Juarez, Mexico,
the classic tequila concoction was created in El Paso, according to Texas
Monthly.
Utah: Root beer
Brent Hofacker // Shutterstock
UTAH: ROOT BEER
Utahns love their root beer, especially if it's Brigham's Brew Root Beer.
Produced in Salt Lake City by Wasatch Brewery, the popular soda ranks highly in
a state that has some pretty rigid liquor laws.
Vermont: Old Vermont
Yulia Grigoryeva // Shutterstock
VERMONT: OLD VERMONT
If it were socially acceptable to drink maple syrup, Vermonters certainly would.
The next-best thing? Throw it in a cocktail. Meet the old Vermont, a cocktail
that mixes gin, orange juice, bitters, and, of course, maple syrup, according to
Spoon University.
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Virginia: George Washington’s Rye Whiskey
Goncharov_Artem // Shutterstock
VIRGINIA: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S RYE WHISKEY
George Washington, a Virginia native, has his obvious claims to fame. But did
you know he also distilled whiskey? Produced at his Mount Vernon home in the
1790s, the rye whiskey is still in production today. In 2017, it became one of
the signature drinks of the state.
Washington: Coffee
NOBUHIRO ASADA // Shutterstock
WASHINGTON: COFFEE
From Starbucks to Seattle's Best, the state of Washington knows and loves its
coffee. In fact, Seattle’s coffee culture is one of the reasons locals love the
city so much.
West Virginia: Gin and tonic
Oksana Mizina // Shutterstock
WEST VIRGINIA: GIN AND TONIC
You may associate a gin and tonic with a chic pub in London, but West Virginia
is no stranger to this botanical blend. Gin and tonics are local favorites in
the state, usually served with aged gin, tonic, seltzer, and lemon oil, says The
Daily Meal.
Wisconsin: Brandy old fashioned
Andrew Pustiakin // Shutterstock
WISCONSIN: BRANDY OLD FASHIONED
Listen, we want to say milk because, well, Wisconsin cows. Milk is technically
the official state beverage, but the brandy old fashioned is a Wisconsin legend
and certainly deserves some attention. A Wisconsin brandy old fashioned uses
brandy instead of whiskey and is served with Maraschino cherries, orange juice,
a dash of bitters, soda, and ice. When ordering, bartenders will ask if you want
“sweet or sour,” which refers to the soda choice. Sour isn't actually sour, but
the less-sweet option of 50/50 or Squirt. Sweet means the added sugar of a 7Up
or Sprite.
Wyoming: Wyoming Whiskey
Tami Freed // Shutterstock
WYOMING: WYOMING WHISKEY
With the state name built right into the title, Wyoming Whiskey is the
unequivocal favorite in the state. Whiskey is hardcore, craft-distilled, and not
for the faint of heart, which speaks well to the cowboy culture in Wyoming.
Whatever you're pouring Wyoming Whiskey into, locals are drinking, according to
The Daily Meal.
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LOOK: SEE HOW MUCH GASOLINE COST THE YEAR YOU STARTED DRIVING
To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years,
Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last
84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April
2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline
from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular
gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices
for each year.
Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a
gallon was when you first started driving.
Gallery Credit: Sophia Crisafulli
1937
Reg Speller // Getty Images
1937
- Absolute gas price: $0.19
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.41 (#10 most expensive year in 84-year span)
After President Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933, the economic state of
the country seemed hopeful: Americans were beginning to emerge from the
financial wreckage of the Great Depression, and unemployment rates dropped more
than 10% in just a few years. In 1937, the nation was hit by yet another period
of economic downturn, during which unemployment spiked once more. A number of
federal economic decisions, such as switching to a contractionary monetary
policy, impacted inflation and led to relatively high gas prices.
1938
FPG // Getty Images
1938
- Absolute gas price: $0.18
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.30 (#13 most expensive year in 84-year span)
In an effort to protect smaller gas station operators from the aggressive
pricing of bigger companies, the state of New Jersey instituted a law in 1938
that prevented gas stations from raising prices more than once a day. In 2005,
this law was put to the test when civil action was taken against 20 gas stations
for doing exactly that. 1938 also brought about a recovery of the economic
downturn that had begun in 1937.
1939
Fox Photos // Getty Images
1939
- Absolute gas price: $0.17
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.16 (#16 most expensive year in 84-year span)
1939 marked the official end of the Great Depression, and therefore the
beginning of America’s return to a more stable economy. This year also
marked the beginning of World War II; entering the war two years later, though
devastating, would greatly invigorate the American economy and workforce. Gas
prices began to drop at this time, as the U.S. teetered on the edge of a period
of revitalization.
1940
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
1940
- Absolute gas price: $0.16
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.95 (#20 most expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1940, development in the world of automobiles changed the American car
permanently: The Oldsmobile became the first car to offer the Hydra-matic, at an
additional cost of $57, illustrating a move away from manual driving. This early
version of an automatic car offered no setting for “park”; instead, the driver
was supposed to put the car in reverse and then turn it off. Gas prices fell
again this year, fairly substantially, and though the U.S. had not yet joined
World War II, the nation was in a period of rearmament and providing aid to
Great Britain.
1941
Fox Photos // Getty Images
1941
- Absolute gas price: $0.17
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.99 (#19 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Between 1940 and 1941, absolute gas prices rose by a cent, but
inflation-adjusted prices dropped by 2 cents. This is due to the fact that at
this moment in history, inflation was rising faster than actual prices; in fact,
the inflation rate in 1941 was nearly 10%. At the tail end of the year, the
United States finally entered World War II, thereby igniting a shift in global
politics and economics.
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1942
Everett Historical // Shutterstock
1942
- Absolute gas price: $0.18
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.85 (#23 most expensive year in 84-year span)
The United States was now a player in World War II, which meant the introduction
of gas rationing. Gas rationing had little to do with a shortage; what the
United States armed forces needed was rubber, so nonessential rubber usage (like
car tires) had to go. In order to stop people from wearing out their tires and
needing rubber that could have gone to military efforts, the U.S. decided to
ration gas, limiting the number of gallons various driver classes could purchase
per week.
1943
George Marks // Getty Images
1943
- Absolute gas price: $0.19
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.84 (#26 most expensive year in 84-year span)
While World War II succeeded in reinvigorating the American economy, it also
brought multiple industries to a complete stop. Over the course of the war, only
139 cars were produced in the United States. Instead of making cars, key players
like Chrysler and General Motors were busy producing things like guns, tanks,
and aircraft components. Therefore, the gas prices in 1943 applied only to
American-made cars that were already in existence, as getting a new domestically
produced set of wheels at this time was not an option.
1944
Fox Photos Archive // Getty Images
1944
- Absolute gas price: $0.19
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.79 (#33 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Between 1943 and 1944, though the absolute price of gas remained steady at $0.19
a gallon, the inflation-adjusted price dropped by several cents. This has to do
with a strengthening American economic state: the war necessitated such a high
degree of productivity that real wages rose by 50% between 1939 and 1944,
allowing Americans to save and spend more. The war created new industries,
pulled women and African Americans into the workforce, increased overtime pay,
and encouraged Americans to participate in their own economy from an ideological
standpoint.
1945
Keystone Features // Getty Images
1945
- Absolute gas price: $0.19
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.73 (#39 most expensive year in 84-year span)
After years of conflict and a global loss of 70 to 85 million lives, World War
II came to an end. Consequently, the end of the war also brought about the end
of gas rationing in August of 1945, as well as the removal of limitations on
automobile production. Many automobile companies announced plans to expand their
facilities, and begin producing at rates far higher than before the war in order
to meet the pent-up demand of American consumers.
1946
Carl Perutz // Getty Images
1946
- Absolute gas price: $0.19
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.52 (#26 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The postwar era brought both relief and complications for the automobile
industry. Big names were ready to return to production and capitalize on an
American public that suddenly had money to spend, but workers were also
demanding more rights; an early 1946 steelworker strike brought production to a
halt. Once matters were resolved (steel companies settled after pressure from
President Harry Truman), cars began to roll out, including new models from Ford
and a Chrysler convertible.
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1947
FPG // Getty Images
1947
- Absolute gas price: $0.21
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.43 (#24 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Today, full-service gas stations have largely gone the way of drive-in movie
theatres and travel agents: While they're not entirely gone, pumping your own
gas is certainly a more common practice. The slow death of full-service gas
stations began in 1947 when Los Angeles gas station operator Frank Ulrich
advertised cheaper prices in exchange for customers pumping their own gas. It
was a hit, with the tiny station selling hundreds of thousands of gallons in a
single month. Within a few decades, self-serve gas was commonplace across the
nation.
1948
Keystone Features // Getty Images
1948
- Absolute gas price: $0.24
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.57 (#31 least expensive year in 84-year span)
1948 marked a monumental discovery in the world of oil, which would impact the
ways in which the U.S. and the world received crude oil. In the early 1940s,
American geologists working for Standard Oil of California were searching for
oil in Saudi Arabia. They discovered a geological bend in a riverbed that
indicated an underlying oil field. Further exploration was put on pause during
the war, but in 1948, a test drill hit oil. This was the beginning of a series
of discoveries about the Ghawar Field, which would turn out to be the largest
oil field in the world.
1949
Hulton Archive // Shutterstock
1949
- Absolute gas price: $0.25
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.71 (#40 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Petroleum, also known as crude oil, was found in underground reservoirs and used
to make gasoline, and therefore the global price of crude oil began to directly
impact the cost of gas. The United States both imported and exported petroleum,
though for many years the nation imported far more than it exported. In 1949,
the United States exported more petroleum products than it imported, making it a
net exporter. This would not happen again until 2011.
1950
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
1950
- Absolute gas price: $0.25
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.68 (#38 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The 1950s may conjure images of sock hops and “Leave It To Beaver”-esque viewing
material, but nothing defines this decade more than its cars. In 1950, the
automobile industry produced nearly 8 million vehicles and capitalized on
popular features like the hardtop convertible. The automatic transmission also
continued to grow in popularity, with an estimated 1.5 million automatic units
sold in 1950.
1951
George Marks // Getty Images
1951
- Absolute gas price: $0.26
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.58 (#32 least expensive year in 84-year span)
American gas and consumption reached an all-time high in 1951: The per capita
consumption of gasoline was 295 gallons, and U.S. oil production hit 6.2 million
barrels a day. While Americans consumed more oil, the U.S. did not always
increase its production rate. In 2000, for example, oil production dropped to
5.8 million barrels a day. It would eventually rise again, and in May 2019, the
United States hit a crude oil production average of more than 12 million barrels
per day.
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1952
Evening Standard // Getty Images
1952
- Absolute gas price: $0.26
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.53 (#28 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In the 1950s, competition in gasoline retailing became an issue. Competitors
would constantly drop prices in order to remain appealing to customers, winning
over potential buyers with the promise of freebies, like car accessories. In
Philadelphia, concern over the practice of competitive pricing reached such a
scale that a faction of retail dealers asked the governor to look into some
retailers' dishonest practices and initiate preventative legislation.
1953
George Marks // Getty Images
1953
- Absolute gas price: $0.28
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.71 (#42 most expensive year in 84-year span)
The national average gas price in 1953 may have been $0.28 a gallon, but for
those looking for a bargain, Omaha, Nebraska, was the place to be. Omaha native
Lynn Folgate remembered getting gas that year (her first year driving) for the
low price of $0.18 a gallon, according to recollections shared with the Rockford
Register Star. Folgate also recalled that during her years as a “pump jockey,”
people often purchased gas by demanding a specific gallon amount, rather than a
dollar amount, perhaps as a relic from years of gas rationing.
1954
Central Press // Getty Images
1954
- Absolute gas price: $0.28
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.69 (#39 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The U.S. experienced a slight recession between 1953 and 1954. In the wake of
the Korean War, actions taken by the Federal Reserve and Treasury caused a rise
in interest rates, leading to general pessimism towards the American economy.
This brought upon a decrease in aggregate demand (the total demand for goods and
services within the economy) and set in motion a three-quarter economic decline.
Though the absolute gas price remained steady from 1953 to 1954, consumers
overall spent less money during this time, and the GDP contracted 1.9% in the
first quarter of 1954.
1955
Three Lions // Getty Images
1955
- Absolute gas price: $0.29
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.79 (#31 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Smack in the middle of a thriving economy, and with more and more people
relocating to the suburbs as a result of the baby boom, 1955 was a particularly
fruitful year for the automotive industry. Automobile manufacturers were
experimenting with style and substance, introducing new technology in impressive
designs. One of the most significant cars from this year was the Chevrolet
Bel-Air, from Chevrolet's three “Tri-Five” series.
1956
George Marks // Getty Images
1956
- Absolute gas price: $0.30
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.85 (#25 most expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1956, inflation-adjusted gas prices and absolute gas prices increased
slightly from the previous year. As more people began living in suburbs outside
of centralized industrial hubs, Americans began using more fuel—between 1955 and
1956, the average gallons per vehicle jumped from 761 to 771, according to data
from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Americans were also beginning
to get fewer miles per gallon, meaning they were likely spending more on gas
overall.
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1957
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
1957
- Absolute gas price: $0.31
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.85 (#24 most expensive year in 84-year span)
The federal gasoline tax has remained at 18.4% since 1993 and exists with the
intention of raising money to pay for infrastructure like roads and highways.
The current structure of this tax dates back to 1957, when a system was set up
to send all money made from the gasoline tax directly to the federal Highway
Trust Fund. The general public expressed support for the idea of this tax being
spent on things that would help them navigate their cities. Since then, that
cash supply has been put toward other projects.
1958
Keystone Features // Getty Images
1958
- Absolute gas price: $0.31
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.77 (#34 most expensive year in 84-year span)
The 1958 recession signaled the sharpest economic downturn during the generally
prosperous era between World War II and the 1970s. Many industries were deeply
affected during this time, with the automobile industry as a prime example. 1958
was the worst year for automotive workers since the industry-wide wartime halt a
decade earlier. This period of economic distress lasted less than a year, but
impacted unemployment, spending, and the strength of the dollar.
1959
George Marks // Getty Images
1959
- Absolute gas price: $0.31
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.75 (#37 most expensive year in 84-year span)
There was a shift in America's attitude towards oil at this time. President
Dwight Eisenhower introduced the Mandatory Oil Import Program, placing
restrictions on the amount of oil that could be imported into the United States.
His reasoning was based on national security concerns and a desire to prevent
America from becoming too reliant on other nations for energy.
1960
Ber Belis // Getty Images
1960
- Absolute gas price: $0.32
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.79 (#32 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Throughout the 1960s, new cars continued to blend exciting new technology with
increasingly sleek design. Style was moving away from the 1950s “bigger is
better” mentality, and towards a pared-down but intensely powerful world of
automobiles. Muscle cars, which originated in this decade, are a perfect example
of this new ideal. Additionally, 1960 marked the founding year of OPEC (the
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), made up of the world's
biggest oil producers. This force exerted its power over oil and gasoline prices
for the United States and the rest of the world.
1961
Douglas Grundy // Getty Images
1961
- Absolute gas price: $0.32
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.76 (#36 most expensive year in 84-year span)
In January 1961, John F. Kennedy took office as the 35th president of the United
States. This marked the tail-end of a short recession, which led to a period of
immense economic expansion (the longest in history up to that point), lasting
until 1969. Some cars that were introduced in 1960 include the Mazda B Series,
the Fiat 2300, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass.
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1962
John Lloyd // Flickr
1962
- Absolute gas price: $0.32
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.74 (#38 most expensive year in 84-year span)
There was no change in the absolute price of gas between 1961 and 1962, and the
inflation-adjusted price dropped by just by two cents. The world was shaken on
Nov. 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated during a presidential
motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Though experts agree that Kennedy's economic legacy
is complicated—his tax cuts remain a popular point of discussion on that
front—he certainly presided over a period of immense economic prosperity in the
United States, leading to low unemployment rates even after his death.
1963
Pixabay
1963
- Absolute gas price: $0.32
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.70 (#40 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The 1960s were not necessarily a time of great environmental concern or
awareness, but Americans were starting to take notice of factories and cars
negatively impacting air quality. In 1963, the Clean Air Act was officially
passed. This legislation allowed for the creation of a program that researched
methods of controlling air pollution, in an attempt to control current levels.
1964
Rob // Flickr
1964
- Absolute gas price: $0.32
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.67 (#36 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1964, the median income for American families was $6,600 a year. This marked
a strong year for consumers—this median income was 5% higher than it had been in
1963, and more than double what it had been in 1947. Absolute gas prices once
again remained steady at $0.32 per gallon, meaning that at this time, a gallon
of gas made up a slightly smaller percentage of a person's total income than it
did in 2018.
1965
Harry Bensen // Getty Images
1965
- Absolute gas price: $0.33
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.71 (#41 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The Clean Air Act of 1963 was an important move in the direction of
environmental awareness, and the 1965 amendments to this law specifically
targeted automobile emissions. The amendments, known as the Motor Vehicle Air
Pollution Control Act, prioritized setting specific standards for car emissions,
beginning with 1968 car models. The amendments also raised awareness and
promoted research on how pollution in the United States could impact air quality
in Mexico and Canada.
1966
Archive Photos // Getty Images
1966
- Absolute gas price: $0.34
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.71 (#41 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Few cars can sum up the automobile style preferences of the 1960s like the Ford
Mustang. Beginning with the Mustang I, a two-seater that prioritized style over
substance, the car eventually morphed into its 1966 identity: often a red
convertible with all the flair of the popular muscle car ideal. In 1966, Ford
sold approximately 500,000 Mustangs Coupes, making it one of the most popular
and lasting models the brand ever produced.
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1967
Tadson Bussey // Flickr
1967
- Absolute gas price: $0.35
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.71 (#42 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1967, the United States was in the midst of the Vietnam War. By this point,
the U.S. troop count in Vietnam was nearing half a million, casualties were
rising on both sides, and American anti-war sentiments were becoming
increasingly prevalent. Elsewhere in the world, the scene was being set for the
1973 oil crisis, during which gas shortages plagued America, as major global oil
suppliers like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait temporarily banned shipments. This
came in response to the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt, Syria, and Jordan,
which occurred in 1967. Use of oil as a tactical playing card in this way is
referred to as the “oil” weapon.
1968
Hulton Archive // Getty Images
1968
- Absolute gas price: $0.35
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.60 (#33 least expensive year in 84-year span)
There might be no more picturesque image than sitting behind the wheel of a
Mustang California Special, driving up the Pacific Coast Highway with the wind
in your hair, perhaps on your way to grab a 50-cent hamburger—because it's 1968.
The Ford Mustang California Special coupe was produced in a limited run (only
about 4,000 were sold) and sold primarily in California in the 1968 auto year.
This car is a strong example of 1960s style and the West Coast glamour that was
idealized at the time.
1969
Three Lions // Getty Images
1969
- Absolute gas price: $0.36
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.53 (#27 least expensive year in 84-year span)
At the end of Richard Nixon's first year as president in December of 1969,
unemployment had fallen to 3.5% (a low that has yet to be matched), and
inflation was at 6.2%. Because of this, prices generally rose, even as overall
spending remained about the same. This may have contributed to gas prices
rising a cent from 1968, from $0.35 to $0.36 per gallon.
1970
Keystone Features // Getty Images
1970
- Absolute gas price: $0.36
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.40 (#23 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Despite past political efforts, by the early 1970s the United States had
developed a reliance on imported oil. Technological advances meant that more oil
and gasoline than ever before was required to maintain daily life, but the U.S.
was producing less and less oil domestically. This would ultimately develop into
the 1973 oil crisis. The economy also took an overall hit this year—GDP growth
was only 0.2%, down a substantial amount from the year prior, and inflation
continued.
1971
David Falconer // Wikimedia Commons
1971
- Absolute gas price: $0.37
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.36 (#21 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Gas prices climbed in 1971, as did taxes, due to inflation and general economic
instability. The situation became so dire that President Richard Nixon issued a
90-day freeze on all prices and wages in the nation. He demanded that everyone,
from the individual to the corporation, cooperate voluntarily. The freeze
brought about mixed reactions, and though it did initially inject some
much-needed life back into the stock market, the success was short-lived.
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1972
The Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons
1972
- Absolute gas price: $0.37
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.29 (#18 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The 1973 gas crisis caused widespread panic and national gasoline shortages.
This event caught most by surprise, but not Stewart Udall, a writer for The
Atlantic who predicted the crisis in 1972. Udall was convinced that insufficient
American oil production, coupled with an unstable market in the Middle East
would prove problematic, and wrote that “the impact of these tremors can already
be anticipated.”
1973
The U.S. National Archives // Flickr
1973
- Absolute gas price: $0.41
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.38 (#22 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The most famous historic event to do with gasoline and gas prices, the 1973 oil
crisis began when the members of OPEC declared an embargo against nations that
had supported, or appeared to support, Israel during the Arab-Israeli war
earlier that year. This embargo meant that the United States, which had become
extremely reliant on foreign oil, suddenly faced gasoline shortages. In
response, gas prices soared, and lines at gas stations got longer. The impact of
this crisis ultimately stretched far beyond availability; in fact, the crisis
shifted the balance of global politics and forced America to take a position in
the Middle East in order to end the embargo.
1974
David Falconer // Wikimedia Commons
1974
- Absolute gas price: $0.55
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.88 (#21 most expensive year in 84-year span)
When 1974 began, the United States was still very much in the midst of the oil
crisis that had begun the previous year as retaliation against nations that OPEC
believed supported Israel. This was accompanied by a stock market crash that
lasted throughout 1973 and 1974, and gas prices continued to skyrocket. In some
states, license plates ending with odd or even numbers could fill up only on
certain days. Eventually, negotiations resulted in Israel withdrawing its troops
from the Suez Canal in exchange for lifting the embargo.
1975
Lyntha Scott Eiler // Wikimedia Commons
1975
- Absolute gas price: $0.59
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.83 (#27 most expensive year in 84-year span)
By 1975, the public was scared and suspicious; two years of waking up at the
crack of dawn to wait in line for gasoline had taken its toll on morale, and gas
prices increased once again. Along with changes in price, however, came changes
with how money was spent. Throughout the 1970s, the credit card was gaining
popularity, and women were beginning to demand equal rights in the realm of
credit and finances. In fact, a year after the Senate passed the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, a bank opened that was geared specifically toward women.
1976
Everett Collection // Shutterstock
1976
- Absolute gas price: $0.61
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.77 (#35 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Absolute gas prices rose by two cents between 1975 and 1976, though inflation
began to slow down around this time. The inflation adjusted price dropped by
five cents between the two years. Though the oil embargo that had caused
gasoline shortages had been lifted, the United States now faced another energy
crisis: a natural gas shortage that resulted in layoffs in the automobile
industry. Businesses and homeowners alike struggled to function and stay warm as
winter approached.
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1977
The Library of Congress // Flickr
1977
- Absolute gas price: $0.66
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.81 (#30 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Unemployment in 1976 had reached 7.7%, and President Jimmy Carter inherited a
nation that was still in recovery from years of oil shortages, inflation, and
general economic instability. Gas prices jumped up again this year, from $0.61
in 1976 to $0.66 in 1977, but the economy did prosper during Carter's first year
in office, and unemployment rates fell for the two ensuing years.
1978
Orange County Archives // Flickr
1978
- Absolute gas price: $0.67
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.65 (#34 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Just a few years after the 1973 oil shock, a second crisis reared its head.
Consumer inflation was steadily increasing, and though the Federal Reserve tried
to combat this issue, it proved ineffective—prices were about to jump once more.
The worst of the crisis would occur the following year, and the beginning of the
Iranian Revolution helped set the stage.
1979
Warren K. Leffler // Wikimedia Commons
1979
- Absolute gas price: $0.90
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.20 (#15 most expensive year in 84-year span)
The Iranian Revolution began in January 1978, disrupting the country's oil
exportation process. Availability dropped as a consequence, but in reality,
Iranian oil exportation only dropped by a small percentage. Nevertheless, the
panic was enough to send gas prices around the globe skyrocketing once again.
America was, for the second time in a decade, faced with high prices, long waits
at the gas station, and extreme inflation. In November, the global situation
worsened as the 444-day Iranian hostage crisis began.
1980
The Library of Congress // Wikimedia Commons
1980
- Absolute gas price: $1.25
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.92 (#5 most expensive year in 84-year span)
After the oil crisis of 1979, gas prices surged once more in 1980, jumping from
$0.90 to $1.25 per gallon as global oil prices peaked. Jimmy Carter's presidency
was marked by inflation, gas shortages, and international crises, and despite
his 1979 “crisis of confidence” speech, Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan.
1981
Don Emmert // Getty Images
1981
- Absolute gas price: $1.38
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.92 (#4 most expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1981, the oil and gasoline panic gave way to a glut, though as New York Times
writer Daniel Yergin cautioned, the idea of a “glut” was a “dangerous and costly
illusion.” There wasn't more oil, simply a change in demand for the product.
High prices meant that demand and consumer interest had fallen, and this lack of
demand created a global surplus in the oil market. Additionally, the Reagan
administration effectively deregulated the oil market. Suppliers were suddenly
more eager to sell, as higher interest rates increased the cost of keeping large
amounts of stock. Though prices rose again in 1981, they were moving closer to
pre-crisis numbers.
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1982
RickDikeman // Wikimedia Commons
1982
- Absolute gas price: $1.30
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.48 (#9 most expensive year in 84-year span)
The automobile industry struggled throughout the 1980s, and one unlucky victim
of this hardship was the DeLorean. Made iconic by its role in the “Back to the
Future” franchise, the Delorean was already famous due to the lavish legacy of
its founder, John Z. DeLorean. In October 1982, however, DeLorean shuttered its
doors. Perhaps the option of a 24-karat gold-plated DeLorean, retailing at
$85,000, simply didn't have enough mass-market appeal.
1983
Minesweeper // Wikimedia Commons
1983
- Absolute gas price: $1.24
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.22 (#14 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Gas prices still hovered at levels far above their pre-crisis numbers in 1983.
Just five years prior, gas was $0.67, almost half the price in 1983. The “oil
glut” of the 1980s was causing prices to drop to the point where major oil
suppliers marked down their crude oil to as little as $5 a barrel. This came in
sharp contrast to the globally jacked-up oil prices of just a few years prior,
but since demand for gasoline had fallen so sharply, oil suppliers were forced
to slash prices.
1984
Ken Lund // Flickr
1984
- Absolute gas price: $1.21
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.01 (#18 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Between the 1960s and the 1980s, global awareness of the fossil fuel industry's
impact on the environment grew rapidly. A 1969 oil spill off the coast of Santa
Barbara garnered public condemnation of offshore drilling, and in the early
'80s, Congress banned new offshore drilling in most parts of the country's
coastal waters. However, offshore drilling continues in areas of the Gulf of
Mexico, and as regulations shift, this practice makes up a higher and higher
percentage of the United States' total oil production.
1985
Pixabay
1985
- Absolute gas price: $1.20
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.88 (#22 most expensive year in 84-year span)
As environmental awareness and concern began to take root, the government turned
its attention towards the automobile industry with regards to fuel economy
standards. In 1975, Congress introduced the Energy Policy and Conservation Act,
which set standards intended to double the average car's fuel economy by model
year 1985. As a result, the average mileage in a passenger vehicle jumped from
13.5 miles per gallon in 1975 to 27.5 miles per gallon a decade later. Light
truck fuel economy also increased, and many Americans paid less for gas in total
(even though prices per gallon were still fairly high at $1.20).
1986
The Library of Congress // Flickr
1986
- Absolute gas price: $0.93
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.19 (#15 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Oil prices collapsed in 1986, as Saudi Arabia changed course in its approach to
the oil market. Rather than drumming up prices as it had in the past, it
increased production in an attempt to dominate its share of the global market.
Oil prices were plummeting and gas prices dropped 27 cents from the year prior,
with a sweeping impact on the American economy and job market. The oil and gas
extraction industry lost 150,000 jobs over the course of the year.
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America
1987
Eric Chan // Wikimedia Commons
1987
- Absolute gas price: $0.95
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.16 (#13 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Heading into 1987, many feared lasting damage as a result of the oil price
collapse. However, in December 1986, several OPEC members agreed to cut
production, thereby raising prices. The cuts would bring OPEC oil prices up to
$18 per barrel, and in 1987, gas prices began to stabilize. OPEC had previously
used a fixed-price system of this kind, the abandonment of which had been an
attempt to dominate the world market, but led to plummeting gas prices.
1988
peterolthof // Flickr
1988
- Absolute gas price: $0.95
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.07 (#9 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1988, OPEC leaders met once again to discuss oil production limits, which had
previously been established as 16.6 million barrels per day. Bringing production
down to this level was intended to raise prices globally and meet a benchmark
oil price of $18 per barrel. With these cuts and limitations in place, gasoline
prices in 1988 matched those of 1987, signaling that the falling prices had come
to an end.
1989
Joehawkins // Wikimedia Commons
1989
- Absolute gas price: $1.02
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.12 (#11 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Though not exactly a time of prosperity for the automobile industry, 1989
brought about two important additions to the American world of cars. The Lexus
LS 400, born from Japanese car giant Toyota, launched this year, and changed the
world of luxury cars forever. On an episode of “Top Gear,” the model was
described as “petrifyingly good.” This wasn't the only way in which Japan
solidified itself as a key player in the American luxury car industry: Nissan
also introduced the Infiniti this year
1990
Steve Morgan // Wikimedia Commons
1990
- Absolute gas price: $1.16
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.29 (#19 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The first federal gasoline tax, of $0.01 a gallon, was put into place in 1932.
The gas tax was always intended to create revenue to be used towards new
infrastructure, but in 1990, that changed. Congress approved a package in which
the gas tax would be raised from $0.091 to $0.14 a gallon, but half of the
additional revenue created would be put toward reducing the national deficit.
Some experts believe this permanently altered public attitude towards the gas
tax. Instead of seeing it as a necessary and even helpful price for maintaining
roads, it had transformed into a federal cash pot.
1991
Infrogmation of New Orleans // Wikimedia Commons
1991
- Absolute gas price: $1.14
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.16 (#14 least expensive year in 84-year span)
At the start of 1991, the United States was still in the midst of the Gulf War,
which had begun in August 1990 when Saddam Hussein's forces invaded Kuwait. This
Iraqi invasion caused a decrease in oil production, leading to a spike in oil
prices keenly felt by a country in recession. The average price of gasoline in
1991 remained fairly inflated at $1.14 per gallon.
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1992
Ed Schipul // Flickr
1992
- Absolute gas price: $1.13
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.08 (#10 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1992, Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush in the presidential election. A
factor politicians often point to in terms of the victory was a rising
unemployment rate. Though gas prices also spiked under Bush's watch, they were
on the decline by the election. Clinton used the previous recession as a means
for painting Bush's economic strategies as problematic, and famously had the
phrase “the economy, stupid” scrawled on a campaign headquarters whiteboard as a
reminder of how much Americans cared about this issue.
1993
Phillip Capper // Flickr
1993
- Absolute gas price: $1.11
- Inflation-adjusted price: $1.98 (#7 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Throughout 1992, 10 million Americans were unemployed, the poverty rate hit
15.1%, and inflation was still impacting family income. As a response, President
Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore launched an economic strategy that
slowly began to shift the economy forward. This strategy involved eliminating
the deficit, prioritizing education as a means for creating American jobs, and
opening foreign markets.
1994
Daniel Case // Wikimedia Commons
1994
- Absolute gas price: $1.11
- Inflation-adjusted price: $1.93 (#3 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Gas prices remained steady from 1993 to 1994, hovering at $1.11 per gallon. Some
of the most popular cars for that model year included the 1994 Lexus SC, the
Cadillac DeVille, and the BMW 3 Series. This same year, the introduction of the
North American Free Trade Agreement changed the way that cars would be produced.
Because of NAFTA, the United States was able to trade freely with Canada and
Mexico; Mexico has since become a key player in automobile manufacturing.
1995
Daniel Case // Wikimedia Commons
1995
- Absolute gas price: $1.15
- Inflation-adjusted price: $1.95 (#4 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The '90s were a time of economic prosperity, job growth, and increased
productivity that paved the way for a technological revolution. Although some of
this growth was due to political strategy, many factors could be considered
“lucky mistakes” or unpredictable. For instance, Clinton's effort to reduce the
deficit shouldn't necessarily have helped with unemployment rates, but it did.
The reduction of the deficit aided in bank recapitalization, which pumped up the
economy and reduced unemployment as well.
1996
Phil Walter // Getty Images
1996
- Absolute gas price: $1.23
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.02 (#8 least expensive year in 84-year span)
From 1995 to 1996, gas prices jumped substantially, and some cities hit prices
far above the national average. Some pumps in New York City spiked as high as
$1.56 per gallon. Analysts blamed the price hikes on the rising costs of crude
oil, which hit $25 a barrel in the spring, forcing those who refined crude oil
into gasoline to bump up their prices as well. Higher prices were also caused by
higher national demand for gasoline, which some believe resulted from increases
in speed limits across the country.
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1997
The Josh // Wikimedia Commons
1997
- Absolute gas price: $1.23
- Inflation-adjusted price: $1.98 (#6 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1997, a one-day gas boycott brought down prices by 30 cents per gallon
overnight—or at least, so says a 2012 Facebook post that received wide
circulation as it called for a similar boycott. When officials from various
agencies looked into this claim, however, they found no federal records or news
archives in reference to a 1997 “gas out.” In truth, gas prices remained fairly
steady throughout 1997 and matched average prices of the year prior, save for
changes in inflation.
1998
Coolcaesar // Wikimedia Commons
1998
- Absolute gas price: $1.06
- Inflation-adjusted price: $1.68 (#1 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Gas prices fell substantially from 1997 to 1998, dropping from an average of
$1.23 per gallon to just $1.06 per gallon, the lowest since the government began
tracking gasoline prices. In some states, average costs fell below a dollar.
These low prices were caused by the falling costs of crude oil, which was
selling on the New York Mercantile Exchange for less than half of what it had
been a year prior. While cheap gasoline is usually welcome news for consumers,
the same can't be said for the oil industry. Some small oil producers were
forced to shut down entirely, as bigger corporations faced layoffs and extreme
cost-cutting measures.
1999
Pixabay
1999
- Absolute gas price: $1.17
- Inflation-adjusted price: $1.81 (#2 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In 1998, gas prices hit an all-time low across the nation, and these prices
continued into the early weeks and months of 1999. By the summer, prices were
beginning to increase once again as oil production experienced cutbacks, but by
the end of the year, absolute gas prices averaged $1.17 per gallon, climbing
back towards the averages of years prior.
2000
Love's Travel Stops and Country Store // Wikimedia Commons
2000
- Absolute gas price: $1.51
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.26 (#17 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The fears of Y2K were mostly unfounded—though some computer glitches related to
formatting and calendar data did arise. In the world of gasoline, prices climbed
once again, hitting $1.51 per gallon on average. Gas costs dropped off again
near the end of the year, as OPEC decided to increase daily crude oil
production, upping the daily output by 800,000 barrels.
2001
David McNew // Getty Images
2001
- Absolute gas price: $1.46
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.13 (#12 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Gasoline prices dropped again from 2000 to 2001 during the first year of the
Bush administration, amidst increased oil production from OPEC. In California,
for example, gas prices dropped eight times over the course of nine weeks. They
had risen during the spring, as usual, but continued to fall throughout the
summer. In July, gas prices around the nation hit a three-month low of $1.40,
though California taxes meant that the state's average price was $1.78.
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2002
Franco Folini // Flickr
2002
- Absolute gas price: $1.36
- Inflation-adjusted price: $1.95 (#5 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In 2002, gasoline prices fell for the second year in a row, both times by 10
cents or more. At this time, the National Academy of Sciences was feeling
hopeful about the future of energy-efficient cars and released a study that
estimated cars and trucks could meet a fuel efficiency level of 37 miles per
gallon within the following 10 to 15 years. The same study also showed that
falling prices weren't the only thing causing Americans to save money at the
pump: the country was saving 2.7 barrels of gasoline every day as a result of
increasingly more fuel-efficient vehicles.
2003
Justin Sullivan // Getty Images
2003
- Absolute gas price: $1.59
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.23 (#16 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Only a few cars achieve true fame—Doc's DeLorean and the Batmobile may come to
mind—but the Hummer H2 must be counted among the most infamous cars
ever produced. The Hummer H2 was released for the 2003 model year, and with a
curb weight of more than 6,000 pounds, it was not a subtle choice. The car was
designed and originally produced in a time when gasoline prices were so low that
filling up the behemoth's extra-large tank was possible with breaking the bank.
In 2003, however, gasoline prices were on the rise, and would soon reach levels
that made owning an H2 a rather unsavory option.
2004
Open Grid Scheduler/Grid Engine // Flickr
2004
- Absolute gas price: $1.88
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.57 (#30 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In 2004, the United States was recovering from a recession that took place
during 2002 and 2003. Fuel costs hit what was then an all-time high, reaching
$1.88 per gallon on average. Multiple factors played into this price increase,
among them a higher American fuel demand and consumption, and low domestic oil
inventories. Additionally, OPEC's continued production cuts only served to hike
gas prices further.
2005
PxHere
2005
- Absolute gas price: $2.30
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.04 (#17 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Gas costs surged in 2005—as much at one point as 20 cents in a period of just
three weeks—and crude oil prices continued to increase as well. In August, crude
oil hit $67 a barrel, instigating concern over whether the world's oil supply
would be able to keep up with an ever-growing demand for fuel.
2006
Tim Boyle // Getty Images
2006
- Absolute gas price: $2.59
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.32 (#11 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Crude oil and gasoline costs surged again in 2006, hitting an absolute price of
$2.59 and an inflation-adjusted price of $3.20. At the same time, the
Environmental Protection Agency was working to impose more stringent fuel
restrictions, focusing specifically on combating sulfur levels in diesel fuel.
Regulations demanding the use of low-sulfur diesel had been enacted in the '90s,
but in 2006, the EPA began requiring ultra-low sulfur diesel, which contains
only 15 parts per million.
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2007
Nachoman-au // Wikimedia Commons
2007
- Absolute gas price: $2.80
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.49 (#8 most expensive year in 84-year span)
In 2007, oil prices rose once again, and at the end of the year had hit $90 per
barrel. This caused gasoline prices to rise as well, with an increase of about
8% from the year prior. Though they ultimately continued to surge, costs dropped
ever so slightly near the end of 2007, which experts attributed to the
combination of lower gasoline demand during winter months, and consumers
becoming disillusioned with steep numbers at the pump.
2008
Niagara // Wikimedia Commons
2008
- Absolute gas price: $3.27
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.92 (#3 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Over the course of 2008, oil prices hit both historic highs and lows: From July
to December, oil prices dropped from approximately $147 to $33 per barrel, all
while nations around the globe felt the effects of the Great Recession. Oil
prices directly impacted gasoline prices, which peaked this year at $3.27 before
dropping substantially. The combination of falling income and rising gasoline
prices also led to a large decrease in the sale of SUVs, which spelled huge
financial trouble for the oil and automobile industries.
2009
Ian Poellet // Wikimedia Commons
2009
- Absolute gas price: $2.35
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.83 (#28 most expensive year in 84-year span)
By 2009, a combination of factors brought about the death of the Hummer as both
a car and lifestyle brand. The previous year's high gasoline prices made the
Hummer a very costly vehicle to drive, and attitudes towards SUVs were changing
as citizens grappled with harsh environmental realities. With Hummer drivers
experiencing increasing public shaming, Hummer sales dropped to 5,487 units for
the year. Trouble was afoot elsewhere in the automotive industry: Both General
Motors and Chrysler were hit so hard by the recession that they required
government bailouts.
2010
Naotake Muruyama // Wikimedia Commons
2010
- Absolute gas price: $2.79
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.30 (#12 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Four years after “An Inconvenient Truth” detailed some of the potential lasting
damage modern-scale fuel reliance could do, the automobile industry was getting
in on the renewable energy game. In the wake of high gas prices, which would
soon rise again, hybrid and electric vehicles began to hit the market. In 2010,
the Department of Energy granted Tesla $465 million to develop electric cars at
a California facility. That same year, Chevy released a plug-in hybrid, and
Nissan released a 100% electric model called the LEAF.
2011
Daniel Christensen // Wikimedia Commons
2011
- Absolute gas price: $3.53
- Inflation-adjusted price: $4.05 (#2 most expensive year in 84-year span)
2011 was the first year in which average prices for both gasoline and diesel
consistently stayed above $3 per gallon. These record highs can be attributed to
inflated costs in the crude oil market, after the Obama administration and UN
Security Council instigated a military intervention in Libya. Libya is one of
the world's largest oil producers, and as a result, the nation's ability to
produce and export oil was disrupted, causing price shocks throughout the global
oil market.
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2012
Anthony92931 // Wikimedia Commons
2012
- Absolute gas price: $3.64
- Inflation-adjusted price: $4.09 (#1 most expensive year in 84-year span)
In 2012, the national average price of gasoline was up $0.09 to a new high of
$3.64 per gallon. The American Automobile Association offered a number of
reasons for prices continuing to climb, including the devastating impact of
Hurricane Sandy, among other costly storms, as well as continued tensions in the
Middle East. Analysts noted, however, that despite high prices at gas stations,
Americans were not necessarily spending more on gasoline overall, due to a large
dip in total demand for the product.
2013
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
2013
- Absolute gas price: $3.53
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.91 (#6 most expensive year in 84-year span)
After several years of dramatic jumps, gasoline prices fell slightly in 2013 to
the same absolute price as 2011. A key reason for this movement towards lower
prices was an increase in domestic oil production within the United States. In
October of 2013, America produced more oil domestically than it imported from
other nations. The United States had not produced more than it imported in
nearly two decades, and this milestone came with an additional marker: The
country had not imported so little crude oil since 1991.
2014
Mike Mozart // Flickr
2014
- Absolute gas price: $3.37
- Inflation-adjusted price: $3.68 (#7 most expensive year in 84-year span)
The average cost of gas in 2014 ultimately fell lower than it did in 2013, but
not without a few sharp peaks along the way. In April, a time when gas prices
tend to spike, the average price per gallon across the nation was $3.70, higher
than it had been during the same month the previous year. The conflict in Iraq
was a cause of these high prices, as the Islamic State group seizing control of
much of the country led to a disruption of Iraq's oil supply. After these summer
spikes, many states would begin to see prices flatten or fall leading into the
next year.
2015
Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons
2015
- Absolute gas price: $2.45
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.67 (#37 least expensive year in 84-year span)
By September of 2016, gas prices had fallen so much that only four states
(California, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii) maintained an average cost above $3 a
gallon; in some states, the average gas price fell below $2. The falling prices
can be partially attributed to the United States' rising domestic production,
which typically would cause OPEC to limit its own production in order to drive
up global oil demand. However, Saudi Arabia, the leader of OPEC, showed no signs
of slowing and continued to export oil at its normal capacity, leading to a glut
in the market and low prices at the pump.
2016
Canva
2016
- Absolute gas price: $2.14
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.30 (#20 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Gasoline prices continued to fall throughout 2015 and 2016, which, for most
drivers, was only happy news. In fact, government officials estimated that the
low cost of gas the previous year had saved drivers $100 billion. Some analysts
pointed out that extremely low oil prices, leading to low gas prices, may be
linked to concerning global trends, like slow growth in economic powerhouses
like China. For the time being, however, consumers were happy with full tanks.
The car industry saw its best year in a long time, with nearly 18 million units
sold.
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2017
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
2017
- Absolute gas price: $2.41
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.54 (#29 least expensive year in 84-year span)
Crude oil makes up about half the price of a gallon of gas, so as crude oil
prices began to creep back up in 2017, gasoline prices followed suit. Summer is
typically a time for gas prices to rise, and the summer of 2017 was no
different. This time, however, price hikes were due not just to the usual
increase in demand, but to the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Harvey, which
hit the coast of Texas in August and caused more than $120 billion in damage.
Texas is a key source of American oil, and the hurricane-damaged oil refineries
and crucial infrastructure, causing a rise in gasoline prices.
2018
Joe Raedle // Getty Images
2018
- Absolute gas price: $2.74
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.82 (#29 most expensive year in 84-year span)
Many Americans may expect to spend a little extra around Thanksgiving, but in
2018, higher than usual November gas prices meant that the holiday commute to
your in-laws may have been even pricier. While these November pump prices were
up 4 cents from the year prior, experts in the oil and gas industry noted that
it was still a time of relatively low prices. They connected this to OPEC's 2014
decision not to institute production cuts, causing oil and gasoline prices
around the world to fall.
2019
Canva
2019
- Absolute gas price: $2.64
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.66 (#35 least expensive year in 84-year span)
The trade war between the U.S. and China represented the biggest precipitator of
decreasing prices in 2019. As concerns grew and investors bet on an
economic downturn, according to a June 2019 New York Times article, crude oil
prices dropped over 20% from their April peak. The article also cites a AAA
report that gasoline prices followed suit, as is typically the case, and also
fell—exceeding a 7% change from 2018. Forbes' Robert Rapier reported in August
that the price of crude oil dropped the most in more than four years.
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2020
Spencer Platt // Getty Images
2020
- Absolute gas price: $2.43
- Inflation-adjusted price: $2.43 (#25 least expensive year in 84-year span)
In April 2020, U.S. rude oil futures for May reached a record low of minus
$37.63, representing a nearly 300% drop, according to reporting from Lucy Bayly
of NBC News. The crash is attributed to a lack of demand amidst social
distancing guidelines and shutdowns around the world.
Source: Thanksgiving Eve Stabbing At Popular Berkshire County Restaurant
Filed Under: Berkshire County, crime, Massachusetts
Categories: Local News, News
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