Meet the American who gave the nation our Thanksgiving origin story: Pilgrim Edward Winslow

Mayflower passenger Edward Winslow wrote the only contemporary account of the Pilgrims' first year in Plymouth, including the story of the first Thanksgiving in 1621.

Meet the American who founded the American Legion, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., privileged to fight and to serve

Theodore Roosevelt Jr., oldest son of President Teddy Roosevelt, founded the American Legion after World War I; he received the Medal of Honor in World War II.

Meet the American who gave us Nashville hot chicken, Thornton Prince, man of many passions

Thornton Prince was a legendary Nashville lothario who was served a plate of insanely hot fried chicken as revenge by a crossed lover. It's now known as Nashville hot chicken.

Meet the American who paved the way for the interstate, Gen. Lucius Clay, master planner, hero of two nations

Gen. Lucius D. Clay was called by President Dwight Eisenhower to create a plan to build the Interstate Highway System, after a career of grand logistics achievements.

Meet the American who invented video games, Ralph Baer, a German Jew who fled Nazis, served US Army in WWII

"Father of Video Games" Ralph Baer was born in Germany and fled the Nazis as a teenager on the eve of the Holocaust. He invented the first video game in 1967.

Meet the American who snapped the first selfie, Robert Cornelius, Philadelphia vanity photo futurist

Robert Cornelius snapped the world's first selfie in Philadelphia in 1839, weeks after after the advent of photograph technology. It was a prelude to smartphone selfie phenomenon.

Meet the American who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, Francis Bellamy, found ally in nation's top teachers

Francis J. Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892 and found a powerful ally in the patriotic National Education Association, which brought it to the American schoolroom. Here's his story.

Meet the American who patented the drinking straw, Marvin Stone, Civil War veteran and mint julep enthusiast

Marvin Stone, a Civil War veteran who survived combat wounds, patented the paper drinking straw in 1888. His invention has enjoyed a rebirth in the 21st century.

Meet the American who brought Barbie to life, Ruth Handler, fierce testament to girl power

Meet Ruth Handler, the American who co-founded toy-industry giant Mattel; she was also the creator of Barbie, introduced at the International Toy Fair in New York in 1959.

Meet the American who was revered as the 'patron saint' until he was canceled: Lenni Lenape chief Tammany

Lenni Lenape chief Tamanend, better known as King Tammany, was celebrated as the "Patron Saint of America" and honored by Americans for 200 years — until he was canceled.