Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
What if some of the most iconic American things … weren’t actually American? From apple pie to denim jeans and baseball, these cultural symbols are often seen as 100% made in the USA – but their true origins might surprise you.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at what shapes American identity – and how deeply it has been influenced by cultures from around the world.
So what does “American” really mean?
CHAPTERS
00:00 Are "American" icons really American?
00:19 Apple pie: Not made in the USA?
01:47 The real origin of denim jeans
03:29 Baseball: America’s pastime?
04:47 What makes something “American”?
#dweuromaxx #baseball #jeans
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CREDITS
Report: Nicholas Counter
Host: Hallie Rawlinson
Camera: Manuel Vering
Edit: Mike Koch
Supervising Editor: Mirja Viehweger
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to DW Euromaxx:
bit.ly/DWEuromaxx_Sub
Would you like to find out more about Euromaxx?
▸Website: dw.com/english/euromaxx
▸Facebook: facebook.com/dw.euromaxx
▸Instagram: instagram.com/dw_euromaxx
DW Euromaxx brings you engaging insights into European cultures and lifestyles.
What if some of the most iconic American things … weren’t actually American? From apple pie to denim jeans and baseball, these cultural symbols are often seen as 100% made in the USA – but their true origins might surprise you.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at what shapes American identity – and how deeply it has been influenced by cultures from around the world.
So what does “American” really mean?
CHAPTERS
00:00 Are "American" icons really American?
00:19 Apple pie: Not made in the USA?
01:47 The real origin of denim jeans
03:29 Baseball: America’s pastime?
04:47 What makes something “American”?
#dweuromaxx #baseball #jeans
--------------------------------------------
CREDITS
Report: Nicholas Counter
Host: Hallie Rawlinson
Camera: Manuel Vering
Edit: Mike Koch
Supervising Editor: Mirja Viehweger
--------------------------------------------
Subscribe to DW Euromaxx:
bit.ly/DWEuromaxx_Sub
Would you like to find out more about Euromaxx?
▸Website: dw.com/english/euromaxx
▸Facebook: facebook.com/dw.euromaxx
▸Instagram: instagram.com/dw_euromaxx
DW Euromaxx brings you engaging insights into European cultures and lifestyles.
