1

Pizza (Italy)

Image: Kelvin T

Let us get the obvious out of the way first. Pizza and America were a love at first bite. This delicious food was brought to America by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. In 1905, Gennaro Lombardi applied to the New York City government for the first license to make and sell pizza in this country, at his grocery store on Spring Street in what was then a thriving Italian-American neighborhood.

These days, from New York to Chicago to California, Americans consume more than three billion pizzas a year.

2

Sushi (Japan)

Image: Vinicius Benedit

A Japanese dish that has been a hit for a couple of decades now is, of course, sushi . This elaborate meal arrived in the U.S. somewhere between the 1950s and 1960s, and it was popularized with the opening of Kawafuku Restaurant in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

Sushi restaurants began to open outside the confines of Little Tokyo, and the cuisine gained popularity, especially with Hollywood celebrities. Cosmopolitan cities like New York and Chicago soon followed suit with sushi restaurants of their own, and by the late 1980s, sushi was a full-on craze.

3

Burritos (Mexico)

Image: Kashish Lamba

Being a traditional dish from a neighboring country, it is no wonder that burritos are such a popular food in the United States. These Mexican delicacies first appeared on American restaurant menus at the El Cholo Spanish Cafe in Los Angeles during the 1930s.

North of the border, the burrito evolved to include a wider variety of fillings, such as rice, cheese, sour cream, and salsa, and it became a popular and customizable fast-food item.

4

General Tso’s Chicken (China)

Image: Sunday 133

As ubiquitous as Chinese food is in America, General Tso’s Chicken is an ubiquitous item in its menus. The dish as most Americans know it today was invented by Peng Chang-kuei, a chef from the Hunan province.

During the 1950s, Taiwan became a haven for classical Chinese cuisine. Peng opened a restaurant in the capital of Taipei and for years served food inspired by traditional Hunanese cooking, including the now-famous General Tso’s Chicken.

5

Gyros (Greece)

Image: irws

A beloved street food, Greek gyros have always been popular in the Mediterranean countries but gained popularity in the United States in the early 20th century when Greek immigrants began emigrating to the U.S. shortly after World War II.

A traditional Greek gyro is a dish made from thinly sliced meat baked on a vertical spit and served with a tangy sauce called tzatziki. It is most commonly made with lamb, but beef and pork are also available. In Greece, gyros are a popular meal choice.

6

Pad Thai (Thailand)

Image: Alyssa Kowalski

Pad Thai was born in Thailand during the time of World War II. The Prime Minister made this popular dish at the time because he was concerned about the country’s high rice consumption. So, to lower rice consumption, he encouraged citizens to eat more noodles—which Chinese merchants were selling at the time. The combination of Chinese rice noodles and native Thai flavors used for this dish eventually paved the way to creating what we call Pad Thai these days.

However, the delicious Pad Thai you might be familiar with from Thai restaurants in the U.S. is not a traditional Thai dish. Instead, it’s a nod to the American palate, introduced to the United States by Chinese immigrants who used "pad" as a catch-all term for any stir-fried noodle dish.

7

Coq Au Vin (France)

Image: Katherine Chase

Always associated with high cuisine, the iconic coq au vin was featured by Julia Child in her breakthrough 1961 cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking. And she must have liked it because it was a recurrent dish on her PBS cooking show The French Chef.

This media exposure helped increase the visibility and popularity of the dish in the United States, and coq au vin was seen as one of Child’s signature dishes.

8

Ceviche (Peru)

Image: Pirata Studio Film

Ceviche is a Peruvian seafood dish that made its way onto American plates in the 1980s when Caribbean flavors came from Florida. In its classic form iced cubes of raw fish, marinated in a lemon or lime juice mixture, react with the citrus juices to cure the fish protein and cause it to become opaque and firm while absorbing flavor.

The essential ingredients of any ceviche are raw fish, citrus juices, and seasonings. So, it could be said that, while not a deal-breaker, being a fish enthusiast will definitely help you enjoy this delicious meal.

9

K-BBQ (Korea)

Image: Daniel Lee

Korean BBQ as we know it today began to develop in the 1940s and 1950s, following the Korean War when the US military introduced new grilling techniques and equipment to Korean food culture. In the following decades, Korean BBQ spread throughout Korea and eventually around the world.

During the past decades, Korean BBQ went from being something consumed by Korean immigrants and their descendants exclusively to something that can be found and is beloved in nearly all American cities.

10

Ropa Vieja (Spain)

Image: Medamedia

A strange name for such a tasty meal, Ropa Vieja is Spanish for "old clothes". The origin of the name comes from the legend of a poor man who shredded his clothes to feed his family, magically transforming the rags into a slice of beef and vegetables. Legends aside, this is a delicious meal that became famous in Cuba but can be traced back to Spain.

Cooking the meat is a labor-intensive process, but it’s very rewarding when done right. The dish is made the night before so the juices really seep into the beef, giving it an amazing flavor and texture. Ropa Vieja made its way through Florida and into the country.

1

Bright colors

Image: Yaritza

In the 80s, neon was absolutely everywhere, and let’s be honest, it was very hard to miss. Found in clothes, accessories, makeup, signs, and posters, blindingly bright colors became a new style statement. From hot pink to acid green, neon yellow to electric blue, this color palette could be found in pop culture, on the streets, and everywhere in between.

2

Bold fashion

Image: cottonbro studio

There's only one word to describe 80s fashion: bold . B old hair, bold accessories, bold colors, bold everything! Fashion during this decade was strongly influenced by pop music and new rock subgenres such as New Wave. For the first time, different styles began to mix, combining formal garments with rebellious accents —like pairing suits with sneakers, mind you. Whether it was shoulder pads, multicolored leg warmers, or those striking Miami Vice suits, fashion in the 80s was all about vibrancy and an aura of success.

3

Big hair, strong makeup

Image: Gustavo Cerati, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

In the 80s, crazy cuts and dramatic makeup became an everyday thing, a way of expressing one’s personality and style everywhere you went. From musicians like Madonna to leading ladies like Demi Moore or Julia Roberts, the stars led the way with their perms, pumped-up hair volume, tanned faces, and bright eyeshadows.

But let's not forget the guys! They also introduced the iconic mullet, popularized by celebrities like Rod Stewart, tennis player Andre Agassi, and Patrick Swayze, just to name a few.

4

Rise of yuppie culture

Image: MART PRODUCTION

In a nutshell, Yuppie culture was characterized by slicked-back hair, V-neck sweaters, and a condescending attitude. The term yuppie , an acronym for "young urban professional," emerged in 1980 in an article in Chicago magazine. It described a young person in their 20s or 30s who was part of the middle to upper class, a socioeconomic group that became the forefront of the decade.

From the beginning, this label sparked divided opinions: For some, it represented ambition and success; for others, it symbolized superficiality, an excessive materialism, and an apparent superiority complex. Accurate or not, the trend eventually faded away after the 1987 Wall Street Crash.

5

Toys on TV

Image: cottonbro studio

The 1980s were marked by spending Saturday mornings watching ads on cartoon commercial breaks. How did this happen? From this decade onwards, companies were finally allowed to market directly to kids. The result was hundreds of all kinds of toy ads. They advertised everything from creative games like the Rubik's Cube or Lego to cute and cuddly toys like Care Bears and My Little Pony. This era also saw the beginnings of the must-have toy trend, with Cabbage Patch dolls leading the pack.

6

Music on the go

Image: cottonbro studio

During the 80s, it was common to see people walking down the street with a Walkman on their hips or a boombox to their ears. Although the boombox gained popularity in the 70s, it became mainstream in the 80s thanks to hip-hop and breakdancing culture. Yet, the Walkman would soon steal its thunder. This revolutionary new audio player allowed people to bring their music with them anywhere without bothering everyone around. And that’s also how mixtapes became a thing!

7

Personal computers

Image: Tomas Martinez

The 80s were a prominent decade for electronics development. In 1981, IBM introduced its first personal computer, and everyday life and work would never be the same again. More affordable computers were created thanks to the introduction of powerful, smaller, and cheaper processors, reaching a wider audience and creating greater demand. Models such as the IBM PC, the Commodore 64, and the Apple Macintosh became household names, paving the way for the era of domestic computing.

8

Rise of video games

Image: cottonbro studio

Thanks to technological advances in graphics and gameplay over the decade, video games finally became undeniably popular. With the rise of arcade machines and home consoles, a series of iconic games managed to capture the attention of a wider audience, igniting a cultural phenomenon that would influence music, film, and television. Titles such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong became classics that defined an era.

9

Cable TV goes mainstream

Image: Coline Haslé

When cable TV hit the mainstream, it not only gave the big three American networks a run for their money, but it also allowed the world access to specialized shows that better suited their tastes. Whether your interest was sports, comedy, or music, cable had something for everyone.

CNN and HBO definitely changed television forever, but it was perhaps MTV that left the most indelible mark by offering greater insight into contemporary bands and musicians via live performances and music videos.

10

Fitness fever

Image: Ron Lach

The 1980s were the golden age of fitness, a trend that reflected society's growing interest in health and wellness. Exercise routines were not just a workout, but a cultural phenomenon that turned our living rooms into mini gyms.

Major clothing brands began designing exercise-specific apparel and accessories, such as leotards, crop tops, and headbands. Celebrities also capitalized on the fitness craze. Jane Fonda, for example, became a massive hit in 1982 with her iconic workout videos, some of the best-selling VHS of all time.

1

Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee

Image: MediaEcke

At his Neverland ranch, the King of Pop had his own zoo with exotic animals such as exotic birds, an albino python, two tigers named Thriller and Sabu, and even an elephant, a gift from Liz Taylor. But by far, Michael Jackson’s favorite pet was Bubbles, a chimpanzee he introduced as his son and followed him everywhere.

You‘re probably wondering what happened to Bubbles, right? Well, you'll be glad to know that the 41-year-old chimpanzee now leads a quiet and normal life. He lives at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, where he pursues unique hobbies such as painting. Surely, Michael would be happy to see his beloved pet living a nice retirement.

2

Audrey Hepburn’s fawn deer

Image: Jen Dries

The mythical actress Audrey Hepburn had one of the most unique pets in Hollywood history: a baby deer named Pippin. This beautiful and gentle animal seems to match perfectly with the grace and elegance of the actress who captivated the hearts of fans around the world, don't you think?

Hepburn met Pippin in 1958 during the filming of Green Mansions and fell in love at first sight. The actress adopted the fawn and brought it to her Beverly Hills home, where it quickly made friends with Mr. Famous, the family dog.

3

Elvis Presley’s kangaroo

Image: Iván Lojko

Throughout his life, the King of Rock and Roll kept several pets at his beloved Graceland. But did you know one of them was a kangaroo? Yes, exactly! In addition to horses, dogs, a chimpanzee named Scatter, birds, and a squirrel monkey, Elvis had a kangaroo given to him by his agent Lee Gordon in 1957. Elvis tried to train it, but when he eventually failed, he gave it to the Memphis Zoo.

4

Melanie Griffith’s (many) lions, tigers, and cheetahs

Image: Glen Carrie

When Melanie Griffith was a teenager, her mother, the famous actress Tippi Hedren, decided to make a film about endangered lions. An animal trainer warned her that if she wanted to learn more about these felines, she had to "live with them for a while".

So the whole family moved to a ranch in California and adopted cheetahs, tigers, cougars, and lions. What was supposed to be a five-week shoot turned into five years. On one occasion, Melanie was attacked by a lion, resulting in over 50 stitches and reconstructive surgery on her face. The experience was so negative that the actresses now advocate for a ban on the exotic cat trade.

5

George Clooney's Vietnamese pot-bellied pig

Image: Jez Timms

Did you know that George Clooney once had a pet pig? In 1988, his then-girlfriend, actress Kelly Preston, gave him a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig as a gift. The animal grew to 300 lbs and lived with the Hollywood star for 18 years.

But that's not all! In 1994, when the infamous Northridge Earthquake that caused 72 deaths, 12,000 injuries, and $25 billion in losses hit Los Angeles, Max saved his owner's life. Clooney claims he was born again that day and will be forever grateful to his furry friend.

6

Reese Witherspoon’s donkeys

Image: Erwan Hesry

Reese Witherspoon is a big fan of animals. Owner of an entire farm, she tends to at least three dogs, two piglets, twenty chickens, three goats, and a pony.

But her most famous pets are Honky and Tonky, two incredible miniature donkeys that she and her children play with frequently.

7

Nicolas Cage’s albino cobras

Image: Anilsharma26

Nicolas Cage is well known for his bold and eccentric personality, both on and off the screen. He has a passion for exotic animals, so it's no wonder he once adopted two albino cobras —one of the rarest and most venomous snakes in the world— as pets.

Despite spending tens of thousands of dollars on them, his love for these rare reptiles caused him major legal and safety challenges, forcing him to reconsider his decision. Ultimately, he decided to send them to a professional wildlife center, ensuring they received the best care.

8

Paris Hilton’s kinkajou

Image: Aramburu Carlos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Paris Hilton is known for her extravagant lifestyle. In addition to lavish mansions, closets full of designer clothes and shoes, and expensive jewelry, the hotel heiress invests much of her fortune in pets. That's how, in 2005, she adopted a kinkajou she named Baby Luv.

You're probably wondering what a kinkajou even is. Kinkajous are wild mammals native to the rainforest, relatives of raccoons and coatis. Their large, round eyes and playful nature make them seem like ideal pets, but in reality, they shouldn't be taken out of the wild. Paris learned this the hard way: the animal bit her arm, and she had to be hospitalized. After the incident, the socialite had to relocate Baby Luv to a wildlife sanctuary.

9

Miley Cyrus’ pig

Image: Forest Simon

Miley Cyrus is a well-known animal advocate who collaborates directly with PETA. She has a home farm where she lives with seven dogs, two horses, two ponies, several cats, and until 2019, a pig.

Of all her companions, Pig Pig was the recurring star on the singer's Instagram account. Miley adopted her in August 2014 after her dog, Floyd, died. Sadly, five years later, Miley had to share some bad news with her thousands of followers: "Very sad to say... my dear friend Pig Pig has passed away," she wrote.

10

Mike Tyson’s tiger

Image: Alicia Chong

The famous boxer Mike Tyson kept a considerable number of big cats as pets. But his favorite was a female Bengal tiger he named Kenya. They lived together for almost two decades, and it was amazing to see him next to the 550-pound animal. The former champion was in charge of feeding her, they walked together, and she even slept in his bed.

Tyson was never afraid of animals considered dangerous. But when the tiger began to age, it became too risky to keep her in the house. Eventually, he was forced to get rid of Kenya.