1

Anchisaurus

Image: Simon Infanger

Anchisaurus is one of the first dinosaurs discovered in American territory, although it was not correctly identified at the beginning. The first fossil of this herbivore was found in East Windsor, Connecticut , in 1818, but it was then believed to be part of a human skeleton. In subsequent years, other specimens of this species were uncovered in the area.

It measured 8 to 20 ft in length and lived 210 million years ago in the Portland Formation, Northeastern United States. In the late Triassic and early Jurassic periods, the Connecticut Valley was a dry, steep depression, and it was possible to pass from here to the east and the center of what is now Africa. This explains why some dinosaurs lived both in America and other continents.

2

Triceratops

Image: photo_steff

One of the most iconic dinosaurs found in America is the Triceratops, a herbivore that lived 70 to 65 million years ago, right at the end of the Age of Dinosaurs, in the Late Cretaceous. Its name derives from Greek and means "face with three horns". One of the largest horned dinosaurs**,** it stood around 7.5 ft tall and weighed about 5 rhinoceroses, the equivalent of 10 tons.

Fossils of this dinosaur have been found in abundance in the Hell Creek Formation in Montana and South Dakota. No fossils of this dinosaur have been found on any other continent. Triceratops has been the state dinosaur of Wyoming since March 1994.

3

Allosaurus

Image: WikiImages

Allosaurus was one of the largest carnivores of the Jurassic period and its remains in the United States have been found mainly in the Morrison Formation, which covers states such as Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. It lived 155 to 145 million years ago in North America, Africa, Australia, and possibly China. Also, did you know that the Allosaurus fragilis is the state fossil of Utah?

This bipedal dinosaur was an agile hunter with powerful jaws and sharp teeth. It was a theropod, not as huge as the largest carnivore, Tyrannosaurus rex, but just as fearsome. Allosaurus was bigger than an elephant and heavier than a rhino. Its name means "different lizard" due to its rare concave vertebrae.

4

Stegosaurus

Image: ariesa66

Another inhabitant of the Morrison Formation was the Stegosaurus, famous for its dorsal plates and spines on its tail, which it used for defense. Stegosaurus used to walk on all fours, grazing on low vegetation. Its head was perfectly adapted to this way of feeding. It was first described in 1877 by Yale paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh, and its name means "roof(ed) lizard".

This Jurassic herbivore has been discovered in several states in the western United States. Scientists have found many fossils, showing that it was a very common creature for 10 million years, despite its tiny brain, small head, and useless teeth. The discovery of the Stegosaurus has helped them better understand the anatomy and behavior of armored dinosaurs.

5

Tyrannosaurus rex

Image: Elly Enn

Is Tyrannosaurus rex the most famous dinosaur on the planet? Portrayed by pop culture to the hilt, this formidable predator is known for its gigantic size, razor-sharp teeth, and bipedal posture. However, its popularity has a logical explanation. T. rex is also one of the best-represented dinosaurs in the fossil record, with several complete specimens discovered, particularly in the states of Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Based on bones found in the late 19th century, paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn recreated the first drawing of this gigantic creature. He named it Tyrannosaurus rex, meaning "tyrant lizard king," because it is believed to have been the most dangerous dinosaur and the largest land carnivore of all time. Although it is estimated that up to 1.7 billion T. rex dinosaurs lived on Earth, only about 30 nearly complete skeletons have been found. Think about that!

6

Deinonychus

Image: Steve Wrzeszczynski

This small but ferocious theropod lived during the Cretaceous period about 115-108 million years ago. Deinonychus is known for its sickle-shaped claws on its feet, used for hunting. Its name, unsurprisingly, means "terrible claw". Like all bipeds, it moved only on its hind legs and is believed to have been able to run at 25 miles per hour: more than the average Olympic champion.

Deinonychus fossils were found in Utah, Oklahoma, Montana, and Wyoming, in rocks of the Cloverly Formation and Antlers Formation. The study of this species, beginning in the 1960s, revolutionized the way scientists thought about dinosaurs, providing fascinating new insight into smaller predators.

7

Ankylosaurus

Image: mdherren

Ankylosaurus is one of the best-known armored dinosaurs, which lived at the end of the Cretaceous period. It had bony protrusions on its head and all over its body as protection against the teeth and claws of predators. The armor was made up of small plates of bone welded together, constituting a shell as effective as that of turtles.

This gigantic herbivore roamed the jungles of North America about 68-66 million years ago, almost as well protected as a modern tank. The first specimen of Ankylosaurus was found in 1906 in the Hell Creek Formation, near Gilbert Creek, Montana. Other fossils of this species were discovered in other parts of Montana and Alberta, Canada, in the following years. However, to this day, it has not been possible to obtain a complete skeleton.

8

Hadrosaurus

Image: Jordyn St. John

The first Hadrosaurus fossils were discovered by William Parker Folke, an amateur paleontologist, in 1838 in Haddonfield, New Jersey. The excavation site, known as the Hadrosaurus foulkii Leidy site, is now a National Historic Landmark. Hadrosaurids are known for their duck-billed mouth, with a powerful jaw containing several rows of teeth for chewing all kinds of leaves.

In 2004, scientists found a mummified Hadrosaurus specimen in North Dakota. This fossil is extremely unusual and valuable, as dinosaur soft tissue including skin and muscle is rare. This find allows us to learn more about this species and how they lived 67 million years ago.

9

Diplodocus

Image: michaelwedermann

Diplodocus means "double beam" and is so named because of the double bones in its tail. This was one of the longest animals on earth. It was about 79-85 ft long, 15 ft high, and weighed 15 tons. It could reach the tops of towering trees for food, and its small head allowed it to forage in vegetation where few other dinosaurs could reach.

Although some Diplodocus fossils were discovered earlier near Cañon City, Colorado, the most notable find came a few years later. In 1899, Funded by Scottish-American steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie, members of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History found a well-preserved Diplodocus skeleton in the Morrison Formation of Sheep Creek, Wyoming. With these fossils, the museum created a composite mount that became very popular and even got to tour the world.

10

Apatosaurus

Image: Cup of Couple

Apatosaurus is one of the best-known sauropods that inhabited North America during the Jurassic period. These herbivorous giants, with their long necks and tails, have also been discovered in the Morrison Formation, mainly in Colorado and Utah. It is believed to have lived 150 million years ago, at the end of the Jurassic period.

Apatosaurus could reach 69-75 ft in length, 20 tons in weight, and was one of the largest sauropods. It had a long neck containing 15 huge bones supported by powerful muscles that allowed it to feed on the leaves of the tallest trees. Perhaps this dinosaur sounds familiar. It has been the inspiration for numerous beloved animated characters: Littlefoot from The Land Before Time and Arlo and Poppa Henry from Pixar's The Good Dinosaur are Apatosauruses.

1

"Yes, Hell is a Place on Earth"

Image: Peter Leong

People driving from Lansing to Ann Arbor can take a slight detour and "go through Hell." And Hell lives up to its name, playfully. Founded in Michigan in the 1830s (legend has it that one of the settlers said, "Call it Hell, for all I care!"), this tourist hotspot leans into the joke.

You can "get married in Hell," mail postcards from the Hell Post Office , or grab a souvenir from the Hell Hole Diner. The town even freezes over in winter—because, of course, Hell can freeze over.

2

"Because!"

Image: Danika Perkinson

Why’s name comes from a nearby Y-shaped intersection , but its motto takes full advantage of the pun.

Originally called "Y," this Arizona town had to add an "H" to comply with the state’s three-letter minimum for place names. Today, Why (population: around 160) is a desert oddity whose motto says it all: Because. That’s the only explanation it’s willing to give.

3

"The Town Too Tough to Die"

Image: Andreas Rasmussen

That’s the nickname of Tombstone, Arizona. This Wild West legend earned its motto after surviving fires, shootouts, and near abandonment. Founded in 1879 as a silver boomtown, Tombstone soon became infamous for the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

When the mines dried up, the town rebranded itself as a living museum of cowboy lore . Today, actors reenact gunfights daily, and the Bird Cage Theatre—once called "the wickedest nightspot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast"—still stands.

4

"The Town That Was"

Image: Colin Lloyd

Few mottos are as haunting as that of Centralia, Pennsylvania. In 1962, a coal mine fire ignited beneath the town and has burned ever since, turning streets into smoke-filled cracks and forcing nearly everyone to leave.

Today, fewer than ten residents remain in this near-ghost town , where graffiti-covered Route 61—the "Graffiti Highway"—attracts urban explorers. It’s said that the underground fire could continue burning for another 250 years.

5

"The Most Exciting Place to Live"

Image: ALEKSEY KUPRIKOV

Don’t be fooled by the name of Boring, Oregon—its motto is a cheeky nod to its reputation, but the town was actually named after 19th-century settler William Boring .

Every year, the town hosts the "Boring Fest" and sells "Boring, OR" merch. Ironically, the surroundings of Boring are anything but dull: you’ll find stunning trails and ski resorts to explore near Mt. Hood!

6

"No Fear Here"

Image: Jon Tyson

Coward, South Carolina, would like everyone to know they’re no scaredy-cats. Named after a railroad official , the town has embraced its ironic potential with a motto that flips the script.

Located along the "Old Stage Coach Road," Coward is now a quiet pit stop with a sense of humor. No cowards here—just a town that knows how to laugh at itself.

7

"A Nice Place to Live"

Image: Sterling Lanier

In the heart of Amish Country, Intercourse , Pennsylvania, gets its eyebrow-raising name from an old term for " crossroads ." The town leans into the jokes (yes, they sell T-shirts) but keeps it wholesome with a motto that highlights its quiet charm.

Visitors come for the buggy rides, homemade jam, and, of course, the chance to say they’ve been to Intercourse.

8

"Not What You Expected"

Image: Jason Leung

A fitting motto for Surprise, Nebraska. Founded in the 1880s, the town’s origin story has been lost to time , and with a population of around 40, it’s a surprise it’s still on the map at all. That’s exactly what the motto jokes about.

9

"The Town Without a Frown"

Image: Yuyang Liu

Happy, Texas, boasts one of the most wholesome town names—and a matching motto. This Panhandle town of 600 lives up to its name with a smiley-face water tower and an annual "Happy, Texas Day" celebration.

Founded in the 1890s, Happy got its name from cowboys who found water here after a drought.

10

"The Last Word in Hospitality"

Image: vamshi vanaparthi

How do you pronounce Zzyzx, a town in California? It’s "Zye-zix." This Mojave Desert spot was once a health spa run by a self-proclaimed "doctor" who invented the name to be the last word in the dictionary.

Today, it’s a research center—and yes, it remains the last alphabetical town in the US, just as intended.

11

"High and Dry Since 1854"

Image: Aleksandra Sapozhnikova

That’s funny! But irony alert: Waterproof, Louisiana, is ironically prone to flooding. Named after a local plantation owner’s boast that his land was "waterproof," the town’s motto leans into the joke. After multiple floods, the residents have learned to take it in stride.

12

"A Beautiful Mistake"

Image: Sarah Kilian

Finally, we have the quaint town of Accident, located in Maryland. Founded in 1774 after a land surveyor "accidentally" marked the wrong spot , Accident embraces its quirky origin story.

Today, it’s a charming Appalachian town, best known for its humorous name.

1

Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley

Image: Олег Мороз

If someone mentions Sigourney Weaver, one character instantly comes to mind: Ellen Ripley. Weaver first played her in Alien (1979) and then returned for three sequels in 1986, 1992, and 1997. Her performance was groundbreaking, redefining female roles in action films. And while Weaver has had many other great roles, none have matched the legendary status of Ripley.

2

Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter

Image: Josh Mackey

Although Anthony Hopkins has an extensive and varied filmography, one role stands out above all others: the chilling Hannibal Lecter, one of the most iconic villains in movie history. Hopkins first portrayed him in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), alongside the brilliant Jodie Foster. He later returned to the role in Hannibal (2001) and Red Dragon (2002).

3

Julie Andrews – Mary Poppins

Image: Guillaume de Germain

We'll always love Julie Andrews for bringing the magical Mary Poppins to life in the 1964 Disney classic. Believe it or not, that was her very first film, and it earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress! Just a year later, she captivated audiences again in The Sound of Music , but Mary Poppins remains the role most closely tied to her charming persona.

4

Al Pacino – Michael Corleone

Image: Tibor Pinter

Al Pacino first appeared as Michael Corleone in The Godfather (1972) and returned for the sequels in 1974 and 1990. His powerful performance turned Michael into one of the most iconic characters in film history. To this day, it's almost impossible not to think of Pacino as the unforgettable and complex successor to Don Corleone.

5

Marlon Brando – Don Vito Corleone

Image: Maximilian Kopsch

When it comes to exceptional characters, we can't leave out Don Vito Corleone, brought to life by the legendary Marlon Brando in The Godfather (1972). This role was so iconic that it redefined the image of the gangster on screen. When we picture Brando, we often imagine him wearing the prosthetics he used to portray the mob boss. The performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, which he famously declined in protest of Hollywood's treatment of Native Americans.

6

John Travolta – Tony Manero

Image: Paul Zoetemeijer

Although John Travolta has played many roles throughout his career, the one that defined him was the unique Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (1977). From the moment he appeared on screen in that white suit nearly 50 years ago, Travolta became forever linked to the disco king who ruled the dance floor and captured countless hearts along the way.

7

Lynda Carter – Wonder Woman

Image: Dale de Vera

From 1975 to 1979, Lynda Carter brought Wonder Woman to life in a way that left a lasting mark on television. Her performance was so memorable that it defined the character for an entire generation. For many of us, Lynda Carter is Wonder Woman, and it's hard to imagine anyone else filling those iconic boots.

8

Tom Hanks – Forrest Gump

Image: Yosuke Ota

If there's one thing our generation knows well, it's that "life is like a box of chocolates." That memorable line comes from Forrest Gump , played by Tom Hanks in 1994. With his big heart, kindness, and unexpected wisdom, Forrest won over audiences everywhere. The impact of the character was so powerful that it not only cemented Hanks’ status as a leading actor but also forever linked his image to the role.

9

Harrison Ford – Indiana Jones

Image: Intricate Explorer

If there's one actor forever tied to Indiana Jones , it’s Harrison Ford. He first took on the role in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), and then embodied the archaeologist again in sequels released in 1984, 1989, 2008, and 2023. With his iconic fedora and whip, Ford made the character unforgettable, so much so that it's hard to imagine anyone else bringing him to life.

10

Sylvester Stallone – Rocky Balboa

Image: Luisa Frassier

Although some producers wanted to cast another actor, Sylvester Stallone refused to let anyone else bring the story of Rocky Balboa to the screen. As we know, Stallone wrote the script with the intention of playing the role himself, and thank goodness he did! It's hard to imagine anyone else portraying the iconic boxer the way he did. And we're not the only ones who think so; the Academy clearly agreed, as Rocky (1976) earned ten Oscar nominations.