1

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

Arguably the most quintessential American song of all , its lyrics originated as a poem during the War of 1812, inspired by the experiences of Francis Scott Key during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry.

Surviving several controversies —from the violent content of its full lyrics to whether it is (or isn’t) easy to sing— "The Star-Spangled Banner", officially adopted as the U.S.’s national anthem in 1931, is now a symbol of unity and pride for many Americans.

2

"America the Beautiful"

Once a strong contender for the official U.S. national anthem, this song celebrates the beauty of America, from the ideals upon which it was founded to the natural wonders within its borders .

Written by Katharine Lee Bates in 1893 and inspired by the landscape of Pikes Peak in Colorado, the song reflects the American dream of a more just and unified nation.

3

"This Land Is Your Land"

A 1940 folk song by Woody Guthrie, this song was written as a response to idealized patriotism that overlooked the everyday struggles of the common American citizen .

A product of a society that was still overcoming the Great Depression, the song emphasizes the idea of the country as belonging to all its people.

4

Yankee Doodle

Originally written by British soldiers in 1755 to mock colonial soldiers during the French and Indian War, and popularized during the Revolutionary War the song was later reclaimed by American soldiers after the Battle of Yorktown and turned into a symbol of independence.

What was initially meant as a mockery of " Yankee" (a New Englander) " doodle" (a fool or simpleton) became a source of pride and one of the most iconic American nursery rhymes.

5

"Georgia on My Mind"

Composed in the 1930s by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Stuart Gorrell, but famously covered by Ray Charles in 1960, this heartfelt ballad became an anthem for Southern nostalgia and love for the land .

A powerful ode to homesickness, it was adopted as the official state song of Georgia in 1979.

6

"I Walk the Line"

Released in 1956 by country legend Johnny Cash, this iconic hit works as a pledge of devotion and faithfulness in the face of temptation.

Despite being written by Cash for his first wife Vivian, the song has since been widely interpreted as a promise of staying true to oneself.

7

"Take Me Home, Country Roads"

One of the most well-known country songs of all time, the lyrics of "Take Me Home, Country Roads" were in part inspired by Maryland’s scenery as songwriter John Denver returned home for a family reunion.

Adopted as one of the official state anthems of West Virginia (due to a mention of the state in the lyrics), the song captures the fond feelings and sense of nostalgia associated with one’s hometown .

8

"Fortunate Son"

The anti-war anthem of the late 1960s, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Fortunate Son" , first recorded in 1969, critiques a flawed system that favors the privileged few .

Addressing inequalities in the U.S. military draft system, which often excused those well-connected or placed them in safe positions while others were sent to the front lines, the song’s message has remained relevant for decades.

9

"Sweet Home Alabama"

Written in part as a response to Neil Young's "Southern Man" and "Alabama," which were interpreted by some as blaming the entirety of the South for slavery and segregation, the 1974 Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Sweet Home Alabama" became an anthem of Southern pride in the face of prejudice and generalizations.

Sadly, the song has sometimes been misinterpreted as favorable towards segregationist policies, though members of the band have expressed their opposition to these ideas.

10

"Born in the U.S.A."

Famously considered an anthem of national pride, many fail to recognize Bruce Springsteen’s "Born in the U.S.A." (1984) as a song of protest, written during the aftermath of the Vietnam War .

Describing the alienation suffered by returning veterans, its lyrics reflect the disillusionment of those who had defended American ideals, only to feel abandoned upon their return.

1

Beehives

Image: Meggyn Pomerleau

The first entry on the list goes to perhaps the most famous and finest example of animal architecture: the beehive. Built by incredibly industrious insects, beehives are among the most efficient structures in nature .

The regular hexagons provide the least-perimeter way to enclose infinitely many unit areas in the plane: the best way to separate the surface of their hives in equal parts all around, using the least possible total perimeter, thus reaching 100% efficiency in design.

2

Ant colony

Image: Morten Jakob Pedersen

If beehives aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about animal architecture, there’s a good chance you’re thinking of ant colonies.

Ants build the elaborate colony structure by hollowing out the area with their mandibles, grain by grain, without a blueprint, without a leader, and in total darkness . Unless the soil dries out dramatically, the chambers will keep their form.

3

Prairie dog town

Image: Moritz Kindler

These cute creatures excavate their homes by digging burrows into the ground, primarily in the Great Plains of North America. The region experiences extreme seasonal weather variations from season to season, requiring their homes to be built to withstand extreme temperatures, floods, and fires.

These underground "towns" have nursery rooms, pantries, living quarters, and temporary refuges —each smartly separated to serve a specific purpose.

4

Beaver dam

Image: Derek Otway

Another famous animal architect, the beaver, uses felled trees to build dams . These dams create still ponds where beavers can construct their winter homes, called lodges.

These creatures prepare for winter by covering their lodge with a fresh coat of mud, which hardens to create a barrier against the cold and predators.

5

Caddisfly larvae case

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

Caddisfly larvae construct protective cases using silk and whatever materials are available , such as sand, small stones, and plant debris.

These cases camouflage the larvae from predators and can be remarkably diverse in appearance, reflecting their creativity and resourcefulness.

6

Octopus den

Image: Serena Repice Lentini

It’s no secret that octopuses are incredibly intelligent animals, and their dens are proof of it. These clever mollusks use shells, stones, and even discarded human objects to reinforce their homes . Some species go a step further, decorating their dens with seaweed and other found materials.

7

Bagworm silk tent

Image: Maëva Vigier

Bagworms construct silk tents around themselves using bits of leaves, twigs, and other debris . These tents serve as mobile homes, providing protection as the insect feeds and grows.

Some species even camouflage their bags to blend into the environment, helping them avoid predators.

8

Osprey nest

Image: Jorge Coromina

Ospreys build massive nests in tall trees or on human-made structures near bodies of water. These nests are carefully constructed with sticks and lined with softer materials , creating a sturdy platform that can last for multiple breeding seasons.

9

Coral reef

Image: Hiroko Yoshii

Coral reefs are massive structures built by tiny coral polyps. These marine architects secrete calcium carbonate to form hard skeletons, gradually creating vast and complex habitats for a myriad of marine species. They are often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea" due to their biodiversity.

10

Spider web

Image: freestocks

Another famous architect from the animal kingdom, the spider, creates webs that serve as both homes and hunting tools . The silk used in these webs is incredibly strong, and different species produce a variety of designs, including sheets, orbs, and funnel shapes.

11

Swallow nest

Image: Tobias Arweiler

Swallows build cup-shaped nests that can house entire colonies , using mud pellets, usually attached to vertical surfaces like cliffs or man-made structures.

The construction is precise and stable, providing protection for their young against predators and environmental elements.

12

Burrowing owl burrow

Image: mana5280

As their name suggests, burrowing owls make their homes underground , often taking over burrows abandoned by prairie dogs or other mammals.

They use these subterranean homes to protect their young and hide from the heat of the day.

1

Construction costs that’d make your wallet faint

Image: Jaime Labra

Back in 1912, the Titanic cost $7.5 million to build, and if you're wondering what that’d be today, it’d be over $400 million. That’s more than some sports stadiums! It took nearly three years to complete and was one of the most extravagant ships ever made.

2

Yes, there were dogs

Image: Yuki Dog

As it turns out, the Titanic wasn’t just for people. At least 12 dogs came along for the ride , lounging in a special first-class kennel. There was even a dog show scheduled for the morning of April 15. Sadly, only three tiny dogs survived, all small enough to sneak onto lifeboats tucked in coats or handbags.

3

The band really did play on

Image: Parizan Studio

Wallace Hartley, the bandleader, went down in history, and with his violin! His group kept playing as chaos unfolded around them, trying to calm passengers with music, just like the movie portrays. He didn’t make it, but his violin was found intact and later sold at an auction for $1.7 million!

4

A pocket watch frozen in time

Image: Otto Hyytiälä

The violin was not the only treasure found. Sidney Sedunary was a young steward whose pocket watch stopped ticking at exactly 1:50 a.m. , just before the ship went under. He was last seen handing out lifejackets to third-class passengers. That same watch, rusted but intact, still tells his story.

5

A survivor with frostbitten legs and Olympic dreams

Image: Shep McAllister

Richard Norris Williams spent six hours in icy water, and doctors on the rescue ship wanted to amputate his legs. He refused . And you may think he was crazy to do so, but thank God he did! He went on to win a Wimbledon title and an Olympic gold medal. How crazy is that?

6

Finding the Titanic by accident

Image: Karl Callwood

In 1985, oceanographer Robert Ballard found the Titanic wreck. But that was just an accident ; he was actually sent by the Navy to look for two lost nuclear submarines and used the Titanic as a cover story.

7

Dishes still stacked neatly on the ocean floor

Image: Jannet Serhan

When explorers visited the Titanic wreck in 1986, they found plates still stacked like someone had just finished doing the dishes. Turns out, the wooden cabinet they were in rotted away , leaving the china perfectly arranged on the sea floor. It’s as eerie as fascinating, considering the many years that passed.

8

The ship is rusting away

Image: NOAA

And speaking of the amount of time the Titanic has been underwater, we have to say that nature is reclaiming the Titanic bit by bit. A newly discovered bacterium is literally eating the ship. Scientists estimate it could disappear completely in 20 to 30 years. The latest expeditions have already shown evidence that pieces that were previously there are gone. So… the clock's ticking.

9

No photos of the grand staircase?

Image: Maria Orlova

You’ve probably seen images of the Titanic’s beautiful grand staircase. We’re sorry to disappoint, but they’re not of the Titanic . They’re from her sister ship, the Olympic. No one thought to take a picture of the real deal before the maiden voyage. And they definitely didn’t think of doing it while it happened!

10

Milton Hershey almost boarded

Image: Janne Simoes

If the name rings a bell, that’s because it’s the same Hershey from the chocolate you love. The man behind Hershey’s chocolate bars almost booked a room on the Titanic . He even wrote a $300 deposit check (big money back then!). But business delayed him, and he skipped the trip. Who do we thank for that?

11

The baker who survived two hours in icy water

Image: Maxim Hopman

Here’s a fascinating fact: Charles Joughin, the Titanic’s chief baker, survived one of the worst parts of the sinking: the freezing Atlantic water. He was reportedly treading water for two hours before rescue. Wanna know how he made it? He had been sipping whiskey to face his fate, and the alcohol in his blood kept him warm enough to survive.

12

The last lunch menu went for a tasty sum

Image: Zoshua Colah

In 2015, a copy of Titanic’s last first-class lunch menu sold for $88,000 . That’s one pricey memento. The menu included grilled mutton chops, chicken à la Maryland, and corned ox tongue. Safe to say lunch on the Titanic wasn’t your average sandwich and chips.