1

Ford

Image: Ross Sokolovski

What is to say about Ford that hasn’t been said already? This omnipresent American car brand, founded by Henry Ford in 1903, is popularly known as the auto manufacturer responsible for putting America on wheels. Ford’s first car, the Model A , was assembled at a plant in Detroit.

The Model T was an affordable, reliable, and efficient vehicle . Within 10 years, half the cars in America were Model T’s. Ford created the world’s first moving assembly line for cars, which would change the industry forever. This invention allowed the company to produce one Model T in under thirty seconds.

2

Chevrolet

Image: Gary Sandoz

Another legendary brand, Chevrolet was founded in 1911, in Detroit, Michigan, by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. Chevrolet introduced its first model, which was the Series C Classic Six and almost three thousand cars were sold the first year.

Chevrolet produced its one-millionth vehicle in the 1920s. In the late 1920s, Chevrolet surpassed Ford in sales, becoming the top seller of both cars and trucks. This position for first place went back and forth between the two brands over the years.

3

Jeep

Image: Kenny Eliason

A brand that was born strong, Jeep vehicles were first used in World War II as a reliable ride and then slowly made their way into the American non-military market. This brand is dubbed as a "Go anywhere, Do anything" kind of vehicle, owing to its sturdy frame and powerful engine.

Nowadays Jeep is popular among off-roaders and has several classic models in its roster, including the Wrangler, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee, among others.

4

Dodge

Image: Dan Gold

Believe it or not, Dodge was a bicycle maker before being a car maker . The brand, established in 1900 dealt with bicycles in the first place and then started supplying car parts before deciding to get into the production of vehicles in 1914.

In the early 1920s, after the original founders passed away Chrysler bought the brand and continued producing successful cars, among them, the Ram, the Charger, the Caravan, and many others.

5

GMC

Image: todd kent

Another hugely successful American brand is GMC. The General Motor Truck Company came into existence in 1911. Over the years, the company started manufacturing large powerful vehicles including SUVs, vans, and a massive range of trucks. Popular GMC models include Acadia, Canyon, Sierra, Sienna, and Yukon among others.

6

Cadillac

Image: Sidney Pearce

The most famous luxury car in America, Cadillac owes its name to Antoine Laumet de La Mothe Cadillac, a French adventurer who discovered the city of Detroit. Believe it or not, passenger seats and an enclosed cabin were introduced for the very first time by Cadillac because, well, that was considered a luxury back then.

Some famous Cadillac car brands include the Camaro, Silverado, Tahoe, and Impala, among others.

7

Lincoln

Image: Arvin Dale

Other than Cadillac, most people would say Lincoln if asked for a luxury car brand, since this company is also a pioneer in this segment. This popular American car manufacturer started making luxury vehicles in 1917, at a time when the concept was not affordable for many.

Some classic Lincoln cars that are timeless to date include the Zephyr, the Town Car, the Mark LT, and the Navigator SUV. The latest SUVs popular among car enthusiasts include the Nautilus, MKC, Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair.

8

Tesla

Image: Tesla Fans Schweiz

Not many car brands have become so iconic in as few years as Tesla has and there is a simple reason for this: this American car brand revolutionized regular automobiles and made them electric . It had been done before, yes. But not with this level of success.

Tesla is a pioneer in reducing the carbon footprint of the environment with its electric vehicles. Many auto manufacturers are now following in Tesla’s footsteps. The revolutionary company unveiled its first creation called the Tesla Roadster in 2008.

9

Buick

Image: Mohammad Hoseini Rad

Buick is one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, having been founded in 1899. The company has a long history of producing high-quality, luxury, and performance-oriented vehicles and has been a part of General Motors since 1908.

In recent years, Buick has seen a decline in sales in the United States and has focused on the Chinese market where the brand has experienced success. Buick has shifted its focus towards producing more crossover and SUV models to meet the demand for larger vehicles in the current market.

10

Oldsmobile

Image: Hombre

Honoring its name, Oldsmobile, like the aforementioned Buick, was one of the oldest automobile brands in the United States, being founded in 1897. It initially gained popularity through innovations such as the first mass-produced car and the first automatic transmission.

In the mid-20th century, it was known for its performance and style, being a public favorite. However, by the late 1990s, Oldsmobile’s sales began to decline, leading to its discontinuation in 2004 as part of General Motors’ restructuring.

1

Hopscotch

Image: MOHAMMADREZA Kr

When we were kids, before computer games and smartphones, we didn’t need much to keep us entertained in the afternoons. Playing hopscotch, for example, required only a piece of chalk and a large enough asphalt area to draw on and jump around.

There are numerous variations, but children have played hopscotch for centuries . The basic principle remains the same: a series of numbered rectangles is outlined on the ground, and the player tosses a pebble into each one in turn. The player then hops through the course without touching the lines, picking up the pebble along the way, and returns—still hopping—to the starting point.

2

Tag

Image: Aleksandar Andreev

Tag is undoubtedly the most famous chasing and catching game of all time. It also serves as the foundation for many other games. This is no coincidence—tag has existed since ancient times, with different versions in civilizations as dissimilar as Greece and India.

In the simplest form of tag, one player tries to tap another player; the tagged player then becomes "it —a.k.a. "the chaser"—and it all starts all over again. Which version was your favorite? Ours was freeze tag!

3

Jump-rope and Double Dutch

Image: cottonbro studio

Jumping rope was another childhood favorite, whether on street corners or in school playgrounds. Whether alone or in a group, it kept us entertained for hours. Among the countless variations, Double Dutch—a version in which one or more players jump between two long ropes turning in opposite directions—was probably the most fun and most challenging of all.

The origin of Double Dutch is not entirely clear. Some claim Dutch settlers brought it to America, while others argue it was invented in the early 1900s in the U.S. What is certain is that this game, which combines motor skill training and physical exercise , became so popular that it evolved into a competitive sport with worldwide tournaments.

4

Simon says

Image: Arthur Krijgsman

"Simon says… touch your nose!" Remember these commands? As kids, we could spend hours playing this game, where one player took on the role of "Simon" and gave instructions that the rest of us had to follow to the letter.

Records of this game’s existence in the United States date back to the mid-19th century ; however, its origins may be traced back to ancient Rome. Some historians suggest that the name Simon comes from Simon de Montfort, a 13th-century French-English nobleman who was known for his ability to command authority over his subjects.

5

Hide-and-seek

Image: Annie Spratt

Hide-and-seek is one of the simplest games but, at the same time, one of the most fun when we were children. In this game, one player would close their eyes and count to a certain number while the others searched for a place to hide. The challenge was to find as many hidden players as possible before they reached "home base."

Hide-and-seek, which has different variants worldwide, has been played since ancient times. In fact, historians have discovered a strikingly similar game in ancient Greece called apodidraskinda , which followed rules much like the ones we know today.

6

Hula Hoop contest

Image: Annie Spratt

The hula hoop became popular in the late 1950s when the American toy company Wham-O introduced a plastic version to the market. However, hula hoops have been used by children since ancient times. Over the centuries, they have been made from a variety of materials, including willow, grapevines, rattan, stiff grasses, wood, and metal.

Growing up, most schools had hula hoops available during PE classes. It was the ideal game for young children to have fun and get fit at the same time. Teachers often organized contests in which players twirled the hula hoop around their waist for as long as possible. The winner was the one who kept the hoop spinning the longest before it dropped to the floor.

7

Marco Polo

Image: Library of Congress

This game, which shares its name with the 13th-century Italian explorer, was a summer-exclusive tradition we eagerly anticipated all year long. Many of us still vividly remember our friends, siblings, and cousins shouting "Marco!" and responding "Polo!" as kids.

Played in a swimming pool, Marco Polo is a location-based game in which players must find each other using auditory clues. It became popular in America in the 1960s and is now played worldwide with various adaptations.

8

Musical statues

Image: Robert Collins

Musical Statues, also known as Freeze Dance, is a variation of Musical Chairs that can be played outdoors. It was a popular game at birthday parties and involved running around while music played. When the music stopped, players had to freeze in place. Anyone who moved was instantly out, and the last one remaining won the game.

Musical Statues originated in the United Kingdom, likely in the mid-1950s , when music players became more common in people's homes.

9

Tug of war

Image: RDNE Stock project

Did you know that before the 19th century, the game we now call tug of war was known as French and English ? Tug of war—or rope pulling—is an ancient game , with different versions found in Egypt, Greece, India, China, and Cambodia.

In tug of war, two teams compete in a test of strength and strategy, pulling a rope in opposite directions. Though this game is popular at school events for its mix of teamwork, exercise, and friendly competition, it was once an official sport . In fact, from 1900 to 1920, tug of war was part of the Olympic Games.

10

Dodgeball

Image: Wan San Yip

Dodgeball is another game we used to play in school that is now also considered a sport . In this game, the objective is to eliminate all members of the opposing team by hitting them with thrown balls.

Though it’s now a fun and friendly game, that wasn’t always the case. Dodgeball originated in Africa approximately two hundred years ago. Back then, it was much more dangerous and violent. Instead of using soft balls, participants threw rocks found in nature. Fortunately, in the mid-19th century, an English missionary saw the game and transformed it into a more enjoyable, non-life-threatening activity.

11

Duck, duck, goose!

Image: Kampus Production

You probably haven’t played this game since preschool or kindergarten, and you might have even forgotten about it completely. However, it was one of the most popular games on the playground .

In this traditional children's game, participants sit in a circle, and one is chosen to touch the heads of the others. The player who is "it" goes around saying "duck" until they choose someone and say "goose." Then the chase begins!

12

Scavenger hunt

Image: Nellie Adamyan

This was a more complex game that required much more development and preparation time. But perhaps because of that, it was so appealing to us. Scavenger hunts were so much fun that we still play them as adults, and they remain a popular activity at some universities , for example.

This game, which involves finding specific items from a list, evolved from ancient folk games. The modern version we play today, however, was popularized by American gossip columnist and socialite Elsa Maxwell in New York City during the 1930s .

1

Montpellier, Vermont

Montpellier is the smallest state capital in the United States, with only about 8,000 residents along the Winooski River. Instead of traffic jams and towers, you get shops, quiet streets, and a gold-domed Capitol rising above the roofs .

Founded in the late 1700s and named after a city in France, Montpellier still feels more like a New England village than the seat of power that it is.

2

Pierre, South Dakota

Pierre, South Dakota’s capital, is one of the quietest capitals in America , with only around 14,000 residents. It sits high on the bluffs of the Missouri River, where prairie hills roll into wide water and sunsets.

Life here runs at a slower pace than in most capital cities. Government buildings share streets with modest homes, fishing spots, and family-run shops.

3

Augusta, Maine

Maine’s capital is a compact city on the banks of the Kennebec River. With a population well under 20,000 , it trades towering skylines for church steeples, brick storefronts, and a tidy state house.

The city’s roots go back to colonial trading days, and that history shows in its older neighborhoods and riverside mills. Museums, offices, and small coffee shops occupy most of the city’s center.

4

Frankfort, Kentucky

Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky, sits in a river valley surrounded by grass hills. With only 28,000 inhabitants, it’s smaller than many nearby college towns , and keeps a relaxed pace even while housing the ornate state capitol and many of the state’s main offices.

Old brick buildings, historic bourbon distilleries, and close neighborhoods give Frankfort a cozy, walkable feel. On workdays, lawmakers and staff share streets with locals grabbing lunch.

5

Helena, Montana

Montana’s capital began as a gold rush camp in the 1860s and never became a huge metropolis . Today, it remains a mid-sized mountain town, with 33,000 inhabitants, historic brick blocks, steep hills, and the state capitol dome.

Trails and open land sit only minutes away from government buildings, so hikers and cyclists mix with office workers at day’s end.

6

Juneau, Alaska

The remote capital of Alaska is one of the few state capitals that you cannot reach by road . It can only be reached by air or sea. Wedged between steep mountains and icy waterways, it remains relatively small, with a population of 31,000 individuals.

Cruise ships, fishing boats, and floatplanes share the waterfront with government offices and houses on the hillsides. Glaciers, forests, and whales are never far away, making this capital city an incredible place to live.

7

Dover, Delaware

With a population of around 39,000, Delaware’s capital keeps the feel of a small colonial town even as it manages modern state business . Streets near the Capitol Square are lined with brick homes, churches, and public buildings that date back to the American Revolution.

Instead of a dense downtown, Dover offers broad streets, open lawns, and local shops that serve residents more than tourists.

8

Annapolis, Maryland

With 40,000 individuals, Annapolis, Maryland’s capital, proves that a city can be small in size and big in history . Narrow streets wind past eighteenth-century houses, brick taverns, and the domed state house that once served as the nation’s capital.

Its harbor holds sailboats, crab boats, and U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen more often than commuters. Coffee houses, galleries, and waterfront benches make Annapolis feel more like a relaxed resort town than a state capital.

9

Jefferson City, Missouri

The capital city of Missouri sits above a bend in the Missouri River. Smaller than many of the state’s other cities, it is the home of 42,000 individuals. It trades sprawl for tidy neighborhoods, a compact downtown, and a tall capitol overlooking the water .

Named for President Thomas Jefferson, the city balances government workdays with a slower Midwestern rhythm.

10

Concord, New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s capital is a modest New England city where church steeples and a granite state house rise above low-rise streets. With a population of 44,000, it’s smaller than many capitals, and it keeps rush hour brief and downtown walkable.

The city’s history stretches back to colonial days, and older buildings still frame the main streets. Concord also hosts civic events, shops, and offices that keep it lively, mixing a hometown feeling with the grandeur of a state capital.

11

Charleston, West Virginia

West Virginia’s capital sits where the Elk and Kanawha Rivers meet, backed by lush green hills. With 45,000 individuals calling it home, it is smaller than many people expect , with neighborhoods climbing the slopes and a gold-domed Capitol reflecting in the water below.

Coal country history, riverfront parks, and a modest downtown give Charlestown a charming regional flavor. Commuters share roads with barge workers and weekend fishermen, and the city’s size makes government feel close to everyday life.

12

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The capital of Pennsylvania is modest in population compared with its big neighbors, like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh . It "only" has about 50,000 inhabitants. Its green-domed Capitol can be seen from afar, in the skyline of mid-rise offices and row houses along the wide Susquehanna River.

Once a major transportation crossroads, Harrisburg still feels more manageable than many urban centers. Riverfront walkways, historic districts, and nearby small towns keep this capital’s rhythm comfortable.