1

Palace of the Governors (New Mexico, 1610)

Image: Donald Giannatti

This is one of the oldest continuously occupied public buildings in the United States. Built in 1610 , it served as the seat of the Spanish, Mexican, and, finally, American government.

Some experts claim that the key to its longevity is the material of which it is composed. Adobe has always worked very well as a building material in areas that, like New Mexico, have a major thermal amplitude. This is because adobe works as a thermal insulator.

Besides all the historical artifacts this building holds, it also has many stories to tell. In 1862, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln gave a famous speech from the Palace's balcony.

2

Fairbanks House (Massachusetts, 1637)

Image: Lampos Aritonang

Built around 1637 by English immigrant Jonathan Fairbanks in what is now Dedham, Massachusetts, many sources claim that the Fairbanks House is the oldest timber-frame house in America.

With so many years of existence and so many people who must have passed through it, can you imagine the stories that could be told from inside those wooden walls? For 8 generations, Jonathan's descendants inhabited this place, and today, it functions as a museum for all of us to visit.

This 380 -year-old house was built with oak wood, straw, animal fur, and other materials of the time. Just imagine how cold it must have been inside during winter!

3

C.A. Nothnagle Log House (New Jersey, 1638-1643)

Image: Joshua Michaels

Can you imagine holding an object from the 1590s in your own hands? Well, that's what you could do at the C. A. Nothnagle Log House in New Jersey.

The Finns and the Swedish left testimonies of their building techniques in our territory with this log cabin built between 1638 and 1643, one of the oldest still extant in the country. The many inhabitants of this house never had to worry about winter; the interior features a large, centrally located stone and brick chimney that provides even heat for the entire place.

With so many years of history, it's not unusual for visitors to experience strange episodes at the C. A. Nothnagle Log House. Some have reported hearing footsteps and soft murmuring, while others affirm to have seen a specter of a woman dressed in colonial-era clothing.

4

Richard Sparrow House (Massachusetts, 1640)

Image: James Kovin

Richard Sparrow, surveyor and early settler of Plymouth, Massachusetts, built this historic house in 1640, making it the oldest surviving house in Plymouth.

With its timber frame, this house is an example of typical colonial architecture, demonstrating the durability of this type of construction. Despite the restorations necessary to keep it standing, the house keeps most of its original materials and still looks much as it did in the 17th century , making it an interesting source of education about the period.

5

House of the Seven Gables (Massachusetts, 1668)

Image: Joseph Corl

The Fairbanks House is not the only historic house in Massachusetts.

Considered a colonial mansion, the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion was built in 1668 for Captain John Turner and stayed with his family for three generations. The place became famous in 1851 for its appearance in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Gothic novel "The House of the Seven Gables," which also gave it its characteristic nickname.

While the dark stories Hawthorne wrote about are fictional, some visitors claim to have felt a scary feeling and strange vibes inside the house. Would you like to visit the museum?

6

Paul Revere House (Massachusetts, 1680)

Image: Timur M

As the name implies, this historic house was the home of patriot Paul Revere.

Built in 1638 , it is not only one of the oldest houses in the country, but it is also the oldest standing building in downtown Boston, and represents a fine example of classic Colonial American architecture.

The building originally belonged to another owner, and Paul Revere acquired it around 1770 . If you visit the house, you can see objects and artifacts that actually belonged to the Revere family! You won't be the first, though, as an estimated 300,000 people visit the house annually.

7

Shirley Plantation (Virginia, 1723)

Image: Belia Koziak

Shirley Plantation is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most famous plantations in America.

While the plantation was founded in 1613, construction of its main house began in 1723, designed in the Georgian architectural style.

Additionally, visitors can find artifacts, tools, and weapons from the Civil War era, making it a truly valuable experience. As another detail, Shirley Plantation also has the oldest known plantation portrait in America: it features Elizabeth Hill and John Carter, whose marriage united the Hill and Carter families. These families have owned the place since 1738 to this day!

8

Wright's Ferry Mansion (Pennsylvania, 1738)

Image: Marie Martin

Susanna Wright was a pioneer Quaker woman from Philadelphia, who decided to live in Wright's Ferry (what is now Columbia) in the early 18th century. Wright was active in poetry, science, and local politics and business.

In 1738, she built Wright's Ferry Mansion, which served not only as her family home but also as a business center. With its classic proportions and elegant style, the mansion is today one of the oldest in the country. It was preserved to keep its original appearance, remaining a fine example of early 18th-century architecture in the country.

Legend has it that the house is haunted by the spirit of its original owner, with several visitors claiming to have seen her, or heard murmurs and loud footsteps inside the house.

9

Mount Vernon (Virginia, 1734-1750s)

Image: Matt Briney

We can't overlook the iconic Mount Vernon. Built in Fairfax County, Virginia, it’s one of the most famous homes in the country. And you know why: it was the home of our first president, George Washington.

The original house was built in 1734 by George Washington's father, Augustine Washington, and then expanded by his son into the building we see today. Washington influenced American architecture with the design of this building. In fact, it is said that the design of the "New Room" in Mount Vernon inspired the White House's Oval Office!

While the exterior is made of wood, it was sanded and beveled to mimic stone for a classic, elegant style. The house also has Martha Washington's famous "Blue Room," one of the most beautiful and best-decorated spaces, which still preserves its appearance. Have you already visited it?

10

Drayton Hall (South Carolina, 1747-1752)

Image: Peter Herrmann

Charleston, South Carolina, was the site where the historic Drayton Hall was built between 1747 and 1752.

This 18th-century plantation is considered to be one of the best-preserved examples of Georgian architecture. In addition, it is also claimed to be the only plantation house on the Ashley River that survived the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, not without some damage.

With nearly 300 years of history, it's undeniable that this house was the scene of many stories and events. Some visitors have claimed that the house is haunted , reporting sightings of apparitions and hearing mysterious noises. Spooky, isn't it?

1

Hydrox Cookies

Image: Conor Brown

Introduced in 1908, these chocolate sandwich cookies with cream filling were the original, while Oreos followed four years later in 1912 . Hydrox had a crunchier cookie and a less sweet filling, which devoted fans absolutely loved.

Hydrox disappeared from shelves in 2003, leaving longtime fans heartbroken and insisting that they were superior to their more famous competitor. The cookie made a brief comeback in 2015 under new ownership, but it never quite recaptured its former glory or widespread availability.

2

Squeezit

Image: Haley Owens

Squeezit arrived on the scene in 1985 with its unique bottle design that you literally had to squeeze to drink from—no straw needed! The bottles came in wild colors and flavors like Chucklin' Cherry and Grumpy Grape, each with its own cartoon character printed on the label.

General Mills discontinued Squeezit in 2001, crushing the dreams of millennials everywhere who had fond memories of squeezing these bottles a little too hard and squirting juice everywhere.

3

Jell-O Pudding Pops

Image: sheri silver

Bill Cosby might have made these famous in commercials, but it was the frozen treat itself that made Pudding Pops legendary in the 1980s. Introduced in 1979, these weren't your typical popsicles— they had a creamy, mousse-like texture that was somewhere between pudding and ice cream.

Jell-O discontinued the original Pudding Pops in the early 1990s, and despite several attempted comebacks with different formulations, they've never tasted quite the same as the originals. People who remember the real deal insist that the modern versions just don't have that same creamy texture or rich flavor.

4

Crystal Pepsi

Image: Giorgio Trovato

Launched in 1992, this clear cola was supposed to represent "purity" and tap into the clear product craze of the era . It tasted almost exactly like regular Pepsi, which created a weird cognitive dissonance: your brain expected lemon-lime, but your taste buds got cola. Crystal Pepsi flopped hard and disappeared by 1994, but it achieved cult status among nostalgic millennials and Gen Xers.

5

Bonkers! Candy

Image: Edgar Chaparro

"Bonkers bonks you out!" went the commercial jingle, and this chewy fruit candy certainly made an impact when it hit stores in the early 1980s. Each piece was wrapped individually and packed an intensely fruity flavor that was almost overwhelming—in a good way . Bonkers came in flavors like grape, strawberry, and watermelon, and they had a unique texture that was chewier than Starburst but softer than taffy.

Nabisco stopped making Bonkers in the 1990s, and fruit candy lovers have been mourning ever since. There were brief periods when the candy reappeared under different ownership, but it never achieved the same widespread distribution.

6

Dunkaroos

Image: RUMEYSA AYDIN

Introduced by Betty Crocker in 1990, these snack packs came with small kangaroo-shaped cookies and a container of frosting for dipping. The concept was simple but brilliant—make cookies even more fun by turning them into an interactive snack. Flavors included chocolate chip cookies with vanilla frosting, vanilla cookies with chocolate frosting, and the ultimate combo of chocolate cookies with chocolate frosting.

General Mills discontinued Dunkaroos in the United States in 2012, sparking outrage among millennials who considered them a sacred part of their childhood. The good news? After years of petitions and social media campaigns, Dunkaroos made a triumphant return in 2020.

7

Clearly Canadian

Image: 소녀

Before sparkling water became trendy, there was Clearly Canadian— a flavored sparkling water that came in distinctive teardrop-shaped glass bottles . Launched in 1987, this Canadian import became hugely popular in the U.S. throughout the late 80s and 90s. The flavors had fancy names like Wild Cherry, Country Raspberry, and Orchard Peach, and the carbonation was more aggressive than today's LaCroix.

Clearly Canadian largely disappeared from American stores in the 2000s as other beverages dominated the market, though the company never completely shut down. Thanks to a Kickstarter campaign in 2015, it made a comeback, but it's still not as widely available as it once was.

8

P.B. Crisps

Image: Olga Nayda

Planters gave us the ultimate peanut butter snack in 1992 with P.B. Crisps— crispy shell-shaped cookies filled with peanut butter . These weren't ordinary peanut butter cookies; they had a unique, crispy texture on the outside and creamy peanut butter on the inside, creating a perfect contrast.

Sadly, P.B. Crisps were discontinued in 1995 after just three years on the market, leaving peanut butter lovers devastated. No snack has quite filled that void—Nutter Butters are too cookie-like, and peanut butter crackers are too cracker-like.

9

Altoids Sours

Image: Customerbox

These tiny, tangy candies came in flavors like Tangerine, Citrus, and Raspberry, and they packed a seriously sour punch that made your whole face scrunch up . They came in the same iconic tin as regular Altoids, which made them feel substantial and collectible.

Altoids discontinued the Sours in 2010, and fans have been petitioning for their return ever since. There have been multiple online petitions, Facebook groups, and even people hoarding old tins as collectors' items.

10

Snapple Elements

Image: Snappr

Launched in 1999, these drinks came in wide-mouthed glass bottles and had more exotic flavors than typical Snapple offerings . Rain was agave cactus, Sun was starfruit, and Fire was dragonfruit. The bottles themselves were beautiful, with distinctive designs and colors that made them stand out on store shelves.

The Elements line was discontinued in the early 2000s, though Snapple brought back a reformulated version in 2008 that wasn't quite the same. The original Elements had a devoted following who appreciated the more complex flavors and the beautiful bottle design.

1

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" - Muhammad Ali

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

Much like his innate and groundbreaking boxing technique, legendary boxer Muhammad Ali had a way with words: He was able to craft sharp and insightful commentary in interviews and press conferences. In that sense, Ali was able to perfectly summarize his incredible fighting style with a short and simple phrase, in what’s probably his most famous quote: In 1964, before his iconic fight with Sonny Liston, a 22-year-old Ali stated that he would "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee".

2

"America is another name for opportunity" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Image: NASA

Ralph Waldo Emerson was one of the most influential and groundbreaking American poets in history. It is no small praise for Walt Whitman to refer to Emerson as "his master", nor for Friedrich Nietzsche to call him "the most gifted of the Americans". Emerson’s collection of essays and writings gives us a glimpse into the quick wit and way of words this American had, so it stands to reason that the Emerson quote we chose for this article showcases his brevity and resourcefulness: "America is another name for opportunity".

3

"I have a dream" - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Image: Elizabeth Villalta

Not many know this, but Martin Luther King’s most famous quote came from a sudden moment of inspiration: Standing in front of over 250,000 supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King departed from his prepared text and spoke from the heart, delivering a speech that had his now-iconic "I have a dream" phrase as its main theme. Most historians consider this speech to be a turning point in the history of the civil rights movement and a proud testament to Dr. King’s resolve and determination.

4

"Ask not what your country…" - John F. Kennedy

Image: Florida Memory

Civil service is definitely a big responsibility: The men and women in the government are naturally held to a high standard of scrutiny. In that sense, President Kennedy’s words during his inauguration speech truly cemented something that citizens often overlook: When our 35th President said "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country" , he asked the American public to always keep the welfare of their country and fellow Americans in mind.

5

"Four score and seven years ago" - Abraham Lincoln

Image: Ed Fr

Granted, we couldn’t include the entire Gettysburg Address in this article, but we have instead decided to choose a phrase that’s as famous as this iconic speech. While we can’t be sure that President Lincoln knew the effect these words would have on American history, we do know that he was an exceptional writer, so it is no wonder that we still remember the opening lines of this famous speech: "Four score and seven years ago".

6

America, to me, is freedom - Willie Nelson

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Country music is synonymous with American culture, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that one of the most patriotic quotes in this article comes from country music legend Willie Nelson. This beloved musician once stated, "America, to me, is freedom". What’s perhaps most moving about this simple yet powerful phrase is that it effortlessly describes what many of us feel whenever we think about America.

7

"To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do" - John Adams

Image: iStrfry , Marcus

Leave it to a Founding Father to perfectly describe what patriotism is all about. John Adams once stated this powerful phrase: "To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do". Much like the JFK quote we previously mentioned, our second President encouraged us to love our country and always strive to keep it a wonderful place to live.

8

"We must be free not because we claim freedom but because we practice it" —William Faulkner

Image: Tom Hermans

There’s no denying that William Faulkner was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century: A Nobel laureate, Faulkner has written such American classics like "As I Lay Dying" and "The Sound and the Fury". Much of his work centers around the American South, and on what he felt were the values that America holds most dear. In that sense, the following quote is as insightful as what can be found in Faulkner’s many books: "We must be free not because we claim freedom but because we practice it".

9

"In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it." —Barack Obama

Image: frank mckenna

Standing in the very same spot in which Martin Luther King had made his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, President Obama spoke in front of a gathered crowd of hundreds and delivered one of his most famous quotes: "In the face of impossible odds, people who love this country can change it." Besides being a great quote by our 44th President, this phrase is also a living testament to the influence that Dr. King had on all Americans.

10

"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth" -George Washington

Image: Ryan Quintal

We’ll end this article with a phrase that comes straight from the mind of the Father of our country. In a letter to fellow Founding Father James Madison, George Washington wrote: "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth". When you think about it, this phrase is an almost perfect summary of the ideas and beliefs that fueled the American Revolution, and that would eventually help build this great country of ours.