1

Carl Sagan

Image: Greg Rakozy

Astronomer Carl Sagan showed the wonders of outer space to an entire generation of Americans. Besides his groundbreaking innovations in his field of study, Sagan co-wrote and presented the TV series "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage", on which he tackled heavy questions like the origin of life and humankind’s place in the universe.

What’s most interesting about "Cosmos" is how this short series left such an unforgettable impact , considering the show lasted 13 episodes between 1980 and 1981. A big part of this show’s legacy is thanks to Sagan’s passion: His dedication to outer space made us truly believe we were made of "star stuff".

2

Julia Child

Image: Светлана Хуснутдинова

Even if we didn’t focus on her extraordinary cooking skills , the life of Julia Child would still be a fascinating subject: She served her country during WW2 as a spy and a researcher and helped develop an extremely effective shark-repellant that would have made 60’s Batman proud. Regardless, arguably her most iconic contribution to the world was the many hours of entertainment she recorded, in her effort to teach America the joys of cooking.

Julia Child’s iconic cooking show "The French Chef" debuted in 1962, and ran for ten years throughout the entire nation. Not only that, this show was the very first to win an Emmy award for an educational program.

3

Bill Nye

Image: Hal Gatewood

The title of "Science Guy" might not seem the most glamorous but trust us: Bill Nye is directly responsible for thousands of scientists. You won’t have to look hard to find a scientist who was inspired to pursue a career in science after countless hours watching Bill Nye’s show on PBS as a kid.

Bill Nye's work history isn’t exactly orthodox: After a successful career as a mechanical engineer for Boeing, Nye left this path to pursue comedy. However odd this combination might seem, it made Nye the perfect host for this science show for kids. His on-screen character was a wacky and hyper-kinetic scientist who managed to both entertain and educate an entire generation of American children.

4

Mr. Rogers

Image: Darren Bockman

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said "The whole world is one neighborhood", and we believe that many Americans who grew up watching Fred Rogers will agree: After all, his warm voice and kind demeanor welcomed us to "Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood" every single day.

This show was groundbreaking in so many ways: Through each thirty-minute episode, Mr. Rogers could educate his audience on various subjects, or spark their imagination over regular trips to the "Neighborhood of Make Believe" . "Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood" held the title of longest-running children's show for almost 40 years, and helped start the careers of such iconic actors as Keith David and Michael Keaton.

5

Walter Cronkite

Image: ThisisEngineering

Any journalist would be proud to be known as "the most trusted man in America" . However, it is a title befitting to only a select few, determined by their integrity, work ethic, and professionalism. Walter Cronkite is no exception to this rule: His 20-year tenure as anchorman for the CBS Evening News earned him a place in journalism history.

Known for his iconic signing-off catchphrase "and that’s the way it is", Cronkite's career earned him a myriad of accolades and recognitions , including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981.

6

Alfred Hitchcock

Image: James Lee

Alfred Hitchcock might be most remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to the world of cinema. To this day he is considered one of the most influential directors in the history of this medium. However, there’s a reason he made it to this list: For almost ten years, Hitchcock hosted his iconic anthology series "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".

The series consisted of single episodes that featured guest actors and directors, including legends like Clint Eastwood, Vincent Price, and Robert Redford. Time magazine included this show in their "100 Best TV Shows of All Time" list.

7

Johnny Carson

Image: Tiziano Brignoli

You know the drill: We say "Johnny Carson was so incredibly funny" and you reply "How funny was he?" To be honest, we didn’t really think about a punchline here, other than the fact that Carson was so funny he remained as the undisputed host of "The Tonight Show" for thirty years.

Filmed in the iconic 30 Rockefeller Plaza building, Carson and his sidekick and announcer Ed McMahon brought uncontrollable laughter to the millions of Americans tuning on to his show on NBC. He is considered by many to be the father of the late-night talk show and inspired many late-night entertainers like Conan O'Brien or Stephen Colbert.

8

Bob Ross

Image: Yannis Papanastasopoulos

Bob Ross taught millions of Americans how to find happiness in a new and extremely demanding hobby. You probably remember his soothing voice and calm manners while hosting his iconic TV show "The Joy of Painting" : He would usually encourage viewers to embrace mistakes while painting, calling them "happy little accidents".

What you might not know is that Bob Ross’ previous job didn’t involve this gentle motivation. Quite the contrary, actually: Ross served for approximately 20 years in the United States Air Force, on which he rose up to the rank of first sergeant . However, once he retired, Ross sought a professional career that didn’t involve yelling orders around terrified trainees.

9

Roy Rogers

Image: JosephHershMedia

Roy Rogers wasn’t known as "The King of Cowboys" for nothing: He was an amazing rodeo performer and one of the most popular Western actors of all time. He is still fondly remembered for his iconic appearances on "The Roy Rogers Show", a Western television series that cemented Rogers as one of the most recognizable actors of the 50s.

Accompanied by his trusted animal sidekicks, Trigger the Horse and Bullet the Dog, Rogers delighted American children with his Western exploits. His character would often face con-men and bank robbers, before departing with his iconic ending theme song, "Happy Trails".

10

Oprah Winfrey

Image: Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov

We’ll end this article with a television giant. There’s a reason why Oprah Winfrey is known as "The Queen of All Media" : She’s an Academy Award-nominated actress, best-selling author, and CEO of a multimedia production company. However, she’s best recognized as the undisputed queen of daytime talk shows, having hosted the iconic Oprah Winfrey Show for 25 years.

Since the end of her series in 2011, Oprah’s mark in American television and pop culture has proved to be completely indelible. Among her many accolades, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

1

Extra

Image: Obie Fernandez

Some people are reserved and discreet, while others are just "extra." This slang term describes someone who is exaggerated, overly dramatic , or excessive—does anyone come to mind?

If a friend shows up to a casual hangout in an extravagant outfit or makes a big deal out of something insignificant, you can call them "extra."

2

GRWM

Image: Alexander Shatov

A popular abbreviation on TikTok is "GRWM." It's so well-known that you've probably heard it before.

Since fashion influencers often share videos about their outfits or ask for clothing advice, "GRWM" stands for "Get Ready With Me." With this phrase, video creators make viewers feel like part of their daily lives and invite them to join their digital adventures.

3

Bussin'

Image: Jackson Sophat

When it comes to flattery, "bussin'" is the term you need to speak today’s language. Something described as "bussin'" is exceptionally good, impressive, or exquisite. While it's most commonly used to describe food—like in "That Burger was just bussin'"—it can also be used to compliment other things or actions.

4

Mid

Image: Eran Menashri

Contrary to the previous term, "mid" is used to describe something as average or unimpressive. While it isn’t necessarily negative, it implies that a performance, dish, or speech wasn’t exactly the best you’ve seen.

"Mid" comes from the word "middle," suggesting that what you're referring to is neither good nor bad—it's just somewhere in the middle.

5

Spill the tea

Image: Manki Kim

If someone asks you to spill the tea, they’re not asking you to make a mess on the snack table—they want something much more interesting.

"Spill the tea" is a slang expression used to ask someone to share juicy gossip . If you love drama or want to stay up to date with the latest news and scandals, this phrase will come in handy. As for its origin, some suggest that "spill the tea" may have evolved from an earlier phrase with a similar meaning: "spill the beans."

6

IYKYK

Image: Melissa Askew

While it may look like a word from a strange, distant language, "IYKYK" is actually an abbreviation for "If you know, you know." It's great for those inside jokes you share with your friends or recalling moments that only a select group was part of. You know, something intimate, secret, or exclusive.

7

GOAT

Image: Nandhu Kumar

What do Michael Jordan, Aretha Franklin, Babe Ruth, Frank Sinatra, Anthony Hopkins, and Serena Williams have in common? Well, they're all GOATs! But what does that mean?

"GOAT" doesn’t refer to the adorable animal—it stands for "Greatest of All Time." That's right! This term is used to describe those who truly stand out as the best in their field, discipline, or art.

8

No Cap/Cap

Image: Jakob Owens

It seems that saying "true" or "false" has gone out of fashion. The new trend is to say "no cap" or its opposite, "cap." As you might guess, these terms relate to truthfulness, honesty, and authenticity .

If a friend says, "The show was incredible, no cap," they’re assuring you they’re telling the truth. But if someone hears a suspicious story and calls out "cap," they’re likely calling it a lie.

9

Amped

Image: Austin Schmid

Have you been on Cloud Nine lately? If so, there's a perfect slang term for you: "amped." This adjective describes someone who’s excited about something or simply feeling really, really happy .

The term originated in the 1980s as a shortened form of "amplified," originally referring to someone highly charged with energy. Over time, it became associated with excitement and joy and has recently made a comeback, especially on social media.

10

Bet

Image: Ursula Castillo

If you're talking with a group of teens and you want to express your agreement with something, just say, "Bet." This short word is commonly used today to mean "Yes," "Exactly," "That’s it," or "Let’s do it."

As you might have guessed, it was born in the gambling world and is tied to that feeling of confidence or certainty needed when placing a bet.

1

San Francisco, California

Image: Belle Co

San Francisco was never officially a state capital, but there was a 9-month period during the early governance of California when the capitol stood in the city’s Merchant’s Exchange building .

The seat of California’s capital moved multiple times among cities, including Monterey, San Jose, Vallejo, and Benicia. In the mid-19th century, it settled in Sacramento, strategically situated at the confluence of major rivers –which also meant proneness to flood . Severe flooding hit the city in the 1860s, temporarily incapacitating it as a state capital.

The administration then moved to San Francisco, which had been instrumental during the Gold Rush and remained a cultural and economic powerhouse. When Sacramento had recovered, though, the legislature moved back and it has remained the state capital since.

2

Savannah, Georgia

Image: Jessica Furtney

Savannah, the beautiful city in Georgia famous for its cobblestone streets and picturesque squares, was the state’s first colonial capital. It continued to hold the capitol following the American Revolution.

In the late 1700s, however, the capital moved inland to Augusta, where the population was growing. The decision was also meant to protect the government from potential coastal attacks .

Several cities served as capitals in the decades that followed, such as Louisville and Milledgeville. It wasn’t until a constitutional convention was held in Atlanta that the city’s potential as a state capital was recognized, and later realized.

3

St. Augustine, Florida

Image: Maddie DiFilippo

Known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, like the Castillo de San Marcos fortress , St. Augustine was the capital of East Florida for hundreds of years, since Spanish rule.

When Florida became a U.S. territory, St. Augustine, on Florida's northeast coast, maintained its role as one of two capitals, alongside Pensacola, which served West Florida. However, the difficulty of travel between these two cities led to inefficiencies in governance.

A halfway point was set exactly at Tallahassee to make access easier for legislators of both sides. To this day, St. Augustine maintains many constructions and a strong heritage from its colonial past.

4

New Orleans, Louisiana

Image: Stella He

When Louisiana was admitted into the Union, vibrant New Orleans was the state capital, and it remained so for over 30 years until the government seat was changed to Baton Rouge.

New Orleans was the largest and most economically significant city in the state at the time, so it was a natural choice. Still, its location also posed challenges, like disease outbreaks that often plagued it, and the powerful political influence of the French Creole population .

Eventually, Baton Rouge became the official capital, and its new Gothic Revival-style capitol building opened in the mid-19th century. Today, New Orleans remains a cultural hub for the state and the country.

5

Lewiston, Idaho

Image: Anthony Camerlo

The original capital of Idaho was upstate Lewiston, a key shipping hub thanks to its access to river transport. But the discovery of gold in the Boise Basin meant that the population –and the riches– flew to southern Idaho.

With the majority of settlers now in the south, the capital's relocation was pushed. Lewiston residents did not take this lightly: They fiercely resisted losing the capital and went so far as to lock the territorial seal and papers in the town jail to prevent their removal.

Federal troops had to intervene to complete the relocation. Today, Lewiston still proudly proclaims itself as "Idaho's First Territorial Capital," a line displayed everywhere downtown.

6

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Image: donwhite84

Plymouth, located in southeastern Massachusetts on Plymouth Bay, was the landing site of the Pilgrims in 1620. For many decades it remained its capital until the colony merged with that in Massachusetts Bay.

After the merger, Boston, a city with a larger population and a central hub for trade and governance, was designated the new capital. But Plymouth is still considered "America's Hometown" and hosts elaborate Thanksgiving celebrations annually.

Plymouth will always retain its historical significance, such as being the home of Plymouth Rock , which commemorates the site of the disembarkation of the Mayflower Pilgrims.

7

Kingston, New York

Image: Amy Lavine, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kingston is located along the Hudson River in Ulster County, New York, with a scenic backdrop of the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains.

It retains its Revolutionary War-era stone buildings, historic landmarks, and its title as the "birthplace" of New York State's government; It was its first capital. But when it became a center for revolutionary activities in the late 18th century, British forces burned the city in retaliation.

Kingston was rebuilt, but it never regained its capital status. Albany was later chosen as the capital for its central location and strong infrastructure.

8

Detroit, Michigan

Image: Alex Brisbey

Detroit, a.k.a. "Motor City," is not just the center of the U.S. automotive industry, but was Michigan's first capital before it moved inland to Lansing.

Michigan Territory had Detroit as its center, and it remained so even after it became a state. But there were concerns over Detroit's proximity to the Canadian border , and, as with many other capitals, a desire to fix the capitol in the state’s center.

Lansing, just a small settlement at the time, was more accessible and more secure. Detroit didn’t stay behind, though; Its role as a transportation hub during the Industrial Revolution helped it become a manufacturing powerhouse .

9

Kaskaskia, Illinois

Image: Dave Hoefler

Kaskaskia is now nearly a ghost town , a quiet community of fewer than 20 residents. This is due to Mississippi River flooding and shifting channels –but it was once its state capital.

Situated in Randolph County, Illinois, near the Mississippi River, it’s uniquely located on the western bank of the river. In the early 19th century it was a center for trade and governance and remained the capital until the legislature decided to relocate to Vandalia.

Vandalia, inland and growing, was a reasonable choice back then, but it would be replaced by Springfield eventually, largely due to the efforts of Abraham Lincoln .

10

New Castle, Delaware

Image: jakob

New Castle served as Delaware’s colonial capital during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was here, in 1776, that Delaware declared independence from both Pennsylvania and Great Britain, establishing itself as a state.

The city’s location by the Delaware River was key during colonial times, but it also made it susceptible to British naval attacks during the American Revolution. That was why the seat was moved to Dover, although it wasn’t made the permanent capital until the 1780s.

New Castle still keeps its well-preserved colonial architecture, particularly in the district surrounding its courthouse.