1

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

Image: Frankieleon., CC BY 2.0

We’ll begin with an absolute classic. Peanuts is not only one of the most groundbreaking and timeless comic strips, but it also inspired one of the most memorable holiday specials in history. A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired in 1965 and featured the entire Peanuts gang trying to lift Charlie Brown’s holiday spirits. In the end, the kids realize that Christmas isn’t about expensive gifts or impressively decorated trees but rather about spending time with those we love .

2

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Image: Alex Stone

You might think a Christmas special without Santa Claus wouldn’t be popular, but leave it to legendary children’s author Dr. Seuss to create a character so endearing and captivating that he steals the show. For many Americans, 1966’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is the ultimate Christmas special—and for good reason. From the stunning animation to Boris Karloff’s incredible narration , this TV classic is truly a gem of American culture.

3

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

Image: Ethan Hu

We all have warm memories (ironically) of building snowmen with friends and family—sculpting funny features while ignoring our increasingly cold fingers. The 1969 TV special Frosty the Snowman took that childhood experience a step further by bringing to life a wish we’ve all had: What if our beloved snowmen suddenly came alive ? The special tells the story of Frosty, a snowman who springs to life when a magic top hat lands on his head.

4

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Image: Tim Gouw

Like many entries in this article, the 1964 stop-motion Christmas special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was inspired by the 1939 poem of the same name. It tells the story of Rudolph, a young reindeer ostracized by Santa’s other reindeer for his bright and shiny red nose. However, Rudolph —and the audience—soon learns that our differences are what make us special. In the end, he earns his place by leading Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve .

5

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

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Considering he spends 364 nights a year there, you might think Santa Claus would choose a warmer place to live. Case in point: the 1974 stop-motion special The Year Without a Santa Claus tells the story of Santa waking up one cold December morning with a nasty cold . Because of this, Mrs. Claus embarks on a worldwide adventure to try to lift Santa’s holiday spirit .

6

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)

Image: Osman Rana

This 1970 Christmas special features an all-star cast , including Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney, and Robie Lester . Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town tells the story of how Santa Claus and several holiday traditions came to be. It was inspired by the 1934 Christmas song of the same name, which was extremely popular at the time.

7

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas (1974)

Image: Karsten Winegeart

The title of the 1974 TV special ’Twas the Night Before Christmas pays homage to the opening line of Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas . However, the special’s plot differs greatly from the original poem. In this version, Santa Claus is offended by a published article claiming he doesn’t exist and refuses to deliver Christmas gifts that year. However, a small mouse known as Father Mouse takes it upon himself to return Santa’s Christmas spirit .

8

The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

Image: Lee Lawson

Drums aren’t traditionally associated with Christmas and are often overshadowed by softer instruments like bells or pianos. However, would you believe that a drum takes center stage in one of the most popular Christmas specials in history? Based on the 1941 song of the same name by Katherine Kennicott Davis, the 1968 stop-motion special The Little Drummer Boy tells the moving story of Aaron , a boy who, after many hardships, experiences the very first Christmas with his loved ones .

9

"A Christmas Carol" (1971)

Image: Elin Melaas

Many consider A Christmas Carol the ultimate Christmas story, as it has been adapted for film, theater, and television countless times . In that sense, we could have chosen any number of excellent Christmas specials that pay homage to Charles Dickens’s timeless classic. However, we ultimately selected the 1971 version , starring Alastair Sim and Michael Hordern, as it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1972.

10

A Flintstones Christmas (1977)

Image: 1950sUnlimited, CC BY 2.0

When you think about it, a Flintstones Christmas special doesn’t really make much sense—after all, this prehistoric family lived centuries before the very first Christmas. However, if we overlook that small detail, the 1977 special A Flintstone Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable holiday TV specials . The episode follows Fred and Barney as they go to great lengths to bring Christmas to the city of Bedrock .

1

Bay to Breakers

Image: Cecep Rahmat

Back in 1986, Bay to Breakers set the Guinness World Record for the largest footrace, with 110,000 registered participants. If you want to understand what type of sports event would summon so many athletes, you need to picture a unique blend of a race and an all-out costume parade.

This 7.5-mile course stretches from the San Francisco Bay (at Howard Street) to the Pacific Ocean. Held every third Sunday of May, the event is a local party where people wear elaborate costumes —think cartoon characters, colorful animals, and even synchronized group outfits. Bay to Breakers began in 1912 as a way to boost morale in San Francisco after the devastation of the 1906 earthquake.

2

Running of the Bulls

Image: San Fermin Pamplona - Navarra

You’d be wrong to think that the San Fermin Festival is only held in Pamplona, Spain. In 2007, New Orleans created its own version of the "Running of the Bulls." Here in the U.S., participants dress in all-white clothing with red accessories, as per tradition. But they don’t run from bulls: they run from roller derby skaters wearing horned helmets , wielding plastic bats, and chasing them around the streets.

Held in the summer to coincide with Pamplona's festival dates, this event is accompanied by food, drinks, live music, and a lively atmosphere that blends Spanish and New Orleans styles.

3

Goffstown Pumpkinboat Regatta

Image: Kris Møklebust

Did you know that you can sail inside a pumpkin ? This is standard procedure at Goffstown Pumpkin Regatta, held every autumn in New Hampshire. In the year 2000, local growers envisioned an event that would turn oversized pumpkins—some weighing as much as 1,000 pounds—into something fun and unusual.

Their challenge? Hollowing out massive pumpkins to turn them into boats, to then paddle them in a regatta down the Piscataquog River. Over the years, more and more contestants signed up to participate with flamboyant pumpkin designs and matching costumes. Of course, the event also features a pumpkin weigh-off , craft and food vendors, as well as live music and games.

4

Twins Days

Image: Keisha Montfleury

Twinsburg, Ohio, decided many decades ago that it was the perfect location to hold a yearly celebration of twin siblings. After all, the town was named after identical twin brothers who owned most of the land in the 1800s. Over the years, the festival has grown to become the world’s largest annual gathering of twins, triplets, and other multiples.

Traditionally, all participating twins show up dressed either identically or mismatchedly. Some of them even showcase their talents, ranging from music to comedy. Among food stalls, carnival rides, and live music, there is also a "Research" spot. There, scientists and researchers attend to study willing twins for insights into genetics, biometric data, and their health conditions.

5

Houston Art Car Parade

Image: Christopher Osten

Houston’s Art Car Parade began in the 1980s as a way to promote unconventional creativity and art . Back then, only 40 vehicles participated, but today the festival has become one of the most colorful art car parades in the world.

Participants transform their cars, bikes, and other vehicles into mobile artworks for this yearly parade held every April. Cars with the most outrageous designs—styled to look like dragons, unicorns, fruits, or even structured to appear to be stacked on top of one another—have been featured in past celebrations. Nowadays, the parade attracts over 250 art cars from across the U.S., as well as an audience of 250,000 lined up to watch.

6

Corgi Beach Day

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A beach invaded by corgis sounds like a heavenly sight for dog lovers . Every year at Huntington Beach, California, this event gathers corgi enthusiasts and their furry friends to celebrate their love for the breed.

Sometimes the dogs wear costumes, and contests are run with categories like "Best Themed Outfit" and "Cutest Corgi." Short races are also organized, though owners know their corgi's legs aren't built for speed, so the event is held in good humor to watch the corgis happily walk around. Mr. Pickles the Corgi, the mascot of the event, has become an internet sensation. Of course, the beach day features merchandise stands with corgi-themed products for dogs and their humans to take home.

7

Fremont Solstice Parade

Image: Jordan Crawford

Organized on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, this celebration has become a symbol of creativity, self-expression, and community . It was conceived in the late ‘80s to counter corporate-sponsored parades, which locals found cold and generalistic. They decided to combat it by organizing a parade that would showcase warmth and individuality.

The parade prohibits motorized vehicles, written words, and commercial logos. Only handmade arts and crafts are allowed. Puppets, dance troupes, musicians, and giant kinetic sculptures are often seen parading the streets of Freemont under the sun. The event usually wraps up at sunset with picnics and music at Gas Works Park.

8

Underwater Music Festival

Image: Victoria Ballesteros

You read that correctly. There’s an underwater music festival held every summer at Looe Key Reef , off the coast of the Florida Keys. The event was designed to combine two things the region is known for: the preservation of marine life and laid-back music.

Don’t worry, the music is not played directly underwater. Musicians pre-record the performances and these are transmitted through waterproof speakers placed along the reef. The playlist also often includes water-themed hits like "Yellow Submarine" by The Beatles and "Fins" by Jimmy Buffett. Many participants show up to dive in wearing fanciful costumes, like mermaids or sea creatures.

9

Texas Renaissance Festival

Image: Matt Benson

Some of the most famous festivals across the country are Renaissance fairs that draw visitors into an immersive celebration of medieval and fantasy culture . The largest of these is the Texas Renaissance Fair, which takes place on a former strip-mining site near Houston.

Hundreds of thousands of fans flock to this festival. It features a 55-acre village with cobblestone streets, themed buildings, and costumed performers. In it, fans can wander through medieval taverns , blacksmith shops, and artisan booths. Different shows add to the atmosphere, including jousting tournaments and falconry demonstrations. The event is held over several weekends, each with a different theme, such as Oktoberfest, Pirate Adventure, or Celtic Christmas.

10

Garlic Festival

Image: Min An

We conclude with the only festival in the country where you could ask for garlic ice cream . Until 2019, every July in Gilroy, California, garlic growers and lovers would gather for the Gilroy Garlic Festival, which had become a world-renowned event. Sadly, after 2020, the event was discontinued.

Of course, you could approach the food stands and ask for your typical garlic fries or garlic bread. But there was much more to do. You could attend cooking demonstrations, and garlic-themed contests (like the garlic-braiding competition), and enjoy live music across several stages. There was also a Miss Gilroy Garlic Queen pageant, where contestants were judged not only on traditional pageant criteria but also on their knowledge of garlic.

1

In God we trust

Image: Kelly Sikkema

The famous phrase "In God We Trust" hasn’t always been part of our money. It first showed up on some coins during the Civil War , when the country was looking for hope in tough times. It didn’t become standard on all bills and coins until 1955, during another period of strong religious feeling. Today, it’s part of our national identity and one of the most recognized mottos in the world.

2

The all-seeing eye on the dollar

Image: Thought Catalog

That little pyramid with an eye floating above it on the one-dollar bill has sparked plenty of wild theories, but the truth is rooted in history. Known as the "Eye of Providence," it represents divine guidance and watchfulness . The Founding Fathers saw it as a symbol of wisdom and protection.

3

The Secret Service started with cash, not presidents

Image: Collin

When the Secret Service was created in 1865, it had nothing to do with protecting the president. Its original job was to fight counterfeit currency , which had become a huge problem during the Civil War. Back then, nearly one in three bills was fake! The agency did its job so well that it built the foundation for the secure money system we have today.

4

The $10,000 bill that once roamed the banks

Image: Artem Beliaikin

Yes, there really was a $10,000 bill, and it carried the face of Salmon P. Chase, who served as Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary . It was never meant for everyday use at the store, of course. Banks used it for large transfers between Federal Reserve branches. Although it’s been out of circulation for decades, collectors still love to get their hands on one.

5

Fighting fakes with science

Image: Alexander Grey

Counterfeiting has been a problem since the first coins were made, but modern bills are loaded with clever security tricks . Watermarks, color-shifting ink, and hidden security threads help stop fake money before it spreads. If you tilt a newer bill in the light, you’ll see colors shift and patterns appear. It’s not just decoration, it’s actually protection.

6

Paper money doesn’t live forever

Image: Emilio Takas

Every bill has a limited lifespan. A $1 bill lasts about five years before it wears out, while higher denominations tend to last longer since people handle them less often. When a bill becomes too soft or torn, the Federal Reserve removes it from circulation and replaces it with a new one. Check your wallet and see if any of your bills need changing!

7

Tiny text with a big job

Image: Pete Alexopoulos

If you look very closely at your bills, you might spot lines of tiny printed words around the portraits and borders. That’s called microprinting. It’s so small that it’s nearly impossible to copy accurately. Most people never notice it, but it’s one of the details that protects the money from being easily counterfeited.

8

The penny paradox

Image: Annie Spratt

It’s funny to think about, but a single penny costs more than one cent to make. The mix of copper and zinc isn’t cheap , and that’s been true for years. Some even say it’s time to retire the penny, while others can’t imagine America without it. Maybe it’s more than money. Maybe it’s nostalgia that keeps Lincoln’s little coin alive. What do you think?

9

When spare change becomes treasure

Image: Gio Bartlett

Sometimes a coin is worth far more than its face value. The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is one of the best examples. Only five of them exist, and one sold for over four million dollars! Collectors spend years searching for coins like that. It’s part history lesson, part treasure hunt. It may look like an ordinary coin, but it’s really priceless!

10

A woman’s face finally gets her due

Image: Kirt Morris

For most of our history, only men appeared on our currency. However, that’s changing. There are renewed efforts to redesign the twenty-dollar bill and feature Harriet Tubman in it, the fearless leader of the Underground Railroad. Even if it’s not official yet, it’s an important step toward showing the full story of America.