1

Disneyland

Image: David Guerrero

Let’s start with "The Happiest Place on Earth" itself. The first theme park to be envisioned and built by creative tycoon Walt Disney was Disneyland, the one still located in Anaheim, California. It features a range of themed lands such as Fantasyland or Adventureland, and includes main attractions that are widely famous. Who hasn’t heard the "It’s a Small World" song, whether or not they’ve been on the ride?

Five more Disney parks went on to be opened in the United States, including Animal Kingdom and EPCOT. All of them feature parades, character meet-and-greets, and attractions that invite visitors to immerse themselves in the spirit of Disney films .

2

Legoland

Image: Clyde He

Legos began as small, colorful playthings for children—but they have grown into a whole subculture of their own. Fans who have spent decades inventing and carrying out new designs for their colored blocks dream of visiting the theme park one day. The first Legoland opened in Europe, but the California park debuted over 20 years ago and has been expanding ever since.

It features 9 sectors with over 60 rides, shows, and attractions, all themed around popular Lego sets and characters, such as the Dragon Coaster and Lego Ninjago The Ride. A standout feature is Miniland USA, which displays miniature Lego replicas of famous American landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and New York City. The park was so successful that similar resorts have since opened in Florida and New York.

3

The Big E

Image: Zachary DeBottis

The Big E, officially known as the Eastern States Exposition, is held between September and October in West Springfield, Massachusetts . It’s the largest agricultural fair in the northeastern United States, aiming to boast the best of New England culture, food, agriculture, and entertainment.

The fair features state-specific buildings representing all six New England states, each offering regional foods and crafts. The fairgrounds also host a large midway with rides, games, and live performances, as well as livestock shows, parades, and a variety of exhibitions. One of the biggest favorites of the 1.5 million visitors who attend each year is the Big E Cream Puff , a popular treat that’s been served since 1926.

4

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Image: Aditya Vyas

A round-the-clock fire-breathing dragon , spell-casting spots, immersive stores and alleys, along with themed rides and roller coasters—these can all be found at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, located within Universal Orlando Resort in Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood in California.

The park's concept is to transport visitors into the magical universe of J.K. Rowling's books and films, featuring recreated settings such as Hogsmeade Village, Hogwarts Castle, and Diagon Alley. Guests can also enjoy interactive experiences, like purchasing magical wands or sampling "butterbeer," a beverage made using a closely guarded secret recipe.

5

Arizona State Fair

Image: PONCIANOMX

Arizona State Fair is held annually in Phoenix. It traditionally combines agricultural exhibits, concerts, and carnival rides, with attractions such as livestock shows, rodeos , and demolition derbies, as well as thrilling roller coasters and rides for all ages.

The fair receives around 1 million visitors a year, who love its diverse range of deep-fried and unique fair foods. A main attraction is the iconic "La Grande Wheel," one of the largest traveling Ferris wheels in North America, standing at an impressive height of 130 feet.

6

Dollywood

Image: Adam Kring

The only singer-songwriter to have her own theme park is Dolly Parton. Dollywood is located in her home state of Tennessee, in Pigeon Forge. It is open from March to early January, with seasonal festivals and special events throughout the year. The family-friendly theme park is nestled in the Smoky Mountains , themed around Appalachian culture and the life of country music star Dolly Parton.

Originally, it was a small attraction called "Rebel Railroad," until it was purchased and rebranded by Dolly Parton in the 1980s. Today, it boasts a mix of roller coasters, craft demonstrations, and live entertainment, including bluegrass and gospel music. Dolly herself is known to make surprise appearances at the park, events affectionately referred to by fans as " Dolly Sightings. "

7

Hersheypark

Image: mjimages

Hershey's Chocolate Bar is another American favorite with its own theme park. Hersheypark is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and is a family-friendly amusement park that blends thrilling rides, water attractions, and entertainment, all themed around "The Great American Chocolate Bar. "

"Candymonium" is one of its iconic rollercoasters, and it also features a large water park called The Boardwalk. Hersheypark offers live shows, character meet-and-greets, and a range of dining options that highlight Hershey's chocolate and sweets. It opened in the early 1900s as a leisure area for employees of Hershey, starting as a small picnic area with a carousel. Now, it receives around 3 million visitors yearly!

8

State Fair of Texas

Image: Zabdiel Gonzalez

The State Fair of Texas is celebrated every year in Dallas, Texas. Another fair to celebrate the large state's rich history and cultural heritage, traditionally held in its home Fair Park , which has been expanded over the years to accommodate the growing attendance.

Beyond the live music and carnival rides, the fair is known for its iconic "Big Tex," a 55-foot-tall cowboy figure that serves as the fair's mascot. Another classic of the fair is the competition for the best new fried food item; past winners have included fried butter and fried Coca-Cola.

9

Puyallup Fair

Image: Scott Webb

The Puyallup Fair, officially known as the Washington State Fair, is held annually in Puyallup, Washington. One of the largest fairs in the Pacific Northwest, it features popular attractions like thrilling rides on the Midway , concerts by famous artists, and unique competitions such as pie-eating contests and rodeos.

The fair is also known for its iconic "Giant Pumpkin Contest," where the growers of the largest pumpkins are rewarded. Additionally, the fair hosts a "Food Truck Frenzy," offering a chance to try various local food trucks alongside traditional fair fare. The fair also includes a unique event called the "Farm & Garden Show," where visitors can learn about sustainable farming and gardening practices.

10

Seaworld

Image: J.U.L.Ö

SeaWorld can be found in Florida and Texas, but the first and most iconic park is the one in San Diego, California. This amusement and marine zoological park is known for its aquatic life exhibits, thrilling rides, and live entertainment featuring sea animals. Visitors can enjoy roller coasters like "Mako" and "Kraken," as well as interactive exhibits where they can get close to dolphins, sea lions, and other marine animals.

The park also hosts educational shows about animal behavior and conservation efforts. SeaWorld has played a significant role in animal preservation and has rescued thousands of marine animals over the years, including seals, sea turtles, and birds. In recent years, the park has also introduced virtual reality experiences to immerse visitors into underwater worlds.

1

1851: Early refining emerges

Image: Cedrik Wesche

Just before the drilling boom, chemists like Samuel Kier developed small stills to refine crude oil into kerosene for lamps.

That innovation turned oil from a curiosity into a practical commodity. Kerosene replaced whale oil, making lighting cheaper and more widely available, and it created demand for a reliable crude supply.

2

1859: First commercial well

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

On August 27, 1859, Drake Well near Titusville, Pennsylvania, drilled by Edwin L. Drake, became the first purposefully drilled commercial oil well in U.S. history.

This moment ignited the first true American oil boom. Suddenly, it was possible to produce large volumes of crude—not just collect surface seepage—and to refine it into useful fuels.

3

1860s–1870s: Pennsylvania oil rush

Image: Jeff W

Word of the Drake success spread fast, and drilling spiked throughout Pennsylvania. Towns such as Titusville swelled almost overnight as wells and refineries spread along Oil Creek Valley.

Railroads extended into western Pennsylvania to transport oil across the country, embedding petroleum into America’s emerging industrial infrastructure.

4

1890s: Dawn of the automobile

Image: Matthew Lancaster

By the 1890s and into the early 20th century, the rise of the automobile created growing demand for gasoline , which had previously been a relatively minor byproduct of crude oil refining.

This shift moved oil’s primary role away from lighting and industrial lubrication and toward transportation fuel , setting the stage for petroleum to dominate America’s energy needs in the decades that followed.

5

1900s–1910s: Rise of big oil companies

Image: Russel Bailo

Following early successes, oil refining and distribution consolidated. Firms like Standard Oil Company rose to dominate refining, pipelines, and distribution networks.

At the same time, new oil fields and competition still challenged monopolies and spread oil wealth and infrastructure across more regions of the country.

6

1914–1945: Oil & war

Image: Roman

During both World War I and World War II, U.S. oil production and refining capacity became critical to the Allied war effort , fueling ships, vehicles, aircraft, and manufacturing.

That strategic role cemented oil’s position not only in industry but also in American global power, military strategy, and foreign policy.

7

1960: A global oil cartel forms

Image: Christian Harb

On September 14, 1960, the main oil‑exporting nations formed the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to coordinate oil production and influence prices globally.

Though initially limited in power, OPEC’s rise began to challenge American dominance , setting the stage for decades of geopolitical tension around oil supply.

8

1969: Santa Barbara oil spill

Image: matt brown

In early 1969, a blowout from an offshore drilling platform released tens of thousands of barrels of oil into the waters off California’s coast, devastating marine life and beaches.

The resulting public outrage helped trigger a surge in environmental awareness and regulation, marking a turning point in how the oil industry was perceived socially and politically.

9

1970–1973: Peak and decline

Image: Documerica

By 1970, U.S. conventional oil production reached its peak, but soon after began a decline as domestic fields matured and couldn’t keep up with the growing demand.

As American production fell, the country gradually became more reliant on foreign oil, a shift that would have major economic and political repercussions.

10

2000s–2010s: Top oil producer again

Image: engin akyurt

In the early 2000s, engineers refined techniques like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. This unlocked vast shale‑oil and shale‑gas reserves previously uneconomical to tap.

From about 2010 onward, U.S. crude oil production rose sharply, reversing decades of decline. By 2019, the country was producing at levels not seen since the early 1970s.

1

Mr. T

Image: Richard R

If you were watching TV in the 1980s, you knew Mr. T. Actor Laurence Tureaud rose to fame as B.A. Baracus in the hit TV series The A-Team and as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III .

In 2006, he starred in the TV Land reality show I Pity the Fool , named after his famous catchphrase.

2

Richard Dean Anderson

Image: Nipun Haldar

The man who sold a thousand Swiss Army knives— MacGyver himself, Richard Dean Anderson was a household name in the 1980s. He later became well-known to another set of fans for his role in the Stargate Atlantis series.

These days, Richard Dean Anderson occasionally appears in small roles. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which is dedicated to protecting marine life and raising public awareness about the dangers it faces.

3

Haley Joel Osment

Image: Laercio Cavalcanti

Remember the kid who said, " I see dead people " in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense ? That’s him—Haley Joel Osment. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at just 11 years old for that unforgettable performance.

Since then, Osment has grown up and taken on smaller roles in Tusk , Silicon Valley , and Future Man .

4

Jason Priestley

Image: David Vives

One of the most recognizable faces of the 1990s, Jason Priestley rose to fame through his role in the TV series Beverly Hills, 90210 . Since then, he has taken on smaller roles and he recently starred in the Canadian TV series Private Eyes .

5

Emilio Estevez

Image: Taylor Brandon

Emilio Estevez chose to use his family’s real last name, Estevez, rather than the one adopted by his father, Martin Sheen , or his brother, Charlie Sheen . But still, people knew exactly who he was. In the 1980s and ’90s, his face was everywhere as a member of the Brat Pack, starring in The Breakfast Club , St. Elmo’s Fire , and The Outsiders .

Since then, he has taken on a few minor roles and maintained a lower profile.

6

Michael J. Fox

Image: Roger Ce

Despite stepping away from acting several years ago due to his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Michael J. Fox has remained a beloved public figure, thanks in no small part to his natural charisma and iconic role as _Back to the Future_’s Marty McFly . The Canadian star has since become a prominent advocate for Parkinson’s research and a cure.

7

Rick Moranis

Image: Erik Mclean

For a while, Rick Moranis was everywhere: Ghostbusters , Spaceballs , Little Shop of Horrors , Honey, I Shrunk the Kids , Parenthood ... But after becoming a widower in the 1990s, he shifted his focus to fatherhood and stepped away from the spotlight. Every few years, there’s talk of him making a comeback, and it appears that, finally, this may come true in the long-awaited sequel to Spaceballs . We can all hope, right?

8

Jane Fonda

Image: bruce mars

Jane Fonda rose to fame in the 1960s and ’70s through her work as an actress and model . In the 1980s, she released her first exercise video, which went on to become the most successful workout tape of all time.

Since then, she has appeared in several films and Broadway productions, while continuing her work in activism and philanthropy. In recent years, Fonda starred in the Netflix series, which ran for seven seasons, Grace and Frankie, with Lily Tomlin.

9

Talia Shire

Image: Nathz Guardia

A highly recognizable actress in the 1970s, Talia Shire played leading roles in The Godfather and Rocky , along with their sequels. Since then, she has continued acting in films, though mostly in smaller roles. In 2024, she appeared in Megalopolis , directed by her brother Francis Ford Coppola.

10

Daniel Day-Lewis

Image: Jez Timms

Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, has won three Academy Awards for Best Actor for his roles in My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012). He announced his retirement from acting in 2017. After thanking his collaborators, he quietly left the movie business to dedicate himself to learning the craft of cobbling .

However, in October 2024, he made a notable return to acting by starring in Anemone , a film directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, that has yet to be released.

11

Bridget Fonda

Image: Tore F

The second Fonda on our list is also the final entry: Bridget Fonda retired from Hollywood in 2002 to start a family with her husband, composer Danny Elfman. More than two decades later, Fonda has stated that she has no plans to return to the big screen. As she put it, "I don’t think [there’s any chance]. It’s too nice being a civilian."