1

Maryland: Crab Cakes

Maryland designated the blue crab as its official state crustacean . The Chesapeake Bay is by now synonymous with blue crabs, and these legendary cakes are a point of pride for the state. A proper Maryland crab cake should contain lump meat held together with just enough filler to keep it from falling apart, seasoned with Old Bay.

Head to Faidley's Seafood in Baltimore's Lexington Market, where they've been serving them since 1886.

2

Louisiana: Gumbo

Gumbo is widely recognized as one of Louisiana’s emblematic dishes, and for good reason. This rich, soul-warming stew was born in the melting pot of 18th-century Louisiana, where enslaved Africans, French colonists, and Native American communities lived in close proximity and blended their culinary traditions into one. Whether you prefer it with chicken and sausage or loaded with seafood, the dark roux is non-negotiable.

For the authentic experience, locals head to Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans, where Leah Chase served her legendary gumbo for decades.

3

South Carolina: Shrimp and Grits

What started as a humble breakfast for Lowcountry fishermen has become South Carolina's staple dish. Creamy stone-ground grits topped with plump shrimp in a savory sauce: it's simple Southern comfort elevated to an art form.

Charleston's Hominy Grill perfected the combination throughout 24 years before closing in 2019, but the torch has been passed to spots like Slightly North of Broad, where locals still gather for their take on this classic.

4

New Mexico: Chile

New Mexico is so serious about chile that it's both the official state vegetable and the official state question: "Red or green?" refers to which chile sauce you want on everything from enchiladas to burgers.

The Shed in Santa Fe has been serving traditional New Mexican cuisine since 1953, and their red and green chile sauces are legendary.

5

Texas: Chili con carne

Texas doesn't mess around when it comes to chili; there are no beans allowed in the official state dish. Dating back to the 19th century, Texas chili is believed to have originated among cattle drivers and frontier cooks along the famous chili trail , who relied on dried chilies and tough cuts of meat to fuel long drives. Real Texas chili is all about the meat, the chilies, and the spices, slow-cooked until everything melds into something magical.

Austin's Texas Chili Parlor has been dishing it out since 1976, with regulars debating the merits of X-fire versus their milder options. The walls covered in license plates and the no-nonsense attitude make it quintessentially Texan.

6

Massachusetts: Boston Clam Chowder

At Boston's Union Oyster House, America's oldest continuously operating restaurant, the clam chowder recipe hasn't changed much since 1826 , and one spoonful tells you why. While every New England state has its own take on this creamy, thick, clam-and-potato stew—Maine keeps it simple, Rhode Island goes clear-broth, and Connecticut prefers a milky base—Boston's version has become the gold standard, beloved for its richness and depth.

The debate over who makes it best has fueled friendly regional rivalries for generations — though Legal Sea Foods makes a strong case, having served its chowder at multiple presidential inaugurations.

7

Illinois: Popcorn

Illinois is one of the top popcorn producers in the US—and in 2003, it became the official state snack, thanks to an unlikely group of advocates: a class of elementary school students from Joliet, a Chicago suburb, who made it their class project to lobby lawmakers for the designation . Governor Rod Blagojevich signed the bill into law, and popcorn joined the cardinal and the bluegill as official state symbols.

Garrett Popcorn Shops in Chicago have been making people wait in line since 1949. Their "Chicago Mix" combines buttery caramel corn with sharp cheddar cheese popcorn, and locals know to grab a bag whenever they're downtown.

8

Vermont: Apple Pie

Vermont made apple pie its official state pie in 1999, celebrating the state's apple orchards and New England baking traditions. A proper Vermont apple pie should feature tart local apples, a flaky crust, and maybe a slice of cheddar on the side .

The Blue Benn Diner in Bennington serves classic homemade apple pie that locals have been driving out of their way for since 1948.

9

Oklahoma: Fried Okra

Few vegetables are as deeply tied to Oklahoma's identity as okra. It was brought to the American South by enslaved Africans, who carried the seeds with them and wove the crop into the region's culinary fabric. Over generations, it became a cornerstone of Southern cooking.

Coated in cornmeal and fried to golden, crispy perfection, it's a staple at family gatherings and church potlucks across the state . Eischen's Bar in Okarche, Oklahoma's oldest bar, serves fried okra alongside their famous fried chicken.

10

Rhode Island: Clam Cakes and Chowder

One of Rhode Island's favorite appetizers is actually a dynamic duo: clam cakes (fried dough balls studded with chopped clams) paired with their distinctive clear clam chowder . Unlike Massachusetts' creamy version, Rhode Island keeps it brothy, more like a seafood soup without dairy (like the Boston-style one) or tomato (like the Manhattan-style one).

Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House in Narragansett has been a beachside institution since 1924. Order at the window, grab a picnic table, and watch the ocean while you eat.

1

Meryl Streep

Image: Montclair Film, CC BY 2.0

We’ll begin with a modern icon. Since her start in stage plays in 1975, Meryl Streep has completely risen to stardom, to the point of being considered by many as the very best actress of her generation.

Streep holds the distinct honor of being the most nominated actress for an Academy Award in history, with 21 nominations and 3 wins. Some of her most memorable performances include Sophie's Choice , Kramer vs. Kramer , and The Bridges of Madison County .

2

Marilyn Monroe

Image: Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0

What more can be said about the "Blonde Bombshell" that hasn’t been said before? Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, Marilyn Monroe is definitively one of America’s most famous pop icons. There’s a good reason why legendary pop artist Andy Warhol decided to immortalize her with a series of paintings: Marilyn not only perfectly encapsulates Hollywood in the '50s but also serves as a great representation of how the world sees the American dream.

Monroe’s first on-screen appearance dates back to 1947, when she briefly appeared as a waitress. Nobody knew that this small role would be followed by an extremely profitable career, which included classics like Some Like It Hot , The Seven Year Itch , and The Misfits .

3

Grace Kelly

Image: Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0

Many of the actresses on this list are considered Hollywood royalty, but only Grace Kelly holds the honor of being an actual princess. However, while her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco was truly a spectacular moment, we shouldn’t overlook the incredible career of this amazingly talented actress.

After a number of small roles, Kelly first achieved stardom with her performance in John Ford's 1953 film Mogambo , for which she was nominated for her first Academy Award. That being said, perhaps her most iconic roles are the numerous Hitchcock films she appeared in, including such classics as Dial M for Murder , Rear Window , and To Catch a Thief .

4

Judy Garland

Image: Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0

Sometimes actresses and actors are typecast after a particularly amazing role: Carrie Fisher will always be Princess Leia, Anthony Hopkins will always be Hannibal Lecter, and Judy Garland will always be remembered as the brave Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz . And while this role truly cemented Garland as an undisputed American icon, there’s so much more to this amazing actress's career.

Garland’s incredible voice and acting chops skyrocketed her to fame from an early age. One year before portraying Dorothy, she starred alongside Mickey Rooney in the 1938 film Love Finds Andy Hardy . As an adult, she received Oscar nominations for such iconic films as A Star Is Born and Judgment at Nuremberg .

5

Elizabeth Taylor

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

If there’s one thing that you probably remember about Elizabeth Taylor , it’s those hauntingly beautiful eyes of hers: They were a gorgeous blue that almost seemed to shift into a unique shade of violet under the right light. Regardless, this amazing American actress is still remembered as one of Hollywood’s most iconic legends.

Elizabeth Taylor’s many acting roles are too many to count, so we’ll leave you with a few of our favorites: two film adaptations of Tennessee Williams’ plays, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Suddenly, Last Summer , and her performance as the Queen of the Nile herself in the 1961 film Cleopatra .

6

Katharine Hepburn

Image: Volha Kudzina

Throughout her nearly sixty-year career, Katharine Hepburn amassed an impressive number of awards and accolades. Critics and fans alike adored the outspokenness, independence, and freedom that she brought to her characters. It seems only natural that her amazing talent earned her 4 Academy Awards for Best Actress, a record she holds to this day.

Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Hepburn started acting during her college years. After a very successful run on Broadway, she gained international fame after Hollywood discovered her. Her third film, Morning Glory , earned Hepburn her very first Academy Award.

7

Ginger Rogers

Image: Kyle Head

It should go without saying that all the actresses on this list have multiple talents, including singing and dancing. However, it would be a safe bet to state that Ginger Rogers , Fred Astaire’s most beloved dance partner, is the very best dancer on this list (which is definitely saying something).

Born in Independence, Missouri, but raised in Kansas City, Rogers began her career in a vaudeville act at the age of 14. In the 1930s, she met her perfect partner in crime, Fred Astaire. From 1933 to 1939, the duo starred in 9 iconic films, which completely revolutionized the Hollywood musical genre.

8

Julia Roberts

Image: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0

Julia Roberts became an instantly recognizable icon in the ‘90s, starring in such classics as Steel Magnolias , Pretty Woman , and My Best Friend’s Wedding . However, it wasn’t until the start of the new millennium that she earned her first well-deserved Academy Award, when she played the paralegal-turned-environmental activist in the 2000 film Erin Brockovich .

Nowadays, Roberts continues to shine on the silver screen. The 21st century saw her starring in films like Ocean's Eleven and Eat Pray Love . Not only that, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2014 for her performance in the 2014 TV film The Normal Heart .

9

Whoopi Goldberg

Image: Canadian Film Centre from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0

Caryn Elaine Johnson, known to the world as Whoopi Goldberg , is undeniably a jack of all trades. She is an Academy Award-winning actress, received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor for her work as a comedian, and is also a TV personality who entertains millions of American homes every day.

Whoopi first rose to prominence for her wonderful performance in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film The Color Purple , for which she received a Golden Globe for Best Actress. That first recognition was quickly followed by a myriad of awards, including an Academy Award for Ghost and an Emmy for hosting the TV show The View .

10

Rita Hayworth

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

Just like Judy Garland, many people know Rita Hayworth as "Gilda," a nickname she earned after starring in the titular 1946 film. However, there’s so much more this actress contributed to Hollywood throughout her spectacular career, so we decided to honor her life and work with this final entry.

Born Margarita Carmen Cansino, Rita was already a professional dancer by age 12, performing on stage with her father, who was also a dancer. By the time she was in her early 20s, she had already taken the world by storm, becoming one of the most profitable actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

1

The Moon landing (July 20, 1969)

The moment Neil Armstrong set foot on the lunar surface, he had millions of eyes upon him across millions of TV screens. Considered the television event of the decade, t he July 20, 1969 Moon landing broke records at a national and international level. Gathering an estimated 600 to 650 million viewers worldwide, "the small step for man, giant leap for mankind" was watched by around 125 to 150 million American viewers, representing around 93% of households with a TV. This record was not surpassed until the 1981 wedding of Lady Diana and Prince Charles.

2

"Day of Infamy" speech (December 8, 1941)

A day after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Imperial Navy, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the U.S. Congress during a joint session. His speech, which started by describing the day before as "a date which will live in infamy", was not meant to convince Congress about declaring war —which it did shortly after—but to rally a distressed and shocked nation. One of the most famous political speeches of all time, this address attracted the biggest radio audience in American history, with more than 100 million people (an estimated 81% of the adult population) tuning in.

3

The first Kennedy-Nixon debate (September 26, 1960)

The first of the 1960 presidential debates between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon does not hold the record for the most viewed debate of the century (held by the 1980 Carter-Reagan debate), but it’s nonetheless a landmark event in American television. The first televised presidential debate ever, it attracted between 66 and 77 million viewers , and it is considered one of the main reasons for the shift in public opinion in favor of Kennedy. Nixon, aged 47, the leading candidate before the broadcast, appeared exhausted and pale compared to the much younger-looking and more telegenic Kennedy, aged 43.

4

"I have a dream" speech (August 28, 1963)

The date and location of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous speech were not accidental. As part of the marches in support of President Kennedy’s proposed civil rights legislation, it coincided with the centennial of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation made by Abraham Lincoln, at whose memorial King gave his speech. Besides the massive live audience (around 250,000 people), the speech was broadcast by the three major television networks and by major radio stations in the country . Although there are no official numbers recorded, it is estimated that there were millions of viewers and listeners, including the First Family at the White House.

5

The War of the Worlds broadcast (October 30, 1938)

On October 30, 1938, CBS Radio Network broadcast a radio adaptation of H. G. Wells' The War of the Worlds , directed and narrated by Orson Welles. The first part of the broadcast was delivered as a realistic news broadcast, with reporters breaking the news about an alien invasion, which led part of the audience to panic and believe that an actual invasion was taking place. The episode had an estimated audience of 6 million, and it is thought that more than a million listeners believed it was a real broadcast.

6

The Beatles’ first U.S. television performance (February 9, 1964)

The most famous British band of all time made their American TV debut on February 9, 1964, on The Ed Sullivan Show , with an audience of 73 million viewers. The performance was highly anticipated —the broadcast network received 50,000 applications for the 728 seats available in the studio— and it is considered the starting point of American Beatlemania and the so-called "British invasion" of American music.

7

FDR's first Fireside Chat (March 12, 1933)

In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the radio became one of the main sources of entertainment and news. President Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats used the radio format as a way to connect directly with millions of weary Americans , explaining the policies that were being implemented to combat the crisis, dispelling rumors, and encouraging them to trust in the government. The friendly, informal tone of these broadcasts was highly effective in raising the nation’s morale and reducing general anxiety. With the first broadcast reaching an audience of 60 million, the Fireside Chats attracted more listeners than most of the popular radio shows, with numbers rising as America entered World War II.

8

Nixon’s resignation speech (August 8, 1974)

On August 8, 1974, President Nixon addressed the American public from the Oval Office to announce his decision to resign the following day as a result of the Watergate scandal and under the threat of an impending impeachment. Besides an ample radio audience, the televised speech was watched by 90 to 110 million television viewers. While the reactions of the public were mixed, the speech had an unprecedented impact and is considered one of the most important political speeches of that era.

9

_Roots_’ final episode (January 30, 1977)

The production and broadcast of the 1977 Roots miniseries was a milestone in itself. Only a few years before, tensions around the Civil Rights movement had shaken America, and some thought that airing a story that put the enslavement of Black people in the spotlight was a huge risk. But audience numbers proved them wrong: with around 29 million households tuning in for the first episode, the series became a cultural phenomenon that sparked conversations about race, ancestry, and American history. The final episode, with more than 100 million viewers —more than half of the U.S. population— was the most-watched TV episode of the time, and the second-most-watched overall series finale in U.S. history.

10

Super Bowl XVI (January 24, 1982)

Nowadays, it’s not surprising that sports events like the Super Bowl have a huge television audience, but things were different in the 1980s. Super Bowl XVI, played on January 24, 1982, in Michigan, with the San Francisco 49ers facing the Cincinnati Bengals, was watched by more than 85 million people, breaking all broadcasting records of the time .

11

Louis-Schmeling rematch (June 22, 1938)

When Joe Louis faced the German boxer Max Schmeling for the first time in 1936, everyone predicted that Schmeling would lose against the undefeated and rising Louis. To the world’s surprise, Schmeling won by knockout. Their rematch two years later was not only Louis’ opportunity to change the result and defeat Schmeling , but it was also charged by the increasing political tensions between Hitler’s Germany and the U.S. Besides its huge live audience at Yankee Stadium, the fight had a record audience of 70 million people in America, with an additional 30 million estimated listeners from other countries.