1

"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston

Image: Ransford Quaye

This legendary ballad was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973. When the song was selected for the The Bodyguard soundtrack , the producers were initially hesitant. They were about to choose a different song for Whitney Houston, but everything changed in a second. Once they heard her sing it, they knew they couldn't pass it up. Today, it's considered one of her most iconic performances!

2

"Purple Rain" by Prince

Image: Doyoun Seo

While we can't imagine a world without the iconic "Purple Rain," it almost wasn't released! At first, Prince conceived the song as a duet with Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, but she turned it down, saying the piece felt too overwhelming. Prince then trimmed the original version (the final still runs over 8 minutes) as the theme was considered too complex and extensive. Fortunately, after those arrangements, it was released on the album of the same name in 1984 and became one of his most legendary works.

3

"Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson

Image: Mathew Browne

The Thriller album wouldn’t be the same without the incomparable "Billie Jean"! But did you know that it almost didn't make the cut? Believe it or not, the album's producer didn't like the song and thought the title might confuse people, especially due to its similarity to tennis player Billie Jean King's name. He even suggested changing not just the title, but also the iconic bass intro. Fortunately, Jackson stood his ground, and the song became a turning point in his career!

4

"Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica

Image: Yurii Stupen

Metallica gave us the incredible ballad "Nothing Else Matters," later covered by multiple artists and bands around the world. But vocalist James Hetfield almost deprived us of this beautiful work! As he tells it, he composed the ballad on the road while missing his home and family. However, when his spirits lifted, Hetfield worried that the song might be too personal, and perhaps too soft for Metallica's heavy metal vibe. Fortunately, when the band members heard it, they loved it and convinced him to include it on The Black Album .

5

"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi

Image: andre mosele

Who hasn't sung " Whoaaaa, we're halfway there, whoa-ooooh, livin' on a prayer " at the top of their lungs? We certainly have! But, strangely enough, Jon Bon Jovi almost kept this anthem a secret . When he first heard the full version of the song, he wasn’t convinced—he thought it was too simplistic and might not resonate with fans. Thankfully, his bandmates saw something special in it and convinced him to give it a chance.

6

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana

Image: Jurian Kersten

The legendary Kurt Cobain wrote "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as a protest against the polished pop hits dominating the music scene—but the result didn’t convince him. He was worried that the song would become too mainstream, given its commercial appeal. After some debate, the producer and the band convinced him to record it. To this day, it's one of the band's most iconic tracks and a defining anthem of the entire grunge movement!

7

"Like a Prayer" by Madonna

Image: Jonathan J. Castellon

"Like a Prayer" by Madonna is one of the most famous hits in pop music history. But the religious imagery in both the song and its music video raised concerns among her producers and record label executives, who feared an intense backlash that could affect the singer's career. Although it’s said that Madonna herself was initially hesitant as well, the song was not only released but also became one of her defining anthems.

8

"Sweet Child O’ Mine" by Guns N’ Roses

Image: Simon Weisser

Although it may be hard to believe, a record company once considered "Sweet Child O' Mine" unrepresentative of Guns N’ Roses’ sound. In fact, it’s said that Slash’s now-iconic guitar riff started out as an ironic joke! When the rest of the band heard it and wanted to build a song around it, he flatly refused. Luckily for the fans, the song did come out, and it also became the band's only number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100!

9

"1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins

Image: Francisco Moreno

Although many of us love "1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins, it was almost left off their album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness . The song, written by lead singer Billy Corgan, was initially rejected by the band because they felt it didn't fit with the overall vibe of the album. Fortunately, after hearing the completed track, they realized how unique it was and decided to include it.

10

"What’s Going On" by Marvin Gaye

Image: Caio Silva

One of the most iconic songs in American music history, "What's Going On," almost didn't see the light of day. When Marvin Gaye brought the track to Motown founder Berry Gordy, he was met with resistance. Gordy felt the song’s social and political themes were too risky and potentially controversial. But Gaye was determined. He pushed forward and recorded it anyway—and thanks to that decision, we have this timeless masterpiece today.

1

Nuestra Señora de Atocha (Our Lady of Atocha)

Image: NOAA

A ship that sank off the coast of the Florida Keys in 1622, the Nuestra Señora de Atocha is, to this day, the most valuable shipwreck ever recovered. Originally bound from Havana, Cuba to Spain, the Atocha was loaded with a large treasure, ranging from copper and gems to gold and indigo from the Spanish colonies.

But, shortly after launching from port, a major hurricane caught the ship and destroyed the Atocha , which sank 56 feet beneath the surface. In 1985, treasure hunters rediscovered the wreck off the coast of the Florida Keys. Currently holding a Guinness World Record for its recovered value, the Atocha is a continual treasure trove for divers and fortune hunters alike.

2

SS Republic

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

A ship that served both the US and Confederate governments, the SS Republic sank in 1865 during a hurricane off the coast of Georgia. After the Civil War, the Republic carried passengers and cargo from New York to New Orleans. On October 20, 1865, a hurricane off the coast of Georgia damaged the ship, which sank around four in the afternoon.

As a result of the sinking, the cargo was lost with the ship until 2003, when a commercial archaeology company rediscovered the wreck approximately 100 miles from Savannah, Georgia. About a third of the coins that were on board the ship have been recovered, and are now valued at over USD 75 million.

3

The Whydah Gally

Image: NOAA

The Whydah Gally was intended for service in the British Empire before it was captured by the infamous pirate Samuel "Black Sam" Bellamy. As Bellamy and his crew approached the Massachusetts coast the weather turned, creating a violent nor’easter cyclone. The ship capsized and its cargo, 144-man crew, and captain were consequently thrust into the sea.

In 1984, underwater archaeologist Barry Clifford discovered the Whydah Gally. Since its rediscovery, many artifacts have been retrieved from the ship, including the ship’s bell , inscribed with the words: "THE WHYDAH GALLY 1716." This helped authenticate the Whydah as the first pirate shipwreck to ever be found and confirmed.

4

SS Central America

Image: Giuseppe Murabito

The SS Central America was an American sidewheel steamer that operated between the East Coast and Central America. In September 1857, carrying 477 passengers, 101 crewmembers, 38,000 pieces of mail, and 30,000 pounds of gold harvested during the California Gold Rush to New York City, the Central America was engulfed by a Category 2 hurricane.

At the time of the boat’s sinking, over 400 people were still on board, making it the most deadly of any American commercial boat disaster. The gold on board was also lost. In 1988, explorer Tommy Gregory Thompson found the ship, and up to three tons of gold were excavated, leading to long legal battles that have continued to the present day.

5

SS Georgiana

Image: Jason Mavrommatis

The SS Georgiana was a Confederate steamer. Built in Scotland, the ship sailed its maiden voyage in 1863 to Charleston, South Carolina, where it was expected to be outfitted by Confederate soldiers. However, the Georgiana was not armed with any guns on its first journey and approached its destination on March 19, 1863, with minimal defense.

A member of a Union blockade alerted the nearby battleship USS Wissahickon , which shot and pierced both sides of the ship’s hull. Captain Davidson, signaled a surrender to the Union blockade before beaching the boat. Before the beached ship could be boarded Davidson purposefully sank the boat, before escaping to land with his entire crew. Found on March 19, 1965, the Georgiana was lost for exactly 102 years before its discovery.

6

Edmund Fitzgerald

Image: Nott Peera

Arguably one of the most famous shipwrecks in American history , the Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship on the Great Lakes until 1971. The freighter was fatally wrecked on Lake Superior during the winter of 1975, with all her crew losing their lives.

The exact cause of the sinking, with no outward signs of severe damage, is still heavily debated. The prominent theories include the vessel running aground or suffering damage during the storm. A U.S. Navy Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft discovered the wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald in November 1975, 15 miles west of Deadman’s Cove, Ontario.

7

Carl D. Bradley

Image: Sandra Seitamaa

The SS Carl D. Bradley , a Great Lakes freighter built in 1927, was popularly known as the "Queen of the Lakes" because it was the longest and largest freighter on the Great Lakes at the time. In 1957, it collided with another vessel , the MV White Rose , causing damage to the hull.

It was caught in a storm in November of the same year and sank in Lake Michigan, killing 33 of the 35 crew members. The sinking was caused by structural damage caused by the poor choice of steel used in its construction. The wreck, lying 360 feet under the water, was discovered in 1959 by the Army Corps of Engineers.

8

Lady Elgin

Image: ALDO DE PASCALE

The Lady Elgin was a wooden-hulled steamship built in 1851 that served on the Great Lakes as a passenger ship. On September 6, 1860, while returning from Chicago, the vessel sank in an unfortunate accident.

While facing a strong gale, it was rammed by the schooner Augusta of Oswego and, due to the damages caused by the collision, the vessel sank sometime later, resulting in the death of more than 300 people. Though the exact number remains unknown since the manifest was lost during the accident, it remains one of the worst shipwrecks in the region.

9

SS Eastland

Image: Anton Repponen

The SS Eastland was a Chicago-based passenger ship , used for tours. On 24 July 1915, the ship rolled over onto its side while tied to a dock in the Chicago River. In total, 844 passengers and crew were killed in what was the largest loss of life from a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes.

After the disaster, the Eastland was salvaged and sold to the United States Navy which, after restorations and modifications, designated it a gunboat and renamed it USS Wilmette . It was used primarily as a training vessel on the Great Lakes and was scrapped after World War II.

10

Wyoming

Image: rashid

The largest wooden ship ever built , the Wyoming was a six-masted schooner built, completed in 1909 in Bath, Maine. It had a length of 450 ft from jib-boom tip to spanker boom tip.

Because of its extreme length and wood construction, the Wyoming tended to flex in heavy seas, which would cause the long planks to twist and buckle, allowing sea water to intrude into the vessel. For this reason, the Wyoming had to use pumps to keep itself relatively free of water. In March 1924, it foundered in heavy seas and sank with the loss of all hands.

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.