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Long Tom

Image: Richard Hedrick

This nickname refers to a Founding Father, one of our nation's earliest presidents, famously born in Virginia. Author of the Declaration of Independence, he also oversaw the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Monticello was his home, now a museum and historical site. You know who we're talking about, don't you?

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Grand Wrestler

Image: Fiona Murray-deGraaff

This is certainly a powerful nickname, right? And it was attributed to a great man who led our nation during the Civil War. Author of the famous Gettysburg Address , he is also famous for having issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. His beard and stovepipe hat are forever etched in our memory. What's your guess?

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American Fabius

Image: Matt Briney

Quintus Fabius Maximus was a Roman general known for his astute strategies during the Punic Wars. In honour of that general and for the clever tactics he deployed during a conflict in our country's history, one of our presidents earned the nickname "American Fabius". He was also nicknamed "The father of his country." Do you know who we are referring to?

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The Human Iceberg

Image: Annie Spratt

This nickname may seem a bit harsh, perhaps even exaggerated. "The Human Iceberg" was given to our 23rd president, who led the country from 1889 to 1893, due to his rather stiff and reserved demeanor.

Before becoming president, this commander-in-chief served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and he was also the grandson of a former president! Do you know who he is?

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Old Man Eloquent

Image: Tim Mossholder

The man who was known as "Old Man Eloquent" not only served as president, but also served in the US House of Representatives for nearly 17 years. Before becoming president, he helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. Additionally, he was the son of the 2nd president of the United States!

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His Little Majesty

Image: rupixen

This is another nickname that points to physical features, and we could say it was not used with the best intentions. However, this president was also proudly known as the "Father of the Constitution." In addition, he served two consecutive terms and led the country through the War of 1812. If you want to know who he is, keep reading!

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Long Tom: Thomas Jefferson

Image: Alicia Razuri

Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of our country, was very tall, a feature that earned him the nickname "Long Tom." He was 6' 2'', making him one of the tallest presidents in US history. According to descriptions from the time, President Jefferson was well-proportioned, and his height was above average compared to his contemporaries. Did you know that?

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Grand Wrestler: Abraham Lincoln

Image: Ed Fr

At 6' 4'', Abraham Lincoln was slightly taller than Thomas Jefferson, but his nickname "Grand Wrestler" came not from his height but from his impressive wrestling skills. That's right! As a young man, the 16th US President was a fantastic wrestler, and his athleticism and physical toughness were outstanding qualities even in his later years.

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American Fabius: George Washington

Image: Priscilla Gyamfi

Before becoming the 1st president of the United States, George Washington served as the Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was known for his clever, strategic use of attrition, avoiding massive battles and conserving troops, a tactic that contributed enormously to the American victory.

He earned the nickname "American Fabius" because his techniques resembled those of the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus, who fought against Hannibal's Carthaginian forces during the Second Punic War.

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The Human Iceberg: Benjamin Harrison

Image: René DeAnda

Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, earned the nickname "The Human Iceberg" due to his reserved and formal character in both political and social interactions. However, despite this rather harsh nickname, many admired his seriousness and intellect.

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Old Man Eloquent: John Quincy Adams

Image: Larry Ferreira

You were right! "Old Man Eloquent" is the nickname given to John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States, who was also the son of the 2nd president, John Adams.

As we mentioned, he served in the US House of Representatives for 17 years, and it was during that time that his excellent oratory skills and great speeches truly stood out, earning him this peculiar yet favorable alias.

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His Little Majesty: James Madison

Image: Richard Hedrick

Unlike Lincoln and Jefferson, James Madison was known for his short stature. His 5' 4'' made him the shortest president in US history and earned him the nickname "His Little Majesty".

Initially used by his adversaries, the moniker later took on a more humorous and even affectionate tone, with the word "Majesty" emphasizing Madison's strong and important role in shaping our nation.

1

Gilroy Garlic Festival - Gilroy, California

Image: Mitch Hodiondo

This July festival has been going strong since 1979, serving up everything from garlic fries to garlic-infused desserts that'll make you question everything you thought you knew about sweetness. The festival draws over 80,000 garlic enthusiasts who aren't afraid of a little breath situation.

Beyond the obvious eating opportunities, you'll find cook-offs, live entertainment, and enough garlic braids to decorate every kitchen in America. The Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen pageant is a real thing, and yes, contestants probably smell amazing.

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Maine Lobster Festival - Rockland, Maine

Image: Michelle Tsang

Every August, this coastal town transforms into lobster paradise, where over 20,000 pounds of the crustaceans meet their delicious destiny in a five-day celebration of all things clawed and buttery. The festival serves lobster every way imaginable: boiled, in rolls, and in bisque.

Between lobster courses, you can watch the Maine Sea Goddess Coronation, browse hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, or catch big-name musical acts on the harbor stage. The parade is a charming small-town affair that reminds you why these festivals beat fancy restaurants every time.

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National Cherry Festival - Traverse City, Michigan

Image: Reza Yaghoobian

Michigan's cherry country goes absolutely bonkers every July with eight days of cherry-flavored everything in one of the prettiest settings you'll ever see. We're talking cherry pie-eating contests, cherry pancake breakfasts, cherry salsa, and enough cherry wine to make you wonder why you ever drank grape-based beverages.

The festival isn't just about cherries: there are air shows, parades, live concerts, and a sand sculpture contest that'll make you feel inadequate about your beach castle skills. You can even participate in the Very Cherry 5K if you want to pretend you're being healthy before eating your weight in cherry pie.

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New Orleans Wine & Food Experience - New Orleans, Louisiana

Image: Yuri Krupenin

Every May, this city throws a five-day celebration that combines world-class wine with Creole and Cajun cuisine. This is a sophisticated affair with celebrity chef dinners, wine seminars, and events in stunning French Quarter locations that make you feel fancy even with hot sauce on your shirt.

The Royal Street Stroll is the main event, where you can sample dishes from over 50 restaurants while sipping wine and listening to jazz, because New Orleans doesn't do anything halfway. This festival showcases why New Orleans is considered one of America's greatest food cities.

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Taste of Chicago - Chicago, Illinois

Image: Stéfano Girardelli

The Windy City hosts one of the world's largest food festivals every July, transforming Grant Park into a massive outdoor dining room where deep-dish pizza competes with Italian beef sandwiches for your affection. Since 1980, this free-admission festival has been drawing millions of visitors who want to sample Chicago's legendary food scene without the hassle of restaurant reservations.

With over 300 menu items from dozens of local restaurant s, you can eat your way through Chicago's diverse neighborhoods without leaving the park. There are cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music on multiple stages, and enough food vendors to ensure you'll need a nap by 2 PM.

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Hatch Chile Festival - Hatch, New Mexico

Image: L'Odyssée Belle

Every Labor Day weekend, this tiny town of 1,600 people swells to over 30,000 as chile pepper fanatics make their annual pilgrimage to the "Chile Capital of the World." The Hatch chile is famous for its unique flavor—earthy, smoky, and just spicy enough to make things interesting without requiring a fire extinguisher. You'll find them roasted, stuffed, turned into salsa, baked into bread , and mixed into ice cream for the adventurous.

The festival is wonderfully unpretentious, with a parade featuring the Chile Queen, live music, arts and crafts, and the kind of small-town charm that makes you want to move to New Mexico. Watching massive roasters tumble thousands of fresh chiles while their aroma fills the air is oddly mesmerizing.

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Pebble Beach Food & Wine - Pebble Beach, California

Image: Phakphoom Srinorajan

This April event on the stunning Monterey Peninsula is where celebrity chefs, renowned winemakers, and beautiful people gather to celebrate the finer things in life. Set against the backdrop of Pebble Beach's legendary golf courses and dramatic coastline, this is food festival luxury at its finest, with Grand Tasting pavilions, intimate chef dinners, and wine seminars.

You might spot a celebrity chef or two wandering around, and the event attracts serious food lovers willing to splurge for unforgettable culinary experiences. From fresh seafood to innovative cuisine that looks too pretty to eat, this festival proves that California knows how to combine stunning scenery with exceptional food.

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Vermont Cheesemakers Festival - Shelburne, Vermont

Image: Luba Glazunova

Every August, cheese lovers gather at Shelburne Farms, a stunning 1,400-acre estate overlooking Lake Champlain, for what might be the most civilized food festival in America. We're talking award-winning artisan cheeses from over 40 local cheesemakers, paired with local beers, ciders, and wines in a setting so picturesque you'll think you've wandered onto a movie set.

The festival celebrates Vermont's thriving cheese culture with tastings, demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities to chat with the actual cheesemakers who'll explain why their cheddar is superior to everyone else's (they're all correct, somehow). Live music, children's activities, and farm tours round out the experience, making it perfect for the whole family.

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Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - Orlando, Florida

Image: Paul Lievens

Disney World's Epcot park transforms every fall into a global food court, with over 30 international marketplaces serving small plates from around the world. Running from late August through November, this is the longest food festival on our list, giving you plenty of chances to "drink around the world" while pretending you're culturally enriching yourself. From French wine to German beer to Canadian pretzel bread, you can passport-stamp your palate without airport security.

Sure, it's touristy, but it's also surprisingly delicious and incredibly convenient—where else can you eat in Morocco, drink in Italy, and catch fireworks over a lagoon all in one afternoon? Celebrity chef demonstrations, beverage seminars, and live concerts (included with park admission) make this festival a surprising value despite Disney's reputation for expensive hot dogs.

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Boudin, Bourbon & Beer Festival - New Iberia, Louisiana

Image: Hybrid Storytellers

In October festival celebrates the holy trinity of Louisiana living: boudin sausage, bourbon, and beer. Held in the charming downtown district, this relatively new festival has quickly become a favorite for anyone who wants to experience authentic Cajun culture .

Local restaurants compete for the best boudin recipe while musicians play zydeco and Cajun music that'll have you dancing whether you know how or not. The bourbon and beer selections showcase both Louisiana craft beverages and national favorites, creating pairing opportunities you never knew you needed.

1

1959: (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I

Image: Victrola Record Players

To better understand the music of the 1960s in the United States, one must first go back to the previous decade and revisit the major influences. The music of this era, especially rock and roll, stood out for its rebellious energy, strident guitar chords, and lyrics with messages of freedom.

And perhaps the greatest representative of this cultural change was the great Elvis Presley. In 1959 Elvis released "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I". The song, composed by Bill Trader, had already been recorded years before by other artists, but the King of Rock 'n' Roll's version became a platinum record. Thanks to Elvis and other iconic musicians such as Bill Haley and His Comets, Chuck Berry, and Fats Domino, at the beginning of the 1960s the music world stood on the verge of a true revolution.

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1960: Will You Love Me Tomorrow

Image: chienba

One of the groups that defined the sound of the 60s was The Shirelles, and one of the songs that helped them reach the top was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", released in November 1960.

This song composed by Carole King and Gerry Goffin was not only The Shirelles' first number 1, but also became the first song by an African-American girl group to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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1961: Stand by Me

Image: Bru-nO

"Stand by Me" is probably one of the most beloved songs of all time. Not only was this song a massive hit when singer-songwriter Ben E. King released it in 1961, it was later listed as "the fourth most performed song of the 20th century". No wonder! It was recorded over 400 times by many notable artists such as Otis Redding, John Lennon, Tracy Chapman, and Florence and the Machine, among others.

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1962: The Twist

Image: Sprinter_Lucio

Originally this song was released in 1958 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters and later covered by Chubby Checker in 1960. However, two years later something incredible happened that would not be repeated until 59 years later. Checker's version of "The Twist" resurfaced in January 1962 setting a record as the only song to reach number 1 in two different runs. Do you remember this amazing hit inspired by the twist dance craze?

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1963: Be My Baby

Image: BRUNO CERVERA

Released in August 1963, "Be My Baby" was The Ronettes' biggest hit. Composed by legendary record producer and songwriter Phil Spector, this song is regarded as the quintessential example of his Wall of Sound recording technique.

"Be My Baby" reached number 2 in the U.S., has been played on radio and TV over 3 million times, and has influenced dozens of artists of the golden era of rock and pop music.

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1964: Oh, Pretty Woman

Image: Jack de Nijs for Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Long before the famous film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, "Oh, Pretty Woman" was an instant success. Released in August 1964, this song was the biggest hit of Roy Orbison, a major player in American popular music of the 1960s.

Orbison was inspired by his wife Claudette, which seems to have brought him luck: the song quickly reached number 1 and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

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1965: Like a Rolling Stone

Image: Brett Jordan

Right in the middle of the decade, the leading exponents of the music scene of the time seem to have reached the pinnacle of creativity. Many songs that are still iconic today were released in 1965: "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)" by Otis Redding, "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" by The Byrds, "The Sound of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel, and "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas & the Papas.

But perhaps the one who broke the mold and changed the history of music forever was Bob Dylan with his mythical song "Like a Rolling Stone". The worldwide hit not only remained at number 2 on the US Billboard charts for three months (the first song of its length to do so) but also marked Dylan's transformation from folk singer to rock star.

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1966: God Only Knows

Image: Photographer: Sam Psoras, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Another turning point in the history of American music is the release of Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. The album, released in May 1966, is made up of one hit after another: "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "You Still Believe in Me", just to name a few.

But probably one of the record’s greatest songs is the sophisticated and innovative "God Only Knows". Despite being an unusual sound for the group, some consider it the most beautiful melody ever composed. Even great musicians like Paul McCartney have picked it as their favorite song of all time. Undoubtedly, it is a work of art born from the brilliant mind of Brian Wilson.

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1967: Sunday Morning

Image: Anastasia Saldatava

The debut studio album by the American rock band The Velvet Underground will forever be remembered for the famous banana on the cover designed by Andy Warhol and for being one of the most influential albums of the 60s.

Although the album was too controversial when it was released in March 1967 and initially was a commercial flop, over time the songs became legendary. For example, "Sunday Morning", with Nico's haunting vocals, a dreamy melody, and cheeky lyrics was recorded with the intention of making a hit. And in our humble opinion, it more than delivers!

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1968: I Heard It Through the Grapevine

Image: Travis Yewell

Although it had been recorded before by other Motown Records artists, Marvin Gaye’s version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" released in October 1968 is the one that went to the top of the Billboard Pop Singles chart and stayed for seven weeks. Since then, the song has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is considered an acclaimed soul classic.

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1969: I Want You Back

Image: Pexels

Another of Motown Records' iconic artists of the 1960s were the Jackson 5. "I Want You Back" is the first national single by the band in which a very young Michael Jackson took his first steps.

Released in October 1969 the song was performed on the band's first television appearances and became an instant hit. "I Want You Back" was number 1 on the Billboard charts and has sold over 6 million copies worldwide.

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Bonus: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Image: Rob Bogaerts / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite the innovation experienced in rock and pop in the previous decade, the most successful song of 1970 was the work of a folk group, proving that the genre had not been forgotten and would forever be a staple of American music.

Recorded with a technique similar to Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" and inspired by gospel music, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was Simon & Garfunkel's most successful single. The song won five Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year. Since then, more than 50 artists —including Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, and Elvis Presley— have released their own version of the beloved hit.