1

George and Martha Washington

Image: Matt Briney

As the first presidential couple of the United States, the union of George and Martha Washington is undoubtedly one of the most important in our history.

George met Martha in 1758. At the time, she was a recent widow with two children, and he was a young officer who soon fell in love with her. Their connection was so strong that they got engaged after just a few months of knowing each other.

George and Martha married on January 6, 1759, and moved to the iconic Mount Vernon, to which they returned in 1797, after George's presidency.

To this day, some of his love letters to her have been preserved, proof of the deep love they had for each other.

2

Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King

Image: Neal Sweeney

We all have that cupid friend who finds the perfect match for each of their buddies. The great Martin Luther King Jr. also had a friend who introduced him to the woman who would become the love of his life, Coretta Scott.

Martin and Coretta met in Boston in 1952. They went on a date and quickly discovered many shared values and interests. United by their ideals, they fell in love and were married the following year in Alabama.

Together, they drew strength from one another, building a partnership that led to transformative and lasting changes for our country.

3

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy

Image: Jeremy Wong Weddings

A congressman and a journalist working for the Washington Times-Herald. The two were John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier, who met in 1952 at a dinner party in Washington, D.C.

Just like MLK and Coretta, JFK and Jackie quickly discovered many shared interests and ideals, and the crush was immediate.

John proposed to Jackie, and their engagement was announced in June 1953. They were married in September of that year. Their wedding, celebrated in Rhode Island, was attended by over 700 guests!

In 1960, JFK was elected President of the United States, and Jackie became the iconic First Lady we all came to know .

4

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash

Image: Ahmed Rizkhaan

Love often arrives when least expected, and that's what happened to Johnny Cash and June Carter while touring together in the late 1950s. Both were married to other people when they met. Their connection was immediate and undeniable, but it took several years before they decided to be together.

Johnny was anything but reserved with his marriage proposal: he proposed to June during a live show in Ontario, Canada, in 1968! Fortunately, she said yes, and they married in March of that same year.

Their deep love was reflected in several duets they performed together, such as "Far Side Banks of Jordan," "Jackson," and "The Loving Gift."

This country love story remains one of the most iconic in U.S. music history, and they are both fondly remembered.

5

Amelia Earhart and George Putnam

Image: Tomas Martinez

Love, respect, and admiration were among the pillars of the relationship between pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart and George Putnam.

Amelia Earhart was already an experienced aviator when she met Putnam, a publisher and promoter. In 1928, Putnam offered her an investment to help her become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. This professional relationship evolved into a personal one, which eventually became a love story.

Amelia and George married on February 7, 1931 , in an intimate ceremony. However, the journey to that moment was far from easy: George had to ask Amelia to marry him several times before she finally said yes!

6

Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt

Image: freestocks

Eleanor Roosevelt was 17 years old when she met her future husband in the summer of 1902 . We're talking about Franklin Delano Roosevelt , who was Eleanor's fifth cousin once removed and the future president of our nation.

From the moment they met, they began to secretly correspond and became engaged the following year. Some people opposed this union, such as Franklin's mother, Sara Ann Delano. However, love was stronger, and they ended up making their relationship public and getting married on March 17, 1905.

As it is known, the one who gave the bride away was none other than Theodore Roosevelt, president at the time and Eleanor's uncle.

7

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean

Image: israel palacio

Maintaining a love story under the scrutiny of the public eye is not easy.

However, Dolly Parton and Carl Dean achieved this and much more for more than 50 years! An example of patience, commitment, and resilience, this couple met in 1964, shortly after Dolly moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue her music career.

Dean, a businessman, preferred to keep a low profile despite Dolly's fame, but this did not stop them from marrying on May 30, 1966, in a private ceremony.

To this day, they continue to accompany and support each other.

8

John and Abigail Adams

Image: Sandy Millar

John Adams , our country's second president, met Abigail Smith in 1759 . She was a cultured and intelligent young woman who aroused John's interest. They married in 1764 and had five children. In November of 1800, they became the first presidential couple to live in the Executive Mansion, later known as The White House.

To this day, more than 1,100 of John and Abigail's letters are preserved, displaying the deep love, respect, and complicity they shared. In these letters, John referred to his wife as "Miss Adorable," isn't it the cutest detail?

9

Bonnie and Clyde

Image: Tengyart

The names Bonnie and Clyde are so intertwined that it's hard to think of one without the other.

During the Great Depression era, these two outlaws captured the attention of the press and public due to their unbreakable bond, which survived despite their criminal lives.

The two met in Texas in 1930, and, as the story goes, they quickly fell in love. They and their gang committed various types of crimes in several states across our country for a couple of years, managing to evade the law.

However, their luck ran out in 1934 when they were ambushed and fatally wounded by the police in the state of Louisiana.

10

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Image: Hisu lee

Next time you're invited to a fancy event, make sure to go! You might meet the love of your life. This was the case for the iconic actress Grace Kelly , who met Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1955 at the glamorous Cannes Film Festival.

The two exchanged letters over a period before making their relationship official. The prince would visit Grace in the United States, and she would also travel to Monaco.

He proposed to her in December 1955. The union became a global sensation, captivating the press worldwide due to her fame and his royal position. The event that became known as the "Wedding of the Century" took place in April of the next year. She retired from her acting career, and the couple had three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stéphanie.

1

Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi

One could say that the "Cola Wars" began in the early 1900s, but in all truth, they exploded during the TV ad boom of the 1970s and 1980s . Both brands poured millions into marketing, celebrity endorsements, and taste-test campaigns.

While Pepsi tried to appear youthful and rebellious, Coke leaned on its classic Americana image. Everyone has a favorite. Which one is yours?

Image: Declan Sun

2

McDonald’s vs. Burger King

Since the 1950s, these two massive burger chains have fought to define the American fast-food experience. McDonald’s boasted consistency and golden arches recognized worldwide, while Burger King prided itself on flame-grilled flavor .

Each tried to outdo the other with catchy slogans and mascots. Even today, "Have it your way" and "I’m lovin’ it" can be heard and seen from locations all over the world.

Image: P Kara

3

Hatfields vs. McCoys

In the hills along the border between Kentucky and West Virginia, two families embarked on a bloody feud after the Civil War. What began as a dispute over land and livestock transformed into years of violence and revenge .

The feud became a national symbol of rural grudges and lawlessness. Thankfully, today, descendants have made peace.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

4

Democrats vs. Republicans

Since the 19th century, America’s two main political parties have clashed over nearly everything : economics, social policy, and even the role of government itself. Their competition defines national elections.

Though the issues evolve, the rivalry remains constant. Campaign slogans change, but the fight for America’s political throne never ends.

Image: Zoshua Colah

5

Ford vs. Chevrolet

In garages and racetracks across the country, Ford and Chevy fans have argued for generations . From muscle cars to pickup trucks, their rivalry helped shape the American auto identity.

Each brand claimed better performance, style, or reliability. "Built Ford Tough" and "Like a Rock" became slogans that shaped the automobile industry in America.

Image: Dimitri Karastelev

6

Apple vs. Microsoft

Two tech titans named Steve Jobs and Bill Gates , fought for control of the personal computer revolution for decades. Microsoft’s software dominated offices, while Apple excelled in design and innovation .

Their contrasting visions fueled decades of progress and shaped modern computing. Today, the rivalry continues in phones, tablets, and the cloud.

Image: Sahej Brar

7

Nike vs. Adidas

What began as a sneaker battle grew into a global pop culture competition . Nike’s swoosh symbolized American innovation, while Adidas built on European craftsmanship and sport heritage.

Athletes, rappers, and fashion icons fueled the feud. From basketball courts to runways, the feud is very much alive and well.

Image: Malia Moore

8

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Baseball’s most storied rivalry dates back to 1919, when Boston sold Babe Ruth to New York . The "Curse of the Bambino" haunted Red Sox fans for generations.

Decades of heartbreak and dramatic comebacks ensued, and the fans make sure to keep it that way, at least for the fun of it.

Image: Sudan Ouyang

9

Hamilton vs. Burr

In the early days of the country, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s political rivalry turned into personal hatred. Their ideological clashes came to a head in 1804.

They met for a duel in New Jersey, where Hamilton was fatally shot . The tragic encounter became one of early America’s defining stories.

Image: Florian Herzog

10

Elvis Presley vs. The Beatles

When The Beatles first came to America in the 1960s, f ans drew lines between the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and the Fab Four . Each represented a cultural moment and a musical evolution.

Though they met once, their contrasting styles symbolized changing generations, and the fictitious rivalry was fueled by the fans.

Image: Max Kukurudziak

11

Edison vs. Tesla

The famous "War of Currents" placed inventor Thomas Edison’s direct current against Nikola Tesla’s alternating current . Both dreamed of lighting up America, but only one system could win.

Their competition sparked demonstrations, smear campaigns, and innovation. In the end, Tesla’s AC prevailed, but Edison’s legacy lives to this day.

Image: Alex Haney

12

Lakers vs. Celtics

For a long time, the NBA’s biggest rivalry has crossed coasts and generations. The Celtics dominated the early years, while the Lakers reigned in more recent decades.

From Russell vs. Chamberlain to Magic vs. Bird, their clashes created unforgettable moments in basketball history.

1

Stars & Stripes Drive-In, Texas

Image: Josh Sanabria

The first entry on our list is a drive-in located in New Braunfels, Texas , that brings a breath of fresh air to the industry, having opened its doors as recently as 2003. It features three screens, all of which play double features on weekends, as well as a ’ 50s-themed café snack bar with an extensive menu, serving everything from Frito Pie and Funnel Cakes to Mexican sandwiches and box dinners, such as steak fingers served with fries, corn fritters, and gravy.

2

Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre, Pennsylvania

Image: David Clode

The oldest operating drive-in theater in the country, Shankweiler’s opened in 1934 in Orefield and operates year-round—even in those tough Pennsylvania winters. The theater shows double features on weekends, has a decent snack bar, and even offers visitors two drive-up party rental spaces , each of which holds about 15 people, in case you were wondering if such a thing was possible.

3

Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Theatre, Illinois

Image: Tim Mossholder

Don’t let its 70 years of existence fool you, the Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In has one of the most modern and environmentally friendly features you could possibly find in an establishment of this kind: it is the country’s only wind-powered drive-in theater. The wind turbines power the theater’s screens, speakers, projectors, and snack bars. Additionally, the venue uses LED lighting and encourages recycling among its visitors.

It’s not often that one sees such a commitment to future generations from an establishment as old as this one!

4

Fairlee Motel, Vermont

Image: Manuell Tony

Imagine going to the movies and being able to sleep right there if you are too tired. That’s exactly what the Fairlee offers. A combination drive-in and motel, this venue lets you watch a show and then stay overnight. The theater and the roadside motel have both been open since 1950.

The snack bar comes especially recommended by locals for its burgers made with beef raised on the property owners’ farm.

5

Park Place Drive-In Theater, Virginia

Image: Pixabay

If you’re in Marion, Virginia , and have a craving for a round of mini-golf, the Park Place Drive-In is a sure bet. This one-stop shop for family entertainment offers not only a night out at the movies but also access to an ice cream shop and a mini-golf course . Play 18 holes of putt-putt, grab a scoop or two of Hershey’s Ice Cream, and then head over to the theater for a movie.

6

Rubidoux Drive-In, California

Image: RDNE Stock project

If a 1948 Art Deco-themed screen wasn’t appealing enough, the Rubidoux Drive-In also featured a petting zoo and a miniature railroad , among other family-oriented attractions. Alas, those two features have closed for the time being. Still, the drive-in theater offers plenty of amenities for families to enjoy on their visits.

The theater features two additional screens, aside from the Art Deco one, each of which plays double features on weekends.

7

Bengies Drive-In Theatre, Maryland

Image: Jeremy Yap

If you’ve ever wondered how big the biggest drive-in cinema screen in the country is, this one takes the prize. Bengies Drive-In has a screen that measures 52 by 120 feet, making it the largest in the United States.

This is an important feature, not just because of the cool factor, but also because it means movies can be shown at their full theatrical size, allowing viewers to see all the details in the corners of the screen, just as the filmmakers intended.

8

Wellfleet Drive-In, Massachusetts

Image: Maxim Benkendorf

A flea market, an 18-hole mini golf course, a cocktail bar, and the biggest screen in the New England area await you at Cape Cod’s Wellfleet, a local institution that has been entertaining moviegoers since 1957.

In recent years, the projection system was upgraded to digital with Dolby Digital sound, making the experience even more enjoyable for moviegoers.

9

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Texas

Image: Noom Peerapong

This one is special, even among drive-in theaters. Alamo Drafthouse offers a unique screening of the classic thriller Jaws , where moviegoers watch the film from inner tubes on Lake Travis . This annual tradition provides a creative and immersive way to rewatch this iconic movie from a truly unique perspective. Would you dare to try it?

10

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater, Pennsylvania

Image: Christian Wiediger

Embracing the idea that drive-in theaters are a nostalgic experience, the Mahoning dedicates its three screens to weekend-long themed festivals . For example, Zombie Fest takes place over three nights and screens cult horror films, with overnight camping allowed.

Second Chance Weekend features critically panned films that deserve a closer look, such as a pairing of Howard the Duck with Masters of the Universe . Last but not least, Bite Night showcases 35mm prints of Jaws and Jurassic Park , and in July, the theater celebrates Christmas in July with holiday films.