1

The Everest

Image: Martin Jernberg

James Whittaker made history as the first American to achieve one of the most difficult things in the world.

In 1963 , Whittaker, then 34 years old , became the first American to reach the summit of the highest mountain on the planet, Mount Everest , as part of the American Mount Everest Expedition led by Norman Dyhrenfurth.

Facing challenging weather and low temperatures, Seattle-born Whittaker conquered the summit of the Himalayan giant, which stands at 29,035 feet high! Can you picture yourself on such an expedition?

2

The astronauts

Image: NASA

The 1960s definitely transformed history, marking a period when humanity first traveled into outer space. The first American to reach space was Alan Shepard on May 5, 1961 . After a successful flight of 15 minutes and 22 seconds, Shepard's spacecraft splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean. Shepard didn’t complete an orbit of Earth on that trip, but John Glenn arrived and became the first American to orbit our planet on February 20, 1962 .

Of course, these amazing achievements were necessary for Neil Armstrong to take his historic step onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969 , becoming the first American -and the very first human- to do so.

Want to know who was the first American woman in space ? The title went to Sally Ride , who reached outer space in 1983 .

3

The Skyscraper

Image: Pedro Lastra

Yes, skyscrapers dominate the skyline of many cities in our country today. However, there was a time when there were none. And the title of America's first skyscraper went to the Home Insurance Building in Chicago.

Designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney and completed in 1885 , it was the first to use a structural steel frame. Although iconic and unique in its time, it was demolished in 1931 to build what is now the Bank of America Building.

4

The Nobel

Image: caleb weiner

You'll be happy to know that the first Nobel Prize won by an American was in the Peace category. It was awarded to none other than Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 for his role and contribution to ending the Russo-Japanese War.

Roosevelt stood out precisely for inviting representatives from Russia and Japan to a peace conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1905. Of course, the task was not an easy one, but Teddy was determined. His efforts ended in a historic peace agreement known worldwide as The Treaty of Portsmouth.

5

The flight

Image: History in HD

The Wright brothers ' story is one of the most famous. Coming from Dayton, Ohio , these two brothers are credited with inventing the first powered airplane and making the world's first successful flight with it.

But which of them was the first American to fly? Well, it seems Wilbur Wright, the older of the two, gave the honor to his younger brother. So, it was Orville who made history as the first to pilot the successful aircraft.

Orville piloted the first sustained flight of a powered aircraft in December 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina . His flight lasted 12 seconds and flew a distance of 120 feet. True pioneers!

6

The University

Image: Somesh Kesarla Suresh

388 years is a really long time, right? Well, that's the amount of time that has passed since the first university was founded in the territory of what would eventually become the United States of America.

We are talking about the prestigious Harvard University , born in 1636 in what was then the Massachusetts Bay Colony , with the aim of training clergy. Originally called "New College," the institution was later renamed Harvard College in honor of John Harvard , its first major benefactor.

7

The baseball team

Image: Caitlin Conner

Whether you prefer football, ice hockey, baseball, or basketball, it's undeniable that these four sports best represent our nation.

But only one has earned the title of "America's pastime." Of course, we're talking about baseball . One of the most popular sports today, it was also the earliest to establish a professional team.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings , established in 1869 , were the first professional baseball team in our country. When all the teams were still amateur, the Red Stockings became the first team with paid players, leading the way for the rest of the teams and for the eventual establishment of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1871.

8

The Flag

Image: Samuel Branch

Every independent country needs a flag to symbolize its identity and ideals. The US flag , in particular, has gone through a series of changes that show the nation's journey through history. First hoisted by George Washington on January 1, 1776 , at Prospect Hill in Somerville, Massachusetts , our first National Flag was born during the years of the Revolution .

Known as the "Continental Colors," this unofficial flag was adopted in 1775 as a symbol of the Continental Army . Its design had 13 red and white stripes , symbolizing the 13 original colonies, and the Union Jack in the upper left corner.

As the Revolutionary War progressed, the Continental Congress considered a series of changes to our flag to better represent the united colonies and their desire for independence. Thus came the "Stars and Stripes" new design on June 14, 1777 , which replaced the Union Jack with 13 white stars, initially often arranged in a circle.

9

The Oscar

Image: Mirko Fabian

If you are a movie enthusiast , this fact is probably already in your memory. And if you're not, it's still a good fact worth knowing.

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929 , and featured nominations for classic films like The Racket and Seventh Heaven , both released in 1927.

But the movie that stole the show was Wings , also from 1927 , directed by William A. Wellman and starring Clara Bow, Charles Rogers, and Richard Arlen. This silent film about WWI was the very first to win the category then known as "Outstanding Picture," which today we call "Best Picture." It was notable for its realistic aerial battles and special effects of excellent quality for its time. If you haven't seen it yet, this is your cue to do so!

10

The National Park

Image: Austin Farrington

From expansive deserts to dense forests, and from delightful beaches to impressive mountains, our country's landscapes and biodiversity are truly amazing.

Many of these natural sites have earned the title of National Parks , which guarantees their protection and conservation for the joy of locals and tourists. And while today we have many national parks to visit, there was once a first.

The very first was the great Yellowstone National Park , designated by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872 . Located in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, this natural site set a precedent for the conservation of our land's natural areas. Have you already visited it?

1

Hydrox Cookies

Image: Conor Brown

Introduced in 1908, these chocolate sandwich cookies with cream filling were the original, while Oreos followed four years later in 1912 . Hydrox had a crunchier cookie and a less sweet filling, which devoted fans absolutely loved.

Hydrox disappeared from shelves in 2003, leaving longtime fans heartbroken and insisting that they were superior to their more famous competitor. The cookie made a brief comeback in 2015 under new ownership, but it never quite recaptured its former glory or widespread availability.

2

Squeezit

Image: Haley Owens

Squeezit arrived on the scene in 1985 with its unique bottle design that you literally had to squeeze to drink from—no straw needed! The bottles came in wild colors and flavors like Chucklin' Cherry and Grumpy Grape, each with its own cartoon character printed on the label.

General Mills discontinued Squeezit in 2001, crushing the dreams of millennials everywhere who had fond memories of squeezing these bottles a little too hard and squirting juice everywhere.

3

Jell-O Pudding Pops

Image: sheri silver

Bill Cosby might have made these famous in commercials, but it was the frozen treat itself that made Pudding Pops legendary in the 1980s. Introduced in 1979, these weren't your typical popsicles— they had a creamy, mousse-like texture that was somewhere between pudding and ice cream.

Jell-O discontinued the original Pudding Pops in the early 1990s, and despite several attempted comebacks with different formulations, they've never tasted quite the same as the originals. People who remember the real deal insist that the modern versions just don't have that same creamy texture or rich flavor.

4

Crystal Pepsi

Image: Giorgio Trovato

Launched in 1992, this clear cola was supposed to represent "purity" and tap into the clear product craze of the era . It tasted almost exactly like regular Pepsi, which created a weird cognitive dissonance: your brain expected lemon-lime, but your taste buds got cola. Crystal Pepsi flopped hard and disappeared by 1994, but it achieved cult status among nostalgic millennials and Gen Xers.

5

Bonkers! Candy

Image: Edgar Chaparro

"Bonkers bonks you out!" went the commercial jingle, and this chewy fruit candy certainly made an impact when it hit stores in the early 1980s. Each piece was wrapped individually and packed an intensely fruity flavor that was almost overwhelming—in a good way . Bonkers came in flavors like grape, strawberry, and watermelon, and they had a unique texture that was chewier than Starburst but softer than taffy.

Nabisco stopped making Bonkers in the 1990s, and fruit candy lovers have been mourning ever since. There were brief periods when the candy reappeared under different ownership, but it never achieved the same widespread distribution.

6

Dunkaroos

Image: RUMEYSA AYDIN

Introduced by Betty Crocker in 1990, these snack packs came with small kangaroo-shaped cookies and a container of frosting for dipping. The concept was simple but brilliant—make cookies even more fun by turning them into an interactive snack. Flavors included chocolate chip cookies with vanilla frosting, vanilla cookies with chocolate frosting, and the ultimate combo of chocolate cookies with chocolate frosting.

General Mills discontinued Dunkaroos in the United States in 2012, sparking outrage among millennials who considered them a sacred part of their childhood. The good news? After years of petitions and social media campaigns, Dunkaroos made a triumphant return in 2020.

7

Clearly Canadian

Image: 소녀

Before sparkling water became trendy, there was Clearly Canadian— a flavored sparkling water that came in distinctive teardrop-shaped glass bottles . Launched in 1987, this Canadian import became hugely popular in the U.S. throughout the late 80s and 90s. The flavors had fancy names like Wild Cherry, Country Raspberry, and Orchard Peach, and the carbonation was more aggressive than today's LaCroix.

Clearly Canadian largely disappeared from American stores in the 2000s as other beverages dominated the market, though the company never completely shut down. Thanks to a Kickstarter campaign in 2015, it made a comeback, but it's still not as widely available as it once was.

8

P.B. Crisps

Image: Olga Nayda

Planters gave us the ultimate peanut butter snack in 1992 with P.B. Crisps— crispy shell-shaped cookies filled with peanut butter . These weren't ordinary peanut butter cookies; they had a unique, crispy texture on the outside and creamy peanut butter on the inside, creating a perfect contrast.

Sadly, P.B. Crisps were discontinued in 1995 after just three years on the market, leaving peanut butter lovers devastated. No snack has quite filled that void—Nutter Butters are too cookie-like, and peanut butter crackers are too cracker-like.

9

Altoids Sours

Image: Customerbox

These tiny, tangy candies came in flavors like Tangerine, Citrus, and Raspberry, and they packed a seriously sour punch that made your whole face scrunch up . They came in the same iconic tin as regular Altoids, which made them feel substantial and collectible.

Altoids discontinued the Sours in 2010, and fans have been petitioning for their return ever since. There have been multiple online petitions, Facebook groups, and even people hoarding old tins as collectors' items.

10

Snapple Elements

Image: Snappr

Launched in 1999, these drinks came in wide-mouthed glass bottles and had more exotic flavors than typical Snapple offerings . Rain was agave cactus, Sun was starfruit, and Fire was dragonfruit. The bottles themselves were beautiful, with distinctive designs and colors that made them stand out on store shelves.

The Elements line was discontinued in the early 2000s, though Snapple brought back a reformulated version in 2008 that wasn't quite the same. The original Elements had a devoted following who appreciated the more complex flavors and the beautiful bottle design.

1

Taxation without representation - District of Columbia

Image: Jen Theodore

The DMV in Washington, D.C., has featured "Taxation Without Representation" on the city's license plates since the late 1990s. This is because people living in D.C. don't have a voting representative in Congress , so, yes, they're taxed without representation.

The reason for this dates back to when the Founders of the country decided that the yet-to-be-built Federal City, located on the Potomac, would operate above and beyond any regional, state, or city politics, remaining completely neutral regarding the laws being created. Therefore, there is no representative in Congress.

2

The Last Frontier - Alaska

Image: Elijah Macleod

There is not much mystery as to why license plates in Alaska feature the nickname "The Last Frontier." Once, the frontier was the continental West. Once the West was won, Alaska became the last frontier.

Along with this nickname, the license plate also features a flag with stars, which represent the Big Dipper and Polaris (the North Star). They respectively symbolize strength and Alaska's northern location.

3

Constitution State - Connecticut

Image: Davlat Radjabov

While some people might think that the nickname showcased on the Connecticut license plates is about the document that laid the groundwork for American democracy, the truth is different.

"The Constitution State" in this case refers to a set of local government rules from around the year 1639, called the Fundamental Orders. Similar? Yes, but not the same.

4

The First State - Delaware

Image: Liam Matthews

"The First State," the nickname showcased on Delaware’s license plates, references a fact that the state is proud to boast— as it should: it was the first state to ratify the US Constitution before any other state on December 7, 1787.

The nickname wasn't official until a first-grade class made the suggestion in 2002. As it sometimes happens, kids get it before everybody else.

5

Land of Lincoln - Illinois

Image: Richard Hedrick

Another proud statement showcased on the state’s license plates is printed on every Illinois plate: "Land of Lincoln" refers to the fact that, even though he was born in Kentucky, Honest Abe lived in the state capital, Springfield, from 1837 to 1861.

The 1954 plates were the first to feature this nickname, which continues to be used today.

6

The Crossroads of America - Indiana

Image: Tracy Adams

The state of Indiana has numerous interstates crossing its borders, namely I-65, I-69, I-70, and I-74 , and the nickname on its license plate is a direct reference to this. Actually, as it happens in many instances, this nickname is the state’s motto, which became official in 1937.

The current plate design, which features one of the covered bridges the state is known for, is a little cartoonish but has more character.

7

Sportsman’s Paradise - Louisiana

Image: Tim Mossholder

Some states have had the clever idea of advertising and promoting their features on their license plates. Cars bearing these signs travel all over the country, making them a perfect advertising vessel.

Such is the case for Louisiana, which is a region abundant with spots to fish and hunt . Its license plate is inscribed with one of the state’s nicknames: "Sportsman’s Paradise."

8

Support Wildlife - Maine

Image: Ashes Sitoula

Another state that attracts visitors with its natural diversity and makes good use of its license plates to promote this is Maine, with its "Support Wildlife" plate. This slogan not only invites people to visit but also advocates for environmental protection. This double function is a great use of space and resources, and it should be copied by other states’ license plates.

9

The Spirit of America - Massachusetts

Image: Beng Ragon

If there is no space for the full motto, why not go with an abbreviation, right? At least that was the reasoning for the good people of Massachusetts. Along with a patriotic color scheme, Massachusetts's license plate features the slogan "The Spirit of America." The phrase is a shortened version of the state's former motto: "The Spirit of Massachusetts is the Spirit of America."

10

Unbridled Spirit - Kentucky

Image: Jen Theodore

The last entry on our list goes to Kentucky and its poetic motto proudly showcased on its license plates. According to local authorities, " Kentucky is a place where spirits are free to soar and big dreams can be fulfilled . We relish competition and cherish our champions for their willingness to push beyond conventional boundaries to reach new heights of success."

In any case, this beautiful statement adorns the license plates of many Kentuckians.