1

Knicks

Image: Kelly Sikkema

"Knicks" is the shorter, catchier version of "Knickerbockers." The New York team name was chosen in the 1940s because of its association with Dutch settlers in the city. In Washington Irving's satirical book A History of New York , the author used "Diedrich Knickerbocker" as a fictional narrator. Over time, the term came to symbolize the city’s colonial heritage.

One of the oldest teams in the NBA, the Knicks never changed their worldwide-known name or their headquarters. They also boast one of the most iconic sports arenas in the world: Madison Square Garden . The Knickerbockers brand became so well-established that it intentionally opted to never introduce a team mascot, to preserve its classic image.

2

Nuggets

Image: PIX1861

The Denver Nuggets don’t allude to any form of food. Let’s look at the team’s history before explaining its name. Originally, as members of the American Basketball Association, they were called the Denver "Rockets" in reference to one of the owner’s businesses. However, when the team prepared to join the NBA in the 1970s, they had to change their name because Houston already had a team named the Rockets.

After a fan contest, the name "Nuggets" was chosen as a nod to Colorado’s gold and silver mining heritage , where prospectors sought valuable "nuggets" of precious metals. The team adopted a logo featuring a miner holding a pickaxe, and the name has stuck ever since.

3

Rockets

Image: NASA

So, why did Houston name its team The "Rockets"? Technically, it didn’t. The team was founded in San Diego in the 1960s as an NBA expansion team. The name "Rockets" was chosen through a fan contest, inspired by San Diego’s slogan at the time, "A City in Motion," and its ties to the aerospace industry.

Less than 10 years later, the team relocated to Houston, Texas. It was understood that a name change wasn’t necessary: "Rockets" fit seamlessly with Houston’s role as NASA’s space center and its nickname, "Space City."

4

Pistons

Image: Tim Mossholder

The Pistons were originally founded in Indiana as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons . Their owner, Fred Zollner, also owned a manufacturing company that produced pistons for automotive and railroad engines. The team carried the last part of the name forward when they joined the NBA, and later moved to Detroit.

Detroit, known as "Motor City" for its global reputation as the center of the American auto industry, was the perfect fit for the Pistons name. The concept that the Pistons symbolized "horsepower" was what inspired the introduction of their mascot, Hooper, a horse wearing the Pistons’ jersey.

5

76ers

Image: Jimmy Woo

The Philadelphia 76ers derive their name from an entirely different source than most other teams. Honoring the city’s insignia as the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the team’s name pays tribute to this pivotal moment in American history.

In its inception, the team was based in Syracuse, New York, and was known as the "Syracuse Nationals." It was one of the NBA’s original franchises. When it moved to Philadelphia, though, a fan contest was issued to select the best possible name. "76ers" was selected and it quickly became the popular consensus to shorten it to the nickname "Sixers."

6

Grizzlies

Image: Greg Johnson

Everyone’s first reaction upon hearing where the Grizzlies are based is the same: "But are there any grizzlies in Tennessee?" The answer is, none that we know of. But the team was founded far from those lands, in Vancouver, British Columbia. In the mountainous regions of western Canada, grizzly bears are indeed a thing.

However, the team faced financial difficulties and fan support challenges in Vancouver, leading to their relocation to Memphis in the early 2000s. At the time, there was some debate about whether to change the name. Ultimately, the NBA and team management decided to keep "Grizzlies" to maintain a connection to the team’s origins and avoid the costs of rebranding.

7

Heat

Image: Maxim Tajer

As many people observe, it’s unusual for a team name not to be a plural word. "Heat" is as fiery as it is accurate, belonging to the hottest state in the U.S. The city’s tropical weather inspired one of the most abstract names in the NBA, often symbolized by fire and the colors red, orange, and black.

The Miami "Heat" name was designated after winning a fan contest, beating other options like "Sharks" and "Barracudas." Fans also suggested names such as "The Beaches" and "The Miami Vice."

8

​​Timberwolves

Image: Andrew Ly

There may be no grizzlies in Memphis, but there are certainly timber wolves in Minnesota. In fact, the state has the largest population of timber wolves in the contiguous United States. The name for Minneapolis’ team was chosen through a statewide contest as a nod to Minnesota’s wilderness and natural wildlife. It was an instant hit.

The other finalist in the contest was the option "Polars," but it seems people found "Timberwolves" to be more unique. In later years, the team introduced its mascot, Crunch , a wolf often seen at events around the city.

9

Pacers

Image: Rui Alves

The Pacers emerged and remained in Indiana. The name was chosen mostly to pay homage to Indiana’s rich racing heritage: pace cars were used in the iconic Indianapolis 500 auto race , which evolved from horse races held annually in the state. However, it can also be considered a pun on the "fast-paced" style of playing that the team hoped to live up to.

In fact, one of the investors of the Pacers franchise was Chuck Barnes , who represented three legendary race car drivers: Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, and Rodger Ward. The team proudly retained the name when they joined the NBA in the 1970s after achieving remarkable success in the ABA.

10

​​​​Cavaliers

Image: PublicDomainPictures

Lastly, Cleveland’s "Cavaliers" is another example of a team name chosen through a fan vote. A local fan suggested the term, which refers to gentlemen trained in arms and horsemanship, for its associations with boldness, a fighting spirit, and a certain elegance. This option won, and over time, enthusiastic fans began referring to the team as "the Cavs."

Other contestants in the row were "Jays," "Foresters," and "Presidents." The "Cavs" nickname gained significant popularity during the LeBron era , as the star player’s success helped the team gain a stronger national following. Interestingly, the best-known rivalry for the Cavs is none other than the Golden State "Warriors."

1

Ancient origins

Image: Ameer Basheer

The Grand Canyon isn’t just old—it’s millions of years older than previously thought. Some rock layers at the bottom date back 1.8 billion years, nearly half the age of Earth itself. While the canyon itself is around 5 to 6 million years old, recent studies suggest parts of it began forming 70 million years ago—during the dinosaur era.

2

Once an ocean floor

Image: Yannis Papanastasopoulos

Long before it was a canyon, this region sat beneath an ancient sea. The Kaibab Limestone, the canyon’s top layer, formed from marine fossils left behind as the waters receded 270 million years ago. The presence of coral, shellfish, and even shark fossils proves the area was once home to a thriving ocean ecosystem.

3

Carved by more than water

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

While the Colorado River played a huge role in shaping the canyon, other forces were at work. Volcanic activity, tectonic uplift, and even landslides helped carve out its immense depths. Lava flows from nearby volcanoes poured into the canyon, creating layers of rock that tell the story of violent geological change.

4

The earliest human inhabitants

Image: Russ McCabe

Humans have lived near the Grand Canyon for at least 12,000 years. The earliest known inhabitants were Paleo-Indians, who left behind stone tools and spear points. Later, the Ancestral Puebloans built cliff dwellings and left behind intricate pottery, proving that this seemingly inhospitable land was once home to thriving communities.

5

First European encounter

Image: Antoine Vidal de La Blache

Spanish explorer García López de Cárdenas was the first European to lay eyes on the canyon in 1540. Sent by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado in search of legendary cities of gold, he and his men were shocked by its vastness. They tried to climb down for water but failed, unable to comprehend its sheer scale.

6

Named a national monument

Image: Benjamin Cutting

President Theodore Roosevelt designated the Grand Canyon a national monument in 1908, calling it a place "every American should see." He was instrumental in protecting it from commercial exploitation, setting the stage for its eventual National Park status in 1919.

7

Hidden caves

Image: Russ McCabe

The Grand Canyon contains over 1,000 caves, but fewer than 400 have been explored. Some remain completely untouched, preserving prehistoric fossils and evidence of ancient human life. Today, only one cave is open to the public—Grand Canyon Caverns, located nearby in Arizona.

8

Phantom ranch

Image: Annie Spratt

Built in the 1920s, Phantom Ranch remains one of the most isolated lodges in America. Located at the bottom of the canyon, it’s only accessible by hiking, mule ride, or rafting. Due to high demand, reservations are awarded through a lottery system.

9

America’s first canyon explorer

Image: Alex Moliski

John Wesley Powell led the first recorded expedition through the Grand Canyon in 1869. With one arm lost in the Civil War, he braved the Colorado River’s treacherous rapids in wooden boats. His journey mapped the canyon’s uncharted territory, proving it wasn’t an impassable wasteland but a geological treasure trove.

10

Forgotten civilizations?

Image: Otacilio Maia

In the 1930s, explorer Emery Kolb uncovered a sealed cave in the canyon containing ancient artifacts and human remains. Some speculated it belonged to a lost civilization, but archaeologists determined it was a prehistoric Native American site. The canyon still holds thousands of undiscovered archaeological sites, adding to its mystery and historical significance.

1

An official pirate license

If being a pirate was your childhood dream, it's more attainable than you think. The main obstacle? Getting into MIT. Once you’re in, you can get your official pirate license —parchment certificate included— provided that you complete four physical education courses in pistol, archery, sailing, and fencing. However, the school has stated that this certificate does not give a license to engage in piracy or any pirate activities.

2

The lethal library

If you’re a bibliophile attending Yale University, be aware that your love for books might get you killed while on campus. To protect its manuscripts and rare specimens, the Yale Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is equipped with a fire safety device that, instead of sprinkling water, sucks all the oxygen out of the building . The official stance is that this device is not lethal for humans, but that remains unproven.

3

The Olympian factory

American colleges and universities are known for their rigorous athletic programs, but no one does it like Stanford. Did you know that since 1908, there has been a medalist who attended Stanford in every Summer Olympic Games? With a grand total of 335 medals (162 gold, 93 silver, and 80 bronze), if Stanford were a country of its own, it would rank in the top 20.

4

The deceiving statue

Visitors of Harvard University have most likely come across the famous John Harvard statue on campus. However, this statue is so deceptive that it is dubbed ‘the statue of three lies’. What are these lies? The inscription reads "John Harvard. Founder. 1638‍". Harvard University, founded in 1636, not 1638. It owes its name to its first benefactor, John Harvard. It was not founded by him, but by the authorities of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Additionally, the man represented in the sculpture is not John Harvard, but a student chosen as a model because there were no surviving portraits of Harvard.

5

The inventors of the open curriculum

The open curriculum has been adopted by many institutions nationwide, but Brown University was the blueprint. During the 1950s, they developed the first interdisciplinary courses to avoid stifling intellectual curiosity. By the 1960s, Brown students pushed for the elimination of the standard general education requirements altogether, an initiative that was resisted but eventually implemented by the administration.

6

The college that was the capital of the U.S.

Before Washington, D.C., was established as the capital of the U.S., several places were temporary capitals, including Philadelphia, New York, and Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. From June to November 1783, the Continental Congress gathered in the college library in Nassau Hall, which made the place the de facto capital of the nation . Among other historical events, the library was where Congress received in 1783 the news of the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which effectively ended the American Revolutionary War.

7

The inclusion pioneers

The desegregation of education was a key element in the fight for civil rights, and Oberlin College, in Ohio, was a pioneer. In 1835, the college made history by enrolling Black students, decades before other major institutions . Besides this, Oberlin was the first to enroll women in 1833 and to admit them to bachelor's degree programs in 1837.

8

Unable to swim? Unable to graduate

Up until recently, students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill had to fulfill a strange requirement in order to graduate. They had to pass a mandatory swimming test , consisting of diving in the deep end, swimming 50 yards, and treading water or floating for 5 minutes. During WWII, the university was used as a training center, and the swimming test was mandatory for recruits. Eventually, this requirement became extensive for all students and was not abolished until 2006.

9

Computer science pioneers

A modern university offering a computer science program is nothing strange, unless they’re doing it a mere two decades after the invention of the first modern electronic computer. In 1962, Purdue University in Indiana was the first to establish a department of computer sciences , pioneering academic research in the field. More than 50 years later, Purdue University remains one of the leaders in computer science research.

10

The largest student body

Other institutions might boast about being the oldest or the most sought-after university, but Arizona State University leads the rankings when it comes to enrollment . With nearly 80,000 in-person students across the Phoenix metropolitan area campuses and nearly the same number of online attendees, it surpasses all American institutions in terms of student body size. In comparison, Deep Springs College, in California, sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, with a student body restricted to 26 undergraduates.