1

The Beale Ciphers - Virginia

In the early 1800s, three coded papers surfaced, said to reveal the location of a hidden treasure in Virginia . Only one cipher (the second) has been partially decoded using the Declaration of Independence, pointing to a stash of gold, silver, and jewels.

Treasure hunters and cryptographers have tried for decades to crack the remaining ciphers. Yet, so far, no one has succeeded.

2

The Georgia Guidestones - Georgia

Erected in 1980, the granite monument carried inscriptions in multiple languages , laying out guidelines for humanity’s future. The massive slabs earned the nickname "America’s Stonehenge."

The mystery lies in who commissioned it. The sponsor used a pseudonym and never revealed their identity. Too bad they were destroyed in 2022 after being damaged by an explosion.

3

The "Wow!" Signal - Ohio, 1977

One night in 1977, Ohio State University’s Big Ear telescope picked up a deep-space radio burst lasting 72 seconds . Astronomer Jerry Ehman circled it and wrote "Wow!" beside the data.

The signal has never been definitively explained. Whether it was a passing comet, a reflection, or something else, no one knows.

4

Roanoke Colony’s "CROATOAN" - North Carolina

In the late 1500s, settlers on Roanoke Island disappeared, leaving only the word "CROATOAN" carved on wood . Their fate remains one of the earliest American mysteries.

Some think they merged with local tribes, while others suggest they relocated. Without proof, the vanished colony remains a puzzle historians love to revisit.

5

The Taos Hum - New Mexico

Since the 1990s, some residents of Taos report hearing a low, steady humming sound . It’s described like a distant diesel engine idling in the desert.

Some studies suggest it may be related to low-frequency industrial noise or tinnitus in some individuals. The reality is, scientists have studied the phenomenon but haven’t pinned down a cause.

6

Marfa Lights - Texas

Out in West Texas, glowing orbs have appeared on the horizon for generations . They shimmer, split, and move in ways that seem inexplicable.

Tourists flock to Marfa hoping to catch a glimpse. Some suggest car headlights or atmospheric tricks, but the mystery remains.

7

Bloop-Like Ocean Sounds - Pacific Ocean

In the 1990s, NOAA hydrophones picked up a booming, low-frequency sound in the Pacific Ocean . Nicknamed "the Bloop," it was louder than known whale calls.

Theories ranged from icequakes to giant sea life. NOAA later concluded the sound was likely caused by large icequakes from Antarctic ice breaking apart.

8

The Upton Chamber - Massachusetts

Hidden in Massachusetts is a stone tunnel leading to a small underground chamber . Its age and purpose are still debated.

Some believe it was a colonial root cellar, while others argue it predates settlers entirely. Without records, the chamber remains an enigmatic piece of New England history.

9

America’s Stonehenge - New Hampshire

This site features stone walls, chambers, and standing slabs . Some argue it was built by Native Americans, while others see evidence of pre-Columbian visitors.

While some alternative theories suggest ancient origins, most archaeologists believe the structures are from the colonial-era. Whatever its origin, it’s a fascinating stop for curious travelers.

10

The Great Serpent Mound - Ohio

In southern Ohio lies a massive prehistoric earthwork shaped like a winding serpent . Stretching over 1,300 feet, it curves and coils across the landscape in striking detail.

Scholars agree it was built by Indigenous peoples, but its purpose is unclear. Some suggest it was a ceremonial site or calendar, while others see cosmic symbolism.

11

The Blythe Intaglios - California

Etched into the Colorado Desert, these giant figures depict humans and animals , some over 170 feet long. They’re best seen from the air, raising questions about how and why they were made.

Created centuries ago by Native Americans, their exact age and purpose remain uncertain.

12

Judaculla Rock - North Carolina

This large boulder is carved with hundreds of mysterious petroglyphs . Shapes, lines, and symbols cover its surface, their meanings long lost to time.

The Cherokee connect the markings to Judaculla, a legendary giant. Whether the rock was a sacred site, a map, or something else, the exact meanings of many carvings remain unknown.

1

E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The friendship between Elliot and E.T. didn't just capture our hearts: it broke audience records, selling approximately 142 million tickets domestically, beating the incredibly successful Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). It held that record for over a decade, until Jurassic Park snatched the title in the 90s.

This Steven Spielberg classic starred Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore when she was still a child, and it featured a soundtrack by composer John Williams that made the audience feel like they were flying on a bicycle along with Elliot and his extraterrestrial friend.

2

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back contains one of the most famous lines in film history: "I am your father." The first installment of the Star Wars saga (later retitled as Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) had been the biggest film of the 70s. As soon as the decade changed, Empire brought millions of fanatics to the theatres again. It sold around 98 million tickets in the US and Canada.

Directed by Irvin Kershner and produced by George Lucas, the film reunited audiences with Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. The story follows the Rebel Alliance on the run. Though slightly less commercially dominant than its predecessor, it was still one of the top-grossing films of the decade.

3

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

By the time Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade hit theaters in 1989, the fedora-wearing archaeologist was already a global icon, having charmed audiences in the first two installments.

Three of the big names that were involved in this production have already been mentioned on this list: Director Steven Spielberg, producer George Lucas, and star Harrison Ford. This time, he was joined by the great Sean Connery playing his father. This installment sold an estimated 49 million tickets domestically.

4

Batman (1989)

When director Tim Burton took over the superhero’s story for this late-eighties movie, he gave a darker, stylized touch to the genre. Starring Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight alongside Jack Nicholson as the Joker, this film was a great departure from the comic book storytelling that audiences had gotten used to with the 60s iconic series in which Adam West played Gotham’s hero alongside Burt Ward as Robin.

The film sold around 62 million tickets locally and became the biggest commercial success of that year. Combined with an album filled with hits by superstar Prince, this movie was one of the first superhero blockbusters.

5

Back to the Future (1985)

This movie took the concept of time travel and worked it into one of the most beloved films of an era. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean built by the eccentric Doc Brown , played by Christopher Lloyd.

It was the highest-grossing movie of ‘85, selling 59 million tickets domestically. Its mix of comedy, science fiction, and heartfelt scenes made it a classic viewers love to rewatch.

6

Top Gun (1986)

Naval aviation had never stirred as much popular interest as when Tom Cruise played the daring pilot Maverick in this film. It was the most successful film of 1986, selling approximately 47 million tickets.

The action film, with high-speed aerial sequences and a strong focus on competition and camaraderie, boosted Navy recruitment in the years that followed its release . It also popularized songs like "Take My Breath Away" and "Danger Zone," and cemented Ray-Ban’s aviator sunglasses as a cultural icon.

7

Ghostbusters (1984)

"Who you gonna call?" Directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver, this film became one of the most beloved and memorable comedies of the decade. It earned nearly $300 million worldwide and sold 71 million tickets in North America alone, making it a huge success for the era.

Its theme song, "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr., became a chart-topping hit, and the film’s imagery, from the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man to the proton packs, became instantly iconic.

8

Rain Man (1988)

This one film managed to make an impact without lightsabers, time-traveling machines, spaceships, aliens, ghosts, or men in capes. Rain Man showed Hollywood that character-driven stories could still become big hits.

Directed by Barry Levinson, the film stars Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman as newfound brothers who must embark on a cross-country journey. Selling around 43 million tickets, it was the highest-grossing film of its year, which meant the audiences loved it. It also went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Hoffman, which meant the critics loved it, too.

9

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Blending live action with animation had worked very well for Mary Poppins in 1964. Who Framed Roger Rabbit pushed boundaries of the technology and put it in the service of a film aimed at an older audience.

Directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, respectively, it starred Bob Hoskins amid a world shared by "toons," cartoon characters, which included Roger Rabbit and Jessica Rabbit.

It was a major box office success, selling around 38 million tickets. It also won four Academy Awards, which praised its technical achievements.

10

Fatal Attraction (1987)

Directed by Adrian Lyne, this film was a huge triumph for Paramount: Its production cost only $14 million, and it went on to earn $320 million globally. Infidelity and obsession are the main themes of this dramatic thriller that stars Michael Douglas and Glenn Close in a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination.

The film sold around 40 million tickets domestically. Its box office popularity was thanks to word of mouth, as people recommended this adult suspense movie in conversations.

1

What are bills made of?

Unlike other currencies, dollar bills are not made of paper or plastic. U.S. dollar bills are made from a special fabric blend composed of 75% cotton and 25% linen. This mix makes the bills extremely durable and resistant, and they can be folded about 4000 times before tearing.

2

What bills are valid?

Any U.S. dollar bill that was legally printed is valid, no matter how old, as American currency does not have an expiration date. While some bills might not be accepted by businesses of foreign exchange services due to their condition or if they are a discontinued version of the bill, the bills themselves are still valid, and American banks will accept them, though they might take them out of circulation.

3

American leaders

Five bills have a depiction of an American president. The exceptions are the $10 bill, with Alexander Hamilton on the front, and the $100 bill, with Benjamin Franklin. The $1 bill, depicting George Washington, is extremely symbolic: several elements are repeated 13 times as a nod to the thirteen colonies, and it showcases the Bald Eagle and the Eye of Providence as a sign of God watching over America.

4

A change in size

Did you know that dollar bills used to be so big that they were nicknamed "horse blankets"? Original dollar bills were 7.4 × 3.1 inches. In 1929, the Treasury Department reduced the size of bills to 6.14 × 2.61 inches to reduce production costs and materials. Old bills, though still valid, are worth much more as collector items.

5

Uniformity

Besides their value and design, all dollar bills have the same size (6.14 × 2.61 inches), color, and weight (1 gram) , which sets American currency apart from other countries where bills of different values are differentiated by size, color, or both. Why doesn’t the U.S. implement differences among bills? The cost of adapting vending machines, bank drawers, and ATMs to new bill sizes would cost billions of dollars.

6

Hard to copy

Originally, dollars were not green, but black. As time passed, green ink was favored, as it was cheap and did not fade as much as black. The new color also prevented people from using black-and-white cameras to create counterfeit money. Currently, dollar bills are predominantly green, but newer versions also include extra colors, such as pink, orange, or purple.

7

A $100,000 bill?

Have you ever seen a $500 or 1,000 dollar bill? What about a $100,000? Up until 1945, the U.S. Treasury printed $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, and $100,000 notes , in addition to the values currently in use. These higher-value notes were mainly intended for bank and government use, but were sought by criminals as they made it easier to hide large amounts of money. Even though they were officially discontinued in 1969, these notes are still valid, though rare, and they have a high worth as collector's items.

8

No numbers

Unlike bills, American coins have different sizes and colors related to their value. Originally, gold, silver, and copper were used for coins, but modern coins are made of copper, zinc, or nickel. Besides their size and design, the value of each coin is printed in letters, not in numbers , alongside depictions of American presidents.

9

Liberty for all (the coins)

By law, all American coins must include six specific details : the word ‘Liberty’, the name of our country, the national motto "In God We Trust", the oldest American motto "E Pluribus Unum", the value of the coin, and the year. Each coin also includes a mint mark that shows where it was made: "P" for Philadelphia, "D" for Denver, "S" for San Francisco, and "W" for West Point.

10

A global currency

The American dollar is one of the most powerful currencies in the world, acting as a backbone for international trade and finances. It is estimated that two-thirds of the physical dollars in circulation are outside American territory. Besides the U.S. and its territories, eight sovereign nations have the U.S. dollar as their official currency, with several more accepting it as legal tender.