1

Mickey Mouse

Image: Kadyn Pierce

We’ll start strong with what’s probably the most famous cartoon character in the world. When you think about it, it’s rather uncanny how instantly recognizable Mickey Mouse is: It only takes drawing three small circles for virtually anyone in the world to identify Disney’s iconic mascot.

However, while nowadays Mickey acts more like a spokesperson for Disney, he got his start as a groundbreaking cartoon character, featured in now legendary shorts like "Steamboat Willie", "The Plow Boy", and "The Barn Dance". Perhaps more famous is Mickey’s short included in the feature film "Fantasia", in which he plays a clumsy sorcerer’s apprentice.

2

Charlie Brown & Snoopy

Image: Joshua Carl

We couldn’t possibly add the main character of the "Peanuts" newspaper strips without including his iconic black and white dog. Charlie Brown and Snoopy have been featured in several TV shows, including many fondly remembered Christmas specials.

Charlie Brown’s "aw-shucks" attitude and Snoopy’s mischievous charisma have truly cemented them as two of the most popular cartoon characters in history. Since their first TV appearance in 1965, this duo is still featured in new specials and films, with their latest show premiering in 2021.

3

Garfield

Image: Jason Yuen

Another newspaper strip-turned-animated character, Garfield is one of the most relatable characters in this list. Now, you might be thinking "What on God’s green earth do I have in common with a cartoon orange cat?" Well, more than you think: Garfield’s smarts, love for food, and utter disdain for Mondays truly turned him into one of America’s favorite cartoon pets.

Garfield’s jump from Jim Davis’ comics to TV first came in the early 80s, through a number of Emmy-nominated specials that included "Here Comes Garfield", "Garfield on the Town", and "Garfield in the Rough". In 1988, our favorite feline debuted in his very own TV show called "Garfield and Friends".

4

Scooby-Doo

Image: Brandon Salabarría

Is your town haunted by strange apparitions, dastardly creatures, or terrifying monsters? Then it sounds like you need the help of four meddling kids and their dog! Scooby-Doo revolutionized cartoons by adding crime-solving to a mostly comedic genre. Every week, the amateur detectives of "Mystery Inc." would solve a mystery, unmasking a no-good villain pretending to be some sort of fantastical creature.

The gang was aided by Scooby, their cowardly yet lovable Great Dane. Although he preferred eating snacks over solving mysteries, he ultimately always helped his friends whenever they needed him. Fun fact: Did you know that Scooby’s name was inspired by a Frank Sinatra song?

5

The Flintstones

Image: Bekir Uğur

Did you know that our favorite prehistoric family was the very first animated series featured in a prime time slot? That goes to show how much America loved the Flintstones : Every week, millions of families turned to their TV screens to laugh away with Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty’s adventures.

Set in the fictional town of Bedrock, "The Flintstones" featured a rather imaginative depiction of the Stone Age, mixing prehistoric elements with modern issues. Perhaps most famously, the show depicted prehistoric versions of modern appliances, like an octopus dishwasher or a dinosaur-can opener.

6

The Jetsons

Image: Rock'n Roll Monkey

While in "The Flintstones" Hannah-Barbera showcased the adventures of a Prehistoric family, the iconic animation studio went in the opposite direction with " The Jetsons ": For this show, the studio asked the question "How would the typical Space Age American family be?"

This show follows the everyday life of the Jetson family, comprised of George, Jane, Judy, and Elroy Jetson. Just like "The Flintstones", the show is fondly remembered for reimagining everyday technology: It predicted video calls and automated helpers decades before the first iPhone was produced.

7

Tom & Jerry

Image: Teresa Jang

Who says rivals can’t make up a good duo? If anything, Tom and Jerry’s legacy was built in this constant and neverending bickering, resulting in hilarious and exciting confrontations that don’t usually end up good for this beloved tomcat.

Another animated treasure conceived by the minds of William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Tom and Jerry made use of these two characters’ insane charisma: Although they were mostly silent, their expressions and resourcefulness truly made them unforgettable. Several "Tom & Jerry" shorts received Academy Awards, including the fan-favorite episode "The Cat Concerto."

8

Popeye

Image: thomas RICHARD

If Garfield made us love lasagna, then Popeye had the slightly more difficult mission of making kids enjoy eating their spinach. And yet, this iconic sailor made such a daunting task look easy by showcasing the Herculean strength this simple vegetable gave him.

Popeye made his big screen debut in 1933 after Betty Boop creator Max Fleischer adapted the character’s adventures into a series of shorts. Fleischer was the first to include Popeye’s love for spinach, turning it into the character’s most famous trait. Whenever he was in trouble, Popeye would turn to a can of spinach that would always give him the strength needed to save his beloved Olive Oyl from the hands of the villainous Brutus.

9

Yogi Bear

Image: Jessica Weiller

If you ever find yourself enjoying a gorgeous day in the beautiful (although fictional) "Jellystone Park", keep an eye on your picnic basket! Just a small lapse is all Yogi Bear (and his trusted companion, Boo-Boo Bear) need to take your delicious refreshments. Created by Hanna-Barbera in 1958, Yogi first appeared as a supporting character in "The Huckleberry Hound Show", but he soon found his way into the hearts of the American public.

Yogi was as charming as he was mischievous: He would often speak in rhyme and come up with elaborate plans that ultimately blew up on his face. Yogi was constantly evading Ranger Smith, the overworked park ranger tasked with keeping visitors' food safe from this beloved bear.

10

Looney Tunes

Image: Portuguese Gravity

We’ll end this article with a bit of a pun since this cartoon series is known for its send-off message " That’s all Folks! " Just like Mickey Mouse and Tom & Jerry, the Looney Tunes come straight from the Golden Age of American animation, and it truly shows: Not only are their cartoons insanely funny, but they have remained relevant and inspiring since their debut in the 1930s.

Looney Tunes introduced the world to iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Dug, Wile E. Coyote, and the Road Runner. Their charming personalities, wacky adventures, and quirky manners truly marked a turning point in the history of American cartoons.

1

Choose a villain

Image: Paige Cody

If reason were to govern our thoughts on the matter, no one could deny that seeing people of all ages dressed up as their favorite villains is a weird thing. We’ll discuss the treating part later, but let’s get into the costumes first.

This tradition has deep roots, and it goes all the way back to the Middle Ages and the ancient festival of Samhain. Now what was the purpose of the costumes? People used to believe that spirits roamed the earth on this particular night so, dressing up in costumes was the way to ward off these phantoms. Quite original, don’t you think?

2

Apple bobbing

Image: Nathan Dumlao

Among the spooky traditions, there is also one that relates to romance and love: bobbing for apples, and we’ve got Great Britain to thank for it.

In this game, an apple represented a potential husband, and, faith for young women who wished to marry was settled by how many attempts it took her to retrieve an apple. One bite meant jolly matrimony. Two bites, a not-so-long-lasting courtship. And three… Well, that relationship was doomed altogether.

Samhain was celebrated at the end of the harvest, and when Irish immigrants brought their costumes to America, this game fit fall festivities to perfection becoming a beloved Halloween game.

3

Jack-o’-lanterns

Image: Szabó János

Who is Jack, and why was he immortalized in a Halloween lantern? Well, it is all, of course, part of a curious legend. As the story goes, Jack tricked the devil twice. The first time, he tricked the Devil into becoming a coin and then, by making him promise not to claim his soul. However, all these tricks only brought nasty consequences—neither hell nor heaven wanted him.

So what happened? He was left to wander the earth with only a burning coal inspiring a carved-out turnip to light his way.

Turnips were just the start for the Scottish and Irish, soon they turned to beets and potatoes, and the tradition took the shape of pumpkins for Americans.

4

Trick or treat yourself!

Image: Nick Fewings

We’ve discussed the costumes, so let’s dive into the sweets. What’s the origin of knocking on doors and asking for candy?

When the Catholic Church established All Souls’ Day, in the Middle Ages, the costume tradition remained and a new one was added: knocking on doors and offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. This was a practice called "souling."

But souling also suffered some changes and, in modern times, it evolved into what we know as "trick-or-treating," an activity in which children go door-to-door promising mischief if they don’t receive candy. Now you know this, we bet you’ll always give treats away!

5

Black cats, good or bad?

Image: Adél Grőber

In some cultures, spotting a black cat is a one-way ticket to destruction. In others, a black cat is a good luck omen, a sign that you’ll even find love. However, in America, black cats are part of the first group and have become a key symbol in Halloween celebrations and decorations.

Why is that? Because, in the Middle Ages, these poor animals were associated with witches and witchcraft. They were believed to have powers and to be connected to the evil spirits roaming the earth. True or not, they certainly add to the eerie atmosphere of Halloween, don’t you think?

6

Black and orange

Image: Bee Felten-Leidel

Have you ever wondered why we use these particular colors during the Halloween season? Well, the choice was not random at all, it has to do with the meaning behind orange and black.

For one, orange is related to the autumn season, and the end of the harvest (the original time of the Celtic celebration).

Black, on the other hand, brings in the spookiness and the mystery that we all love about Halloween night. It represents the color of the night sky, the shadows, and all things that add to the eerie atmosphere of the evening.

7

Haunted houses

Image: Bee Felten-Leidel

This tradition reveals the true essence of the Halloween spirit: to get as many scares as one can in a single night. All across America, on October 31st, families get their houses ready to invite people over for a thrilling experience.

Haunted houses aim to evoke tension and fear through ghostly figures, spooky decorations, dimmed lights, and chilling sounds with special effects. Have you ever visited one?

8

Bonfires

Image: henry perks

Bonfires, another tradition inherited from the Celtic celebration, are less common but they are still a Halloween tradition. As you can imagine, the original intention of the bonfires was to ward off evil spirits and to honor the Gods.

In the more modern Irish and Scottish traditions, the bonfires were part of a protective and communal custom that later made its way to America. In turn, this tradition has only remained to add warmth and a sense of togetherness to the holiday.

9

Candy Frenzy

Image: Mary Jane Duford

If you ask any child, candy is the best reason to celebrate Halloween. And we can’t blame them— they get to dress up, knock on doors, and get dozens of candies they will later exchange and eat in the company of their loved ones.

In our country, it’s not just the children or the houses who get ready for Halloween—the Marketing industry does too! Every year, countless candy brands (any brand really) adapt their products to make them Halloween-themed. The season kicks off when your local supermarket hangs those spiderwebs up and you start spotting black and orange packaging all over!

10

Scary stories

Image: Nika Benedictova

After collecting all the candies that were rightfully theirs for dressing up, children and young adults all over the country get together to end the night devouring their treats and immersing themselves one last time in the eerie atmosphere: It’s time for the spine-tingling tales.

No Halloween celebration is complete without a good dose of scary stories, fables of ancient times with mysterious characters and details that send shivers down the listeners’ spines. Why? For the sake of fear, after all, Halloween night is all about the supernatural!

1

Roswell Incident (New Mexico, 1947)

It was July 1947 when something extraordinary happened near Roswell, New Mexico: a mysterious, large object crashed on a ranch outside the town. It wasn't an airplane, it wasn't a helicopter, it didn't resemble any known aircraft at the time. Interestingly, the military first described it as a "flying disc," only to later retract the statement and claim it was just a weather balloon. This shift caused endless theories and made Roswell perhaps the most famous UFO story of all time.

2

Kenneth Arnold Sighting (Washington, 1947)

No one knows the skies better than pilots, and in June 1947, one of them, Kenneth Arnold, saw something that would change the way we think about extraterrestrial life. According to his report, Arnold spotted nine bright objects moving near Mount Rainier, Washington. He described their flight as being like "a saucer skipping across water." That phrase would go on to coin the term "flying saucer," marking what many consider the beginning of the modern UFO era.

3

Washington, DC, Flap (1952)

Do you think UFO sightings only happen in rural or remote areas? Between July 12 and 29, 1952, something unexplainable occurred over Washington, DC. People in the US capital reported seeing mysterious objects moving randomly in the sky. But that wasn't all; pilots and even radar stations reported the same. While the US Air Force suggested that temperature might have affected radar performance, the sightings were never fully and clearly explained.

4

Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter (Kentucky, 1955)

On August 21, 1955, two families in rural Kelly, Kentucky, experienced something straight out of their wildest nightmares. In the evening, a bright, fleeting light appeared in the sky. According to their reports to the police, the light was followed by the arrival of small creatures with large eyes and long arms, described as "little green men," who allegedly approached their homes and peered through the windows. Terrified, the families shot at them for nearly four hours, until the "little green men" finally seemed to disappear. When police arrived the next day, the houses were empty. According to neighbors, both families had packed up and left, saying the creatures had returned around 3 a.m.

5

Kecksburg UFO Incident (Pennsylvania, 1965)

We all know what to do when we see a shooting star: make a wish! But that was far from the reaction in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, where on December 9, 1965, residents watched what looked like a massive fireball streak across the night sky before crashing into a forest on the town’s outskirts. Some people rushed to the site and claimed they saw a large metallic object shaped like an acorn. The military arrived soon after and launched an investigation that suggested it may have been a meteor or space debris. But the doubters were not convinced, and the event sparked a wave of theories and speculation that continues to this day.

6

Coyne Helicopter Incident (Ohio, 1973)

On October 18, 1973, near Mansfield, Ohio, something occurred that would challenge even the most stubborn skeptics. Captain Lawrence Coyne was piloting a US Army Reserve helicopter when it was allegedly intercepted by a large, cigar-shaped craft flying erratically at high speed and emitting green and red lights. During the encounter, the helicopter suddenly ascended beyond Coyne’s control. People on the ground witnessed the event and later confirmed parts of the pilot’s account. To this day, the incident remains unexplained.

7

Cash–Landrum Incident (Texas, 1980)

The ’80s were a wild decade, and that even included alleged encounters with alien spacecraft! In December 1980, three people reported a terrifying experience while driving through Texas: they were suddenly forced to stop when a huge craft hovered over the highway. According to their account, the metallic object emitted bright lights and intense heat. Later, all three developed physical symptoms, including burns, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. Medical reports suggested these effects were consistent with prolonged radiation exposure, although it could not be proven that the incident itself caused the symptoms.

8

Hudson Valley UFO Wave (New York, 1982-1986)

An isolated UFO sighting involving just a few people is one thing. But it’s quite another when, for years, hundreds of people report sightings in the same place with similar characteristics. We’re talking about New York’s Hudson Valley, where for several years (1982–1986), residents, police officers, and even pilots reported UFO sightings. Many described the same thing: a large craft with a V-shaped row of lights that moved strangely and flew very low, sometimes even approaching houses. While some skeptics claimed they were planes flying in formation, witnesses didn’t fully accept this explanation.

9

Phoenix Lights (Arizona, 1997)

If one person’s sighting seems hard to believe, maybe the testimony of thousands will convince you. In March 1997, one of the most famous UFO events witnessed by large groups occurred. Thousands of people reported seeing the same phenomenon in the skies over Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico: a formation of lights moving silently and strangely across the night sky. Even Fife Symington, the then-governor of Arizona, later claimed he had seen the lights himself.

10

O'Hare Airport Sighting (Illinois, 2006)

If your skepticism has lasted this long, the next story might make you rethink everything. In November 2006, a large group of pilots, mechanics, and airline staff spotted a metallic, disc-shaped object hovering above United Airlines Gate C17 at O’Hare International Airport just outside Chicago. Witnesses say the object punched a circular hole in the clouds before shooting off. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) initially called it a "meteorological phenomenon," but later-released ATC audio reveals tower and ground staff discussing the object in total confusion.