1

John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 coconut

Image: 🇻🇪 Jose G. Ortega Castro 🇲🇽

In 1943, John F. Kennedy commanded the PT-109, a torpedo boat, in the Solomon Islands during World War II . When a Japanese destroyer sank his boat, JFK carved a rescue message on a coconut, which local islanders delivered to Allied forces, saving him and his crew. 18 years later, Kennedy became the US president and kept the coconut as a paperweight in his office. Today, it’s preserved at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

2

George Washington's dentures

Image: BakedintheHole, via Wikimedia Commons

Everyone knows George Washington struggled with dental problems throughout his life. And while the old myth about his wooden teeth isn’t true, our first president did wear dentures made from different materials. One of his most complete sets has been carefully preserved and is now on display at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate and museum.

3

Abraham Lincoln’s top hat

Image: Brewbooks from near Seattle, USA, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s easy to picture Abraham Lincoln with his signature top hat. To get a little closer to Honest Abe, you can visit the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., where the very hat he wore the night he was fatally shot is on display.

4

The contents of Lincoln's pockets

Image: Jorien Loman

The hat isn’t the only relic that remained from that tragic night. Everything Abraham Lincoln had in his pockets —two pairs of glasses, a pocketknife, a Confederate $5 bill, a linen handkerchief, and a gold pocket watch—is preserved and on display at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

5

Thomas Jefferson’s inkwell

Image: Clark Young

Fortunately, you can still see with your own eyes two of the inkwells that belonged to the man who penned nothing less than the Declaration of Independence. That’s right! The first, a ceramic inkwell shaped like Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire’s head, is housed at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. The second, made of bronze and engraved with "T. Jefferson, 1804," is part of the White House Collection.

6

Theodore Roosevelt's pince-nez glasses

Image: via Wikimedia Commons

Teddy Roosevelt is practically synonymous with his pince-nez glasses; even the giant sculpture of his face on Mount Rushmore shows him wearing them. But did you know they once saved his life? In 1912, while campaigning, Roosevelt was shot, but the bullet struck the steel case holding his glasses and didn’t penetrate it. Today, both the case and the 50-page manuscript he carried in the same pocket are on display at the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site in New York City.

7

John F. Kennedy's rocking chair

Image: Abbie Rowe. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Kennedy’s rocking chair appeared in many photos of him with important visitors in the White House. Recommended by his doctor to ease his back pain, the iconic chair is now part of the collection at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

8

George Washington’s Revolutionary War bedstead

Image: Wikimedia Commons

If you thought this list was just about small objects, think again. Two of George Washington’s folding field beds from the Revolutionary War have also been preserved. One is displayed at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan, and the other can be seen at the Mount Vernon Museum in Virginia.

9

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s stamp collection

Image: Tolga deniz Aran

F. D. Roosevelt was an avid stamp collector, amassing a collection of over 1.2 million stamps. After his death, his family sold most of them, but some—especially those he received officially from foreign governments—are preserved at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York. The museum also houses items related to his hobby, including a magnifying glass, a perforation gauge for measuring stamps, and his portable wooden stamp box.

10

George Washington’s dress sword

Image: Wonderlane

In addition to his dentures, Mount Vernon preserves many other personal items that belonged to George Washington. Among them are several of his swords, and it is believed that one of them may be the very dress sword he wore at his inauguration as the first American president in 1789!

1

Roasted chickpeas

Image: Rashpal Singh

Healthy snacks are a great way to kick off our list of nutritious and delicious treats. And roasted chickpeas are as tasty, crunchy, healthy, and easy to make as it gets.

Simply grab a can of chickpeas , rinse and dry them, then toss them with paprika , ground cumin , salt, and a bit of olive oil. Spread the chickpeas on a baking tray and roast them at maximum heat for about 30 minutes. Once they’re crunchy, they’re ready. Let them cool and enjoy!

2

Chocolate hummus

Image: Ludovic Avice

Yes, you read that right—chocolate hummus. And it’s amazing! This crowd-pleasing dip pairs perfectly with fruit, pancakes, or waffles. To make it, blend canned chickpeas (rinsed), a spoonful of vanilla almond milk , a spoonful of cocoa powder , and honey . Let it chill in the fridge for a couple of hours, and you're done. Ready to dip!

3

Air-fryer sweet potato fries

Image: Ella Olsson

The basic idea here is simple: sweet potatoes are healthier than regular potatoes, and air-frying is a healthier alternative to deep frying.

This recipe is quick and easy. Just cut a couple of sweet potatoes into strips, toss them with canola oil , salt , and pepper in a bowl, and transfer them to the air-fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, pausing to stir halfway through. Once they’re done, let them cool slightly—and eat!

4

Peanut butter cookies

Image: No Revisions

This peanut butter cookie recipe is completely flourless—gluten-free and dairy-free! To make it, mix peanut butter , one large egg , two tablespoons of oat bran , and a bit of maple syrup . Preheat the oven to 350°F, and while it heats up, shape the cookies.

Place them on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes. Let them cool for a bit, and they’re ready to enjoy!

5

Sesame-garlic pumpkin seeds

Image: Anshu A

Here’s another snack that’s both delicious and nutritious! This pumpkin seed mix is a great way to use leftover seeds from your pumpkin recipe.

In a small bowl, mix pumpkin seeds , a large egg white , sesame seeds , a teaspoon of minced garlic , and salt . Spread the mixture in a single layer on a baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until dry and golden brown.

6

Watermelon cups

Image: Ibrahim Rifath

The great-looking appetizer is incredibly simple to make, and its fresh flavor is perfect for warm months.

Just cut the watermelon into cubes and scoop out the center of each. In a small bowl, mix chopped cucumber , red onion , fresh mint , cilantro , and a splash of lime juice . Spoon the mixture into the hollowed-out watermelon cubes—you’re done!

7

Pan-seared shrimp

Image: Daniel Lee

These pan-seared shrimp are the first non-vegan recipe on this list—and they’re incredibly easy to make!

Sauté one pound of peeled and deveined uncooked medium shrimp in two tablespoons of olive oil with two minced garlic cloves . Add one-third of a cup of white wine , then cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink. Serve with white rice and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

8

Guacamole

Image: Zoshua Colah

Everybody loves guacamole, but do you know how to make it? This simple recipe is a delicious and healthy snack to try. Just be sure to prepare it right before serving, as avocados brown quickly.

Peel and chop two ripe medium-sized avocados , place them in a small bowl, and sprinkle with lemon juice . Add one-fourth of a cup of chunky salsa and mash coarsely with a fork. Let it chill in the fridge for a few minutes before serving.

9

Roasted peppers and cauliflower

Image: Deon Black

This simple, delicious, and colorful recipe will quickly become a staple once you try it. Place one medium head of cauliflower (broken into florets), two medium red peppers (cut into strips), and two sliced onions in a shallow roasting pan. Drizzle with two tablespoons of olive oil , season with salt and pepper , and toss to coat.

Roast uncovered at 425°F for 20 minutes. Stir, then roast for 10 more minutes or until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Done!

10

Caprese brochettes

Image: Patrick Ho

Light, delicious, and easy to make on short notice, these Caprese brochettes are a lifesaver when you need a quick, health-conscious party snack.

Simply take some skewers and assemble each one with grape tomatoes , fresh mozzarella balls , and basil leaves . Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar —and enjoy!

11

Green & gold salsa

Image: Kat

This salsa is a fantastic dip made with just a few simple ingredients. Combine one cup of shelled edamame , one cup of corn , one cup of cubed avocado , and sliced cucumber . Blend well, then let it chill in the fridge for half an hour before serving. Bon appétit!

12

Red pepper tapenade

Image: Nick Collins

A simple appetizer for any occasion, this roasted red pepper tapenade pairs perfectly with water crackers or toasted bread.

In a small saucepan, bring two cups of water to a boil. Add two peeled garlic cloves and cook uncovered for six to eight minutes, or until tender. Drain and pat the garlic dry. In a small food processor, combine the blanched garlic , red peppers , almonds , tomato paste , olive oil, salt, and pepper. Process until smooth. Chill, then garnish with fresh basil before serving.

1

Independence Day

Image: Jason W

Nothing beats a classic apocalyptic alien invasion, where extraterrestrials arrive to destroy the planet, but encounter a group of humans willing to give everything to save humanity. This is the premise of Independence Day (1996), one of the most famous disaster films. Starring Will Smith, the movie marked a turning point in science fiction, showcasing visual effects that, although they may not be as surprising today, set a new standard at the time.

2

Armageddon

Image: Javier Miranda

It’s hard to keep track of how many explosions light up the screen in Armageddon (1998), but rest assured, there are a lot of them. This film follows the classic natural disaster formula: a massive asteroid threatens Earth, and the only hope for survival is to destroy it. When the planet’s at risk, who better to call than Bruce Willis? Alongside Ben Affleck, he steps up to risk everything in a race against time.

Do you also remember this movie every time you hear Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"? You are one of us!

3

The Day After Tomorrow

Image: Mason Mulcahy

A new Ice Age threatens humanity after a series of devastating storms strike the planet in The Day After Tomorrow (2004), a film that takes climate change and pushes its possible consequences to the extreme. With spectacular disaster sequences and visuals, the movie became a total box office success worldwide.

4

I Am Legend

Image: Natalya Letunova

Imagine waking up one day and realizing that you are, as far as you can tell, the last survivor in the city. This is what happens to scientist Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, in I Am Legend (2007). The now-classic apocalyptic theme is a deadly virus that has devastated humanity, and it is Dr. Robert Neville who appears to be the only one capable of doing something to reverse the effects of this.

5

Interstellar

Image: Guillaume Le Louarn

In 2014, we saw one of the most exciting movies to hit the big screen: Christopher Nolan's Interstellar . Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike for its visual effects and its complex and thrilling plot, this film is one of those you’ll find hard to forget. Set on an Earth that is becoming uninhabitable, Matthew McConaughey plays Cooper, a former NASA pilot who joins a mission to travel through a wormhole near Saturn in search of a new place for humanity.

Fun fact: It’s not surprising that it has been well received even by the scientific community, since a Nobel Prize–winning physicist collaborated on the script.

6

Planet of the Apes

Image: Mateusz Suski

In the original Planet of the Apes (1968), the story takes us to a distant future planet where chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans have evolved to possess human-like intelligence and social structures, dominating that world while humans are reduced to an oppressed species. Featuring one of the most shocking and unforgettable plot twists in cinema history, the film stands as an essential classic of dystopian science fiction.

7

Night of the Living Dead

Image: Daniel Jensen

We couldn’t leave Night of the Living Dead off this list, the 1968 film that changed cinema forever. While the concept of "zombies" may feel familiar today, this George A. Romero’s film was the first to present the idea of the dead rising again and becoming a real threat to the living.

8

12 Monkeys

Image: Liam Andrew

Bruce Willis is once again called upon to help humanity (or what remains of it) in the 1995 film 12 Monkeys , this time alongside none other than Brad Pitt, who earned an Oscar nomination for this role. Set in a dark future, most of humanity has been wiped out by a deadly virus, and Willis’s character must travel back in time to gather information about its origins and help find a way to stop it.

9

Dawn of the Dead

Image: airci K

Of course, George A. Romero wasn’t going to appear just once on this list. In 1978, Dawn of the Dead was released, once again portraying the end of the world brought on by the return of the undead. A group of survivors takes refuge in a shopping mall, but human conflicts soon emerge as a threat equal to, or even greater than, that posed by the zombies themselves.

10

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Image: Michael Herren

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) is definitely a science fiction classic. Unlike the other films on this list, its catastrophe is not inevitable; disaster can still be avoided. Rather than centering on spectacular destruction, the film delivers a philosophical warning to humanity. An alien visitor arrives on Earth to deliver a stark message: abandon nuclear violence, or face devastating consequences.