1

The Sinking of the Titanic

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Even serious events—like the most devastating shipwreck in history—have been used as subjects for board games, and the Titanic is no exception. In this game, players find themselves aboard the ill-fated vessel , gathering supplies and trying to secure a spot on a lifeboat.

2

Public Assistance

Image: Aksel Fristrup

If you thought the previous game was controversial, this one pushes the envelope even further. In Public Assistance , players could choose to be either "workers" or "welfare recipients." The latter aim to live off the system, while the former struggle to earn a living—an intentionally provocative setup that sparked criticism.

3

The Game of Jaws

Image: Gerald Schömbs

Perhaps less controversial than the previous two games—but just as nerve-wracking—this game featured a plastic shark from which players had to remove items using a hook . The concept was similar to the classic Operation , but with added suspense and a theme that terrified many young players.

4

Salta

Image: Galen Crout

This game from the early 20th century was quite popular in its day, enjoyed by royalty, theater stars, and famous artists . It was produced in various editions, ranging from extraordinarily expensive sets to more affordable ones. However, it eventually faded into obscurity.

5

Lexicon

Image: Nik Korba

This word game, somewhat similar to Scrabble, allowed players to exchange letters from other players' words to form their own. For example, if someone had the word pig and you needed the "p" for your word pair , you could swap it with one of your letters, such as a "w"—to change pig into wig and complete your own word.

6

Gorey Games

Image: Christopher Paul High

Based on the works of Edward Gorey, this game invited players to move through eerie settings and experience a darkly whimsical adventure . While it was adored by niche audiences, it never reached the popularity of other horror-themed board games.

7

The Vanishing Game

Image: Andrey Metelev

This mystery game invites players to solve a disappearance using a mix of deduction and strategic board movement . What made it truly unusual was its real-life element: players were encouraged to mail clues to the publisher in order to unlock additional secrets.

8

Mystery Mansion

Image: Ryan Wallace

If you like the idea of building a new house but making it look old, dirty, and creepy , then this game is for you. First released in the early 1980s, it featured a modular board where players revealed new rooms while searching for treasure. In any case, whoever came up with the Scooby-Doo edition of this game clearly knew their target audience.

9

Careers

Image: Tim Foster

This vintage board game invited players to customize their own goals for fame, happiness, and money, eschewing the one-size-fits-all mindset in favor of pursuing something more personal. Its blend of strategy and "real meaning" made this game stand out back in the day.

10

Stay Alive

Image: Simon Hurry

If strategy games with marbles are your thing, then this game would be a favorite. Players try to keep their marbles from falling through a shifting grid . Its thrilling nature and tactile challenge made it a popular choice for both adults and kids alike.

11

Shenanigans

Image: Jaciel Melnik

Based on the TV game show of the same name, this board game was a big hit back in the day. Combining trivia questions with physical challenges , it provided entertainment for people of all ages.

12

The Mad Magazine Game

Image: Christopher Paul High

MAD Magazine was an important cultural icon a few decades ago, and their parody version of Monopoly was filled with the irreverent humor that characterized the magazine. The game encouraged players to lose all their money instead of earning more, unlike the original Monopoly.

1

New York’s many names…

Image: ian dooley

Did you know that New York has had several names throughout its history? The first documented European visit to New York Harbor was in 1524 by Giovanni da Verrazzano, an Italian explorer who claimed the area for France and named it Nouvelle Angoulême (New Angoulême), after the French city located on the banks of the Charente River.

Almost a century later, English explorer Henry Hudson rediscovered New York and claimed it for the Dutch East India Company, who christened Manhattan Island as Nieuw Amsterdam (New Amsterdam). In 1664, due to the war between The Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the British took over the area and renamed it New York , as a tribute to King Charles II's brother, James, Duke of York.

2

…and nicknames

Image: Artem Zhukov

In addition to its various official names, New York City has earned a good number of nicknames over the years. For example, Canvas Town, The Empire City, The City of Churches, Second City of the World, The Melting Pot, The City that Never Sleeps, The Center of the Universe, The City So Nice They Named It Twice, The Five Boroughs, and Metropolis, among many others.

But perhaps the most iconic New York City monikers are Gotham —coined by writer Washington Irving in 1807— and, of course, The Big Apple . In May 1921, sportswriter John Joseph Fitz Gerald of the New York Morning Telegraph first used The Big Apple in a feature on horse racing. As he later explained, that was the way New Orleans grooms' referred to New York City. Later, in the 1970s, an advertising campaign revived the nickname, and the rest is history.

3

National capital

Image: Cornelius Tiebout, artist and engraver of the original; this copy engraved by Hatch & Smillie and printed by J. &. G. Neale., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Given its cultural, political, and financial richness, it's curious that New York is not the capital of the United States. However, although it was only for five years, at one point in history it became a reality. Between January 11, 1785, and August 12, 1790, The Empire City served as the last capital under the Articles of Confederation and the first capital under the U.S. Constitution .

While the capital resided in New York, the representatives of Congress met in Federal Hall, a building located close to the current site of the Wall Street Stock Exchange. In fact, this is where George Washington was sworn in as president in 1789. However, a year later the Residence Act established the temporary seat of government in Philadelphia until the construction of the new capital, Washington, DC, was completed. Congress met for the first time in its new and current location on November 17, 1800.

4

Linguistically diverse

Image: Dan Gold

Did you know that New York is one of the most linguistically diverse places in the world? It’s like a modern-day Tower of Babel, which is no surprise given its nickname, The Melting Pot . It is estimated that up to 700 different languages are currently spoken in New York, many of them endangered. For example, in Queens, there is a small community that speaks Tagalog, the language on which Filipino is based. In the Bronx, on the other hand, several families still speak Laotian at home.

Alongside these lesser-known dialects, other more widespread languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, and Italian, are spoken daily by communities that migrated to New York from their native countries. And that today, after several generations, still have a relevant representation in the most cosmopolitan city on the planet.

5

First pizza

Image: Jon Tyson

Not surprisingly, the first pizzeria in the United States is located in New York. The Italian immigrants who arrived in the city at the end of the 19th century brought with them their language, customs, and of course, their delicious food. One of these immigrants, Gennaro Lombardi, used leftover dough from the bread he sold in his Little Italy grocery store to make "tomato pies," following his Neapolitan family's recipe.

This pizza was so successful that in 1905, Lombardi converted his store into a pizza place. Little by little, he adapted his pizza to American ingredients and tastes, and lo and behold in a short time he had created what we now know as New York-style pizza. Lombardi's Pizza, today one of the most legendary pizzerias in New York, is the oldest in the United States. Be sure to grab a slice next time you visit The Big Apple — you won’t regret it!

6

Golden city

Image: Zlaťáky.cz

A city of firsts and mosts, New York is also home to the world's largest known depository of monetary gold. Buried 80 feet below street level, on the bedrock of Manhattan Island, hides an incredible treasure. Established in 1924, the vault of the main building of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, located in the Financial District, stores more gold than The United States Bullion Depository, better known as Fort Knox.

As of 2024, it houses approximately 507,000 gold bars. This reserve is enclosed in a 140-ton steel-and-concrete frame protected by a state-of-the-art security system. About 98% of the gold belongs to foreign governments, while the rest is owned by the U.S. government and other financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund.

7

Unique ZIP codes

Image: William Wachter

Apart from being home to major companies, the most photographed building in the world, and getting struck by lightning about 25 times a year, the Empire State Building is also notable for having its own ZIP code: 10118.

Although located in South Midtown, the building is so large that the U.S. Postal Service needed to assign it a unique zone improvement plan—ZIP for short—to handle its high volume of mail more accurately and efficiently. To be fair, other buildings in New York also have their own ZIP codes , including 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Chrysler Building, The Pavilion, Park Avenue Plaza, and the Pennsylvania Building, among others.

8

Birding paradise

Image: Laila Zouaki

New York has something for everyone, but wildlife? Who would have thought! When it comes to fauna, New York is much more than just rats, squirrels, and cockroaches. In fact, this concrete jungle has had animals at its heart since the beginning: two beavers adorn the official city seal. But not many New Yorkers know that Central Park is one of the nation's top spots for bird-watching.

The city is located at a concentration point on the Atlantic Flyway bird migration route, making it possible to observe birds year-round. In 1886, the park's first official bird census counted 121 species. Since then, 282 have been observed, including cuckoos, warblers, sparrows, owls, gulls, and Peregrine Falcons, among many others. Some of the best places in Central Park for birding are North Woods, The Ramble, Hallett Nature Sanctuary, and The Pond.

9

Times Square

Image: graphicsdays1989

The busiest street in the Big Apple owes its current name to a newspaper . Formed by the junction of Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and 42nd Street, this area is now a spectacle of lights, screens, neon signs, theaters, and hordes of people. However, it was once the center of New York's horse carriage industry. For this reason, in the late 19th century it was known as Longacre Square.

In the early 20th century, The New York Times moved its offices to a skyscraper on 42nd Street. A new subway station soon followed and the area was given the name we know it by today, Times Square. Although the newspaper moved out a few years later, that building is still famous for the Times Square Ball drop on its roof every New Year's Eve.

10

Film mecca

Image: Marta Wave

Declared a National Historic Landmark, Central Park is a staple of New York City. It’s no wonder that this area, in addition to its natural beauty, is a world cultural icon. Central Park is, in fact, the most-filmed location in the world , having been featured in movies as far back as 1908.

With silver screen classics like An Affair to Remember or Breakfast at Tiffany's and modern films including Home Alone and The Avengers , more than 300 productions have chosen this 843-acre park in the heart of the bustling city to film some of the most iconic scenes in movie history. Have you ever spotted Central Park in a film or TV show? Now you won't stop seeing it everywhere!

1

Table manners

Image: Mika Baumeister

If you're dining out in Canada, don't be surprised if you hear someone ask for a "serviette." It might sound really fancy, but it's just the Canadian way of saying what Americans call a "napkin!"

2

Leftovers confusion

Image: Henry Kobutra

When it's time to clear the table and clean the dishes, things can get confusing between Americans and Canadians. In the US, you'll hear "throw the leftovers in the garbage disposal," but up north in Canada, it's called the "Garburator."

Though it might sound like they’re talking about two different things, it’s the same device—just different names!

3

Let's run

Image: Bruno Nascimento

Both Canadians and Americans use the term "running shoes" to mean athletic shoes designed for jogging or exercise. But there's one word that sets them apart: "runners."

In Canada, "runners" are what you wear on your feet. In the US, they are the people wearing them!

4

A matter of power

Image: Mike Winkler

What do you call that thing you use to plug in several devices at once? Your answer might reveal where you're from. If you say "power strip," chances are you're American. But if you call it a "power bar," you're probably Canadian!

5

Rubber bands

Image: Andres Siimon

They're small but super handy, so it's worth knowing what to call them no matter where you are! In Canada, people ask for "elastics" when they need to bundle papers or bills. But ask for "elastics" in the US, and you might get a confused look. Americans almost always just call them "rubber bands" instead.

6

Colorful vocabulary

Image: Sara Torda

Coloring was undoubtedly one of the most delightful parts of childhood, and some people still enjoy it as adults! If you're one of them, you probably have a good collection of colored pencils. But if you're in Canada and need to buy some, keep in mind they call them "pencil crayons" up there.

7

It's all about gas

Image: Ali Mkumbwa

In both the United States and Canada, a "gas station" is the place where you stop to fill up your car with fuel. But while that term is widely understood and used in both countries, in some regions of Canada, you might also hear it referred to as a "gas bar."

8

Park…

Image: John Matychuk

If you’re Canadian, don’t ask an American where the "parkade" is— they’ll probably look confused . While "parkade" is perfectly normal in Canada, Americans usually say "parking garage," "parking deck," or just "parking lot."

9

Sweet words

Image: NordWood Themes

Those delicious brownies wouldn't be the same without a nice layer of powdered sugar on top, right? And while we can agree on how tasty it is, we don't all agree on what to call it. Here, it is "confectioners' sugar" or simply "powdered sugar," but in Canada, they prefer another name for the same product: "icing sugar."

10

Folder/ Duotang

Image: Savannah Wakefield

Remember that school folder with metal prongs to hold your papers, the ones you could easily add or remove pages from? In the US, we just call it a "pronged folder." But in Canada, they have a totally different name for it: they call it a "duotang!" Have you ever heard of that one?