1

Most Olympic Gold Medals

Image: Gentrit Sylejmani

While many of us struggle with basic swimming techniques, the incredible swimmer Michael Phelps , rightly nicknamed "The Baltimore Bullet" after his birthplace and amazing speed, is the winner of 23 Olympic gold medals. This achievement gave him the world record for the most decorated Olympic male athlete!

But this feat is not easy. In addition to his natural talent, the athlete must follow a rigorous training program and eat approximately 12,000 calories every day. One thing is for sure: that's a lot of food!

2

World's tallest dog ever

Image: leonides ruvalcabar

American animals are also record-breakers! There's nothing like the joy of returning home to your dog anxiously awaiting you, playfully jumping up to greet you, right? However, it can be a bit scary if your dog happens to be the tallest in the world.

This record was set by a Great Dane from Bedford, Texas, who reached an incredible height of 3 feet and 5.18 inches! His owners attest that despite his huge size, Zeus— a fitting name—was actually a gentle giant.

Sadly, Zeus passed away in 2023 at the age of 5, but he is fondly remembered for his impressive record, his animated personality, and his extraordinary beauty.

3

Most cumulative days in space by a female astronaut

Image: NASA

Ever dreamed of traveling to space? As exciting as it sounds, the reality of space travel can be a real challenge and might intimidate many. But this was not the case for Peggy Whitson , the woman who spent the most cumulative days in space.

In 2017, she set the world record , spending 665 days out there. But that's not all; in 2023 , she extended her title by adding 9 more days as an astronaut with Axiom Space during Axiom Mission-2. That's almost two years without gravity!

4

The longest spacewalk

Image: Kobby Mendez

If the idea of traveling through outer space is scary, imagine the experience of "walking" outside the spacecraft, completely alone in an astronaut suit. It's both exciting and intimidating, right?

NASA refers to this activity as EVA (Extravehicular Activity), more commonly known as a spacewalk . Happily, two Americans hold the record for the longest spacewalk . On March 10, 2001 , Expedition 2 astronauts James S. Voss from Cordova, Alabama, and Susan J. Helms from Charlotte, North Carolina, ventured on an impressive spacewalk that lasted 8 hours and 56 minutes!

5

The largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia

Image: Tommy van Kessel

Let's continue with the space theme, though this time, fictional space.

Born on June 14, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Steve Sansweet has been an avid collector since childhood. His passion for collecting Star Wars memorabilia started the first time he saw a Star Wars movie, and he hasn't stopped since.

How many items do you think he has? 30,000? Maybe 100,000? Nope. Steve has a collection of over 500,000 items from the franchise! So many that he founded a museum, the Rancho Obi-Wan , in Petaluma, California. Would you give it a visit?

6

The largest living tree

Image: Taisia Karaseva

Nature also claims its place in the list of world records. General Sherman is the largest living tree by volume on Earth. This giant sequoia stands tall in Sequoia National Park, among the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California .

Want to know its height? This huge sequoia reaches 274 feet and 3.3 inches! And its width is no less special, with a diameter of approximately 27 feet.

But wait, there's more! The tallest tree in the world is also in California . Hyperion , as it was named, stands 380 feet and 9.7 inches tall in Redwood National Park.

7

Most Big Macs eaten in a lifetime

Image: Brett Jordan

While it's crucial to maintain a healthy diet, no one can deny the joy a good burger can bring to both the stomach and the soul. Don Gorske is a 70-year-old man who took this concept to a new level.

Don, a native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin , proudly holds the record for the most McDonald's Big Macs eaten in a lifetime: more than 34,000! In 1999 , he first broke the record. However, not satisfied with that feat alone, he extended his title, securing his place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2023 .

If you're worried about his health—and we are too—Don himself calms us down: he explains that he doesn't eat the fries and maintains a daily exercise routine.

8

The longest international land border

Image: Redd F

This is a record shared with our Canadian neighbors. While we knew the border between Canada and the United States was extensive, who would have guessed it's actually the longest in the world?

The world's longest international border between two countries spans an impressive 5,525 miles . That is divided into two parts: the border shared between the continental United States and Canada, and the one shared by the state of Alaska with the neighboring country.

And here are more numbers: there are a total of 13 US states on this long border!

9

The longest TV career for a female entertainer

Image: CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Betty White is a familiar face to everyone who has ever turned on the TV. Born in 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois, the talented actress and comedian has worked passionately from a very young age.

She made her TV debut in 1939 , and since then, she has enjoyed a long and successful career. So long that it earned her a world record for the longest TV career for a female entertainer.

So, how long was it? Not 40, not 50, not even 60 years. Betty delighted our screens for over 74 years! That's what we would call dedication, don't you think?

10

Most consecutive wins on Jeopardy!

Image: 金 运

Jeopardy! has kept viewers glued to their screens for many seasons and for many reasons. Its blend of playful competition and engaging topics makes it simply irresistible.

As you already know, some contestants on Jeopardy! have both the skills and luck to win more than once. But one competitor truly stood out from the rest.

Ken Jennings is a software engineer from Utah who won an incredible 74 times! Can you believe it? His streak began in 2004, and from the moment he started until his 74th win, Ken won $2,520,700, earning the world record for the most consecutive wins.

1

Smoked mackerel & leek hash

Image: Denis Agati

If you have 250 grams of potatoes, two large leeks, a can of smoked mackerel, and four eggs , you can make this delicious dish.

Cook the potatoes in the microwave for five minutes. Meanwhile, heat some oil in a frying pan over medium heat, add the leeks with a pinch of salt, and cook for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes, increase the heat, and fry for a couple of minutes. Flake the mackerel into the pan. Make four indents in the leek mixture, crack an egg into each, then cover the pan and cook for 6–8 minutes, until the whites have set and the yolks remain runny.

2

Cacio e pepe

Image: Immo Wegmann

You probably have a packet of dried spaghetti in your pantry. For this recipe, you’ll need 200 grams of spaghetti , 25 grams of butter , 50 grams of finely grated pecorino or parmesan cheese , and some black pepper .

Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions indicate. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium frying pan over low heat, add the ground black pepper, and toast for a few minutes. Transfer the pasta to the pan along with 100 ml of pasta water. Toss briefly, then evenly sprinkle the cheese over the pasta—but don’t stir. Let the cheese melt for 30 seconds, then toss everything together and stir until well combined.

3

Peanut butter & jam flapjacks

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Peanut butter and jelly have saved the day more than once, and they do it again in this simple recipe. You’ll need 5 tablespoons of salted butter , 250 grams of peanut butter , 8 tablespoons of strawberry or raspberry jam , and 200 grams of rolled oats .

Preheat the oven, butter a 20 cm square cake tin, and line the base and sides with baking parchment. Put 3 tablespoons each of the peanut butter and jam in separate small bowls and set aside. Put the remaining peanut butter, the rest of the jam, and the butter and sugar into a pan set over medium heat and stir. Add the oats, then leave to cool for 5 minutes. Transfer it to the prepared cake tin and gently press it down with your hands. Dot the reserved peanut butter and jam over the top, then bake for 20–25 minutes.

4

Caramelized banana & chocolate pie

Image: Mike Dorner

This is a great dessert to improvise if you have three bananas , 70 grams of hazelnuts , 150 grams of dark chocolate , a 500-gram block of puff pastry , and three tablespoons of brown sugar .

Preheat the oven. Process the hazelnuts in a small food processor, then transfer them to a bowl with the chocolate. Roll out the pastry into a 30 cm circle on a sheet of baking parchment. Sprinkle the chocolate and hazelnut mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving a 5 cm border. Arrange the bananas on top and scatter most of the remaining hazelnuts over them. Fold the pastry edges over the filling. Transfer the pie, along with the baking parchment, to a baking sheet and chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes. Bake for 25–30 minutes.

5

Garlic chicken parcels

Image: Claudio Schwarz

You will need two chicken breasts , a 320-gram sheet of all-butter puff pastry , 150 grams of garlic and herb cream cheese , half a lemon , and 200 grams of green beans and broccoli .

Heat the oven. Cut a slit halfway into each chicken breast, then place each one between two sheets of baking parchment and flatten slightly with a rolling pin. Cut the pastry sheet in half widthwise and place both halves on a baking tray. Place a chicken breast on top of each pastry half, then fill the cavities with the cream cheese. Sprinkle with lemon zest, then fold the edges of the pastry over the chicken and pinch to seal. Flip each parcel over so the seam is on the bottom. Then bake for 30 minutes until deep golden. About 10 minutes before your parcels are ready, steam or boil the greens until tender. Toss with a little oil, season, and serve.

6

Red pepper linguine

Image: amirali mirhashemian

The second pasta recipe on our list requires one roasted red pepper , a bit of olive oil , 50 grams of walnuts , a small garlic clove , 100 grams of spaghetti or linguine , and some parmesan cheese .

In a food processor, blend the roasted red pepper with the olive oil, walnuts, and garlic until smooth. Season well and set aside. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook for 1 minute less than the package instructions indicate. Drain, reserving a bit of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan, add the reserved cooking water and red pepper sauce, and warm through over low heat. Serve in a bowl, topped with parmesan and some chopped toasted walnuts.

7

Creamy tomato courgetti

Image: Caroline Attwood

The original recipe calls for Parma ham, but any ham you have in your fridge will do. You will need four slices of ham , half a pack of basil , 350 grams of tomato and mascarpone sauce , and a 250-gram pack of courgetti .

Tear the ham and basil into coarse pieces. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and dry-fry the ham until crisp. Transfer the ham and basil to a plate, then add the sauce to the same pan. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then stir in the courgetti. Cook for 1 more minute until warmed through. Divide between bowls and top with the ham and basil.

8

Jerk prawn & coconut rice bowls

Image: blackieshoot

If you have a 150-gram pack of peeled prawns , a bit of jerk seasoning , a 400-gram can of kidney beans in chili sauce , and a 250-gram pouch of ready-cooked coconut rice , you can make this quick and flavorful dish.

Heat a bit of oil in a large frying pan, add the prawns and jerk seasoning, and cook for two minutes. Drain the beans, reserving three tablespoons of the chili sauce. Add the beans to the pan along with the reserved sauce and coconut rice. Fry for 3–4 minutes, then season with salt to taste.

9

Sweet potatoes with mushrooms & rosemary

Image: Louis Hansel

If you have sweet potatoes lying around and aren’t sure what to make, here’s an idea. You’ll need two sweet potatoes , 200 grams of halved chestnut mushrooms , a bit of freshly chopped rosemary , and some Parmesan cheese .

Preheat the oven. Prick the sweet potatoes several times with a fork, then microwave them for 8–10 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, heat a bit of oil in a non-stick pan, add the mushrooms and rosemary, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender and lightly browned. Season to taste. Transfer the potatoes to the oven and roast for 15 minutes until the skins start to crisp. Split them open, top with the mushrooms, and sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

10

Sweet chili dogs

Image: American Heritage Chocolate

Who doesn’t love hot dogs? Or chili? This extra-simple recipe combines both. You’ll need four fat sausages , two onions , a bit of chili sauce , four hot dog buns , and two tablespoons of tomato purée .

Preheat the oven. Place the sausages in a roasting tin and cook for 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Meanwhile, fry the onions in a bit of oil until softened. Stir in the chili sauce and tomato purée, season to taste, and cook for 1 minute more. Split the hot dog buns, add a spoonful of the sweet chili onions, place a sausage in each, then top with another spoonful of onions. Enjoy!

1

Florida: The American Dream car

Image: Richard R

Florida holds the record for the longest car in the world. Measuring a jaw-dropping 100 feet and 1.5 inches, this beast of a limousine stretches longer than a basketball court. Michael Dezer made it official at Dezerland Action Park in Orlando on March 1, 2022. It was rebuilt using parts from the original record-holding car. Wanna take a ride in it?

2

California: A dog on wheels—and on fire

Image: Ben Hanson

California isn’t just home to movie stars; it’s also where a dog named Tillman made record-breaking history. In 2009, Tillman flew across 330 feet on a skateboard in just 19.67 seconds. No, that’s not a typo; it took him less than 20 seconds. No motor, just pure doggy determination.

3

California: Pedaling across America at 67

Image: Tom Dillon

Lynnea C. Salvo, a retired teacher, didn’t let age slow her down. At the age of 66, she hopped on a bicycle and rode all the way, completing the first transcontinental bike ride. That’s 3,163 miles of grit, sunburn, and serious calf muscles. She wrapped up her journey on October 18, 2021, landing her a spot in the record books and in our article.

4

West Virginia: Flamingos, flamingos everywhere

Image: Vicko Mozara

If you’ve ever thought you liked flamingos, prepare to be humbled. Deborah Buscher Leck of Kearneysville, West Virginia, owns 2,595 flamingo-related items, making her the proud record-holder for the largest flamingo collection on Earth. It's pink, it's proud, and totally amazing!

5

Georgia: So many tiny chairs, so little time

Image: Haneen Alqatanani

Barbara Hartsfield of Ellenwood, Georgia, has a thing for chairs, but only the miniature kind. She’s collected 3,000 of them, each unique and meticulously displayed. It took her more than a decade to round them up. Her collection might be tiny in size, but it’s huge in charm. Who knew a chair that fits in your hand could still have so much to give you?

6

Idaho: Hula-hooping like a champ—in the pool

Image: Thomas Park

David Rush of Boise doesn’t just swim—he balances a hula hoop on his head while swimming. And not just for a few seconds. He kept that hoop steady for 16 minutes and 13 seconds, setting a Guinness World Record in 2017. If multitasking were an Olympic sport, David would be bringing home the gold, you know?

7

Iowa: The beard that wouldn't quit

Image: Multi Awesome Studio

Hans N. Langseth's beard was so legendary that it got its own posthumous world record. When he passed away in Kensett, Iowa, in 1927, his beard measured a whopping 17 feet and 6 inches long. That’s longer than most cars. His epic facial hair now lives on at the Smithsonian, preserved for curious beard fans and history buffs alike.

8

Kansas: Earsplitting basketball fans

Image: Marius Christensen

On February 13, 2017, the University of Kansas basketball fans did something no other crowd had managed before: They screamed their heads off to hit 130.4 decibels. That’s louder than a jackhammer. That way, the Jayhawks turned Allen Fieldhouse into the loudest indoor sports arena ever recorded.

9

Kentucky: The tape ball to end all tape balls

Image: Markus Spiske

Over in Louisville, the Portland Promise Center didn’t just toss out their tape; they rolled with it. They created a monstrous tape ball weighing 2,000 pounds and stretching 12 feet 9 inches around. It’s made of duct tape, packing tape, masking tape… You name it. Just don’t get too close, who knows what could happen?

10

Maryland: Crab cake heaven

Image: Andrey Stakhovskiy

Maryland takes its crab cakes seriously. How serious? Well, on September 1, 2012, Handy International in Timonium whipped up a 300-pound crab cake. That’s the size of a vending machine, but way tastier. It’s safe to say no one left that event hungry.

11

Minnesota: The fluffiest tail in town

Image: Daniel Zopf

Mr. Pugsley Addams, a silver Maine Coon from Mound, has a tail that stole the show—and the record. Measuring 18.5 inches, his tail was officially the longest on a domestic cat. That’s one unforgettable feline, don’t you think?

12

Mississippi: Cowbells ringing in unison

Image: Jamie Street

On September 10, 2015, the Mississippi State University Student Association gathered 5,748 people to ring cowbells at the same time. The result? A thunderous clanging that set a world record and probably made a few ears ring for days.

13

Alaska: Cabbage the size of a small car

Image: Arnaldo Aldana

Up in Alaska, where summer days seem to last forever, the vegetables grow big. Like, really big. Scott A. Robb set a jaw-dropping record at the Alaska State Fair with a cabbage that tipped the scales at 138.25 pounds. Scott’s no stranger to giant greens; he’s also grown record-holding turnips. There must be something in that Alaskan soil (or perhaps just a lot of fertilizer).