1

New York-style Pizza

Image: Alex Haney

Let’s start with a city synonymous with excellent pizza . New York-style pizza is an iconic variety, universally recognizable for its thin crust, delicious sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Nothing says New York City as folding a mouth-watering slice and enjoying this delicacy while the sounds of "The City that Never Sleeps" seem to fade in the background.

New York style is remarkably similar to the Neapolitan style, an Italian recipe considered by many to be close to perfection . Many historians believe that Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so it seems almost poetic that what many consider to be the first truly American style was inspired by this iconic city.

2

Chicago-style pizza

Image: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

Unlike its New York City counterpart, the Windy City’s pizza has no Italian ancestor. While its exact origins are still debated, we do know that Chicago-style pizza was developed at some point between the 1920s and 1940s. However our Italian friends might feel about this style, the good people of Chicago proudly stand by this beloved deep-dish, high-edge cheesy treat.

One of the most interesting things about Chicago-style pizza is how it turns around the traditional way in which pizza ingredients are placed: Its chunky tomato sauce covers the copious amounts of cheese used. The result is a hearty and delicious meal , sought after by both locals and tourists alike.

3

Pepperoni

Image: Alan Hardman

While no one can deny that Italy is the birthplace of pizza, this delicious ingredient comes straight from America . Granted, it is a variation of the Italian salami invented by immigrants in New York City at the start of the 20th century, but it has grown to become one of the most iconic toppings associated with American pizza.

Pepperoni comes from " peperoni ," which is the Italian word for "bell peppers". This spicy sausage is fairly similar to the salamis from Southern Italy, like " salsiccia" or " soppressata ."

4

California style pizza

Image: Prayitno

This is one of the youngest entities on this list. In the 1980s, several California chefs simultaneously came up with a new idea for pizza: a pie that combines New York’s thin crust with traditional toppings from California cuisine. The result is known as the California-style pizza, an amalgamation of traditional characteristics and innovative new flavors .

Among the many toppings that might be included in this type of pizza, a few that particularly stand out are zucchini flowers, smoked salmon, eggs, and bacon. However, perhaps the most well-known contribution from this style is the now-iconic barbecue chicken pizza , created by chef Ed LaDou in 1985.

5

Detroit Style

Image: Parker Hilton

If Detroit-style pizza teaches us anything, is that pizza is delicious no matter which shape it’s in . Known for its characteristic rectangular shape, this variety’s crust resembles a typical focaccia , a type of Italian bread. It was created in the 1940s, allegedly invented in a former speakeasy at the corner of Six Mile Road and Conant Street.

Interestingly, the unusual shape of this delicious pizza is associated with Detroit’s impressive automotive industry. Many believe that the first pies of this style were baked in steel trays used in car factories, either as dripping pans or to hold small parts.

6

Famous Pizza Places

Image: Dylan Mullins

In 1905, Italian immigrant Gennaro Lombardi opened the very first pizza restaurant in America, located in the heart of Manhattan. And while the still-operational Lombardi’s was the first American parlor, it certainly wasn’t the last. Let’s take a memento to recognize a few of the very best pizza places America has to offer.

If you are looking for an unusual yet unforgettable pie, you might want to visit Frank Pepe's in New Haven, Connecticut, and try their unique clam pizza, topped with olive oil, garlic, and freshly shucked clams. Should you want a nice deep-dish pizza, try the original Uno Pizzeria & Grill, which claims to be the birthplace of Chicago-style pizza . Or, if you want to stick with a classic, you can always visit Lombardi’s and try their 119-year-old recipe.

7

Hawaiian pizza

Image: bckfwd

The origins of this pizza are controversial , and almost as divisive as this peculiar flavor is. For starters, let’s start with the elephant in the room: This pizza was not invented in America. It was created by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek-born Canadian cook who wished to experiment with sweet and savory flavors and decided to try adding bits of pineapple to a ham pizza.

However, this pizza is named after America’s 50th state for a reason, since pineapples are probably Hawaii’s most iconic product . In fact, Panopoulos named his creation after the brand of canned pineapple he was using at the time. In any case, the matter of whether Hawaiian pizza was a hit or a miss is still debatable. Some praise its unique taste, while others openly loathe it.

8

Pizza Chains

Image: Alexandra Gorn

After the American public was introduced to it in the 20th century, pizza unsurprisingly became an extremely profitable consumer good. In the 1960s, many now-massive pizza chains came into existence, providing the market with a massively popular and easily produced fast food.

Just to name a few, brands like Pizza Hut, Domino’s or Little Caesar’s became household names in no time. Besides their massive success and worldwide locations, these pizza chains share a common characteristic: they all started as small businesses, that eventually became beloved behemoths through hard work and resilience.

9

Tomato pie

Image: NASA

Just like with Hawaiian pizza, prepare for a controversial subject , which can be summed up into a single, self-contained question: Are tomato pies pizzas? Let’s see the arguments for both sides. On one hand, tomato pies are usually not served straight from the oven, and in some areas, they are even completely cheeseless. On the other, we can take an "if it looks like a duck" mentality regarding tomato pies: If they look like pizza and taste like pizza, then how can we consider them anything else but pizza?

In any case, whatever classification this tasty treat might fall into, it should be said that tomato pies are a must-try delicacy while visiting the Northeastern United States. They are also known as bakery pizza and church pie in Rhode Island and Philadelphia.

10

Pizza Delivery

Image: Rowan Freeman

The history of pizza wouldn’t be complete without the advent of this game-changing innovation. Deliveries allowed us to enjoy all the cheesy goodness of pizza in the comfort and convenience of our homes. A lot could be said about the unsung heroes who made pizza and movie nights possible, so we’ll pay tribute to them by retelling two turning points in pizza delivery history.

In 1994, Pizza Hut made history by launching the very first viable online ordering system. While primitive, this service registered thousands of orders: To this date, Pizza Hut claims that the very first online purchase ever was a Pizza Hut pizza. Not content with this record, in 2001 Pizza Hut decided to go against "the Final Frontier" and delivered a salami pizza to the International Space Station, the very first pizza successfully delivered to outer space.

1

Babe Ruth

Image: Thomas Park

What is considered America's pastime by everyone else was the great passion of Babe Ruth's life.

Born George Herman Ruth Jr. on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland, Babe was a child known for his difficult behavior. When he turned seven, his parents made the difficult decision to send him to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys. The school was a strict and rule-filled environment, but it was there that Babe Ruth's passion for baseball developed.

By his early twenties, he was already known as a talented pitcher. Throughout his career, he won seven World Series Championships, three with the Boston Red Sox and four with the New York Yankees. In 1936, he became one of the first five players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

2

Serena Williams

Image: Ariv Gupta

While many of us can't even remember what we were doing at the age of three, the incredible Serena Williams was already practicing tennis with her sister Venus and her father.

Known globally as one of the greatest tennis players in history, Serena has filled her resume with titles, trophies, victories, and records.

Four Gold Olympic Medals and an impressive 23 Grand Slam singles titles definitely made her a tennis legend. And as if her athletic achievements were not enough, Serena Williams is also a standout businesswoman today.

3

Muhammad Ali

Image: Nelson Ndongala

Louisville, Kentucky, was the birthplace of the man who would become one of the world's greatest sports stars. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, the man we all remember today as Muhammad Ali began his sporting life at the age of 12 when he started training as an amateur boxer.

The rest is history. With an Olympic Gold Medal, three world heavyweight championships, 56 wins (37 by knockout), and an incredible legacy, Ali is widely and rightly recognized as one of the most important sports figures of the 20th century.

4

Tiger Woods

Image: Robert Ruggiero

If we had to list all of Tiger Woods ' sporting achievements, we'd be here all day, right?

The GOAT of Golf was born Eldrick Tont Woods on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, and from a very young age, he showed his great talent for this sport.

After winning several titles in college and as an amateur player, Tiger became a professional player in 1996, and since then, he hasn't stopped winning and winning.

Tiger has gone on to win 15 major championships, including three U.S. Opens, four Masters titles, three Open Championships, and five PGA Championships, and held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 683 weeks!

5

Michael Jordan

Image: Robin Gislain Gessy

Michael Jordan grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and developed a passion for basketball at a young age, largely thanks to his brother, Larry.

In high school, he developed his competitive spirit and sportsmanship, qualities that, combined with his talent, led him to become the star he is today.

While it is hard to list all of his feats, we believe it is necessary to mention some of Jordan's highlights: two Olympic Gold Medals, six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls (earning NBA Finals MVP honors each time), and five NBA MVP awards. These achievements, among many others, make up the long list of victories of this NBA legend.

6

Michael Phelps

Image: Braden Egli

Michael Phelps , born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, was a very energetic child. Fortunately, at the age of seven, he discovered a perfect outlet for all that enthusiasm: swimming.

His talent and dedication combined to create a world-class athlete, and by the age of 15, he was participating in his first Olympics!

In 2004, he stood out at the Athens Olympics, winning six gold medals. In 2008, he made history by winning a record-breaking eight gold medals in a single Olympics.

"The Baltimore Bullet" has won a total of 23 gold medals in his career, more than any other Olympic athlete in history!

7

Simone Biles

Image: Brian Wangenheim

One of the youngest on this list, Simone Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio.

Considered by many as the world's greatest gymnast ever , Simone was raised by her grandparents. Her sporting career began as a child when an attentive instructor recognized her talent and suggested she take gymnastics classes.

At the age of 14, she was already competing at high levels and never went unnoticed. In 2013, she won her first of many World Championship titles, demonstrating her incredible talent and ability to perform moves that other gymnasts could not.

8

Tom Brady

Image: Thomas Park

Of course, we can't overlook this legendary figure of American football . We're talking about none other than the great Tom Brady .

Considered by many the greatest quarterback of all time , Brady was born into a sports-loving family, which allowed him to showcase his skills when he was still a young boy.

Brady was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft. The Patriots' choice was incredibly wise, as he played for the team for 20 seasons, during which he and coach Bill Belichick formed what became known as the "Patriots dynasty." He also led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories!

During his last three seasons as a professional, he played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, not without winning another Super Bowl with them.

9

LeBron James

Image: Markus Spiske

The great "King James" was born LeBron Raymone James on December 30, 1984 , in Akron, Ohio. Since he was very young, he showed basketball skills, which were highlighted during his time at high school.

LeBron was the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he began his career. He later played with the Miami Heat, and finally, he became a legend with the Lakers.

LeBron has a long list of accomplishments in his sports career, making him one of the few who can be compared to Jordan. With four NBA Championships, four NBA Finals MVP Awards, four NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, two Olympic Gold Medals, and many other awards and distinctions, LeBron is indisputably one of the best at what he does.

10

Billie Jean King

Image: Valentin Balan

BJK was born Billie Jean Moffitt on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach, California. Her love for tennis began at a very young age when a friend lent her a racket. Her natural talent soon showed: she won her first major junior championship at the age of 14, and from then on, she didn't stop.

With 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles titles, 16 women's doubles titles, 11 mixed doubles titles, and holding the title of world No. 1 for many years, BJK rightfully holds the label of "Queen."

In 1973, Billie won the legendary "Battle of the Sexes," a tennis match against Bobby Riggs , who had challenged her. With this and many other victories, King paved the way for many women in the world of tennis and sports in general, which is why she is considered a pioneer in her field.

1

The Supremes

Image: Namroud Gorguis

The ‘60s gave us The Supremes, which was not only one of the most successful girl groups ever but also had the iconic Diana Ross among its members.

Have you heard "Stop! In the name of love / Before you break my heart / Think it over / Think it over"? But that unforgettable 1965 hit was not the Supremes' only success. They created many other hits, such as the famous "You Can't Hurry Love" from 1966. In fact, the group had 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100!

The influence of this successful group was so deep that it inspired and contributed to the flourishing and recognition of many other girl groups in the decades that followed, some of which are also on this list.

2

The Jackson 5

Image: Markus Spiske

The Supremes were not the only musical group that gave rise to an iconic solo star. The Jackson 5 appeared in 1964, featuring a very young Michael Jackson and his four brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon.

In the late ‘60s and ‘70s, the Jackson brothers achieved great success. In fact, one of their first singles, "I Want You Back," from 1969, became a number-one hit. When that song was played all over America, Michael Jackson was only 11 years old! Tunes like "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" are just a few of the other hits that followed.

In addition, The Jackson 5 had their own TV show, "The Jacksons" (from 1976 to 1977), and they were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997!

3

The Monkees

Image: Austin Prock

If you hear, "I thought love was only true in fairy tales..." you know how the lyrics of that song go on, right?

The Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night inspired an American series called The Monkees , televised from 1966 to 1968. If you watched it, you probably remember the musical band of the same name, created specifically for the show. Originally composed of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones, The Monkees achieved great musical success, particularly with the hit we just mentioned, "I'm a Believer," which remains famous worldwide.

4

The Ronettes

Image: Gayatri Pandkar

The '60s were prolific in musical groups, and one of the most popular was The Ronettes, a girl group formed by sisters Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector) and Estelle Bennett, along with their cousin Nedra Talley. Have you listened to some of their hits, such as "Be My Baby," "Baby, I Love You," and "Walking in the Rain"?

In addition to their catchy tunes, what distinguished The Ronettes was their style, characterized by dramatic makeup, beehive hairstyles , and iconic outfits.

Despite their influence, many years passed before they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 .

5

The Pointer Sisters

Image: Haley Lawrence

Pop, soul, R&B, jazz, country, and even dance music were some of the genres played by The Pointer Sisters, the girl group from Oakland, California, that rose to fame in the 70s. Their talent and versatility kept them going for several decades!

As their name suggests, The Pointer Sisters were a trio made up of sisters Anita, June, and Ruth Pointer. "I'm So Excited," "Jump (For My Love)," and "Fire" were some of the most famous hits of this three-time Grammy Award-winning group. Have you listened to them? You probably have!

6

New Kids on the Block

Image: Florian Schmetz

NKOTB was the coolest way to refer to the legendary New Kids on the Block (in fact, their fan base called themselves "NKOTB Nation"). Formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, this boy band triumphed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

NKOTB paved the way for other boy bands that emerged in the '90s, reshaping our concept of pop music. "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Hangin' Tough," and "Step by Step" were just a few of their many hits, which made them winners of several American Music Awards during their peak years. They also sold more than 80 million records worldwide!

If you want to remember NKOTB, you can listen to their songs, of course, but you can also visit their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where they've been honored since 2014.

7

Salt-N-Pepa

Image: Ben Wiens

In 1985, Queens , New York, saw the birth of Salt-N-Pepa, a legendary hip-hop group that became one of the first female groups in the genre.

Did you ever dream of forming a band when you were in college? We did! So did the members of Salt-N-Pepa. They not only made it happen, but they also became a huge success.

With hits like "Push It," "Shoop," "Whatta Man," and many others, these girls were everywhere. They had so much flow and rhythm that, in 2005, they were inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame!

8

Backstreet Boys

Image: Steve Johnson

If someone says, "Tell me why," many of us would probably respond with, "Ain't nothing but a heartache." And that's just one of the many ways the Backstreet Boys have left their mark across generations.

As one of the best-selling boy bands, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson were a sensation in the late '90s and early 2000s . Their music was everywhere, and fans were desperate to meet them.

As you know, they had several hits that we still remember, such as "I Want It That Way," "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," and "As Long As You Love Me." You've probably danced to the beat of some of these hit songs, right? Did you have a favorite?

9

Destiny's Child

Image: Rob Sarmiento

Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams were the final and best-known members of a girl group called Destiny's Child. Do any of these names ring a bell?

Big hits like "Say My Name" and "Bills, Bills, Bills"—which won them a couple of Grammy Awards, by the way—launched these women to total stardom. Destiny's Child was a constant presence on the charts during the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and had us all singing catchy lyrics like "Say my name, say my name / If no one is around you, say baby I love you."

In addition to several major hits that still live on in many people's minds and hearts, Destiny's Child gave us the incredible, iconic, record-breaking Beyoncé . What more could we ask for?

10

'N Sync

Image: Alphacolor

This list could never be complete without mentioning the unforgettable 'N Sync.

Not only was this one of pop's most legendary boy bands, but it also featured one member who eventually became a solo superstar. Yes, you guessed it— we're talking about Justin Timberlake! He, along with JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass, formed 'N Sync in 1995. Their first album, released in 1998, sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and included hits like "I Want You Back."

The faces of the 'N Sync members were everywhere: on posters, T-shirts, dolls, and all sorts of merchandise, selling out not just in the U.S. but also in other parts of the world. Remember their performance at the 2001 Super Bowl ?