1

Nuestra Señora de Atocha (Our Lady of Atocha)

Image: NOAA

A ship that sank off the coast of the Florida Keys in 1622, the Nuestra Señora de Atocha is, to this day, the most valuable shipwreck ever recovered. Originally bound from Havana, Cuba to Spain, the Atocha was loaded with a large treasure, ranging from copper and gems to gold and indigo from the Spanish colonies.

But, shortly after launching from port, a major hurricane caught the ship and destroyed the Atocha , which sank 56 feet beneath the surface. In 1985, treasure hunters rediscovered the wreck off the coast of the Florida Keys. Currently holding a Guinness World Record for its recovered value, the Atocha is a continual treasure trove for divers and fortune hunters alike.

2

SS Republic

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

A ship that served both the US and Confederate governments, the SS Republic sank in 1865 during a hurricane off the coast of Georgia. After the Civil War, the Republic carried passengers and cargo from New York to New Orleans. On October 20, 1865, a hurricane off the coast of Georgia damaged the ship, which sank around four in the afternoon.

As a result of the sinking, the cargo was lost with the ship until 2003, when a commercial archaeology company rediscovered the wreck approximately 100 miles from Savannah, Georgia. About a third of the coins that were on board the ship have been recovered, and are now valued at over USD 75 million.

3

The Whydah Gally

Image: NOAA

The Whydah Gally was intended for service in the British Empire before it was captured by the infamous pirate Samuel "Black Sam" Bellamy. As Bellamy and his crew approached the Massachusetts coast the weather turned, creating a violent nor’easter cyclone. The ship capsized and its cargo, 144-man crew, and captain were consequently thrust into the sea.

In 1984, underwater archaeologist Barry Clifford discovered the Whydah Gally. Since its rediscovery, many artifacts have been retrieved from the ship, including the ship’s bell , inscribed with the words: "THE WHYDAH GALLY 1716." This helped authenticate the Whydah as the first pirate shipwreck to ever be found and confirmed.

4

SS Central America

Image: Giuseppe Murabito

The SS Central America was an American sidewheel steamer that operated between the East Coast and Central America. In September 1857, carrying 477 passengers, 101 crewmembers, 38,000 pieces of mail, and 30,000 pounds of gold harvested during the California Gold Rush to New York City, the Central America was engulfed by a Category 2 hurricane.

At the time of the boat’s sinking, over 400 people were still on board, making it the most deadly of any American commercial boat disaster. The gold on board was also lost. In 1988, explorer Tommy Gregory Thompson found the ship, and up to three tons of gold were excavated, leading to long legal battles that have continued to the present day.

5

SS Georgiana

Image: Jason Mavrommatis

The SS Georgiana was a Confederate steamer. Built in Scotland, the ship sailed its maiden voyage in 1863 to Charleston, South Carolina, where it was expected to be outfitted by Confederate soldiers. However, the Georgiana was not armed with any guns on its first journey and approached its destination on March 19, 1863, with minimal defense.

A member of a Union blockade alerted the nearby battleship USS Wissahickon , which shot and pierced both sides of the ship’s hull. Captain Davidson, signaled a surrender to the Union blockade before beaching the boat. Before the beached ship could be boarded Davidson purposefully sank the boat, before escaping to land with his entire crew. Found on March 19, 1965, the Georgiana was lost for exactly 102 years before its discovery.

6

Edmund Fitzgerald

Image: Nott Peera

Arguably one of the most famous shipwrecks in American history , the Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship on the Great Lakes until 1971. The freighter was fatally wrecked on Lake Superior during the winter of 1975, with all her crew losing their lives.

The exact cause of the sinking, with no outward signs of severe damage, is still heavily debated. The prominent theories include the vessel running aground or suffering damage during the storm. A U.S. Navy Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft discovered the wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald in November 1975, 15 miles west of Deadman’s Cove, Ontario.

7

Carl D. Bradley

Image: Sandra Seitamaa

The SS Carl D. Bradley , a Great Lakes freighter built in 1927, was popularly known as the "Queen of the Lakes" because it was the longest and largest freighter on the Great Lakes at the time. In 1957, it collided with another vessel , the MV White Rose , causing damage to the hull.

It was caught in a storm in November of the same year and sank in Lake Michigan, killing 33 of the 35 crew members. The sinking was caused by structural damage caused by the poor choice of steel used in its construction. The wreck, lying 360 feet under the water, was discovered in 1959 by the Army Corps of Engineers.

8

Lady Elgin

Image: ALDO DE PASCALE

The Lady Elgin was a wooden-hulled steamship built in 1851 that served on the Great Lakes as a passenger ship. On September 6, 1860, while returning from Chicago, the vessel sank in an unfortunate accident.

While facing a strong gale, it was rammed by the schooner Augusta of Oswego and, due to the damages caused by the collision, the vessel sank sometime later, resulting in the death of more than 300 people. Though the exact number remains unknown since the manifest was lost during the accident, it remains one of the worst shipwrecks in the region.

9

SS Eastland

Image: Anton Repponen

The SS Eastland was a Chicago-based passenger ship , used for tours. On 24 July 1915, the ship rolled over onto its side while tied to a dock in the Chicago River. In total, 844 passengers and crew were killed in what was the largest loss of life from a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes.

After the disaster, the Eastland was salvaged and sold to the United States Navy which, after restorations and modifications, designated it a gunboat and renamed it USS Wilmette . It was used primarily as a training vessel on the Great Lakes and was scrapped after World War II.

10

Wyoming

Image: rashid

The largest wooden ship ever built , the Wyoming was a six-masted schooner built, completed in 1909 in Bath, Maine. It had a length of 450 ft from jib-boom tip to spanker boom tip.

Because of its extreme length and wood construction, the Wyoming tended to flex in heavy seas, which would cause the long planks to twist and buckle, allowing sea water to intrude into the vessel. For this reason, the Wyoming had to use pumps to keep itself relatively free of water. In March 1924, it foundered in heavy seas and sank with the loss of all hands.

1

Thelma from The Family Circus

Image: Angel Sanchez

Here’s a little bit of trivia: cartoonist Bil Keane didn’t just imagine Thelma—he sketched her straight from life, inspired by his own wife. Far from being a background character, she stands as an anchor in a house full of wild little adventurers. College-educated and quick on her feet, she is the quiet balance that keeps the comic’s playful family from tipping over.

Since its debut in 1960, fans of The Family Circus have seen in Thelma not just a mother, but the steady rhythm that turns chaos into charm. She reminds everyone that even in the middle of a circus, there’s always someone holding the tent poles steady.

2

Snoopy from Peanuts

Image: somecomputer

What if a simple old beagle could slip into the role of a daring fighter pilot or a famous novelist without ever leaving his doghouse? That’s the magic of Snoopy.

From the 1950s onward, Charles Schulz gave this iconic, innocent dog a wildly imaginative life, where a simple nap on the roof could turn into a trip across the skies. He rarely speaks, yet every tilt of his ear and twitch of his eyebrow says more than words ever could. Snoopy shows readers that the biggest adventures often happen in our heads, proving that silence can tell a story louder than any punchline.

3

Garfield

Image: Jim Davis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who would have guessed that a fat, sleepy cat introduced in 1978 would become one of the sharpest minds in comic strip history? Garfield never bothers chasing mice or protecting the house—he lets others do the hard work while he perfects the art of comfort.

Fueled by lasagna and armed with sarcasm, he turns laziness into a lifestyle. His famous dislike of Mondays isn’t just a joke—it’s a philosophy. Why suffer through the grind when you can nap through it? In his own sly way, Garfield teaches readers that brains sometimes triumph over brawn, especially when pasta is involved.

4

Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes

Image: Michał Turkiewicz

What happens when childhood curiosity meets mischievous behavior? Calvin happens. Bill Watterson’s rebellious and cynical six-year-old, born in the 1980s, can transform an ordinary backyard into a galaxy of adventures.

One moment, he’s a space explorer dodging aliens; the next, a philosopher debating life with a stuffed tiger. All his alter egos are playful but also surreal monuments of imagination. Beneath the pranks and wild schemes, Calvin reminds us that messy questions often lead to the brightest discoveries.

5

Wednesday from The Addams Family

Image: Jon Tyson

Imagine a child who never giggles at the obvious but instead tilts her head and asks the questions no one else dares. That’s Wednesday. When Charles Addams first sketched her in the 1930s, she wasn’t just another character in a gothic family—she was the sharp thinker in braids.

While her relatives reveled in the bizarre, Wednesday cuts straight to the harsh reality with calm precision. Her curiosity is fearless, her observations unflinching, and her wit so dry it makes readers smirk. In a household full of quirks, she is the quiet compass pointing toward reason.

6

Nancy Ritz from Nancy

Image: Tip Top Comics / United Features / Ernie Bushmiller, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Long before "less is more" became a fashion motto, Ernie Bushmiller’s Nancy was already proving the point. With just a few lines, Bushmiller built a character who could provoke laughs sharper than most elaborate gags. Nancy’s jokes landed fast, like little surprise jabs, and her clean, minimalist style made her humor feel universal. Decade after decade, her zingers have stayed as fresh as if they were written yesterday.

7

Popeye the Sailor Man from Thimble Theatre

Image: E. C. Segar, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Believe it or not, a cartoon sailor managed to change America’s dinner plates. When Popeye appeared in 1929, kids suddenly wanted to eat spinach, and sales of the leafy green soared by nearly a third.

With his anchor tattoos, squinty eye, and gravelly mumble, Popeye wasn’t exactly polished—he was tough, funny, and unforgettable. Every can of spinach he cracked open turned into instant muscle, proving that strength, humor, and even vegetables could be downright heroic.

8

Dick Tracy

Image: R Jangaard

Imagine picking up a newspaper in 1931 and spotting a hard-boiled detective with a futuristic radio strapped to his wrist. For readers of the day, it looked like pure science fiction. Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy wasn’t only solving crimes—he was predicting the kind of technology that wouldn’t appear in real life for decades.

Sharp as a tack, with a no-nonsense style, Tracy blends American gothic with futuristic flair, making every strip feel like a peek into tomorrow’s world.

9

Dennis from Dennis the Menace

Image: Alexandra_Koch

On the surface, Dennis seems like every parent’s headache: a freckle-faced kid with a knack for trouble. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a sharp mind hiding behind that mischievous grin.

Since the 1950s, his pranks have been less about chaos and more about clever planning and outsmarting the grown-ups. While Mr. Wilson might sigh in defeat, readers can’t help but laugh, knowing Dennis exposes truths adults often tiptoe around. Mischief is his tool; curiosity is his true engine.

10

Archie Andrews from Archie Comics

Image: Al Fagaly, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Picture a small town where jukeboxes hum, soda fountains buzz, and Friday night dances are packed with teenagers. That’s the world Archie Andrews introduces us to. With his bright red hair and everyday charm, Archie isn’t a superhero—he’s the kid next door.

Yet, he manages to shine thanks to his relatable stumbles, from juggling homework to choosing between Betty’s sweetness and Veronica’s sparkle. His stories are funny snapshots of small-town America, frozen in time like a favorite old record.

11

Mooch and Earl from MUTTS

Image: PNW Production

At first glance, they’re just a cat and a dog. But look closer, and Mooch and Earl are small philosophers wrapped in fur. Patrick McDonnell gave Mooch his playful "Yesh" and Earl his gentle kindness, creating a duo that speaks volumes in just a few words.

MUTTS isn’t about big adventures, it’s about simple, tender moments: a nap in the sun, a wagging tail, a shared silence that feels like music. Through their quirks and quiet humor, Mooch and Earl remind readers that wisdom often comes from uncomplicated friendship.

12

Private Carl James "Beetle" Bailey from Beetle Bailey

Image: Mort Walker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

When Mort Walker introduced Private "Beetle" Bailey in 1950, he proved that not every comic hero needs ambition—sometimes a nap is enough. Beetle isn’t just lazy; he turns slacking into a survival skill. While others march, plan, or panic, Beetle drifts away with a smirk, always finding the shortest route around hard work.

Although Camp Swampy is a tough setting, the punchline is clear: Beetle’s effortless way of avoiding obligations is almost genius. Somehow, doing nothing becomes his greatest talent.

1

The term "Speakeasy" came from a whispered instruction

Image: Shtefan Lounge

This expression, by now forever associated with the Prohibition Era, came from bartenders quietly warning patrons to "speak easy" when ordering illegal drinks.

It is believed that the phrase was already in use in 1800s saloons, but it took off during Prohibition. Hidden behind trapdoors or fake businesses, these secret bars required passwords or knocks to enter.

2

Prohibition sparked the rise of NASCAR

Image: Caleb Woods

Southern moonshiners during Prohibition needed to move whiskey fast. To evade federal agents, they needed to modify cars for speed and for driving through uneven terrains under the cover of the night.

What do you do with that peculiar set of skills when the Prohibition ends, then? Many of these trained drivers began racing each other for fun , and eventually for prizes. These informal competitions laid the groundwork for stock car racing, and in 1948, NASCAR was officially founded.

3

Grape bricks were a legal alternative

Image: Keegan Houser

Though commercial winemaking was banned, winemakers adapted quickly by selling "grape concentrate bricks" legally.

They were dense blocks that came with a cheeky warning: "Do not dissolve in water , add yeast, and let sit for 21 days, or it may ferment into wine." Of course, that’s exactly what people did.

4

Al Capone opened a soup kitchen

Image: Drew Gilliam

During the Great Depression, mob boss Al Capone operated a soup kitchen in Chicago, serving thousands of unemployed individuals .

The sign outside read "Free Soup, Coffee & Doughnuts for the Unemployed." It was certainly a clever PR move that helped soften his infamous image, even as he profited from illegal booze and violence.

5

There was a "whiskey prescription" loophole

Image: Anastasia Zhenina

While Prohibition outlawed alcohol sales, there was one major exception: whiskey prescribed by a doctor. The government allowed the writing of prescriptions for " medicinal liquor ," so millions were written. Patients could pick up their booze at a local pharmacy, usually in a clearly labeled bottle: "For Medicinal Use Only."

6

"Mountain Dew" meant Moonshine

Image: Josh McLain

Long before it was a neon-green soda, "mountain dew" was slang for homemade whiskey . The term already appeared in folk songs of the Appalachian region back in the 19th century, and it became especially popular during Prohibition, as illegal distilling became widespread.

In the 1940s, the creators of the soft drink Mountain Dew originally formulated it as a mixer for whiskey. The name was a wink after the bootlegging culture it came from.

7

Women were on both sides of the front lines

Image: Agustina Tolosa

Fierce women activists led the temperance movement, yes. For example, Carrie Nation famously stormed saloons with a hatchet. But many women also thrived in the world of illegal liquor.

Some saw Prohibition as an opportunity and became successful bootleggers, smugglers, and speakeasy owners. One of the most famous was Gertrude "Cleo" Lythgoe, nicknamed "The Queen of the Bahamas," who smuggled high-end liquor from Nassau to the U.S. East Coast and built a fortune.

8

Toothpaste and hair tonics were alcoholic

Image: Chelms Varthoumlien

With liquor banned, some people turned to unlikely products to get drunk. Items like bay rum aftershave, vanilla extract, hair tonics, and even toothache drops were legally sold and packed with high-proof alcohol. Desperate drinkers downed them despite the awful taste and potential health risks.

In New York City alone, an estimated 150,000 gallons of bay rum were consumed for intoxication in a single year.

9

Bootlegging funded jazz and nightlife

Image: cottonbro studio

Prohibition did help launch a cultural revolution . Speakeasies became centers of nightlife and music, and in places like Harlem, they gave rise to the Harlem Renaissance. Jazz greats like Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday got their start playing in these clubs.

10

New York’s mayor toasted the end with a beer… on air

Image: Muhammed ÖÇAL

When the 21st Amendment officially ended Prohibition on December 5, 1933, New Yorkers celebrated with flair. So did their mayor. Fiorello La Guardia, a vocal critic of the alcohol ban , marked the occasion by cracking open a beer during a press conference and drinking it on live radio.

La Guardia had long argued that Prohibition bred crime and disrespect for the law, so this on-air symbolic gesture made sense and marked the beginning of instant change.

11

Some states didn’t ratify the end until the 21st century

Image: Chris Hardy

Though the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition in 1933, some states and counties held out for decades . Mississippi didn’t officially end state Prohibition laws until 1966; that’s 33 years after the national repeal. Kansas, meanwhile, banned public bars until 1987.

Even today, Prohibition echoes remain. Several U.S. counties are still "dry," meaning alcohol sales are restricted or banned outright.