1

Breaking a mirror

Image: Savannah B.

As we’ve all heard, breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck— a belief that dates back to the Romans . They thought a mirror didn’t just reflect your face, but also your soul.

Because the Romans also believed that life renewed itself every seven years, the curse was thought to last exactly that long.

2

Walking under a ladder

Image: Nick Fewings

This superstition has its roots in medieval Europe, where ladders leaning against walls formed a triangle, a shape that symbolized the Holy Trinity .

Walking through it was seen as breaking the sacred shape and inviting misfortune. Today, most people avoid it not only out of superstition but also for simple safety.

3

A black cat in your path

Image: Emmeli M

In the Middle Ages, black cats were linked to witchcraft and were thought to be witches’ companions—or even witches in disguise. Crossing paths with one was considered dangerous .

Though many cultures view black cats as lucky, in the U.S., the old stigma has persisted.

4

Knocking on wood

Image: Glen Carrie

The habit of knocking on wood to ward off bad luck likely comes from ancient pagan traditions. Trees—especially oaks—were believed to house protective spirits .

Touching or knocking on wood was a way to call on those spirits for protection. The phrase and the action traveled across centuries, and now it’s a common phrase in everyday conversations.

5

Opening an umbrella indoors

Image: Kato Blackmore 🇺🇦

The superstition that opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck originates from 18th-century England. Early umbrellas were large, stiff, and often had metal spokes.

Opening one indoors could cause injury or break household items , so the "bad luck" warning worked as a practical safety rule.

6

Friday the 13th

Image: Nik

Friday has long been considered unlucky in Christian tradition because it was said to be the day of the Crucifixion. The number thirteen was also viewed as ominous, connected to the Last Supper .

When the two were combined, Friday the 13th gained its spooky reputation. Despite rational explanations, some hotels skip floor 13, and many people still avoid major plans on that date.

7

Spilling salt

Image: ekaterina shishina

Salt was once precious and expensive, symbolizing purity and friendship. Spilling it was considered wasteful and unlucky in ancient times.

The practice of tossing a pinch over your left shoulder comes from folklore, supposedly to blind the devil lurking there . It’s a tiny gesture that still lingers on dinner tables today.

8

Four-leaf clover

Image: Barbara Krysztofiak

The four-leaf clover is a symbol of good fortune dating back to the Celts, who believed the rare leaves provided protection against evil spirits .

Since clovers typically have only three leaves, the fourth leaf came to symbolize rarity and luck.

9

Rabbit’s foot

Image: Timofei Adrian

Carrying a rabbit’s foot for luck traces back to African and European folklore, where rabbits were seen as fertile, magical creatures .

The superstition spread through American culture in the 19th century, especially in the South. Even though it might seem unusual—and potentially unsanitary—the lucky rabbit’s foot remains a well-known charm today.

10

Wishbone

Image: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

The tradition of making a wish on a wishbone originates with the Romans, who, in turn, borrowed it from the Etruscans. They believed that birds held divine powers .

Breaking the bone with someone else was thought to transfer luck to the person who ended up with the larger piece .

11

Coin in a fountain

Image: Lila Mitchell

Tossing a coin into water to make a wish has its roots in ancient Europe. Wells and springs were considered sacred, often associated with gods or spirits.

People dropped coins as offerings for health or good fortune . Today, fountains across the U.S. and around the world collect millions of coins.

12

Wishing upon a star

Image: Ali

The superstition of wishing upon a star comes from ancient Greece and Rome, where falling stars were believed to carry messages from the gods .

Even today, looking up at the night sky and spotting a shooting star inspires many people to make a wish.

1

The US: The ultimate Olympic host

Image: Obed Hernández

If hosting the Olympics were a sport, the US would take home the gold medal, as America has welcomed the Games eight times —more than any other country.

The Summer Olympics have taken place in St. Louis (1904), Los Angeles (1932, 1984), and Atlanta (1996), while the Winter Olympics have been held in Lake Placid (1932, 1980), Squaw Valley (1960), and Salt Lake City (2002).

And that’s not the end—Los Angeles is gearing up for 2028, so it’s safe to say the torch never stays away for too long!

2

Winning more medals than anyone else

Image: Ethan Wilkinson

If there’s one thing Team USA knows how to do, it’s win medals—a lot of them. As of 2024, the US has claimed a staggering 2,765 Summer Olympic medals (including 1,105 golds) and 330 Winter Olympic medals . No other country even comes close.

Whether on the track, in the pool, or on the ice, American athletes have consistently outperformed the competition.

3

Dominating track, field, and the pool

Image: Austris Augusts

Certain sports just seem to bring out the best in American athletes . From Jesse Owens on the track to Katie Ledecky in the pool to Carl Lewis soaring through the air, American athletes have rewritten the record books time and time again.

In track and field, for example, the US holds the record for the most gold medals, with over 400.

When it comes to swimming, Team USA has made an even bigger splash, earning more than 570 total Olympic medals—the most in any single sport.

4

Michael Phelps: The GOAT of the Olympics

Image: Braden Egli

Speaking of rewriting the record books, we need to talk about Michael Phelps—the most decorated Olympian of all time.

With 28 medals (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) , the legendary swimmer dominated the pool across five Olympic Games. His eight gold medals at Beijing 2008 were a record-breaking feat, proving that when it comes to Olympic greatness, no one comes close. Phelps didn’t just set records—he shattered them, leaving behind a legacy that may never be topped.

5

Winter Games greatness: Apolo Ohno’s record run

Image: Filip

While the Summer Olympics have clearly brought in the most medals, the US has had its fair share of Winter Olympic heroes.

The most decorated of them all? Apolo Ohno , the short-track speed skating sensation. Ohno raced to eight Olympic medals, cementing his place as America’s greatest Winter Olympian. You simply had to watch him dodge crashes, make last-second moves, and celebrate with his signature goatee.

6

When the US brought home 83 golds in one year

Image: Viktor Forgacs

The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics marked a golden era for Team USA—and we mean that quite literally.

With the Soviet Union and several other countries boycotting the Games, American athletes dominated, winning 83 gold medals —the most ever at a single Summer Olympics.

7

The only time the US won just one gold

Image: Matthew Fournier

But it wasn’t always like that—there were times when the story went differently for Team USA. While 1984 was all about collecting golds, 1980 was a different story.

That year, Team USA won only one gold medal… but what a gold it was! The US men’s hockey team, made up of young college players, pulled off the famous "Miracle on Ice , " defeating the heavily favored Soviet team before going on to win gold. One gold medal? Sure. But it was one of the greatest moments in Olympic history.

8

A medal sweep like no other

Image: Mia de Jesus

The 1904 St. Louis Olympics were unlike any other—and not just because it was the first time the Games were held in the US.

Due to travel difficulties and a lack of international participation, Team USA won over 80% of all medals awarded . While it wasn’t exactly a fair fight, it still stands as the biggest medal sweep in Olympic history. Sometimes, just showing up is half the battle, you know?

9

Youngest US champion: A 13-year-old diving prodigy

Image: Austrian National Library

Most Olympic champions train for years before making their mark—but that wasn’t the case for Marjorie Gestring , who won a gold medal in diving at just 13 years and 268 days old at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. While most kids her age were just starting middle school, she was standing atop the Olympic podium. To this day, she remains the youngest US Olympic champion ever.

10

Simone Biles: The queen of US gymnastics

Image: Brian Wangenheim

When it comes to American gymnastics, Simone Biles is in a league of her own. With 11 Olympic medals (7 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), she is the most decorated US female gymnast in history.

Her powerful routines, gravity-defying skills, and unmatched mental toughness have made her an icon, inspiring future generations of gymnasts. Whether she’s flipping, twisting, or making history, Biles continues to raise the bar—literally.

1

Star Wars Action Figures

Image: Brian McGowan

Those little plastic heroes from a galaxy far, far away weren't just toys: they were pure magic in your hands. Whether you had Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, or the hard-to-find Boba Fett, these 3.75-inch figures from Kenner turned your bedroom floor into epic space battles.

Fast forward to today, and collectors are paying top dollar for these nostalgic treasures. A mint-condition figure still in its original packaging can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars . Even loose figures in decent shape can bring in $20 to $100 each, depending on the character. The rarest pieces, like the vinyl-caped Jawa or the rocket-firing Boba Fett prototype, have sold for tens of thousands at auction.

2

Cabbage Patch Kids

Image: camilo jimenez

The madness of 1983 is hard to forget—parents literally fighting in toy store aisles to grab one of these wrinkly-faced dolls for Christmas. With their yarn hair, chubby cheeks, and unique names, these dolls weren't just toys; they were family members who went everywhere with you.

Original Cabbage Patch Kids from the early '80s, especially the ones made by Coleco, are now highly sought after by collectors. Dolls in excellent condition with their original boxes and paperwork can sell for $100 to $500 , while rare editions or special characters can go for much more.

3

Atari 2600 Game Cartridges

Image: Alejandro Hikari

This chunky, black console with the wood paneling was the coolest thing you could own in the late '70s and early '80s. Games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Pitfall! kept you glued to the TV for hours, even though the graphics were basically colored blocks moving around the screen.

Today, common titles might only fetch $5 to $20, but rare games can sell for hundreds or even thousands . The holy grail is "Air Raid," one of the rarest games ever made, which has sold for over $30,000.

4

Strawberry Shortcake Dolls

Image: Subhabrata Chowdhury

Strawberry Shortcake burst onto the scene in 1980 with her red hair, freckles, and signature striped stockings. Soon she had a whole crew of fruity friends like Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Tart, and Huckleberry Pie.

These scented dolls from the original Kenner line are now collectible gems. Mint-condition dolls in their original packaging can sell for $50 to $200, depending on the character . Even loose dolls in good shape with their original outfits can bring in $20 to $50 each, especially if they still have a hint of that fruity smell.

5

Hot Wheels and Matchbox Cars

Image: I Nyoman Adi Wiraputra

Your collection probably sprawled across your bedroom floor in an elaborate city of orange tracks, loop-de-loops, and imaginary highways. Hot Wheels from Mattel and Matchbox cars from Lesney were the must-have toys for any kid who loved vehicles.

A single rare Hot Wheels car, like a 1968 "Cheetah" base Python or certain Redline editions, can sell for $100 to $1,000 or more . Even common models in excellent condition with their original packaging can fetch $10 to $50.

6

Transformers

Image: Arseny Togulev

"More than meets the eye!" That wasn't just a catchy tagline—it was the truth. Transformers were toys that did double duty: a cool robot that could morph into a vehicle, cassette player, or dinosaur with just a few twists and clicks.

Original Generation 1 Transformers from the mid-'80s are now hot collectibles. Figures in good condition with all their parts intact can sell for $50 to $200, while rare characters or complete sets in original packaging can go for much more . Optimus Prime in his original box can fetch $500 to $1,000 or higher.

7

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero

Image: Justin Wilkens

The 1980s reboot of G.I. Joe brought the action figure down from 12 inches to a more manageable 3.75 inches, and kids went wild for them. Snake Eyes, Duke, Cobra Commander, and Storm Shadow became instant icons. These figures came with tons of accessories—guns, backpacks, helmets—that were ridiculously easy to lose.

Today's collectors are willing to pay good money for these patriotic warriors. Complete figures with all their original accessories can sell for $15 to $100 each, depending on rarity. Mint-on-card figures (still sealed in packaging) are where the real value lies, often fetching $50 to $300 or more for rare characters . The U.S.S. Flagg, if complete in its box, can sell for over $1,000.

8

My Little Pony

Image: Kateryna Hliznitsova

These colorful little horses with brushable manes and tails captured hearts when they debuted in 1983. Each pony had its own name, personality, and unique symbol on its flank.

Original Generation 1 ponies from the '80s are now beloved collectibles among a dedicated fanbase. Common ponies in good condition can sell for $10 to $30 each, while rare ponies, especially those from early releases or special editions, can go for $100 to $500 .

9

Rubik's Cube

Image: William Warby

The Rubik's Cube became a sensation in 1980, and suddenly everyone was twisting and turning those colorful squares, trying to get each side to match. Some kids could solve it in minutes; most of us just peeled off the stickers and stuck them back on in the right places (come on, you know you did it).

Original Rubik's Cubes from the early '80s, especially early editions made in Hungary, have become collectible. While standard cubes aren't worth a fortune, vintage ones in pristine condition with original packaging can sell for $50 to $150 . Special editions, like the original wooden prototype or cubes signed by inventor Ernő Rubik, are worth much more.

10

Care Bears

Image: Oxana Lyashenko

These huggable bears with symbols on their bellies taught us about feelings and friendship. Each Care Bear represented a different emotion or value: Tenderheart Bear had a heart, Grumpy Bear had a rain cloud, and Cheer Bear had a rainbow. The stuffed animals, along with the TV shows and movies, made Care Bears a phenomenon.

Vintage Care Bears from the original 1983 Kenner line are now sought-after collectibles. Plush bears in excellent condition with their original tags can sell for $30 to $100, while rare bears or special editions can go higher. Complete sets, limited editions like the birthday bears, or bears with rare belly badges are particularly prized.