1

Unalaska, Alaska

Image: Hari Nandakumar

Despite what the name suggests, Unalaska is not trying to break away from the rest of the state. The town’s name comes from Agunalaksh , the original name given by the Unangan people. Over time, spelling and pronunciation changes led to the simplified version: Unalaska.

In the late 1800s, the US Board on Geographic Names made it official, but don’t worry, it’s just the name; the beauty is certainly Alaskan!

2

Why, Arizona

Image: Kaileen Fitzpatrick

If you’ve ever asked yourself "Why?", you might be thinking too hard. This Arizona town got its name because of a simple road design: State Routes 85 and 86 originally met in a Y-shape.

When it was time to name the community, the locals wanted to call it Y (yes, you read that right), but Arizona law required town names to have at least three letters. So, they got creative and went with Why. Why, right?

3

No Name, Colorado

Image: Rich Martello

What do you call a town when you just can’t decide on a name? Apparently, (and logically, if we might say so), No Name. The story goes that when developers were working on Interstate 70, they left the town’s exit sign blank.

A transportation official later labeled it "No Name", and the locals decided to go with it . State officials tried to rename the area, but the people weren’t having it. They simply loved it!

4

Burnt Store, Florida

Image: Done By Alex

The name Burnt Store sounds like something out of a Wild West showdown, and the real story (or the legend, actually) isn’t too far off, you know?

Legend has it that in 1849, a trading post on the Peace River was burned to the ground after an attack. The store’s manager, George Payne, had dealings with the Seminole Indians before he was killed in an ambush. Shortly after, the store itself was destroyed. The tragic event left a permanent mark on the town’s history and its name.

5

Santa Claus, Indiana

Image: Ryan De Hamer

Originally called Santa Fe, this town located in Indiana had to change its name when officials discovered another Santa Fe already existed in the state.

People saw this as an opportunity, and instead of picking something new and extraordinary, they went all in on holiday spirit and became Santa Claus in 1856.

The town fully embraces its Christmas identity; it has attractions like Holiday World, Lake Rudolph Campground, and Frosty’s Fun Center. If you love the holidays, this is the place to be!

6

Bald Head, Maine

Image: Michael Denning

If you’re expecting a town full of shiny, bald-headed guys, well, you might be disappointed. Bald Head, Maine, actually gets its name from a nearby cliff called Bald Head Cliff .

Now, we all want to know the same: Does it look like a bald head? Sorry to disappoint, but not really. Still, the name has stuck, and the scenic beauty of the area more than makes up for any confusion. Just don’t show up expecting a bald head convention!

7

Accident, Maryland

Image: Colin Lloyd

Accident, Maryland, owes its name to an actual accident… Well, kind of. In the 1700s, two land surveyors both accidentally claimed the same piece of land without realizing it . One of them, William Deakins, Jr., later allowed the other, Brooke Beall, to keep it. Rather than rename the town, the name Accident stuck. Talk about a happy accident… And generosity!

8

Whynot, North Carolina

Image: Brendan Steeves

Similar to Why, Arizona, this North Carolina town also came about after a naming debate that got a little too long.

Legend has it that settlers were arguing over what to call their new town when one exasperated resident finally said, "Why not just name it Whynot and go home?" And just like that, Whynot was born.

9

Boring, Oregon

Image: everett mcintire

Yes, we get it. The first thing that comes to mind is "Why would you name your town this?" But despite what the name suggests, Boring, Oregon, isn’t actually boring . If you need some proof, just ask the locals!

Named after William Harrison Boring, one of its early settlers, the town became a hub for the timber industry. To make things even funnier, Boring has international "sister city" partnerships with Dull, Scotland, and Bland, Australia. If you ever visit, you’ll find that Boring is anything but!

10

Mosquitoville, Vermont

Image: Peter James Eisenhaure

If you were reluctant to visit Boring, imagine visiting Mosquitoville! The name alone makes us want to grab a can of bug spray!

Mosquitoville is actually a small community in Barnet, Vermont, and while we can’t confirm just how many mosquitoes live there, the name doesn’t sound very promising. You’ll just have to go one summer and find out! Only if you dare!

1

Lake Superior lives up to its name

Image: Jacob Skowronek

Lake Superior is the largest, deepest, and coldest of the five. It holds more water than the other four lakes combined—enough to cover North and South America in a foot of water. At 31,700 square miles, it’s the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world.

2

Only one is fully American

Image: Ioann-Mark Kuznietsov

Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake entirely within the jurisdiction of the United States. It touches four states—Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan—and its shores are home to major cities like Chicago and Milwaukee. As if this wasn’t enough, this lake also boasts the world’s largest freshwater sand dunes.

3

They create their own weather

Image: Srikanta H. U

The Great Lakes have a powerful influence on regional weather, especially through the phenomenon of "lake-effect snow." As cold air sweeps over the warmer lakes, it picks up moisture, resulting in heavy snowfall in cities like Buffalo, Cleveland, and Chicago. The lakes also generate localized storms that can rival oceanic tempests in intensity. Yet, not all is harsh; these unique conditions help create microclimates that are perfect for agriculture, supporting a range of crops across the region.

4

A shipwreck graveyard

Image: Vlad Tchompalov

Prone to stormy and unpredictable weather, the Great Lakes are home to over 6,000 shipwrecks. The most infamous of these, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, sank in Lake Superior during a violent storm in 1975, inspiring Gordon Lightfoot's iconic ballad. In fact, many of these wrecks are remarkably well-preserved, thanks to the cold freshwater, which slows down the decay process and keeps these sunken ships intact for decades.

5

They contain a fifth of the world’s freshwater

Image: Sime Basioli

The Great Lakes hold about 21% of the world's fresh surface water. That’s roughly six quadrillion gallons—enough to submerge the lower 48 states under about 10 feet of water. Given this staggering quantity, it's no surprise that the lakes are crucial to American drinking water, agriculture, and industry.

6

The Erie Canal’s role

Image: Lucy M

Opened in 1825, the Erie Canal linked the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River, transforming trade and settlement patterns. It played a pivotal role in making New York City an economic powerhouse and significantly accelerated the movement of goods between the Midwest and the East Coast. While most traffic now flows through the larger St. Lawrence Seaway, the Erie Canal remains a key chapter in U.S. history.

7

When the Niagara Falls stood still

Image: Vishwesh Jirgale

In 1969, engineers temporarily halted the flow of Niagara Falls due to concerns that erosion was progressing so rapidly the falls could disappear in a few years. After a thorough inspection by the Army Corps of Engineers, they concluded that no immediate maintenance was necessary. Despite this, the endeavor was far from futile—it provided valuable insights that would guide future preservation efforts for the iconic falls.

8

America’s forgotten "Third Coast"

Image: Richard Main

The Great Lakes coastline spans about 10,900 miles, which makes it longer than the U.S. East and West Coasts combined. This hidden "Third Coast" features sandy beaches, towering cliffs, and picturesque lighthouses, making it a popular destination for tourism and outdoor recreation.

9

Once an ancient ocean

Image: Andrzej Kryszpiniuk

Millions of years ago, the region now holding the Great Lakes was covered by an ancient sea. Over time, glaciers carved out the massive basins, which filled with meltwater after the Ice Age. The evidence of this transformation is still visible in the region’s fossils and rock formations.

10

Chicago River’s historic reversal

Image: Jake Leonard

In 1900, engineers reversed the flow of the Chicago River to prevent sewage from polluting Lake Michigan, the city’s drinking water source. Using a system of canals, the river was redirected toward the Mississippi River watershed, an astonishing feat of engineering that still works to this day.

11

Protected by an international treaty

Image: Hermes Rivera

The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between the U.S. and Canada governs the Great Lakes, ensuring cooperative water management. It led to the creation of the International Joint Commission, which helps both nations resolve disputes and protect this vital natural resource.

1

Just Do it

Image: Peter Aroner

This sportswear brand has been supporting top athletes for many, many years. It was founded in 1964 in the beautiful state of Oregon, though under a different name than the one it has today! Famous for its "Swoosh" logo, it started out making sports shoes, but today, it offers different kinds of apparel and products. We know you know which brand we're talking about!

2

Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hands

Image: JACQUELINE BRANDWAYN

For those of us with a sweet tooth, there's one candy that checks all the boxes. It has chocolate, colorful candy, a mix of textures, and a lot of flavor!

Although still one of the most popular candies among Americans today, this brand isn't new; it was actually founded back in 1941. And here's an interesting fact: When it was created, one of the brand's main goals was to make the perfect candy for WWII soldiers! Can you guess which brand it is?

3

Breakfast of Champions

Image: engin akyurt

A good breakfast is one thing, but a breakfast of champions? That's a new level! And we all want to start the day like a champion, don't we?

This cereal brand certainly knows that, and that's why it adopted this unforgettable slogan. It was created in 1924, and since the 1930s, it has featured iconic athletes on its boxes. Guess who was the first? Lou Gehrig, The "Iron Horse" of baseball!

4

I'm Lovin' It

Image: Joyce Panda

When it comes to fast food, this brand is the first that comes to mind. Originally founded as a drive-in restaurant in 1940, it grew by leaps and bounds to become the famous brand it is today, present in more than 100 countries around the world! Both its slogan and logo are hugely recognized worldwide, and it's hard to find someone who hasn't tried something from its menu.

5

There are some things money can't buy. For everything else…

Image: Fabian Blank

This company really knew how to condense their service into a great slogan! And, in fact, they have been using it for almost 3 decades. Founded in 1966 with a different name than the one it has today, this financial services company is not only here in America but you can also find it in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia! What's your guess?

6

Betcha Can't Eat Just One

Image: Tim Mossholder

This brand's slogan is absolutely true! Their snack is so delicious that it's one of the most popular salty treats, not just in America but all over the world.

Surprisingly, this brand is over 90 years old! Its success is likely due not just to its iconic advertising campaigns but also to the delicious "crunch" inside every bag. Do you already know which brand we're talking about?

7

Just Do it- Nike

Image: Domino Studio

Of course! Nike has been encouraging us to "Just Do It" since 1988, when it adopted this iconic slogan, now one of the most famous in the world. With its classic athletic spirit, Nike inspires us to take action with purpose, overcome obstacles, and chase our goals.

8

Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hands- M&Ms

Image: Sebastian Gómez

That's right! This iconic M&M's slogan has been around for more than 70 years, and its origin is quite interesting. As we mentioned, the brand aimed to create a candy suitable for WWII soldiers, so they came up with the genius idea of coating chocolate with a thin candy shell to keep it from melting inside the package. Just brilliant (and delicious)!

9

Breakfast of Champions- Wheaties

Image: Andrijana Bozic

With its famous slogan, Wheaties has been associating itself with sporting excellence since 1933, reinforcing this image by featuring elite athletes on each of its orange boxes. Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, and Muhammad Ali are just some of the great competitors that have been on the cover.

10

I'm Lovin' It- McDonald's

Image: Brett Jordan

Of course you knew it! "I'm Lovin' It" is the legendary and unmistakable slogan of the Golden Arches: McDonald's . Though it feels like it's been around forever, it's actually relatively young! Introduced in 2003 , it debuted alongside a catchy jingle that you probably still have stuck in your head.

11

There are some things that money can't buy; for everything else, there's Mastercard

Image: Markus Winkler

Mastercard's "Priceless" campaign is one of the most successful advertising initiatives worldwide. Focusing on customers' feelings, it highlights the emotional value of things money can't buy, like love and happiness. But it also drives home a key point: for everything that does require money, there's a Mastercard to make it possible.

12

Betcha Can't Eat Just One- Lay's

Image: Mustafa Bashari

If you're craving a tasty snack, Lay's is probably one of the first brands that comes to mind. Known for being one of the most famous potato chip brands, they really know how to tempt us. That's why they rightly say, "Betcha Can't Eat Just One." At least, we definitely can't!