1

A Presidential curse

Image: David Everett Strickler

For almost 140 years, U.S. presidents elected in years ending in zero died while in office. It happened to William Henry Harrison (1840), Abraham Lincoln (1860), James A. Garfield (1880), William McKinley (1900), Warren G. Harding (1920), Franklin D. Roosevelt (1940), and John F. Kennedy in 1960 . Ronald Reagan, elected in 1980 , broke the curse by surviving an assassination attempt.

2

Mark Twain and Halley’s Comet

Image: Justin Wolff

In the year Mark Twain was born, 1835, Halley’s Comet passed by Earth. The great writer famously predicted he’d "go out with it" as well . Indeed, he passed away in 1910, the next time the comet appeared.

3

Jefferson and Adams

Image: iStrfry , Marcus

A patriotic yet somber coincidence, indeed. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third U.S. presidents, both died on July 4, 1826 —exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

4

Hoover Dam’s first and last casualties

Image: Ryan Thorpe

The construction of the Hoover Dam was a long and difficult process, claiming over 100 lives. The first person to die was J.G. Tierney , and the last recorded death was his son , Patrick Tierney.

5

Lincoln and Kennedy

Image: Kelli Dougal

Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy were elected 100 years apart (1860 and 1960). Both were shot in the head and succeeded by men named Johnson . Their assassins each had three names: John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald. Both were assassinated on a Friday while sitting next to their wives at the time that it happened.

6

Charles Francis Coghlan’s last journey

Image: Rhodi Lopez

Actor Charles Francis Coghlan died in Texas in 1899. But his casket was lost at sea during a hurricane. Eight years later, his coffin washed ashore near his birthplace in Prince Edward Island, Canada, more than 3,000 miles away.

7

The Titanic coincidence

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

A few years before the Titanic sank, Morgan Robertson wrote a short book called Futility , about a massive "unsinkable" ship called the Titan that hit an iceberg and sank. The tale describes a ship with a similar size and a similar lack of lifeboats to the famous vessel.

8

Dennis the Menace

Image: Mitch Rosen

Two comic strips featuring a character named Dennis the Menace debuted in British and American outlets, respectively, on March 12, 1961—only a few hours apart. However, the two creators did not know each other and had no idea of the other’s work.

9

Jim Lewis and Jim Springer

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Identical twin brothers separated at birth , Jim Lewis and Jim Springer, were reunited at age 39 and discovered many coincidences: both married women named Linda , divorced, and then remarried women named Betty. Both had dogs named Toy and drove the same model of car. Both grew up with an adopted brother named Larry and had sons whom they named James Allan.

10

Disney magic

Image: PAN XIAOZHEN

A soon-to-be-married couple, Alex and Donna , were looking through old photos to include in their wedding video. They found one photo of Donna posing on a childhood trip to Disney World in 1980. And in the background, they spotted Alex being pushed in a stroller by his father.

11

Moped meets taxi, twice

Image: Ruslan Bardash

In 1975, 17-year-old Erskine Lawrence Ebbin was struck by a taxi in Bermuda while riding his moped. A year later, his brother Neville , also 17 at the time, was riding the same moped when he was struck by the same taxi —with the same passenger—on the same street.

12

Lightning strike survivor

Image: Felix Mittermeier

Being hit by lightning is an extremely rare occurrence. Park ranger Roy Sullivan was struck not once, but seven times between 1942 and 1977 —and survived them all. The strikes hit him in a fire tower, in his truck, in his yard, while patrolling, and more. His unusual record earned him the nickname "Human Lightning Rod."

1

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Image: Mandy Beerley

If you've ever imagined what hell might look like, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park could come close—not because it’s a place of suffering (you'll actually witness some of the most incredible views on Earth), but because it's full of glowing, molten, menacing lava. The lava flows from Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. But not everything here burns; this national park is also home to unique flora and fauna.

2

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming

Image: Dan Meyers

What you're looking at might resemble a weather forecast map, but it's not. It's the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone's most famous hot spring. With its brilliant blue, orange, yellow, and green hues, it looks like a surrealist painting. Although it might look small in pictures, the Grand Prismatic Spring is huge—about 370 feet in diameter and 160 feet deep. That makes it the largest hot spring in the US and the third largest in the world!

3

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Image: Fudo Jahic

If you want to feel like you're walking through a giant red stone maze, Antelope Canyon near Page, in northern Arizona, is the perfect spot. Carved over thousands of years by flash floods and erosion, its towering walls allow sunlight to stream in from above, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors.

4

Painted Hills, Oregon

Image: Ashley Bard

If an artist were to paint a series of enormous hills in vibrant colors, it would probably look a lot like Oregon's stunning Painted Hills. Located within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, these hills display stripes of red, yellow, gold, and black. But that's not all! The colors shift with the seasons and change throughout the day, creating a breathtaking, ever-changing landscape.

5

Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves, Alaska

Image: Salomé Guruli

Exploring caves can be risky and terrifying for many, but imagine a cave system made entirely of ice! It sounds like something from a fantasy movie, but it really exists—and it's in Alaska. The stunning Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves lie beneath the glacier of the same name, formed by meltwater carving tunnels and chambers deep within the ice.

6

Turnip Rock, Michigan

Image: Maria Teneva

Turnip Rock, located in the famous Lake Huron in Michigan, is as fascinating as it is mysterious. What makes this rock so special? Standing about 20 feet tall, it has a turnip-like shape—its narrow base supports a much wider top—giving it a perfectly balanced appearance that amazes all who see it.

7

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Image: Peter Hansen

The Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves are just one of Alaska's many spectacular sights. Another must-see is the incredible Hubbard Glacier in southeastern Alaska, one of the largest and most active tidewater glaciers in North America. Trust us— its sheer size and dramatic ice cliffs will absolutely blow your mind!

8

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico

Image: Robert Harkness

When it comes to surreal landscapes, New Mexico's Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness can't be left out. Its towering rock formations, blending shades of white, gray, red, and orange, were shaped by erosion and look like something straight out of another planet!

9

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Image: Adrien Tanic

A cave doesn't always have to be a small, cramped space. Mammoth Cave stands out with its enormous underground chambers, filled with impressive rock formations in both shape and size. In fact, it's the world's longest-known cave system—and it's right here in the state of Kentucky!

10

Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana

Image: Carlo Lisa

If you're easily spooked, Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin might not be your idea of a fun trip, especially at night! It's the largest swamp and wetland area in the US, packed with twisting bayous, spooky cypress trees, and massive alligators lurking around.

1

Titanic

Image: Courtesy of NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island (NOAA/IFE/URI)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Since the film was released in 1997, the famous theme song immortalized by Celine Dion has been played at more than one wedding. It's no coincidence: Titanic is one of the most iconic romantic films in cinema history.

While this movie is full of memorable love scenes, the one that has remained in our hearts is that of Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) putting their class differences behind and kissing at sunset on the ship's bow. Have you ever exclaimed, "I'm flying" while embracing your beloved? We bet many of you have!

2

When Harry met Sally

Image: Malcolm Garret

The basis of a successful romantic relationship is a beautiful friendship, and When Harry Met Sally is proof of that —even if it takes the main characters the whole film to figure it out!

Over the course of an hour and a half, spanning 12 years in the life of this couple , we see how they fall in love, even though they sometimes get on each other's nerves. In the end, during a New Year's Eve party, Harry (Billy Crystal) finally declares his love to Sally (Meg Ryan), who can't resist her friend's charm. Is When Harry Met Sally the ultimate rom-com of all time? Most definitely!

3

Casablanca

Image: Brett Sayles

Have you ever heard the phrase, "If you love somebody, set them free"? That's what Rick (Humphrey Bogart) must have been thinking when, at the end of Casablanca , puts his life in danger to help Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) flee to safety along with her husband.

Rick and Ilsa's relationship never materialized, but it has undoubtedly left us with one of the most iconic love stories the silver screen has ever produced. Yet, as a consolation, we'll always have Paris!

4

The Notebook

Image: Tima Miroshnichenko

Undoubtedly, the chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams has catapulted The Notebook to the podium of the most romantic movies ever. Twenty years after its release, it’s still one of the favorites among fans of the genre!

It’s very hard to choose just one romantic scene from this movie. All of it is an ode to love—and heartbreak. But perhaps the one that comes immediately to mind when we mention this film is the passionate kiss in the rain. Caught in a sudden storm, Allie finally confronts Noah for not writing to her for 7 years. Words certainly fall short of explaining the misunderstanding!

5

The Bridges of Madison County

Image: Jet Lowe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Not all love flicks have a happy ending, and that doesn't make them any less romantic. In The Bridges of Madison County , Francesca (Meryl Streep), a devoted housewife, meets Robert (Clint Eastwood), a free-spirited National Geographic photographer, while her family is away.

Francesca and Robert share a passionate week together but soon must return to reality. At the end of the film, Francesca faces two choices: be obedient and stay with her husband and children or give it all up for the love of her life. The scene in the truck, where she sees him standing in the rain and is about to leave everything for love, is so full of emotion that it is almost painful to watch.

6

Ghost

Image: Huzaifa Ginwala

Thanks to this film, pottery will be linked to romance forever. In one of the most iconic scenes in Ghost —and cinema in general— Molly (Demi Moore) can't sleep, so she decides to get to work. While modeling a vase to the rhythm of Unchained Melody she is joined by her steamy boyfriend Sam (Patrick Swayze).

With this scene, the film succeeds in capturing a moment of passion but also of emotional connection between two people. It is a scene of intimacy and sensuality rarely achieved so well on the big screen.

7

Gone with the Wind

Image: Kiddo27, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The relationship between Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) and Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) is as complicated as it is passionate. During nearly four hours of film that covers more than 10 years in the life of this tumultuous couple, we see their comings and goings, tender moments, and fierce fights.

Perhaps the most memorable scene in this film is the first kiss under the bright orange sunset. This, along with other equally romantic scenes, has made Gone with the Wind one of the best romantic films in the history of cinema, despite being 85 years old.

8

Sleepless in Seattle

Image: Timo Wagner

​​Sleepless in Seattle is another rom-com that can't be missing from this list. In a nutshell, this is the story of a widower (Tom Hanks) looking for a new partner and mother for his son and a woman (Meg Ryan) who discovers that the love of her life might be on the other side of the country. Sounds like the formula for success, don't you think?

But did you know that the film's most memorable scene—the one in which Sam and Annie finally meet at the top of the Empire State Building —almost didn't happen? Rumor has it that the producers didn't have clearance from the building's owners. Luckily, director Nora Ephron had an ace up her sleeve and got permission to film for a mere six hours, which was enough to make this scene unforgettable.

9

Up

Image: Tima Miroshnichenko

Who said there can't be romance in an animated movie? Up is one of the favorite films among children and adults alike. In the very beginning, a montage shows us the love story of Carl and Ellie, from childhood to old age.

Throughout their life story, we witness beautiful moments such as their wedding, as well as heartbreaking events. These few scenes really have all the necessary condiments to make us laugh, love, and cry in just a few minutes.

10

Her

Image: Cash Macanaya

Will artificial intelligence be the future of love? We don't know, although Her tries to explore what romantic relationships would be like in a hyper-connected tomorrow. Unable to get over a breakup, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) begins a romantic relationship with "Samantha," his computer's operating system.

In a heartbreaking scene, Samantha asks, "Are these feelings even real?" The love between them grows deeper each day, even though they cannot explain how it came about between a human being and a machine . Probably not your standard rom-com, but certainly a film that takes the subject of love to unexpected territories.

11

Love Story

Image: Shelby Deeter

"Love means never having to say you're sorry," says Jenny (Ali MacGraw) to Oliver (Ryan O'Neal) in a film considered one of the most romantic by the American Film Institute.

Although it has a sad ending, Love Story succeeds in masterfully and eloquently portraying the story of two young college students who fall deeply in love despite their differences.

12

Before Sunrise

Image: wal_172619

Is there such a thing as love at first sight? If you don't think so, then you should see Before Sunrise . In this endearing film, two strangers meet on a European train and end up roaming Vienna together all night.

In one memorable scene, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) pretend to talk to their friends back home. When Jesse asks her what she likes about him, Céline replies, "I like to feel his eyes on me when I look away." Pretty romantic, don't you think?