1

George Washington

Image: Priscilla Gyamfi

The first name on the list belongs to the Father of Our Nation and first president. As commander of the colonial troops during the Revolutionary War, Washington led the struggle against Great Britain with intelligent military strategy and unwavering leadership.

Quite possibly, his greatest contribution lies in his refusal to become a king or dictator , instead choosing to lay the foundations of a democratic republic.

2

Martin Luther King Jr.

Image: Unseen Histories

This icon of the civil rights movement used nonviolent resistance to combat racial discrimination. Through peaceful protest strategies , King led demonstrations, boycotts, and marches that helped transform the social landscape of America.

His "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 in Washington, D.C. became a huge milestone in the struggle for equality and an inspiration for millions all over the world.

3

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Image: Jessica Tan

A steady guide through challenging times, Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II. Through his New Deal programs, he introduced revolutionary social and economic reforms, including the creation of social safety nets like Social Security.

His leadership during World War II helped establish the United States as a global power committed to supporting democracy.

4

Susan B. Anthony

Image: Giacomo Ferroni

A relentless activist in the struggle for women’s suffrage , Susan B. Anthony organized campaigns, wrote extensively, and spoke passionately in support of gender equality. Although she did not live to see it passed, her efforts laid the groundwork for the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

5

Thomas Edison

Image: Robert Wiedemann

Life as we know it would not be the same without his inventions. And, while the lightbulb would have been reason enough for him to be present on this list, Edison was responsible for numerous innovations—he held over 1,000 patents, including for the phonograph, motion picture camera, and electric power distribution systems—that helped change the course of history forever.

6

Margaret Mead

Image: Stephen Andrews

Margaret Mead’s pioneering work in psychology and anthropology helped develop the understanding that children learn through imitation , particularly by observing their parents and community.

In addition to her academic contributions, she was a vocal advocate for women’s rights and greater sexual openness, influencing the cultural shifts that led to the sexual revolution of the 1960s.

7

Henry Ford

Image: Dan Dennis

Thank him for the popularization of the automobile and the introduction of the 40-hour, five-day workweek . America would not be the same without Henry Ford and his revolutionary industrial ideas, which transformed manufacturing and daily life.

8

Betty Friedan

Image: Deniz Demirci

Women’s rights owe much to Betty Friedan, whose groundbreaking work challenged the limited roles assigned to women in mid-20th-century America . Her book The Feminine Mystique gave voice to the dissatisfaction of the American housewife and sparked a national conversation about the validity of traditional gender roles.

9

Andrew Carnegie

Image: Denis Chick

Largely considered as one of America’s greatest self-made men, Andrew Carnegie played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's industrial identity. His leadership in the steel industry helped propel the United States into a position of global economic dominance in the early 20th century.

10

Orville and Wilbur Wright

Image: History in HD

Transportation would never have been the same without Orville and Wilbur Wright, brothers from Ohio, who changed the world forever by inventing powered flight on the shores of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

11

Alexander Graham Bell

Image: Pavan Trikutam

That black rectangular device near you is the modern evolution of Alexander Graham Bell’s original invention, one that would change the way humans communicate in profoundly lasting ways.

12

Walt Disney

Image: Travis Gergen

Walt Disney’s influence on the childhoods of generations of Americans is undisputed. He forever changed the world of entertainment for both children and adults through his iconic characters and innovative theme parks, which now exist all over the world.

1

Double-Double Animal-Style, In-N-Out

Image: Nathan Dumlao

In-N-Out is a well-known fast-food chain with many celebrated products and fans all over the country. But this particular menu item holds a special place in the hearts and stomachs of many of its visitors.

The Double-Double Animal Style burger with caramelized onions has the flavor and texture any burger with high hopes would dream of attaining. The crunchy pickles and lettuce, the soft buns, fresh tomatoes, and delicious cheese complete this culinary wonder.

2

Smoked Bacon Burger, SilverLake Bistro

Image: Arabi Ishaque

Miami, a town with many great eateries, is home to SilverLake Bistro, a mom-and-pop-style restaurant that walks the line between casual and refined. This burger sanctuary creates gourmet-grade burgers from scratch, complete with all the classic toppings.

The classic SilverLake Burger features premium-quality double patties , cheddar cheese , porcini mayo , homemade steak sauce , and smoked bacon , creating a sublime culinary experience.

3

Nasty Burger, Laha’s Red Castle

Image: amirali mirhashemian

It may sound like strong words, but for many who have tried them, Kentucky’s Laha’s Red Castle makes the "best cheeseburgers in the world."

One of its most cherished menu items, the Nasty Burger , is topped with caramelized onions and cheese scrapings from the griddle , creating a flavor experience that evokes the taste of onion soup mixed with a very, very good burger.

4

Dry-aged Burger, Bludorn

Image: Dennis Lorente

Bludorn’s Dry-Age Burger is a perfect example of simple ingredients done right and tasting incredible. The aged cheddar , short rib patty , Dijonnaise mustard , and caramelized onions come together to create a hamburger that isn’t overstuffed, allowing each ingredient to express its flavor.

5

Wagyu Burger, Ada’s Place

Image: Chris Tweten

The name itself gives a hint of what to expect when tasting Ada’s Place’s Wagyu Burger. The ultra-premium quality of the meat provides a tender and flavorful taste and texture.

The hamburger is served with American cheese and caramelized onions, which complement the meat and add a layer of crispness and creaminess to the experience.

6

Cheeseburger in Paradise, Brasil

Image: Fidel Fernando

Good, simple burgers can be hard to find in an age where beastly, gourmet patties seem to be the crowd's prevalent choice. But when browsing through the menus, these options do exist and sometimes make for the best experience possible.

Brasil’s aptly named Cheeseburger in Paradise is one of those cases. The double burger comes with caramelized onions , a delicate touch of jalapeño sauce , and crispy bacon , all lovingly wrapped between toasted potato rolls. All the best. Nothing more, nothing less.

7

Nancy’s Burger, Nancy’s Hustle

Image: Yoad Shejtman

Everybody knows that the menu item carrying the name of the location is bound to be something special, and the namesake burger at Nancy’s Hustle is no different.

The double-meat cheeseburger comes with house-made pickles skewered on top and is embraced by a soft inside, crispy outside English muffin . A simple treat that explodes with flavor in your mouth.

8

Mother Rucker, River Twice

Image: Howard Bouchevereau

Sometimes, the most experimental places also offer simple items that are just perfect. Such is the case with River Twice, a sophisticated restaurant with multi-course menus featuring exotic ingredients.

River Twice’s burger option, the Mother Rucker, might seem like an odd item on such a refined menu, but those who have tried it swear by it. This hamburger features perfectly cooked patties with crispy edges and a pink interior, topped with high-quality American cheese , pickled red onions, and mayo .

9

Lancaster Burger, Hill East Burger

Image: amirali mirhashemian

Hill Burger East is a well-known establishment among burger lovers, offering decadent takes on the classic patty. Its many options have something for everyone, but one stands out as the king: the Lancaster Burger.

This premium beef burger is topped with bacon , smoked cheddar , fresh arugula leaves , pickled onions , and a homemade hot sauce (optional, of course), combining its flavors into a mouth-watering treat for carnivores.

10

Juicy Lucy, Matt’s Bar

Image: amirali mirhashemian

Just as the name implies, the Juicy Lucy is not the kind of burger for someone who prefers their food neat. This creation features grilled beef and onions , topped and enveloped by hot, molten cheese . The flavorful combination is nothing short of delicious, but diners are advised to let the cheese cool off a bit before diving in.

1

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Image: Paul IJsendoorn

Technically, pronghorns are not true antelopes , but try telling that to early settlers. This stunning slot canyon was named in their honor.

Winding through the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, its entrance was once grazed by herds of pronghorns gracefully navigating the red rock terrain. Although the original inhabitants have mostly been scared away, the beautiful landscape remains.

2

Buffalo, New York

Image: Pixabay

Despite the name, no actual buffalo roam here—only football fans in snow boots. There are several theories about the origin of the name: some say it comes from the French beau fleuve ("beautiful river"), while others insist early settlers mistook bison sightings for true buffalo .

Either way, the city still honors the animal’s spirit through bronze statues, sports teams, and, of course, Buffalo wings.

3

White Salmon, Washington

Image: Drew Farwell

White Salmon, Washington. This charming town above the Columbia River Gorge got its name from an unusual fish tale. In 1805, Lewis and Clark spotted pale-colored Chinook salmon swimming upstream and named the White Salmon River, which later lent its name to the town.

The white salmon themselves are rare spring sightings, but the name stuck, like a good fishing story.

4

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Image: Jonathan Cooper

No, they didn’t find woolly mammoth bones here. The name "Mammoth" refers to the size , not the species, of this mind-bending cave system. With over 400 miles explored, this south-central Kentucky cave is the largest known cave system on Earth.

5

Eagle River, Alaska & Wisconsin

Image: Greg Johnson

Two towns, one majestic bird , and a very straightforward name. In Alaska, Eagle River sits just outside Anchorage, where bald eagles actually soar overhead—and sometimes steal a salmon right out of your hands.

In Wisconsin, Eagle River offers a quieter charm: a hub for lake lovers and snowmobilers who know how often the eagle motif appears on murals, signs, and T-shirts.

6

Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado

Image: Deepak Adhikari

The name alone sounds like it belongs in a Western, and the real place doesn’t disappoint. This high mountain pass in southern Colorado winds its way through the San Juan Mountains, where wolves once prowled the slopes .

Though they’ve long been gone from the area, the name remains, also immortalized in a song by C.W. McCall.

7

Pelican Bay, Florida

Image: J Dean

This coastal enclave near Naples is all palm trees, golf carts, and private beaches, but yes, there are still pelicans.

Big, slightly clumsy, and oddly charming , they’re often seen gliding above the Gulf waters or crash-landing into the surf. The bay itself is a protected estuary, and the birds serve as unofficial greeters.

8

Moose, Wyoming

Image: Danika Perkinson

If you were to walk around the area, you’d understand why this town got its name: actual moose wander here. Just outside Grand Teton National Park, the scenic town of Moose offers ranger stations, cozy lodges, and the occasional 1,200-pound mammal chewing shrubs near the parking lot.

9

Fox River, Illinois & Wisconsin

Image: David Gomez

This river wasn’t named directly after the clever creature, but after the Fox (Meskwaki) Native American tribe . The winding river flows more than 200 miles, passing through Midwest towns, bike trails, and history-rich spots

Today, statues, murals, and local school mascots keep the fox theme alive, although you’re unlikely to spot a red fox along the riverbanks these days.

10

Bear Lake, Utah & Idaho

Image: Megan Nixon

This turquoise lake marks the Utah–Idaho border and was named after, you guessed it, actual bears.

Grizzly and black bears once roamed the surrounding area, though nowadays you’re more likely to spot jet skis than paw prints. Locals call it the "Caribbean of the Rockies," thanks to its unique limestone-rich, electric-blue waters.

11

Cougar, Washington

Image: Leah Huyghe

Cougar, a tiny town in southwestern Washington, gets its name from the sleek mountain lions that once roamed the thick forests nearby. The area is best known for its proximity to Mount St. Helens. A post office called "Cougar" was established there in the early 1900s, and the unincorporated community followed soon after.

12

Coyote, California

Image: Kaylin Pacheco

In what is now Silicon Valley, Coyote was once a standalone ranch town named for the clever canines that run across the hills.

While coyotes still prowl the region—occasionally crashing backyard barbecues—the town itself has been mostly absorbed into San Jose. Still, the name lingers in road signs, local parks, and historic maps.

13

Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania

Image: Frank Cone

High above the Appalachian ridges of eastern Pennsylvania, Hawk Mountain is a sanctuary. It was transformed into the world’s first refuge for birds of prey in the 1930s.

Today, birdwatchers flock here every fall to witness thousands of hawks, eagles, and falcons gliding overhead. There’s no town—just trails and sky.