1

Bussy day

Image: Imani

Many of us spend the day after Thanksgiving relaxing or shopping. But this is not the case for plumbers. In fact, Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for these professionals. The reasons are all too common: clogged kitchen drains, overworked garbage disposals, and toilet troubles.

2

Leftovers vs. dinner

Image: Jed Owen

Stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie are just a few of the classic food staples we enjoy on Thanksgiving. And as delicious as that feast is, studies show most Americans actually prefer the leftovers the next day! It seems there's something special about waking up and finding that delicious meal waiting for you in the fridge.

3

A caloric day

Image: Jessica Christian

There's no denying that on Thanksgiving, we often surrender to an extra slice of pie or one more piece of turkey than usual. According to the Calorie Control Council, Americans consume between 3,000 and 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving (not counting the leftovers waiting to be eaten the next day!). For comparison, medical guidelines often recommend between 1,600 and 3,000 calories for most healthy adults.

4

Thankful crowd

Image: Carson Masterson

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is definitely a spectacular event you don't want to miss. We all know it's massive, but can you guess how many people actually attend in person? About 3.5 million! Not the best place if you're not a fan of crowds. When the parade started in 1924, the number of spectators was far smaller; around 10,000 people gathered to watch.

5

Green Bean Casserole

Image: Meghan Schiereck

Although it's now a Thanksgiving staple we can't imagine the holiday without, green bean casserole was actually invented in 1955! That's right; it was the brainchild of Dorcas Reilly, who worked for the Campbell Soup Company. Its success probably comes from the delicious flavor, quick prep, and simple ingredients: green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions.

6

Turkey or not?

Image: Megan Watson

While turkey is the main dish on most tables, surprisingly, 12% of Americans choose to skip it during the holiday. The reasons? Endless. Some prefer other dishes, others follow vegetarian diets, some want to save room for dessert, and others avoid turkey for reasons we'll reveal in the next section!

7

Drowsy dinner

Image: Sander Sammy

Feeling like taking a nap after Thanksgiving dinner? Don't worry, you're not alone. While it's true that turkey contains tryptophan, a natural sleep aid, the present amount isn't any higher than in other birds, and a few bites shouldn't make you drowsy. What actually happens is that we eat a lot of calories in a short period, which slows down our metabolism and makes us sleepy.

8

Americans' favorite

Image: Philippe Murray-Pietsch

If you thought turkey was everyone's favorite, you might want to think again! It turns out that a majority of Americans actually prefer stuffing. Specifically, 56% of Americans say they like side dishes more than turkey. For many, sides have become the real star of the meal.

9

Thanks to a miscalculation

Image: Ana Maltez

The story goes that in the 1950s, the Swanson Company overestimated how much turkey Americans would eat during the holiday and ended up with about 260 tons of frozen leftovers. But a clever salesman came to the rescue: inspired by airline meals, he suggested packaging the turkey in trays with classic sides like stuffing and peas. The result: in late 1953, Swanson launched the first TV-Dinner, and the rest is history!

10

100,000 turkey-related questions

Image: Miryam León

Even though the tradition has been around for many years, people still have many questions about their Thanksgiving turkey. In fact, the Butterball Turkey Talk Line —a legendary Thanksgiving hotline— answers more than 100,000 turkey-related questions every year! Some of the most common include: "How much turkey should I buy?" and "When and how do I thaw a turkey?"

1

Desert Blaze

Image: Manda Hansen

The Mojave Desert spans California, Nevada, and Arizona and is home to Death Valley, where the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 134°F in 1913. Despite these hostile conditions, the region still hosts a great diversity of wildlife, including coyotes, bobcats, and desert tortoises, all adapted to survive with minimal water.

The desert’s extreme heat and arid landscape are also home to unique flora such as the Joshua tree, which thrives in spite of the poor soil and dry air.

2

Arctic Frontier

Image: Yuval Zukerman

Alaska's tundra is a cold desert with freezing temperatures and long winters. Permafrost, a layer of permanently frozen ground, covers much of this region, making habitation challenging. However, beneath the ice lies a wealth of natural resources, including vast oil reserves.

During the summer—due to its latitude—the tundra experiences 24-hour daylight, known as the "midnight sun," though the landscape remains largely frozen and treeless. Wildlife, including caribou, arctic foxes, and polar bears, have adapted to survive these extreme conditions.

3

Rocky Peaks

Image: Joshua Woroniecki

The Rockies feature a high-altitude alpine climate, where temperatures drop with elevation, often resulting in snowfall even in the middle of summer. Hikers and tourists from all over the world come to this region to appreciate the striking mountains and its beautiful forests.

These snow-covered peaks are also a crucial part of America’s water supply, as the snowpack feeds major rivers like the Colorado River that provide drinking water to millions in the Southwest.

4

Great Plains Winds

Image: Raychel Sanner

Stretching across the center of the country, the Great Plains is known for its fierce winds and severe weather, particularly tornadoes. Tornado Alley, which covers states like Kansas and Oklahoma, experiences more tornadoes than anywhere else in the world, thanks to the collision of warm Gulf air and cold Arctic fronts.

The region’s semi-arid climate also makes it prone to droughts, as seen during the infamous Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Despite these harsh conditions, the Plains are known as America’s breadbasket, producing massive amounts of wheat, corn, and soybeans that feed the whole nation.

5

Humid South

Image: Michael Sanchez

The Southeast’s humid subtropical climate means long, hot summers with high humidity levels, often reaching over 90%. Frequent thunderstorms and hurricanes are also common in this area, with states like Florida and Louisiana bearing the brunt of some of the most powerful storms in U.S. history, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The warm and wet environment fosters lush and thick vegetation where cypress trees, Spanish moss, and dense wetlands create unique ecosystems. The region is also known for its rich diversity of wildlife, which includes alligators, turtles, and numerous bird species.

6

California Sunshine

Image: Spencer DeMera

Southern California's Mediterranean climate features mild winters and hot, dry summers, with Los Angeles receiving an average of just 15 inches of rain annually. This climate has made the area a global hub for agriculture, especially in the Central Valley, where crops like almonds, avocados, and citrus thrive.

The sunny weather also makes California a popular tourist destination, attracting millions to its beaches and outdoor activities. However, this climate also brings challenges, such as frequent droughts and devastating wildfires that can sweep across the dry landscape.

7

Pacific Northwest Rain

Image: Dave Hoefler

The Pacific Northwest is famous for its temperate rainforests, with areas like the Hoh Rainforest receiving over 140 inches of rain annually. This constant rainfall supports some of the largest and oldest trees in the country, including towering Douglas firs and redwoods.

While the cool air and consistent moisture nourish its rainforests, it also contributes to cloudy skies that block sunlight for much of the year. This prolonged overcast weather is linked to a high incidence of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), as the lack of sunlight affects mood and energy levels for many residents.

8

Tropical Keys

Image: Hector Falcon

The Florida Keys are one of the only regions of the U.S. with true tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round and rainy and dry seasons rather than the traditional four seasons. Key West, the southernmost point in the country, never experiences freezing temperatures, making it a popular escape during the colder months.

While the tropical breezes make for a laid-back island vibe, the area is also vulnerable to hurricanes, which have historically caused significant damage. Yet, the Keys’ coral reefs, the only living coral barrier reef in the U.S., attract divers from all over the world to explore its colorful marine life.

9

Appalachian Fog

Image: Rachel Davis

The Appalachian Mountains have a temperate climate with heavy rainfall, often shrouded in fog, especially in the Great Smoky Mountains. But the iconic fog of this region isn’t just moisture; it’s actually caused by volatile organic compounds released by the dense forests. These compounds then mix with moisture and sunlight, creating the characteristic blue-tinged haze that gives the Smokies their name.

This consistent moisture also supports the rich biodiversity of the region. The thick forests, often cloaked in mist, provide an ideal environment for countless plant and animal species, making it one of North America's most ecologically diverse areas.

10

New England Winters

Image: Robert Thiemann

New England’s cold, snowy winters have been immortalized in literature and art, and it’s no wonder—states like Maine and Vermont regularly see seasonal snowfalls exceeding 100 inches!

Blizzards and nor’easters are common, with storms bringing fierce winds and heavy snow, sometimes leaving towns isolated for days. The region’s long winters are perfect for skiing, and it is home to some of the oldest ski resorts in America, such as Stowe in Vermont.

1

Sean Connery, The Lord of the Rings

Image: Thomas Schweighofer

One of the actors who has turned down the most iconic roles in cinema history is probably Sean Connery. For example, he passed on to interpret the evil cannibal in "The Silence of the Lambs", which later earned Sir Anthony Hopkins an Academy Award for Best Actor.

But perhaps the most curious decision of his career was to refuse the role of Gandalf in the 2001 adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings". The producers went so far as to offer him up to ten million dollars and 15% of the film's profits, which would have amounted to around 400 million dollars. Years later the actor declared that he didn’t understand the script and that he didn’t find Tolkien's work attractive enough. Go figure!

2

Gwyneth Paltrow, Titanic

Image: David_Do

More than 25 years after its premiere, we can’t imagine any actress other than Kate Winslet playing the young socialite Rose Bukater in Titanic . However, the director's first choice for the role was American actress Gwyneth Paltrow . After reading the text, Paltrow told her agents that she found the story too corny and ended up turning down the role.

James Cameron's film was a box-office success and Winslet was nominated for an Oscar for her work . But there was another plot twist: a year later, in 1988, the British actress turned down the "Shakespeare in Love" project for which Paltrow won the golden statuette.

3

Al Pacino, Star Wars

Image: Saksham Gangwar

Al Pacino, who starred in great films such as "The Godfather" and "Scent of a Woman", admitted that he was offered the role of Han Solo in "Star Wars", but didn’t accept it because he didn’t understand George Lucas' script .

Recently, he said at an event: "They offered me so much money. I don't understand it.... So I said I couldn't do it. I gave Harrison Ford a career." Truth be told, other actors like Christopher Walken didn't trust the project either . Perhaps in the mid-1970s, no one could have imagined that this fantasy saga would become a multi-million franchise still widely revered by audiences to this day.

4

Marilyn Monroe, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Image: pure julia

Starring an iconic Audrey Hepburn, "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" was released in 1961. That role marked a turning point in Hepburn’s career, consolidating her as a serious actress. However, Truman Capote, author of the original novel, was totally against her being the protagonist .

Apparently, he wrote the story with Marilyn Monroe as the carefree Holly Golightly in mind . As it turns out, Monroe's acting coach rejected the idea because she didn't want the actress to play "a lady of the night." Capote was never happy with the result and even said, "It is the most miscast film I've ever seen. It made me want to throw up."

5

Gary Cooper, Gone with the Wind

Image: Ian Wagg

Producer David O. Selznick's first choice for the role of Rhett Butler in "Gone With the Wind" was the great Gary Cooper. However, the actor from "The Virginian" didn't want it, and he showed it quite strongly. Cooper reportedly predicted that the film would be the biggest flop in Hollywood history . He allegedly said, "I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary Cooper."

Of course, he couldn't have been more wrong. Not only is the film considered one of cinema's greatest masterpieces, but it also earned Clark Gable an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and made him one of the most iconic actors of the 20th century. Did Cooper regret it later?

6

Kim Basinger, Basic Instinct

Image: Vlad Deep

Sharon Stone's name will always be associated with the thriller "Basic Instinct" and that famous leg-crossing scene. Although it was the role that made her famous, she got it because other actresses such as Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Geena Davis, Kathleen Turner, and Meg Ryan had previously rejected it.

In the beginning, the film's leading man, Michael Douglas, had recommended Kim Basinger , who had already starred in the erotic romantic drama "9½ Weeks" in 1986. However, Basinger considered Paul Verhoeven's film too extreme for her and chose not to do it. In the end, "Basic Instinct" was one of the highest-grossing films of 1992, although not without controversy.

7

John Travolta, Forrest Gump

Image: Yosuke Ota

The producers' first choice to play the lead role in "Forrest Gump" was John Travolta . The "Grease" and "Saturday Night Fever" actor turned down the role that would later earn Tom Hanks his second Academy Award.

With hindsight, however, we know that Travolta did the right thing . Besides the fact that we couldn't imagine anyone else playing the tender, naïve Forrest, Travolta said no because he had another project in the works. That other film ended up giving him the best character of his entire career: Vince Vega in Pulp Fiction —probably also Quentin Tarantino's best film.

8

Molly Ringwald, Pretty Woman

Image: Look Studio

Vivian Ward's character in "Pretty Woman", which made Julia Roberts a star and for which she won a Golden Globe, had been previously offered to Molly Ringwald . At just twenty years old, Ringwald was already an icon and a reference for the girls of her generation and one of the most sought-after and best-positioned actresses in Hollywood. However, she decided to turn down the offer and go to Paris.

Around that time, she also didn't land roles in "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Working Girl". Those decisions cost her dearly and although she tried to resume her career in the United States years later, it was not easy for her to regain the star status she had had during the 80s.

9

Leonardo DiCaprio, Boogie Nights

Image: Regina Valetova

Leonardo DiCaprio as charismatic porn star Dirk Diggler? Believe it or not, it could have happened. However, at the time DiCaprio felt that director Paul Thomas Anderson didn't have much experience and turned down the lead role in "Boogie Nights" to make "Titanic".

Years later, Di Caprio said in an interview that the 1997 period drama was a film he would have loved to make. "Boogie Nights" is certainly both an audience and critics favorite and the one that catapulted Mark Wahlberg to fame. But if Di Caprio hadn't starred in "Titanic", would he have the career he has today? Luckily, we'll never know!

10

Bette Midler, Sister Act

Image: cottonbro studio

The lead character in "Sister Act" had originally been written for Bette Midler . However, the actress, singer, and comedian was hesitant because she was worried that her fans would not want to see her play a nun.

Producers pestered her for several weeks but Midler felt she could wear anything but a nun's costume and ended up not accepting it. The job eventually went to Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg who, due to the film's huge success, returned for a sequel in 1992.