1

Colorado once rejected the Winter Olympics

In the 1970s, Colorado turned down the opportunity to host the Winter Olympics in Denver. Voters opposed the plan due to concerns about cost, environmental damage, and overcrowding .

This made Colorado the only U.S. state in history to reject the Olympics—even though it’s home to the U.S. Olympic Committee. The decision reflected a strong commitment to protecting the state’s environment and way of life.

2

Wyoming has only two escalators

Wyoming has just two escalators, both located in Casper— one at First Interstate Bank and the other at Hilltop National Bank.

A third once existed at a JCPenney in Cheyenne but was removed when the store relocated to Frontier Mall. The two remaining escalators operate in both directions and remain the only ones in the state.

3

The highest vehicular tunnel in America is in Colorado

The Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado is the highest vehicular tunnel in the United States , sitting at an elevation of 11,158 feet. It stretches 1.6 miles beneath the Rocky Mountains.

Built to improve winter travel across the Continental Divide, the tunnel is both a vital transportation route and an impressive feat of engineering, connecting the eastern and western regions of Colorado.

4

Shootout reenactments in Wyoming

Since 1957, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, has hosted the world’s longest-running shootout reenactment. It takes place six days a week in the town square. While the event doesn’t portray a particular historical shootout, it is still fun to watch.

The event runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday through Saturday, beginning at 6:00 p.m. each evening.

5

The world’s largest flat-top mountain is in Colorado

Grand Mesa, located in western Colorado, is the largest flat-top mountain in the world in terms of surface area . It spans over 500 square miles and rises more than 10,000 feet above sea level. The mesa offers sweeping views and breathtaking natural beauty.

The area is rich in forests, alpine lakes, and wildlife, making it a favorite destination for fishing, hiking, and skiing. It’s a must-see for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

6

Ghost stories from Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park—Wyoming’s most famous landmark—is said to be haunted. Over the years, many ghost sightings have been reported throughout the park.

The most well-known spirit is the Headless Bride , believed to be a young woman who was murdered by her husband-to-be . Readers will be relieved to know that the event never actually happened. The entire story is a famous piece of local folklore, albeit a very curious one.

7

Colorado once had 3 Governors in a single day

On March 17, 1905, Colorado experienced a rare political event—three different governors held office in a single day. Alva Adams resigned after allegations of election fraud , including suspicious vote counts in his favor.

He was replaced by his opponent , James H. Peabody , who had contested the results. However, Peabody agreed to step down immediately—on the condition that his lieutenant governor, Jesse F. McDonald, would succeed him . And so, all three men held the governorship within 24 hours.

8

A parachuting daredevil landed atop Devil's Tower in Wyoming

In 1941, George Hopkins parachuted from a plane onto the summit of Devil's Tower as a publicity stunt. However, his plan to descend by rope failed when the rope fell out of reach. Park officials kept him supplied with food while he was stranded for six days . Eventually, a team of seven climbers rescued him—while more than 7,000 spectators watched from below.

Today, the tower’s dramatic rock columns attract climbers year-round. All climbers must register and check in before and after their climbs. The site closes to climbers during the month of June out of respect for Native American cultural practices.

9

Colorado Rose Onyx can only be found in the state Capitol building

Colorado Rose Onyx is a rare decorative stone found only in Colorado . It was quarried in Beulah and used entirely in the construction of the Colorado State Capitol.

Because the entire known supply was used in the building, none remains available today—making it one of the rarest decorative stones in the world.

10

Wyoming King-size bed

Most people are familiar with the California king-size bed, but few know that there’s also a Wyoming king-size bed. It measures 84 by 84 inches, making it a full foot wider than a California King .

Other oversized options include the Texas King and the massive Alaskan King, which offer even more space for those who want extra room to stretch out.

11

Mike, the headless chicken from Colorado

In Fruita, Colorado, locals honor "Mike the Headless Chicken" with a festival and a statue. The odd celebration is rooted in a real event that occurred in 1945.

Farmer L.A. Olsen tried to behead Mike for dinner, but the chicken surprisingly survived . Remarkably, Mike lived for 18 months without a head.

12

A Wyoming town was sold for $900,000

Bufford, a Wyoming town, lost its residents over a span of 150 years through a classic combination of railroad rerouting, urbanization, and personal family life cycles. In 2016, the town, which had just one resident , was sold for $900,000 . The buyer was an anonymous Vietnamese businessman.

The 4-hectare town included a gas station, a store, and a home. Don Sammons, who moved there from Los Angeles in 1980, owned the whole town after his wife passed away.

1

Friends

Image: David Vives

We’ll start with what many consider to be the quintessential sitcom. Debuting in 1994, Friends followed the varied and whimsical lives of six New Yorkers —Chandler, Joey, Ross, Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe—and the everyday adventures they found themselves in. Throughout its 10-year run, Friends received acclaim from both critics and viewers alike and is now considered one of the most successful and highest-grossing television shows of all time.

2

Seinfeld

Image: photo by Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

You might think that a sitcom describing itself as " a show about nothing " wouldn’t be particularly successful—let alone one of the most iconic shows of all time. And yet, Seinfeld remains one of the most influential shows in history, praised for its sharp writing and incredibly talented cast. The series follows comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his three eccentric friends—Elaine, George, and Kramer—as they navigate the often absurd minutiae of daily life.

3

Mad About You

Image: Mandy von Stahl

While sitcom settings may vary greatly, most tend to revolve around subjects that resonate with audiences—love, the workplace, or family life, for example. In that sense, the 1992 sitcom Mad About You seemed to embrace the phrase "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it" as its mantra. The show centered on a young married couple (played by Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt) living in New York City. As simple as the premise might sound, the series’ stellar performances and insightful writing earned it numerous awards, including 12 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes.

4

The Big Bang Theory

Image: Ben Griffiths

The Big Bang Theory faced the difficult task of making the world of science fun and accessible . Luckily, it had an extremely lovable and talented cast that rose to the occasion. The first episode introduces us to Leonard and Sheldon, two physicists whose lives take an unexpected turn when they meet their new next-door neighbor, Penny.

5

Modern Family

Image: Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0

As we mentioned earlier, family life is a recurring theme in many sitcoms. However, the 2009 show Modern Family put a fresh spin on this concept by focusing on three separate yet interconnected families. The series not only featured an exceptionally talented cast but also placed its many characters in both hilarious and heartfelt situations.

6

The Honeymooners

Image: Lauren Richmond

First aired in 1955, The Honeymooners revolves around New York City bus driver Ralph Kramden and his wife, Alice (wonderfully portrayed by Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows). Gleason’s quick wit, combined with the show’s many catchphrases ("Bang, zoom, straight to the Moon!" and "Homina, homina!", to name a few), quickly cemented the series in American pop culture. Not only that, many timeless shows, such as The Flintstones , were inspired by The Honeymooners .

7

Cheers

Image: Yutacar

Like many Americans, you might frequent a local "watering hole"—a small bar or tavern where you can unwind and enjoy a drink or two with friends. In that sense, the 1982 sitcom Cheers perfectly captured that feeling from the very start, with its iconic theme song praising a magical place " where everybody knows your name ." The sitcom was so successful that it inspired Frasier , a spin-off centered around one of Cheers’ most popular characters.

8

Community

Image: Unseen Studio

In case you didn’t know, the term "sitcom" is short for "situational comedy." As you might expect, the setting in which these situations unfold is an essential component. With that in mind, showrunner Dan Harmon devised a unique premise for his 2009 show Community . Inspired by the community college he attended in his youth, he created a series centered around a group of quirky misfits studying Spanish at the fictional Greendale Community College.

9

Full House

Image: Ross Joyner

For such a lighthearted sitcom , Full House had a surprisingly somber premise : a recently widowed father (played by Bob Saget) enlists the help of his best friend and brother-in-law to raise his three daughters. Nevertheless, the show quickly became a beloved classic, running for eight seasons and earning several awards along the way.

10

All in the Family

Image: Simon Berger

Few names command as much respect and admiration in comedy writing circles as Norman Lear . This legendary screenwriter and producer was responsible for some of the most iconic shows in television history, including The Jeffersons , Sanford and Son , and One Day at a Time . With that in mind, choosing his best show is no easy task, but we believe All in the Family is the strongest contender. Not only was this 1971 sitcom hilarious and sharp-witted , but it also tackled major issues such as religion and the Vietnam War.

11

I Love Lucy

Image: Mayur Gala

We’ll end this article with what many consider to be the sitcom that started it all . Starring Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, the 1951 show I Love Lucy follows Lucy Ricardo, a New York City housewife determined to break into show business. Soon after its premiere, it became the most-watched show in the United States and went on to win five Emmy Awards. To this day, it remains one of the most influential television shows in history.

1

John Adams

Image: Mark Olsen

Middle name: Quincy

Our sixth president, John Quincy Adams, was the son of the second president, John Adams. He was named "Quincy" after his maternal great-grandfather, John Quincy, and later signed his initials as "JQA" to avoid confusion with his father. A strong mind clearly ran in the family.

2

William Harrison

Image: STEPHEN POORE

Middle name: Henry

William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, was named for both his grandfather and uncle. Sadly, his presidency was the shortest in history, just one month after he caught pneumonia giving a long speech in the rain.

3

James Polk

Image: Daniel Weiss

Middle name: Knox

James Knox Polk carried his grandfather’s name with pride. Born in North Carolina in 1795, he expanded the nation’s territory by more than a third during his single term, finally stretching the U.S. from coast to coast. Quite an accomplishment for one presidency.

4

Ulysses Grant

Image: Jake Blucker

Middle name: Ulysses

Fun fact: "Ulysses S. Grant" wasn’t his real name. He was born Hiram Ulysses Grant, but a paperwork mix-up at West Point changed it forever. The "S" came later as a nickname, "US" Grant, something that fit a general far better than "H.U.G." ever could.

5

Rutherford Hayes

Image: Matt Koffel

Middle name: Birchard

Rutherford Birchard Hayes got his middle name from his mother’s maiden name. Born in 1822, he lost his father before birth but grew up to become the 19th president. He’s remembered for restoring faith in the presidency after a rough patch in American politics.

6

Grover Cleveland

Image: Manisha Raghunath

Middle name: Grover

Stephen Grover Cleveland dropped his first name early in life and stuck with Grover. It worked out well for him: he’s the only president in history to serve two nonconsecutive terms, making him both the 22nd and 24th president. That’s a comeback story.

7

William Taft

Image: Jake Blucker

Middle name: Howard

William Howard Taft’s middle name honored his grandmother’s family, the Howards. He remains the only person to ever serve as both U.S. president and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. That’s two of the toughest jobs in one lifetime.

8

Woodrow Wilson

Image: STEPHEN POORE

Middle name: Woodrow

Born Thomas Woodrow Wilson, he eventually dropped his first name and went by Woodrow instead. It sounded distinguished, and clearly, it worked for him. As our 28th president, he guided the nation through World War I and helped shape modern international relations.

9

Warren Harding

Image: Oz Seyrek

Middle name: Gamaliel

Warren Gamaliel Harding, born in Ohio in 1865, left his mark on American vocabulary by coining the word "normalcy." He wanted life to return to normal after World War I. His middle name, likely biblical, matched his calm, reassuring image.

10

Calvin Coolidge

Image: John Holm

Middle name: Calvin

John Calvin Coolidge, our 30th president, was named for his father but went by his middle name from childhood. Known as "Silent Cal," he led with few words and steady leadership during the Roaring Twenties.

11

Herbert Hoover

Image: Niko Vassios

Middle name: Clark

Herbert Clark Hoover shared his middle name with his father, Jesse Clark Hoover. Born in Iowa in 1874, he was a self-made man long before entering politics. Sadly, his presidency became synonymous with the Great Depression, but he remained known for his work ethic and humanitarian efforts.

12

Harry Truman

Image: Mike Gattorna

Middle name: S.

Harry S. Truman’s middle initial doesn’t stand for anything at all. His parents couldn’t decide between his two grandfathers, Solomon and Shippe, so they settled on "S." It’s a fitting story for a man known for making tough choices, including some of history’s most remembered.

13

Gerald Ford

Image: John Matychuk

Middle name: Lynch / Rudolph

Gerald Ford had two middle names in his lifetime. He was born Leslie Lynch King Jr., but after his mother remarried, his name was changed to Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr., in honor of his stepfather. He’s also the only president who never won an election but took office after Nixon’s resignation.