1

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill)

Image: superneox lightsaber

Luke Skywalker is one of pop culture’s most beloved icons. In the first "Star Wars" movie, this young man goes from a life of solitude and safe boredom to a wondrous journey filled with lasers and space magic. Luke not only finds invaluable friends, mentors, and comrades, but he also discovers the purpose he has been looking for his entire life.

Mark Hamill portrayed this character for over 40 years, from his days as a young Jedi apprentice in 1977 "A New Hope", to Luke’s last days as a wise hermit in 2017 "The Last Jedi". You would think that being typecast for such a long time would discourage Hamil, but the actor seems to always be happy to portray Luke on the big screen.

2

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)

Image: Colton Jones

Indiana Jones proved to an entire generation that archaeologists can be cool too! Harrison Ford first brought this iconic adventurer to life in the 1981 classic "Raiders of the Lost Ark", and continued to portray him for 4 more films, with the last one in the series (so far) being released in 2023.

Indiana is instantly recognizable through his wide-brimmed fedora, his trusted whip, and his quick-witted sense of humor. There’s not much we can say about this character that’s not already common knowledge, so we’ll end this entry with a less-known fact: Did you know that Indy’s full name is Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr?

3

Superman (Christopher Reeve)

Image: Jon Tyson

While up to date over 13 actors have portrayed " the Man of Steel " on film since the character’s creation in 1938, a pretty strong argument could be made that Christopher Reeve’s performance in the 1978 movie "Superman" truly brought this iconic superhero to life.

Reeve was just perfect for the part: He effortlessly brought a level of nuance and depth to Superman while still maintaining the warmth and disposition that made him a pop culture icon. In the end, Reeve is able to show us that, just like every American hero, Superman’s main source of strength is his heart.

4

Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox)

Image: Roger Ce

Marty McFly , the quick-witted and hot-headed protagonist of the "Back to the Future" trilogy, was meant to represent a typical American teenager. And yet, Marty is by all means definitively way cooler than the average teenager: He is charismatic, an amazing guitar player (so much so that he "invented" rock n’ roll), and extremely proficient with his trusted skateboard.

Much of Marty’s legacy as a pop icon can be attributed to Michael J. Fox’s performance. This amazing actor was able to portray Marty’s coolness as well as his bravery, sensitivity, and daredevil ways. Almost 40 years have passed since the release of the first "Back to the Future", but most of us still get goosebumps whenever we see Marty and his iconic Delorean speeding up through time.

5

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver)

Image: Diego Marín

Few sci-fi characters inspire the awe and admiration that Ellen Ripley does. The very first movie in the Alien series depicts her as a cool-headed and strategic leader, who almost single-handedly manages to defeat one of the deadliest creatures in the universe.

As the films went on, Ripley’s guts and strength continued to grow, saving the Earth from a full-blown alien invasion on at least three different occasions. Portrayed by legendary actress Sigourney Weaver, Ripley is to this day considered to be one of the toughest characters in this genre’s history.

6

John McClane (Bruce Willis)

Image: Matt The Artist

Is John McClane the ultimate action hero? That’s definitively a heated debate, so it might be better to set that question aside for another article. However, no one can deny that Bruce Willis’ character in this groundbreaking series is one of the finest cops the NYPD has to offer.

Based on a character from the 1979 novel "Nothing Lasts Forever", John McClane is a sarcastic, wisecracking, and particularly skilled detective who finds himself in dangerous situations in which he is forced to single-handedly save the day. Willis has played McClane in five different films, which go from the original 1988 film to 2013’s "A Good Day to Die Hard".

7

Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks)

Image: Yosuke Ota

Some believe that Forrest Gump is the quintessential American protagonist, and with good reason: Whether it's his huge heart or a random stroke of luck, Forrest seems to always be at the right place at the right time. Not only that, but his personal story seems to be directly connected to major turning points during the latter half of the 20th century.

Portrayed by Tom Hanks in an outstanding performance that earned him an Academy Award, Forrest Gump is a simple-minded but warmhearted and extremely talented Alabama man who lives an extraordinary life. His search for his childhood love takes him on a journey throughout American history: Forrest teaches Elvis how to dance, helps expose the Watergate Scandal, and runs a three-year marathon across the United States.

8

The Man With No Name (Clint Eastwood)

Image: Luis Domenech

Let’s start this entry by addressing the elephant in the room: Yes, Clint Eastwood’s iconic cowboy character does have a name. In fact, he has several: In the three movies this laid-back and quiet gunslinger appears, he is called by several names including "Blondie", "Joe", and "Manco". However, the truth of the matter is that a man with many names is the same as a man with none, so in the end "The Man with No Name" seems like an appropriate title.

Eastwood played this taciturn antihero in "A Fistful of Dollars", "For a Few Dollars More", and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." While his most notable characteristic is his silent manners, he is also instantly recognizable by his poncho and tan cowboy boots.

9

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone)

Image: Zane Burko

Rocky’s story, both inside and outside the movie set, can be summed up into a single word: Resilience. In the first film, released in 1976, Rocky is an up-and-coming club boxer who risks it all at a shot at the heavyweight title. Likewise, Sylvester Stallone was a financially broke actor when he wrote the screenplay for "Rocky" in just three days. However, he resisted and persevered with his intent of playing the titular character, which eventually resulted in his most iconic movie role.

After the first movie became a huge hit, winning the Oscar for Best Picture, Stallone reprised this Philadelphia boxer in six different "Rocky" films. Not only that, Balboa has now taken on a mentor role in the franchise’s spin-off series "Creed".

10

Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart)

Image: Darius

We’ll end this article with an American legend. The 1942 film " Casablanca " is now considered one of the most influential films of all time: It is consistently on the top of lists of the best films in history, and it was selected for preservation by the U.S. Congress in the National Film Registry. In that regard, much of what made this film so unforgettable comes from Humphrey Bogart’s performance as Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate with a heart of gold living in Casablanca, Morocco.

Alongside Detective Sam Spade, Rick is perhaps Bogart's most iconic character. His seemingly bitter persona hides the pain of his long-lost love Ilsa Lund, wonderfully portrayed by Ingrid Bergman. In the end, Boggart helps Ilsa and her husband escape the German army, showing his good nature before leaving Casablanca.

1

Babe Ruth

Image: Thomas Park

What is considered America's pastime by everyone else was the great passion of Babe Ruth's life.

Born George Herman Ruth Jr. on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland, Babe was a child known for his difficult behavior. When he turned seven, his parents made the difficult decision to send him to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys. The school was a strict and rule-filled environment, but it was there that Babe Ruth's passion for baseball developed.

By his early twenties, he was already known as a talented pitcher. Throughout his career, he won seven World Series Championships, three with the Boston Red Sox and four with the New York Yankees. In 1936, he became one of the first five players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

2

Serena Williams

Image: Ariv Gupta

While many of us can't even remember what we were doing at the age of three, the incredible Serena Williams was already practicing tennis with her sister Venus and her father.

Known globally as one of the greatest tennis players in history, Serena has filled her resume with titles, trophies, victories, and records.

Four Gold Olympic Medals and an impressive 23 Grand Slam singles titles definitely made her a tennis legend. And as if her athletic achievements were not enough, Serena Williams is also a standout businesswoman today.

3

Muhammad Ali

Image: Nelson Ndongala

Louisville, Kentucky, was the birthplace of the man who would become one of the world's greatest sports stars. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, the man we all remember today as Muhammad Ali began his sporting life at the age of 12 when he started training as an amateur boxer.

The rest is history. With an Olympic Gold Medal, three world heavyweight championships, 56 wins (37 by knockout), and an incredible legacy, Ali is widely and rightly recognized as one of the most important sports figures of the 20th century.

4

Tiger Woods

Image: Robert Ruggiero

If we had to list all of Tiger Woods ' sporting achievements, we'd be here all day, right?

The GOAT of Golf was born Eldrick Tont Woods on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, and from a very young age, he showed his great talent for this sport.

After winning several titles in college and as an amateur player, Tiger became a professional player in 1996, and since then, he hasn't stopped winning and winning.

Tiger has gone on to win 15 major championships, including three U.S. Opens, four Masters titles, three Open Championships, and five PGA Championships, and held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 683 weeks!

5

Michael Jordan

Image: Robin Gislain Gessy

Michael Jordan grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and developed a passion for basketball at a young age, largely thanks to his brother, Larry.

In high school, he developed his competitive spirit and sportsmanship, qualities that, combined with his talent, led him to become the star he is today.

While it is hard to list all of his feats, we believe it is necessary to mention some of Jordan's highlights: two Olympic Gold Medals, six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls (earning NBA Finals MVP honors each time), and five NBA MVP awards. These achievements, among many others, make up the long list of victories of this NBA legend.

6

Michael Phelps

Image: Braden Egli

Michael Phelps , born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, was a very energetic child. Fortunately, at the age of seven, he discovered a perfect outlet for all that enthusiasm: swimming.

His talent and dedication combined to create a world-class athlete, and by the age of 15, he was participating in his first Olympics!

In 2004, he stood out at the Athens Olympics, winning six gold medals. In 2008, he made history by winning a record-breaking eight gold medals in a single Olympics.

"The Baltimore Bullet" has won a total of 23 gold medals in his career, more than any other Olympic athlete in history!

7

Simone Biles

Image: Brian Wangenheim

One of the youngest on this list, Simone Biles was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio.

Considered by many as the world's greatest gymnast ever , Simone was raised by her grandparents. Her sporting career began as a child when an attentive instructor recognized her talent and suggested she take gymnastics classes.

At the age of 14, she was already competing at high levels and never went unnoticed. In 2013, she won her first of many World Championship titles, demonstrating her incredible talent and ability to perform moves that other gymnasts could not.

8

Tom Brady

Image: Thomas Park

Of course, we can't overlook this legendary figure of American football . We're talking about none other than the great Tom Brady .

Considered by many the greatest quarterback of all time , Brady was born into a sports-loving family, which allowed him to showcase his skills when he was still a young boy.

Brady was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft. The Patriots' choice was incredibly wise, as he played for the team for 20 seasons, during which he and coach Bill Belichick formed what became known as the "Patriots dynasty." He also led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories!

During his last three seasons as a professional, he played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, not without winning another Super Bowl with them.

9

LeBron James

Image: Markus Spiske

The great "King James" was born LeBron Raymone James on December 30, 1984 , in Akron, Ohio. Since he was very young, he showed basketball skills, which were highlighted during his time at high school.

LeBron was the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he began his career. He later played with the Miami Heat, and finally, he became a legend with the Lakers.

LeBron has a long list of accomplishments in his sports career, making him one of the few who can be compared to Jordan. With four NBA Championships, four NBA Finals MVP Awards, four NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, two Olympic Gold Medals, and many other awards and distinctions, LeBron is indisputably one of the best at what he does.

10

Billie Jean King

Image: Valentin Balan

BJK was born Billie Jean Moffitt on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach, California. Her love for tennis began at a very young age when a friend lent her a racket. Her natural talent soon showed: she won her first major junior championship at the age of 14, and from then on, she didn't stop.

With 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles titles, 16 women's doubles titles, 11 mixed doubles titles, and holding the title of world No. 1 for many years, BJK rightfully holds the label of "Queen."

In 1973, Billie won the legendary "Battle of the Sexes," a tennis match against Bobby Riggs , who had challenged her. With this and many other victories, King paved the way for many women in the world of tennis and sports in general, which is why she is considered a pioneer in her field.

1

New Hampshire: Seat belts are not mandatory

The invention of the seat belt revolutionized automobile safety, and it is not a surprise that it is a legal requirement for driving in the U.S. and many other countries . However, there is a state where it is not a requirement, provided that you are an adult.

Under New Hampshire state law, only minors are required to have a seatbelt —or a safety seat in the case of infants. Adults can do as they see fit in this matter , which follows the state’s stance on personal issues, reflected in its motto "Live Free or Die". However, while you will not be pulled over for driving without a seat belt, it can be used against you in the case of an accident or an injury lawsuit.

2

New Jersey: No pumping your own gas

A few decades ago, New Jersey was no exception in this matter, and it was just one of many states where self-service gas stations were banned due to safety concerns and pressure from full-service station owners.

Most states have repealed the ban since then —Oregon was the last state to do so in 2023; however, New Jersey still requires gas to be pumped by a trained attendant , imposing fines of up to $500 on any customer found pumping their own gas.

3

Nebraska: Unicameral legislature

49 of the 50 states have a government comprised of two chambers, a Senate and a House of Representatives, and the state of Nebraska originally followed the same structure. Still, a mere 50 years after gaining statehood in 1867, Nebraskans had grown tired of both chambers disagreeing on most laws and started pushing for the creation of a unified chamber.

This idea became a reality in 1937, when a referendum abolished the dual-chamber system and established a single-chamber system in its stead. But it was not just that: the newly instituted Nebraska Legislature reduced the number of representatives from 133 to 49 , elected without affiliation to a political party, to ensure that state affairs and interests would be at the forefront.

4

Texas: Right to create new states

Although the federal system gives states the authority to create their own laws and regulations, some major changes, such as a territorial division, require the explicit approval of both the state’s legislature and the U.S. Congress . That is, unless you are the State of Texas.

At the time of Texas annexation in 1845, a special clause regarding this matter was included in the annexation resolution, granting Texas the right to create up to four new states —while maintaining the State of Texas— out of its territory and population without interference from the U.S. Congress, though it would need approval from the state’s legislature. This clause has been invoked several times, citing administrative, political, or economic reasons to divide the territory, but it has never been put to use.

5

Alaska: Annual payment to residents

Out of all American states, Alaska has historically been considered one of the most difficult to live in due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle, its limited daylight, and its isolation. These physical difficulties also result in economic hardships, which means that many Alaskans rely on federal assistance.

In 1976, the state government established the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation to ensure that residents of Alaska would benefit from the territory’s natural resources. Through this fund, the government invests a percentage of the state oil and mineral royalties and pays permanent residents —children included— an annual benefit. Part of the investment is also used to fund essential public services such as education, infrastructure, and safety.

6

Louisiana: Napoleonic Code system

As a consequence of its past as a British colony, America operates under a common law system . This means that, despite the enactment of new laws, past court and judicial decisions are extremely relevant and create a precedent.

Many states were never part of the British Empire, having belonged to France or Spain in the past, but only one has inherited a different legal system because of it. In the state of Louisiana, civil law is codified following the system of the Napoleonic Code . This means that decisions are not based on judicial precedents, but must follow the systematic laws collected in the code.

7

North Dakota: No voting registration

Voting registration is a huge part of America’s electoral system, with campaigns focusing on registration deadlines and requirements. Although voting is not mandatory, the registration system is intended to ensure that those who desire and are eligible to vote can do so.

The state of North Dakota is the sole exception to this prerequisite, having abolished voting registration in 1951. Does this mean that anyone can vote in North Dakota? Of course not. North Dakotans are required to show proof of ID at the polls before voting . If you have been a resident of the state for more than 30 days and fulfill the general requirements, you can vote.

8

Hawaii: No independent or incorporated cities

Not all American cities work in the same way when it comes to their governments . Cities and towns can be consolidated —meaning the city and county government is the same—, incorporated —having their own government but operating under county law—, or independent —not belonging to a county. Most states have a mix of these, but Hawaii is an exception.

The state of Hawaii is divided into four counties: Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi, and Kauaʻi. While the city of Honolulu has a municipal government, it is a consolidated city, meaning that there are no cities, towns, or jurisdictions in Hawaii that have a government of their own, and all issues, public services, and regulations are handled by the respective county.

9

Washington, D.C.: Laws have to be approved by Congress

Washington, D.C., is unique in itself because it is neither a state nor a territory, despite sharing characteristics with both. As a federal district, Washington, D.C., is part of the U.S. like the states are, but unlike them, it does not have legislative autonomy.

According to the Constitution, the jurisdiction over the city belongs to Congress, making it the de facto legislature of Washington, D.C. After the passing of the 1973 Home Rule Act, the city can elect a mayor and a city council, but all laws and regulations are ultimately subject to approval by Congress.

10

Montana: No "at-will" firing of a permanent employee

Employment laws vary from state to state, except for issues already defined by federal law. Despite the differences, most states follow the "at-will" doctrine, meaning that employers and employees can terminate the employment relationship at any time , for any legal reason, without notice, unless otherwise specified in a contract. While prohibiting discriminatory or unlawful terminations, this mode of employment gives flexibility for everyone involved.

The state of Montana, however, has a different approach to employment. State laws require a probationary period (usually 12 months), during which "at will" principles apply. After this period, employers must provide a "good cause" for termination , such as performance failures, disruption of operations, or other reasonable job-related issues.