1

Jones Cream Soda

Image: Kevin Butz

Cream soda is a sweet soft drink, typically flavored with vanilla and inspired by the taste of an ice cream float . Many brands and variations can be found across America, and its roots can be traced to at least 150 years ago. Interestingly, Jones Cream Soda, which started in 1886, is not even the oldest one around.

This drink is available in both regular and diet options, and it's also one of the most popular mixers for alcoholic beverages. Cream soda is one of those drinks people associate with their childhood, and it's the perfect perfect pairing for ice cream.

2

Dr. Brown’s Root Beer

Image: David Trinks

Root beer is a sweet and classic American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree as the primary flavor . Root beer is usually alcohol and caffeine-free, sweet, and carbonated, with a thick, foamy head.

Dr. Brown's version of this classic soda is unbeatable, offering a harmonious blend of sugar and spice. It’s not just sweet—it boasts a distinct celery seed earthiness that keeps every sip interesting.

3

Olipop Lemon Lime

Image: Mariah Hewines

Lemon lime drinks have been around for a long time now (just ask Sprite or 7-Up), but Olipop manages to add a new twist to this old classic. This fizzy tonic boasts prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals, which not only taste great but also help your digestive health.

Olipop is also low in sugar, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in sweetness. It uses cassava root and other alternative sweeteners to maintain its delicious flavor.

4

Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water

Image: Nick Fewings

Tonic water is often considered a soda for adults due to its bitter taste. However, the brave ones who love this delicious beverage will find Fever-Tree’s Mediterranean Tonic Water has the perfect mix of bitterness for tonic water fans, but a balanced flavor that makes it appropriate for people who are just dipping their toe into the tonic water.

In addition to that traditional quinine flavor, this tonic is infused with rosemary and lemon thyme , adding a layer of complexity to its taste.

5

Cheerwine

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Named for its color and taste, Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink with a mildly sweet flavor with strong cherry notes, most notably black cherry . It is burgundy-colored and has an unusually high degree of carbonation compared to other soft drinks.

Cheerwine is widely available throughout the southeastern United States, from Maryland to Florida, but it is best known and beloved in the Carolinas.

6

Sangrita Blast Mountain Dew

Image: Ashley Kirk

As the "Limited Edition" tag implies, this product was only available for a limited time, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression. Sangrita Blast, a Citrus Punch-flavored Mountain Dew with a maroon hue, was available at Taco Bell restaurants from 2013 to 2017. It was also released in cans and bottles in 2015 for a short period.

7

Cactus Cooler

Image: Thomas Verbruggen

Cactus Cooler is an orange-pineapple-flavored soft drink sold primarily in Southern California and the surrounding Southwestern region. The orange flavor is very present, with the pineapple appearing a bit behind but adding a layer of complexity to the overall flavor.

This soda has no caffeine, making it a safe product for anyone who gets the jitters from caffeine-infused beverages.

8

United Sodas Toasted Coconut

Image: Jonas Dücker

The words "healthy" and "soda" are not usually heard together but this is one of those occasions. United Sodas is a healthy soda brand that offers products with a lightly carbonated fizz and low sugar content.

Their Toasted Coconut flavor stands out with its distinctive coconut taste. Each can contains fewer than 30 calories, has no artificial ingredients, and is organically sweetened —making it the perfect alternative for health-conscious soda lovers.

9

Boylan Creme Soda

Image: Gourmet Lenz

Even if we started this list with a cream soda, we couldn’t leave out Boylan’s version. This glass-bottled beverage has a rich vanilla flavor and a robust amount of carbonation that make it very easy to drink.

While many cream sodas can be overly sweet, Boylan’s is refreshing, complex, and downright delicious. The use of cane sugar gives it a crisp, clean flavor all the way to the last drop.

10

Moxie

Image: Tom Paolini

The last entry on our list is a bitter and herbal soda named Moxie. It originated in Maine in the late 1800s as a patent medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food." It is flavored with gentian root, sassafras, wintergreen, and other herbs.

Though still somewhat unique to the Northeast, Moxie has become more widely available in specialty and larger grocery stores since Coca-Cola acquired the brand in 2018. Have you ever seen it?

1

Clock change

Image: Jonathan Borba

US currency is full of symbolism, and the $100 bill is no exception. Since 1928, we have seen Independence Hall depicted on the back of this bill. But in 2013, it was redesigned, and one change stands out: the clock tower, which previously showed 4:10, now reads 10:30. Did you notice?

2

Jackie Kennedy’s choice

Image: Florida Memory

Jackie Kennedy played a key role in designing the coin that would feature the portrait of her ex-husband. When the U.S. Mint planned the Kennedy half dollar in 1964, she was consulted and provided input on various aspects of the coin, including its imagery and symbolism.

3

Not paper

Image: Giorgio Trovato

Although it is called paper money, our bills do not contain any paper at all. In fact, they are made of a blend of 75% cotton, 25% linen, and fine silk fibers embedded. This mixture is not random; it was specially chosen so that your bills can withstand everything: folds, wrinkles, stains, and even an accidental shower in the washing machine.

4

The unfinished pyramid

Image: Marek Studzinski

The one-dollar bill also has its secrets and details. On its back, you’ll find an unfinished pyramid, part of the Great Seal of the United States designed in the 1780s. Why unfinished? The pyramid has 13 steps, representing the original 13 colonies, and its incomplete form symbolizes the nation’s ongoing growth and expansion.

5

50% larger

Image: Bozhin Karaivanov

Before 1929, US banknotes were significantly larger, measuring approximately 7.375 x 3.125 inches. Today, collectors refer to these as "large-size" notes, sometimes even nicknamed "Horseblankets." In contrast, modern bills measure just 6.14 x 2.61 inches. The government decided to reduce the bill's size to cut production and design costs.

6

Andrew Jackson’s preference

Image: Giorgio Trovato

Andrew Jackson has been the face of the $20 bill since 1928, when he replaced Grover Cleveland. Ironically, Jackson was opposed to paper money. He didn't trust that form of payment, believing it could be easily manipulated. According to historians, the 7th U.S. President favored "hard money": gold and silver coins.

7

Alexander Hamilton’s portrait

Image: engin akyurt

Most portraits on US bills face left, with one exception: Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill, the only one facing right (toward the viewer’s left). You might wonder why, but there’s no official explanation; it seems to have been simply a design choice.

8

"In God We Trust"

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In 1956, Congress passed a law declaring "In God We Trust" the national motto, making it mandatory on all U.S. coins and banknotes. But this wasn’t its first appearance: the phrase first appeared in 1864 on the two-cent coin. Beyond faith, it also carried political weight, suggesting that God favored the Union during the Civil War.

9

The change that never happened

Image: Ryan Quintal

In 2015, the Treasury announced plans to redesign the $10 bill, stating that Hamilton's portrait would be replaced by that of an influential woman from US history. However, the change never happened. Why? Those years saw a surge in Hamilton's popularity thanks to the hit musical of the same name, leading the Treasury to backtrack on the replacement plan.

10

Criteria

Image: Live Richer

As is well known, not just any portrait can appear on US currency. But beyond historical significance, the figures on our bills and coins must meet other criteria you might not know: They must also be deceased and well recognized by citizens, ensuring that the people represented are familiar and meaningful to the public.

1

Bell-Bottom Pants

Image: Annie Spratt

If you're attending a 1970s-themed costume party, what would you wear? Beyond your personal style, no '70s wardrobe could be complete without a good pair of bell-bottom pants.

These pants were everywhere back then. Available in all colors and styles, they were worn by young and old alike. While their stardom spanned from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, bell-bottoms actually emerged much earlier. When? In the 19th century!

The first to wear this style of pants were American sailors in the 1800s. But their purpose wasn't to look trendy. Sailors implemented them because the wide design made it easy to roll them up when it was time to get their feet in the water.

2

Polaroid Cameras

Image: Josh Carter

Your current cell phone camera is probably better than the analog cameras of the 20th century. But let's be honest—there's nothing quite like holding a physical photo you just took, right?

Okay, we admit it: nostalgia is kicking in. But still, who can deny that a picture is a beautiful memory that gives a sweet, homey touch to your house? Thanks to Polaroid cameras, those of us who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s know this all too well.

Although Polaroid cameras first emerged in the late 1940s , it wasn’t until 3 decades later that they reached their peak popularity, becoming an unmistakable symbol of the era.

3

Music videos

Image: Jakob Owens

While music videos existed before the 1980s, that decade turned them into a global sensation.

One song marked a major turning point in the world of music videos. You probably already guessed it: we’re talking about Michael Jackson’s "Thriller." Released in 1983, this was one of the first music videos to feature substantial production value and investment, making it worldwide famous and setting a trend that would influence the industry for decades. Other unforgettable examples from the era include the animated masterpiece "Take On Me" by A-ha (1985) and the vibrant aerobic-themed "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John (1981).

While music videos remain a key part of the music industry today, they’ve evolved to be shorter and more dynamic, often prioritizing quick impact over storytelling.

4

Synthesizer Sound

Image: Orkun Azap

One of the most iconic and recognizable features of '70s and '80s music is the use of synthesizers.

First introduced in the 1960s, synthesizers grew in popularity over the following decades, until they became part of nearly every sound of the era—from rock and funk to pop, disco, and electronic music.

A great '70s example is Stevie Wonder 's "Superstition," which showcases the innovative use of synthesizers. By the '80s, the synthesizer sound had reached new heights, thanks to bands like Depeche Mode and Duran Duran , who helped define the decade's musical identity.

5

Disco Balls

Image: Greyson Joralemon

If there's one thing that screams 1970s, that's undoubtedly disco music. With icons like the Bee Gees, KC The Sunshine Band, and Donna Summer, disco emerged in America and quickly got the whole world onto the dance floor.

In addition to platform shoes and satin shirts, one of the objects that went hand in hand with this type of music was the famous mirror ball, also called the disco ball. Discotheques often showcased spectacular disco balls, and famous artists included them in their music videos, making those shiny spheres the stars of the era.

6

Roller Skates

Image: Nick Fewings

Disco wasn’t the only sensation of the era—roller skates were a big deal, too. In fact, the two often combined: during the '70s and '80s, roller discos became a hit, where people danced on wheels!

Roller skates were so popular at the time that they made their way into films and music videos, including the 1980 cult classic Xanadu and Cher’s iconic 1979 music video for "Hell on Wheels."

Although roller skates were invented in the 18th century, it was the 20th century that catapulted them to the height of their fame. Were you lucky enough to strap on a pair and join the fun?

7

Arcade

Image: Carl Raw

If you were young in the '80s, you probably had a joystick or an arcade token in your hands, as arcades were the ultimate hangout spots for teenagers back then.

We bet you remember titles such as "Space Invaders," released in 1978, or the legendary "Pac-Man," which arrived to revolutionize the entire industry in 1980. Other unforgettable classics included "Donkey Kong" and "Frogger," both released in 1981.

So, what was your high score? Did you dominate the leaderboard or keep coming back for just one more game?

8

Atari 2600

Image: Senad Palic

What do you usually do when you're bored at home? For most of us, it's watching a movie or scrolling through our phone screens. But a few decades ago, the entertainment industry looked entirely different.

In 1977, home recreation changed forever with the arrival of the Atari 2600, one of the first home gaming consoles. From that moment on, gamers could enjoy their favorite games without ever leaving the comfort of their homes.

9

Slang

Image: Buse Doga Ay

But it wasn't just about fashion, music, and games. We can't forget the prominence of slang during these two emblematic decades.

One of the first terms that comes to mind is "groovy," remember that one? It was used to describe something cool or excellent. Maybe you remember a friend saying, "I love your outfit, super groovy!" Another memorable expression from the era was "Gag me with a spoon," used to convey disgust or displeasure, as in "That's so cheesy! Gag me with a spoon!"

Other unforgettable slang words included "bummer," "rad," "hip," and "tubular," each capturing the spirit of the '70s and '80s in its own unique way.

10

Cabbage Patch Dolls

Image: silvia trigo

If you didn't have one at home, you probably knew someone who did—or maybe even had more than one. We're referring to the famous Cabbage Patch Dolls, the toy that caused a sensation during the early 1980s.

Launched in 1982, the Cabbage Patch Dolls quickly made their way into most American homes. Their popularity was so massive and abrupt that they are remembered as one of the most iconic trend crazes of the 20th century. People would form long lines outside toy stores just to hug one of these dolls. In fact, the craze was so intense that the media dubbed it the "Cabbage Patch Kid Frenzy."