1

The Everest

Image: Martin Jernberg

James Whittaker made history as the first American to achieve one of the most difficult things in the world.

In 1963 , Whittaker, then 34 years old , became the first American to reach the summit of the highest mountain on the planet, Mount Everest , as part of the American Mount Everest Expedition led by Norman Dyhrenfurth.

Facing challenging weather and low temperatures, Seattle-born Whittaker conquered the summit of the Himalayan giant, which stands at 29,035 feet high! Can you picture yourself on such an expedition?

2

The astronauts

Image: NASA

The 1960s definitely transformed history, marking a period when humanity first traveled into outer space. The first American to reach space was Alan Shepard on May 5, 1961 . After a successful flight of 15 minutes and 22 seconds, Shepard's spacecraft splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean. Shepard didn’t complete an orbit of Earth on that trip, but John Glenn arrived and became the first American to orbit our planet on February 20, 1962 .

Of course, these amazing achievements were necessary for Neil Armstrong to take his historic step onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969 , becoming the first American -and the very first human- to do so.

Want to know who was the first American woman in space ? The title went to Sally Ride , who reached outer space in 1983 .

3

The Skyscraper

Image: Pedro Lastra

Yes, skyscrapers dominate the skyline of many cities in our country today. However, there was a time when there were none. And the title of America's first skyscraper went to the Home Insurance Building in Chicago.

Designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney and completed in 1885 , it was the first to use a structural steel frame. Although iconic and unique in its time, it was demolished in 1931 to build what is now the Bank of America Building.

4

The Nobel

Image: caleb weiner

You'll be happy to know that the first Nobel Prize won by an American was in the Peace category. It was awarded to none other than Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 for his role and contribution to ending the Russo-Japanese War.

Roosevelt stood out precisely for inviting representatives from Russia and Japan to a peace conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1905. Of course, the task was not an easy one, but Teddy was determined. His efforts ended in a historic peace agreement known worldwide as The Treaty of Portsmouth.

5

The flight

Image: History in HD

The Wright brothers ' story is one of the most famous. Coming from Dayton, Ohio , these two brothers are credited with inventing the first powered airplane and making the world's first successful flight with it.

But which of them was the first American to fly? Well, it seems Wilbur Wright, the older of the two, gave the honor to his younger brother. So, it was Orville who made history as the first to pilot the successful aircraft.

Orville piloted the first sustained flight of a powered aircraft in December 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina . His flight lasted 12 seconds and flew a distance of 120 feet. True pioneers!

6

The University

Image: Somesh Kesarla Suresh

388 years is a really long time, right? Well, that's the amount of time that has passed since the first university was founded in the territory of what would eventually become the United States of America.

We are talking about the prestigious Harvard University , born in 1636 in what was then the Massachusetts Bay Colony , with the aim of training clergy. Originally called "New College," the institution was later renamed Harvard College in honor of John Harvard , its first major benefactor.

7

The baseball team

Image: Caitlin Conner

Whether you prefer football, ice hockey, baseball, or basketball, it's undeniable that these four sports best represent our nation.

But only one has earned the title of "America's pastime." Of course, we're talking about baseball . One of the most popular sports today, it was also the earliest to establish a professional team.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings , established in 1869 , were the first professional baseball team in our country. When all the teams were still amateur, the Red Stockings became the first team with paid players, leading the way for the rest of the teams and for the eventual establishment of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1871.

8

The Flag

Image: Samuel Branch

Every independent country needs a flag to symbolize its identity and ideals. The US flag , in particular, has gone through a series of changes that show the nation's journey through history. First hoisted by George Washington on January 1, 1776 , at Prospect Hill in Somerville, Massachusetts , our first National Flag was born during the years of the Revolution .

Known as the "Continental Colors," this unofficial flag was adopted in 1775 as a symbol of the Continental Army . Its design had 13 red and white stripes , symbolizing the 13 original colonies, and the Union Jack in the upper left corner.

As the Revolutionary War progressed, the Continental Congress considered a series of changes to our flag to better represent the united colonies and their desire for independence. Thus came the "Stars and Stripes" new design on June 14, 1777 , which replaced the Union Jack with 13 white stars, initially often arranged in a circle.

9

The Oscar

Image: Mirko Fabian

If you are a movie enthusiast , this fact is probably already in your memory. And if you're not, it's still a good fact worth knowing.

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929 , and featured nominations for classic films like The Racket and Seventh Heaven , both released in 1927.

But the movie that stole the show was Wings , also from 1927 , directed by William A. Wellman and starring Clara Bow, Charles Rogers, and Richard Arlen. This silent film about WWI was the very first to win the category then known as "Outstanding Picture," which today we call "Best Picture." It was notable for its realistic aerial battles and special effects of excellent quality for its time. If you haven't seen it yet, this is your cue to do so!

10

The National Park

Image: Austin Farrington

From expansive deserts to dense forests, and from delightful beaches to impressive mountains, our country's landscapes and biodiversity are truly amazing.

Many of these natural sites have earned the title of National Parks , which guarantees their protection and conservation for the joy of locals and tourists. And while today we have many national parks to visit, there was once a first.

The very first was the great Yellowstone National Park , designated by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872 . Located in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, this natural site set a precedent for the conservation of our land's natural areas. Have you already visited it?

1

Wheel of Fortune

Image: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Created in 1975 and still on the air, Wheel of Fortune features three contestants competing to solve a word puzzle, in a manner similar to Hangman , to win money and prizes. For 41 years, it was hosted by Pat Sajak and Vanna White to great ratings success. In 2024, Sajak announced his retirement and was replaced by presenter and producer Ryan Seacrest.

Throughout the years, Wheel of Fortune has had many international adaptations and is currently the longest-running syndicated game show in U.S. television history.

2

Family Feud

Image: RDNE Stock project

And the survey says... Family Feud is hilarious! For most of the past 45 years, this game show has offered us fun and innocent entertainment. Family Feud has had different hosts, such as Richard Dawson and Steve Harvey, and has introduced us to some of the most curious American families and some of the most unexpected answers in television history.

Winner of several Emmy Awards and exported to over 50 international markets, we hope to have Family Feud for many more years!

3

Press Your Luck

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Remember The Whammy? This show's mascot, an animated devil, was the one thing to avoid at all costs to win the most money in Press Your Luck . And answer a few questions correctly, of course!

Press Your Luck first aired in 1983 . It was discontinued and resurrected many times since, but in 2019, it came back to stay. Nowadays, it airs on ABC and is hosted by actress, director, and producer Elizabeth Banks.

4

The Price is Right

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In a 2007 article, TV Guide selected The Price is Right as "the best quiz show of all time". Do you agree? It's the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history, so it makes sense. The original version ran from 1956 to 1965 on NBC, while the current version has been running since 1972 on CBS.

Bob Barker, who hosted The Price is Right for 35 years, turned this show in which contestants must guess the exact price of different products, into an all-time institution. We will forever remember his voice uttering the famous catchphrase "Coooome on down!"

5

Card Sharks

Image: Amanda Jones

There have been four different versions of Card Sharks from 1978 to 2021, presented by famous hosts like Jim Perry, Bob Eubanks, and Joel McHale.

The show is based on some random but funny survey questions contestants must answer to control a row of oversized playing cards. Will the next card be higher or lower? Place your bets!

6

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Image: Anete Lusina

Phone a friend or ask the audience: Is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire one of the best game shows TV has ever given us? We certainly think so, and that's our final answer!

Unlike most of the programs listed in this article, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is not a native American show but rather a British format. Yet, U.S. audiences seem to have embraced it with open arms. Because, let's be honest, who would turn down the chance to win a million dollars?

7

Hollywood Squares

Image: NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During the years it remained on the air, many celebrities took up the squares of this sort of human tic-tac-toe. Personalities like Vincent Price, Joan Rivers, Kathy Griffin, and Whoopi Goldberg, among others, not only made this show fun but also legendary.

Hollywood Squares aired from 1966 to 2004 with a couple of interruptions in between and was presented by different hosts. However, that didn't stop it from winning several Emmy awards and being regarded as one of the greatest game shows ever.

8

The Dating Game

Image: Pexels

We are so used to the many dating shows now on the air that we take them for granted. However, The Dating Game , which first premiered in 1965, was a true pioneer. Since its release and until 2021, the show was revived several times with different variants but the same appeal.

The format was very simple: a single man or woman would ask questions to three unseen candidates. At the end of the episode, he or she would choose one to go on an all-expenses-paid date. The Dating Game is also known for having featured many stars before they became famous, like Burt Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett, Steve Martin, Suzanne Somers, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others.

9

Deal or no Deal

Image: Giorgio Trovato

This show doesn't have a long history on television, but those mysterious silver suitcases that may —or may not— hide lots of cash deserve a place on this list.

Deal or No Deal is, in fact, an American version of a Dutch game show that first premiered on NBC in 2005. It was hosted by Canadian comedian and TV personality Howie Mandel. Despite its ratings success, it was eventually discontinued in 2019.

10

Jeopardy!

Image: Possessed Photography

Did you know that the original name intended for this show was What's the Question ? Luckily, a skeptical executive who was not convinced by the game's concept said, "It doesn't have enough jeopardy". And the rest is history!

A quiz competition with a twist, Jeopardy! is one of the most beloved game shows in America. The first version of this iconic TV program aired on NBC from 1964 to 1975. In 1984, Jeopardy! returned to the small screen as a daily syndicated series —hosted by the legendary Alex Trebek and narrated by Johnny Gilbert— and is still on the air today.

1

"Buffalo Bill" Cody

Image: Illinois State University, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If we had to name the most famous cowboy in history , Buffalo Bill Cody would probably be a top contender. Throughout his lifetime, Cody greatly contributed to shaping the image we have of the American West.

Born in Iowa in 1846, he earned his nickname while working for the Union Pacific Railway, where railroad workers were amazed by his hunting skills. But history had bigger plans in store for Cody, and he would soon become an actor , traveling throughout the eastern United States performing plays based on stories of the Wild West for more than 30 years.

Eventually, poor business management and a certain change in popular interests led Buffalo Bill to ruin and he retired from show business just two months before his death in 1917. He was, however, mourned by millions of people who considered him a hero.

2

John Henry "Doc" Holliday

Image: Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz

John Henry "Doc" Holliday was born in 1851 in Griffin, Georgia, into a wealthy family. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Philadelphia but was shortly thereafter diagnosed with tuberculosis and advised to live in the drier, hotter climate of the West.

In Dallas, Texas, he pursued his trade as a dentist but also discovered saloons and whiskey. Soon, realizing that gambling could be much more lucrative than dentistry, he began his professional gambling career.

The rest of his life was spent among crooks, gunfights, and jailmates in New Mexico, Arizona, and California. At only 36 years old, his lungs could not keep up with his gunslinging way of life and he finally met his death in 1887 in a hotel bed in Colorado. It is said that his last words were, "This is funny."

3

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid

Image: yavuz pancareken

The lives of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid became legendary pretty quickly. As early as 1903, their exploits inspired the first modern film —Edwin S. Porter's _The Great Train Robbery_— and since then, their adventures have not ceased to be portrayed by popular culture. In a way, they symbolize the definitive end of the romanticized Western era at the hands of 20th-century industrialization and urbanization.

Both cowboys were members of a gang known as "The Wild Bunch," which earned them a reputation as bank and train robbers. According to lore, after several years of crime and run-ins with the law, the bandits managed to escape to Latin America. Eventually, they were caught and killed in Bolivia in 1908. The fact that their graves were never found helped fuel the myth that they had, in fact, returned to the United States and lived in anonymity for many more years.

4

Jesse James

Image: Steve

Jesse James's life is one of the most emblematic of the Wild West. His criminal career began after his involvement with pro-Confederate guerrillas during the Civil War. Along with the Younger brothers, he created a gang with which they robbed banks, trains, stagecoaches, and stores from Iowa to Texas and from Tennessee to California.

It is believed that throughout the years they netted more than a quarter of a million dollars. Despite the gory nature of their heists and murders, the gang often had public sympathy.

Jesse's death is as controversial as his life. At only 34 years old, he was shot in the back by one of his gang partners, who hoped to obtain a state reward in exchange for his betrayal. The public was not happy with the government conspiring to assassinate a citizen, no matter how criminal, and the matter became a scandal, resulting in Jesse James's rise to mythical status.

5

Annie Oakley

Image: International Film Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

From an early age, Phoebe Anne Oakley Moses, better known as Annie Oakley, took up hunting to help support her family. At the age of fifteen, she won a competition against the famous marksman Frank Butler, to whom she later married. Together, they appeared in several exhibitions across the country and, in 1885, joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West show.

Annie was able to open the edge of a letter, shatter glass balls thrown in the air, and hit dimes held between her husband's fingers or apples placed in her poodle's mouth by shooting from 30 paces away. Her life was so rich and fascinating that she was the inspiration for several movies and plays.

6

Billy the Kid

Image: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

According to legend, Henry McCarty, better known as Billy the Kid, killed at least 21 people during his career as a notorious outlaw in New Mexico. However, he cemented his place in the pantheon of frontier legends not so much for his murders as for his personality and incredible marksmanship skills.

Born in the late 1850s in the Irish slums of New York City, McCarty had to reinvent himself as a gunslinger after the death of his mother when he was just a teenager. His life and the events surrounding his death at the hands of legendary lawman Pat Garrett were immortalized in numerous films, books, and songs. In fact, Billy the Kid holds the record as the most portrayed individual in cinematic history.

7

Lucille Mulhall

Image: Melissa Walsh

By 1900, split riding skirts allowed women to compete in rodeos without shocking Victorian-era audiences. But the truth is that women have been participating in exhibitions even in the early days of the Old West.

Lucille Mulhall is considered America's first legendary cowgirl. Born in 1885, Lucille grew up on her family's ranch in Oklahoma, where she acquired her incredible cattle-roping skills. She began performing in shows as a teenager and, throughout her career, competed in many rodeos, setting a few roping world records.

8

Belle Starr

Image: Pixabay

Perhaps the most famous female gunslinger in the history of the West was Myra Maybelle Shirley Reed Starr, better known as Belle Starr. Born in Missouri in 1848, Belle had a fairly well-to-do childhood and was a bright student. However, when her family moved to Texas after the Civil War, the young girl stumbled upon the James-Younger gang. After falling in love with Cole Younger, she became a member of the gang.

That love affair didn't last long, but a few others followed, which led her to live outside the law for the rest of her life. Her alleged riding and gun skills increased her fame throughout the country, turning her into a legend.

9

Wyatt Earp

Image: National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Wyatt Earp belonged to a large family whose members were famous for being gunfighters, gamblers, bison hunters, miners, and lawmen. While all were notorious Wild West characters, it was Wyatt's exploits that have gone down in history. His life is testimony to the ambiguity that prevailed at a time when there was no distinction between upholding the law and transgressing it.

After a long life traveling the American West as a deputy sheriff, bounty hunter, and saloon owner, in 1905 Wyatt settled permanently in Los Angeles, California. He became a film consultant in Hollywood, befriending producers, directors, and actors. It is even said that John Wayne took Earp’s stories as inspiration for some of the tough characters he portrayed on the big screen.

10

"Wild Bill" Hickok

Image: Turuncu Sakal

James Butler Hickok, better known as "Wild Bill," is a legendary folk hero thanks to the many stories that romanticized his life as a soldier, gunslinger, gambler, marshal, and actor. Over the years, his adventures have been retold numerous times in pop culture. The truth is that Hickok did more in his thirty-nine years of life than most who lived twice as long.

Since his birth in Illinois in 1837, he is said to have been involved in some of the most dramatic and, at the same time, most spectacular events in the history of the Wild West. His death, unsurprisingly, is also legendary. In 1876, while playing a game of poker in a saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, a man named Jack McCall shot him in the back of the head. The cards he was holding at the time —two pairs of Aces and black Eights— became the well-known "dead man's hand."