1

Mr. Peanut

Image: Tom Hermans

As familiar as snacking on a handful of peanuts, Mr. Peanut is a beloved symbol for us all. Incredibly, despite being a successful and recognizable character, Mr. Peanut's design only cost $5!

That's right, Planters Company created a contest in 1916 to find the ideal mascot. And guess who won? A 14-year-old boy! Antonio Gentile received $5 in exchange for his cute peanut-bodied mascot, to which the top hat and monocle were later added. Not only is his appearance sophisticated, but his name is, too. Mr. Peanut's full name is Bartholomew Richard Fitzgerald-Smythe. Fancy, right?

2

Tony the Tiger

Image: Sten Ritterfeld

One of the most famous felines, Tony the Tiger , the mascot of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal , first appeared in a TV commercial in 1952, more than 70 years ago!

Despite his age, Tony still embodies the ideas of strength and energy that the brand wants to associate with its delicious cereals.

His distinctive muscular body and unique red scarf around his neck make him one of the most recognizable characters for people of all ages. He is just gr-r-reat!

3

Energizer Bunny

Image: danilo.alvesd

We've all wished we had the incredible energy of the Energizer Bunny , right?

This cute, drum-beating mascot first appeared in a TV commercial in the late 1980s. Its characteristic endless energy symbolizes the power of the brand's batteries, summed up in its classic catchphrase, "It keeps going and going and going..."

Over time, this little pink bunny with sunglasses has gained worldwide fame and has become one of the most recognizable brand mascots.

4

Mr. Clean

Image: JESHOOTS.COM

We've already seen tigers, rabbits, and even peanuts with eyes; now it's the turn of a human-shaped mascot.

Mr. Clean is the legendary mascot of the Procter & Gamble cleaning product line, famous for his look and accessories. With his white eyebrows, classic earring, bald head, and white T-shirt, the beloved Mr. Clean is impossible to miss.

Created in 1958, this mascot has changed very little since his first appearance, making him even more iconic. If you're looking for a Halloween costume, you know who to imitate this year!

5

Ronald McDonald

Image: Brett Jordan

Ronald McDonald , the clown of the most famous fast food chain, has become a global star.

Over the decades, children around the world have excitedly lined up to see him, greet him, and take pictures with Ronald in McDonald's stores.

Created in 1963, Ronald looked a bit different than he does today. Ronald's appearance has evolved, with changes to his costume and makeup, making him more vibrant and approachable. But the magic of this character is still intact.

6

Pillsbury Doughboy

Image: Pablo Lancaster Jones

If we discuss cute mascots, we can't forget the Pillsbury Doughboy . This little man made of dough has been wearing a chef's hat and a scarf since his birth in 1965 when he first appeared in a TV commercial.

While his appearance has remained the same, his name has changed a few times. Originally called "Jonathan Pillsbury," his name was changed to "Poppin' Fresh" in the 1970s, though today we all know him as Pillsbury Doughboy.

His playful personality is captured in his classic catchphrase, "Hoo-hoo!"

7

The M&M’s Spokescandies

Image: Sebastian Gómez

Who can say "no" to a handful of delicious M&M's ? Definitely not us! And as if their great taste weren’t enough, M&M's also has a series of mascots with varied personalities that know how to win us over.

The original characters emerged in the 1950s, and there were only two mascots: the Plain (milk chocolate) and the Peanut characters. This evolved over time, and more characters were added, each with different colors and qualities.

Today, some of the most recognized are Red, Yellow, and Green .

8

Martin the GEICO Gecko

Image: Tate Lohmiller

The GEICO insurance company's Gecko is definitely one of the most famous brand mascots in the country.

Born in 1999, this little Gecko first appeared in a commercial in which he talked to the viewers, trying to convince them to choose GEICO. This appearance was so successful that the friendly and witty Gecko has remained the company's mascot to this day.

One of the peculiarities of this character is his distinctive British accent, which sets him apart from other talking mascots.

9

Kool-Aid Man

Image: Roksolana Zasiadko

If you were one of the many Kool-Aid fans as a child, you probably remember the charming and unique Kool-Aid Man fondly.

With his pitcher-shaped body filled with Kool-Aid, the character first appeared on the product's packaging in 1954. It wasn't until over 20 years later that he made his first TV commercial, always smiling and uttering his traditional catchphrase, "Oh yeah!"

The now classic character became very popular and even had cameos in famous animated TV series!

10

Chester Cheetah

Image: Ryan Quintal

If you love snacks, you've probably smeared your fingers with Cheetos crumbs at some point, right? We get it; these cheesy snacks are simply irresistible.

And if you've ever tasted Cheetos, you're likely familiar with the famous Chester Cheetah . With its cool look and relaxed attitude, Chester Cheetah was created in 1986. This feline appeared in TV commercials and on Cheetos packages, always enjoying the snack and never without his trademark sunglasses.

His fame grew to the point that in the '90s, Chester starred in a couple of video games!

1

The Second of July?

The first 4th of July celebration took place spontaneously in Philadelphia in 1777 and included elements that still persist today, such as bonfires, parades, and fireworks. But not everyone was on board. Founding Father John Adams famously refused all invitations to celebrate on account of disagreeing with the date.

For him, celebrations needed to be held on July 2nd, the day independence was voted on, rather than the 4th, when independence was declared , but July 4th became widely accepted because it was the date that appeared on the distributed copies of the document. In a both poetic and ironic turn of events, Adams — along with Jefferson, who penned the document — died on July 4th, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

2

Who came up with the turkey pardon?

While many correctly assume that the official Presidential turkey pardon on Thanksgiving is an old event, it was not an official tradition until 1989, under the George H.W. Bush administration . But the roots of the tradition are nearly as old as the holiday itself.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln’s young son, Tad, asked to adopt the turkey intended for the Christmas dinner and named it Jack. This didn't become a regular tradition, but it set the precedent for President Kennedy to pardon the turkey gifted to the First Family in 1963 , a custom adopted by many of the following presidents, with Reagan being the first to call it the "presidential pardoning".

3

The anti-pumpkin movement

As a crop native to America, pumpkin is mentioned across American history, including the first Thanksgiving. But before pumpkin pie was a symbol of the holiday, it was a New England dessert that divided the nation.

Thanksgiving was instituted as an official holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, with turkey and pumpkin pie quickly becoming the main dishes on the menu. After the Civil War, the Southern states were reluctant to adopt the holiday and its associated pie, claiming it was a "Yankee tradition" and a celebration of Northern culture. As a way of rejecting what they saw as a cultural imposition, many Southern cooks replaced the pumpkin pie with sweet potato pie, which remains much more common in the South.

4

The 22 years without Christmas

The minute Thanksgiving ends and "All I Want for Christmas Is You" returns to the top of the charts, much of the country gets into the holiday spirit. Surprisingly, just a few centuries ago, and 100 years before the United States was officially formed, Christmas was banned altogether .

During Cromwell’s interregnum (1649-1660), the Puritan-led English Parliament canceled the Christmas festivities of 1644, claiming it was a Catholic festivity of pagan origin. The sentiment echoed across the Atlantic, where the Massachusetts Bay Colony, of Puritan origins, banned Christmas in 1659 and fined those who celebrated or took the day off. The ban remained in place even after the restoration of the Monarchy, and was only lifted in 1681. Ulysses S. Grant declared it a federal holiday in 1870.

5

Mandatory anonymity

Anyone who ever celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans knows that masks are an integral part of the event, with those in the parade and many spectators concealing their identity. What many don’t know is that, per Louisiana law, wearing a mask in public is illegal , a statute passed in the 1920s to counteract the Ku Klux Klan’s influence and its intimidation tactics.

So, what happens during Mardi Gras? In the traditional Carnivals, masks were a way for people of all classes to mingle without endangering their reputation. While it is not a requirement for spectators today, anti-mask laws are suspended during Mardi Gras . However, if you are taking part in the parade, masks are not only allowed but mandatory.

6

A very successful campaign

Does your family watch the Rose Bowl Game on January 1st? It’s one of the oldest postseason football games in American history . But, did you know that its origin stems from a tourism campaign?

In the 1890s, the city of Pasadena, California, started celebrating the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day as a way to promote the city’s mild weather to tourists on the East Coast . To increase promotion, a postseason college football game was played in 1902, but the result was so lopsided —49-0— that it was not repeated the following years. In 1916, a new game was organized with resounding success, and it has been held annually since then.

7

The original Black Friday

B efore being synonymous with big sales and discounts, Black Friday was synonymous with crisis . The first recorded use of ‘Black Friday’ dates back to 1869, when the stock market suffered a devastating crash due to financial speculation. The economic effects of the crash were so severe that the name connoted calamity and misery.

How did it become associated with the day after Thanksgiving? In the 1950s, Philadelphia received hordes of tourists who came to shop and attend the annual Army-Navy football game the day after Thanksgiving, creating such chaos that the police forces dubbed it the "Black Friday". To counteract the negativity, retailers adopted the name in association with massive discounts.

8

From Decoration to Memorial Day

The last Monday of May, America remembers and honors those who laid down their lives in defense of the country. Friends and relatives of fallen service members gather to lay wreaths and flags in cemeteries ; the Memorial Day holiday also serves as the unofficial starting point for the summer season. But where does this tradition come from?

It wasn’t always Memorial Day. Originally called ‘Decoration Day’, the tradition of adorning graves started after the Civil War , and it was first celebrated on a national scale in 1868. After World War I, the tradition was expanded to include all American soldiers fallen during a military conflict.

9

Hedgehog Day

You might just know about it because of the popular 1993 Bill Murray movie, but Groundhog Day is real, and it’s celebrated every February 2nd. According to tradition, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow sees its shadow, it will go back to hibernate , and there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring will come early. But did you know that the tradition usually observed the behavior of a different animal?

Though Groundhog Day is celebrated across America —and even Canada— it was initially a Pennsylvania tradition, brought by German and Dutch immigrants. Back in Europe, they observed the behavior of hedgehogs and badgers to predict the length of winter, but these were not native to America. Looking for a similar local animal, they turned to the groundhog.

10

The 6-month difference

We can name a select few holidays that are celebrated internationally, such as New Year’s Day or Christmas. But what about Labor Day? While nearly 160 countries across the globe celebrate it on May 1st, the U.S. celebrates it six months later , on the first Monday in September.

Labor Day (also known as International Workers’ Day) started as a commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, where a protest for workers’ rights ended with several casualties. As the protest was linked to socialist labor movements, the U.S. government was wary of celebrating workers on that date . As a compromise with labor activists, President Grover Cleveland instituted Labor Day as a federal holiday in 1894, but deliberately chose a date as far away as possible.

1

Mourning Dove

Image: Anish Lakkapragada

The melancholic name of the mourning dove comes from its sad call , which the casual listener might mistake for an owl. Mourning Doves inhabit a wide range of open habitats, including suburbs and urban parks.

Their call is generally referred to as the "perch coo," a song sung by an unmated male from a perch. These birds have other well-known nicknames, such as "turtle doves" and "rain doves."

2

Northern Mockingbird

Image: Tyler Jamieson Moulton

More than just mockers, mockingbirds are expert singers, continuously adding new imitations of other birds' songs to their repertoires and sometimes mimicking unnatural sounds, such as car alarms. Northern mockingbirds may learn up to 200 different sounds.

These medium-sized, long-tailed gray songbirds prefer open habitats with a scattering of shrubs and small trees. They eat a wide variety of fruits, invertebrates, and even small vertebrates, such as lizards.

3

White-breasted Nuthatch

Image: Patrice Bouchard

You can recognize this bird by its white face and underside, bluish back and wings, dark crown, nasal "yank-yank" call, and its habit of creeping down tree trunks headfirst.

The name "nuthatch" is derived from "nut hacker," reflecting the bird's method of opening up nuts by jamming them into a crevice and then hammering at them.

4

Downy Woodpecker

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

The smallest woodpecker in North America, the Downy Woodpecker is a stubby-billed, black-and-white bird that inhabits deciduous woods and tree-filled urban and suburban parklands. It forages on trees, shrubs, and large weeds for insects and other arthropods.

The "downy" in this bird's common name refers to the soft, white feathers of its long, white back stripe . The "woodpecker" part refers to the fact that this bird pecks bark, looking for termites hidden underneath it.

5

House Finch

Image: Patrice Bouchard

Originally found only in the West, the House Finch was introduced to the eastern U.S. in 1939, when a few individuals were released from a pet store. The word "finch" comes from the German idiom fink , which refers to a lively or cheerful person —a description that certainly fits this active and gregarious songbird. The term "house" refers to the bird’s tendency to hang around human dwellings.

6

Song Sparrow

Image: Patrick Fobian

Song Sparrows, as their name suggests, sing a cheerful and recognizable song. Although these birds can be found in a wide range of habitats, their favorite spots are often close to streams and other sources of fresh water.

The English word "sparrow" derives from the Anglo-Saxon word spearwa . This term means "flutterer," an apt description for this active songbird.

7

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

The only hummingbird that regularly breeds in the eastern U.S. is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The male's metallic-looking red throat, or "gorget," explains the first part of the name. And the hummingbird part comes from the humming sound their wings make as they fly.

8

Blue Jay

Image: David Bridle

The "bullies" of the birdfeeder, Blue Jays' name comes from the bird's noisy, garrulous nature. This term has also been applied to other birds of the same family, which are generally gregarious as well.

Before approaching a feeder, Blue Jays often give harsh calls that sound like those of hawks, perhaps to scare off other birds that might compete for access to the bird seed.

9

Tufted Titmouse

Image: Paul Crook

These curiously named birds form longer-lasting family units than many other songbirds, with their younglings sometimes even hanging around for a second year to help raise younger siblings. The "titmouse" name has nothing to do with rodents, but instead comes from an Old English phrase meaning "small bird."

10

Spotted Towhee

Image: Anish Lakkapragada

Spotted Towhees are members of the sparrow family. These birds have dark heads and backs, white spots on their wings, rusty sides, and striking red eyes. Their song is a simple trill.

The name "towhee" is a simulation of the bird's call and it was coined in 1731 by the naturalist and bird artist, Mark Catesby.