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

Flight Day 1: "Sleepyhead" by Young & Sick

The first morning in microgravity is notoriously disorienting. As the crew adjusted to the puffy face caused by fluid shifts and the novelty of floating out of their sleeping bags, "Sleepyhead" by the American band Young & Sick provided a fittingly ethereal backdrop.

The 2018 track’s swirling synths and falsetto vocals mirror the dreamlike quality of looking back at a receding Florida coastline from thousands of miles away. It’s a nice way to start a mission that is anything but gentle during the initial ascent.

2

Flight Day 2: "Green Light" by John Legend

By the second day, the adrenaline of launch begins to settle into the reality of the mission's objectives. "Green Light," a collaboration between John Legend and American rapper André 3000, served as the literal and figurative signal to get to work.

For the Artemis II crew, this funk-infused track, released in 2008, played as they performed the first critical proximity operations with the ICPS (Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage), testing Orion’s handling before the final "green light" for the Trans-Lunar Injection.

3

Flight Day 3: "In a Daydream" by Freddy Jones Band

As Orion moved further into the void, the Earth, seen through the window, began to shrink. The Freddy Jones Band’s 1993 rock hit "In a Daydream" captured the mid-transit vibe perfectly.

The song is famous for its guitar work and relaxed tempo. It evokes the feeling of being untethered—a literal reality for four humans traveling toward a destination that has remained unvisited for over 50 years.

4

Flight Day 4: "Pink Pony Club" by Chappell Roan

In space missions, morale is a critical component. The inclusion of Chappell Roan’s 2020 cult hit "Pink Pony Club" brought a burst of high-camp energy and neon-drenched pop to the capsule.

Roan’s anthem about self-discovery and finding your place is a fan favorite on Earth, but it took on a new meaning in the stars. The contrast between the sterile, high-tech interior of Orion and the song’s lyrics about a shimmering dance floor in West Hollywood is the kind of humor and humanity that keeps a crew grounded while they are physically anything but.

5

Flight Day 5: "Working Class Heroes (Work)" by CeeLo Green

Flight Day 5 is the heart of the grind. Deep-space transit involves constant system checks, radiation monitoring, and exercise routines to prevent bone density loss. CeeLo Green’s 2015 "Working Class Heroes (Work)" served as the anthem for the mission's core. The track’s heavy beat and gospel-inflected vocals emphasize the dignity of labor; beneath the glory of the Moon mission is the hard, repetitive work of thousands of engineers on the ground and four highly trained professionals in the sky.

6

Flight Day 6: "Good Morning" by Mandisa, TobyMac

As the crew prepared for the lunar flyby, they needed a jolt of pure optimism. Mandisa’s 2011 "Good Morning" is a blend of pop and gospel that is impossible to listen to without moving. Mandisa, a Grammy winner and American Idol alumna, often spoke about music as a tool for resilience, a quality the Artemis crew embodied as they crossed the threshold into the Moon’s gravitational sphere of influence.

7

Flight Day 7: "Tokyo Drifting" by Denzel Curry and Glass Animals

The slingshot around the Moon is the fastest part of the journey. To match the velocity of a lunar gravity assist, the crew chose the frantic energy of "Tokyo Drifting." The brass fanfares and aggressive flow of the 2019 collaboration between Florida rapper Denzel Curry and British indie band Glass Animals provided the perfect sonic environment for the maneuvers as Orion whipped around the lunar far side, briefly losing communication with Earth.

8

Flight Day 8: "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie

As Orion turned its nose back toward home, the reality of reentry began to emerge. There’s probably no song in rock and roll history that captures the tension of high-stakes environments better than "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie (1981). The song’s message of empathy and humanity in the face of immense stress is a fitting tribute to the international cooperation that made the Artemis program possible.

9

Flight Day 9: "Lonesome Drifter" by Charley Crockett

The pen-ultimate day of the mission is often a reflective one. Looking back at the Moon while the Earth grows larger in the forward view creates a unique sense of isolation and belonging. Charley Crockett’s "Lonesome Drifter" (2025) provided the neo-country soul necessary for this moment. Crockett’s music often deals with wandering and the search for home. His deep, baritone voice echoing through the Orion cabin emphasized the lonely nature of the long trip back across the cosmos.

10

Flight Day 10: "Run to the Water" by Live

The final wake-up call of the mission was a literal instruction. As Orion plummeted through the atmosphere at Mach 25, 2026, aiming for a precision splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, the 1999 hit "Run to the Water" by Live signaled the end of the journey. The song’s soaring chorus and themes of return and renewal coincided with the deployment of Orion’s eleven parachutes. After the capsules finally hit the water, the crew returned to their families, bringing a new era of lunar exploration back to Earth.

1

World's largest office building

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Among its many record-breaking achievements, America has one lesser-known record that also deserves attention.

Our country is home to the largest office building in the world. Want to know which one? The world's largest office building by floor area is the United States Department of Defense, also known as the Pentagon.

Ok, but how big is it? Located in Arlington, Virginia, and famous not only for its size but also for its distinctive five-sided design, the building has a total floor area of approximately 6.5 million square feet.

2

People in New York

Image: Nicolai Berntsen

We all know that New York City is packed with people. In fact, it's the most populous city in our country. But how many live there?

As of 2024, around 8.8 million people call NYC their home. That's a huge number on its own, but it might be even more impressive when you consider that NYC's population surpasses that of 40 US states, including Montana, New Hampshire, and Mississippi, to name a few. In other words, NYC has more residents than each of those 40 states individually.

After all, New York City is famously known as "the city that never sleeps" for a reason!

3

Many versions of the flag

Image: Chris Hardy

The US flag is one of our most beautiful and beloved symbols and also one of the most recognized worldwide. With its distinctive stripes, stars, and classic red, white, and blue colors, it is an unmistakable icon. But did you know it has undergone several changes over the years?

The US flag has not just had 1, 2, or 3 versions; in fact, there have been 27 official versions! Each of these versions served an important purpose, reflecting some key changes throughout our history. For example, whenever a new state joined the Union, an additional star was added. This is how we arrived at the 50 white stars you see in the upper left corner of our beautiful flag. The current version was made official on July 4, 1960.

4

No official language

Image: Ben Duchac

While English is the most widely spoken language in the United States, the country does not have an official language at the federal level.

This might surprise some people, given that English is the primary language for most Americans and is used for government and legal purposes.

On the other hand, many other languages are spoken here as well. For instance, Spanish is the second most spoken language, though it is used considerably less than English. And that's not all; Chinese, Filipino, and French also have a notable number of speakers in the US!

5

The fastest-speaking states

Image: Chris Liverani

We all have that friend who speaks so fast it's hard to keep up, even if you know them well. Would you like to know how fast Americans speak?

Fortunately, there's not just data on the languages we use but also on how quickly we speak in our daily lives. And it turns out that a few states lead the pack in this speed race.

According to the Smithsonian Institution, Oregon, Minnesota, and Massachusetts are the states where residents speak the fastest . So, if you know someone from those states, why not give it a try and see if you can keep up with their speedy conversations?

6

Most airports in the world

Image: Alex Underwood

Americans seem to love air travel, and there's a good reason for that: the US holds the record for the most airports in the world!

This isn't just a coincidence. The vast size of our territory— yes, we're one of the largest countries in the world—requires fast, safe, and efficient ways to travel to all corners.

With thousands of airports of all kinds spread across the country, it's no wonder that so many movies feature airport scenes or are even filmed inside airplanes, right?

7

Alaska's price

Image: Joris Beugels

We have the great advantage of having the gorgeous state of Alaska as one of the 50 states. Beyond its natural beauty, it holds another impressive distinction: it's the largest state by area, covering approximately 663,300 square miles.

As you may know, Alaska was purchased in 1867 when US Secretary of State William H. Seward sealed a deal with Russia to acquire the territory. However, what some people may not know is just how affordable it was: the purchase cost $7.2 million, which means we acquired Alaska for about 2 cents per acre! To put it in perspective, adjusted for inflation, that $7.2 million would be equivalent to about $140 million today.

8

The first national park in the world

Image: Nicolasintravel

The United States is home to some of the most spectacular and diverse national parks in the world. And not only that, but we also have the honor of being the country that established the world's very first national park.

Inaugurated on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the Earth's first national park. This event marked a turning point, leading to the creation of many other national parks and protected areas both in America and around the globe.

The incredible Yellowstone spans approximately 3,472 square miles , primarily in Wyoming, with portions extending into Montana and Idaho. Have you had the chance to visit it?

9

A special feature on Washington National Cathedral

Image: Ryan Arnst

The Washington National Cathedral offers many attractions for visitors, starting with its beautiful Gothic-style architecture. However, it also holds some secrets and fun facts within its walls.

Construction began in 1907 and took 83 years to complete. The wait was well worth it, as the Washington National Cathedral is now the sixth-largest in the world! And here's a fun fact: its famous Space Window features a real piece of moon rock at its center. Amazing!

Additionally, there's also a quirky feature that some visitors overlook: on the Cathedral's façade, there's a gargoyle with the face of none other than Darth Vader! This Star Wars character was added to the building's northwest tower in the 1980s after a children's design competition. A curious touch, isn't it?

10

Miles of bookshelves

Image: Roman Kraft

The Library of Congress is much more than a beautiful complex of buildings. Located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., this famous landmark was established over 200 years ago in 1800 . Since then, it has preserved and protected countless documents, treaties, and books that reflect and constitute our nation's history.

Adding to our list of world records, the Library of Congress holds the title of the largest library in the world. It boasts an incredible 164 million items, which translates to 838 miles of bookshelves. That's enough to cover the distance from Atlanta, GA, to New York City, NY!