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

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

In the same year that Michael Jackson’s Thriller was released, an 11-year-old Henry Thomas starred as Elliot, a young boy who befriends an extraterrestrial stranded in his backyard, and helps him find his way home.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, this science fiction classic was filmed in chronological order to ensure the young cast (which also included a then-unknown Drew Barrymore) could perform convincingly. After Star Wars’ big debut in 1977, E.T. held the record for the highest-grossing film of all time until Spielberg’s own Jurassic Park surpassed it in 1993.

2

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Did you know this movie is Nicolas Cage's professional debut? He was about 17 -18 years old and played one of Spicoli’s (Sean Penn) stoner friends, called "Bad Bud". This coming-of-age comedy drama features early appearances by future stars like Penn, Eric Stoltz, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

3

Tootsie

Tootsie is a satirical romantic comedy starring Dustin Hoffman as Michael Dorsey, a struggling actor who disguises himself as "Dorothy Michaels" to land a role on a soap opera. His success brings complications when he falls in love, putting both his career and his secret at risk. Jessica Lange later won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.

4

Blade Runner

Directed by Ridley Scott, this futuristic science fiction classic starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young is set in a dystopian 2019 Los Angeles, where replicants (synthetic humans) are bio-engineered to work on space colonies. But when one group of rebellious replicants escapes back to Earth, policeman Rick Deckard (Ford) is in charge of hunting them down.

5

Rocky III

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), now wealthy and complacent as champion, loses both his mentor Mickey and his title to his younger rival, Clubber Lang (Mr. T). With Apollo Creed’s help, he fights to regain his discipline and reclaim his championship.

The third installment of this sports drama trilogy , written, directed, and starring Stallone, was released on May 28, 1982.

6

Poltergeist

Because Steven Spielberg was contractually unable at the time to direct another movie other than E.T the Extra-Terrestrial, Tobe Hooper was chosen to direct the film. This supernatural horror film won the BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects and was nominated for the Academy Award in the same category, losing to E.T the Extra-Terrestrial the next year.

7

An Officer and a Gentleman

On August 13, 1982, An Officer and a Gentleman hit theaters. This romantic drama , directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Richard Gere and Deborah Winger, follows the story of a Navy recruit who signs up for the Aviation Academy, where he learns to relate to others and finds love. It was a critical success and became the third highest-grossing film of 1982, after Tootsie and E.T the Extra-Terrestrial.

8

Gandhi

While science fiction was blowing everyone’s minds, this historical epic captured audiences’ hearts despite its 3-hour, 20-minute runtime. Ben Kingsley won both the Academy Award and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. The biographical drama follows the key moments of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, from resisting British rule to leading India toward independence.

9

The Thing

Directed by John Carpenter, this sci-fi horror story is all about paranoia and mistrust during the Cold War era. In an isolated Antarctic base, the crew is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that can transform into the shape of any living organism it consumes. Paranoia erupts as the isolated scientists, led by MacReady (Kurt Russell), realize anyone could be the creature, leading to everyone's distrust and desperation.

At release, The Thing was overshadowed by E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial , but it later gained a strong cult following through TV and home video.

10

Tron

Steven Lisberger drew inspiration for this science fiction adventure from the early video game Pong (1972). Combining groundbreaking animation with live action , the film was released on July 9, 1982, and became an influence on future animated filmmaking.

After discovering his work has been stolen, computer engineer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) attempts to hack into his company’s network, only to become trapped in a digital world.

1

California - "Eureka"

Image: Chor Tsang

According to legend, after the Ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes discovered his groundbreaking principle, he happily proclaimed, " Eureka! " This expression, which means "I have found it," is almost as famous as Archimedes’ work, so it stands to reason that the State of California chose Eureka as its state motto.

The Golden State’s slogan references the California Gold Rush. It is believed that a miner who finally struck gold was as excited about his discovery as Good Old Archimedes was. While the California State Seal has included the word Eureka since its design in 1850, it was only adopted as the state’s official motto over a hundred years later, in 1963.

2

Kansas - "To the stars through difficulties"

Image: Taylor Hunt

In 1861, the State of Kansas adopted its official state seal which depicted a beautiful prairie at dawn, filled with hardworking Kansans under 34 stars and the Latin motto Ad Astra Per Aspera. Anyone who reads the English translation of this motto will immediately realize how perfectly it describes the industrious and resilient people of Kansas: Ad Astra Per Aspera means "To the stars through difficulties."

Our 34th state chose this phrase alongside its state seal in 1861, only a few months after the first Governor of Kansas delivered the inaugural "State of the State" address. Nowadays, this motto stands as a reminder of both the bravery and diligence of the state’s first settlers, as well as the hardships that Kansas had to go through in order to gain statehood.

3

Indiana - "Crossroads of America"

Image: Steven Van Elk

The phrase "Crossroads of America" has long been associated with the state of Indiana , particularly after a specific intersection in Terre Haute, where U.S. Highways 40 and 41 met. Over time, Indiana itself proudly embraced the title of "the Crossroads of America," eventually adopting it as the state motto in 1937.

Interestingly, while "Crossroads of America" is the state’s official motto, some Hoosier cities have adopted this phrase —or variants of it— as their respective city slogans. For instance, Indianapolis adopted the motto in 1988, to reference how the city serves as a junction of 4 different Interstate Highways.

4

West Virginia - "Mountaineers are always free"

Image: Sara Cottle

Have you ever reached the summit of a particularly steep mountain after hours of arduous trekking? If you had to describe that amazing feeling in one word, what would it be? We’ll leave you to ponder that while we tell you the first word that came into our minds: freedom.

Apparently, we share this feeling with the good people of West Virginia , since its motto reflects the freedom that its magnificent mountains and hills inspire. West Virginia’s motto is the Latin phrase Montani Semper Liberi, which means "mountaineers are always free." Furthermore, since one of West Virginia’s demonyms is "mountaineers," this phrase also speaks to the core of West Virginians’ identity.

5

New York - "Excelsior"

Image: ben o'bro

Any Marvel fan will associate this phrase with comic-book legend Stan Lee, after all, he made this word his catchphrase throughout his many media appearances. However, you might be surprised to learn that "Excelsior" is also New York’s official state motto, and it perfectly describes New Yorkers’ industrious and resilient nature.

"Excelsior" is a Latin word that’s commonly translated as "Ever Upward," but it can also mean "higher" or "superior." It is featured in New York’s coat of arms, which features the representations of Liberty and Justice standing above the state’s motto.

6

Montana - "Gold and Silver"

Image: Trevor Vannoy

Just like West Virginia, Montana pays tribute to its breathtaking mountains and landscapes with its motto. However, it focuses on another key aspect of its geography, more akin to its nickname: Montana’s motto Oro y Plata literally translates to "Gold and Silver," which is a direct reference to The Treasure State’s proud mining history.

Montana first included the phrase Oro y Plata on its State Seal many years before it was adopted as the state’s official motto. Shortly after Montana was declared an official U.S. territory in 1864, the newly formed state honored the gold rush that had led to its territorial status by including its two most precious metals into its State Seal. Finally, the state motto was officialized in 1865.

7

Tennessee - "Agriculture and Commerce"

Image: Nathan Anderson

It’s no secret that state mottos sometimes reference their state’s most prominent industry: As we mentioned before, Montana and California pay tribute to the mining that helped build their economies. In that regard, Tennessee is no exception; its state motto is incredibly straightforward, directly praising the industries that helped the Big Bend State grow.

Tennessee chose "Agriculture and Commerce" in 1987. In turn, this motto was directly taken from the State Seal, which was adopted in 1801. The seal shows both sides of this state’s industry, with "Agriculture" referenced by a bundle of wheat and a cotton plant, while "Commerce" is depicted by a riverboat, presumably trading goods.

8

Texas - "Friendship"

Image: Brandon Zanders

Texas’s state motto may only feature one word, but it singlehandedly describes an essential part of Texan history. Before we can delve into that, though, we have to take a quick look into the etymology of the name of this great state. The word Texas is believed to come from the Caddo word táy:shaʼ , which means "friend." Spanish settlers adopted this word for the area, spelling it as Texas or Tejas.

In that sense, Texas pays homage to its history with the single-word motto "Friendship." Not only that, while Texas is mostly known by the nickname "The Lone Star State," its official slogan is "The Friendly State."

9

Vermont - "May the fourteenth star shine bright" & "Freedom and Unity"

Image: Eric Chen

Vermont is the only state on this list to feature two official mottos: "Freedom and Unity" and the Latin phrase " Stella quarta decima fulgeat, " which translates to "May the 14th Star Shine Bright." Interestingly, this last phrase is also the newest slogan to be made official, since it was elected as Vermont’s state motto in 2015.

In any case, both mottos represent Vermont’s individuality, strength, and, perhaps more importantly, its solidarity: "Freedom and Unity" describes Vermont’s mission to create a free and neighborly community, while "May the 14th Star Shine Bright" depicts the search of the common good throughout the entire state.

10

Rhode Island - "Hope"

Image: Praswin Prakashan

We’ll end this article with probably the most beautifully simple American state motto. The State of Rhode Island has the single-word motto "Hope," which is also featured in its State seal. In tune with their long maritime history, the seal depicts a golden anchor emblazoned in a dark blue field.

The inspiration behind both Rhode Island’s state motto and seal is probably a biblical quote found in the New Testament, which reads "Hope we have as an anchor of the soul." Considering that this state was founded by a Christian minister seeking to escape religious persecution, this single word expresses a very powerful sentiment: the hope that people could find in this new land a place of refuge and freedom.