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

An official pirate license

If being a pirate was your childhood dream, it's more attainable than you think. The main obstacle? Getting into MIT. Once you’re in, you can get your official pirate license —parchment certificate included— provided that you complete four physical education courses in pistol, archery, sailing, and fencing. However, the school has stated that this certificate does not give a license to engage in piracy or any pirate activities.

2

The lethal library

If you’re a bibliophile attending Yale University, be aware that your love for books might get you killed while on campus. To protect its manuscripts and rare specimens, the Yale Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is equipped with a fire safety device that, instead of sprinkling water, sucks all the oxygen out of the building . The official stance is that this device is not lethal for humans, but that remains unproven.

3

The Olympian factory

American colleges and universities are known for their rigorous athletic programs, but no one does it like Stanford. Did you know that since 1908, there has been a medalist who attended Stanford in every Summer Olympic Games? With a grand total of 335 medals (162 gold, 93 silver, and 80 bronze), if Stanford were a country of its own, it would rank in the top 20.

4

The deceiving statue

Visitors of Harvard University have most likely come across the famous John Harvard statue on campus. However, this statue is so deceptive that it is dubbed ‘the statue of three lies’. What are these lies? The inscription reads "John Harvard. Founder. 1638‍". Harvard University, founded in 1636, not 1638. It owes its name to its first benefactor, John Harvard. It was not founded by him, but by the authorities of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Additionally, the man represented in the sculpture is not John Harvard, but a student chosen as a model because there were no surviving portraits of Harvard.

5

The inventors of the open curriculum

The open curriculum has been adopted by many institutions nationwide, but Brown University was the blueprint. During the 1950s, they developed the first interdisciplinary courses to avoid stifling intellectual curiosity. By the 1960s, Brown students pushed for the elimination of the standard general education requirements altogether, an initiative that was resisted but eventually implemented by the administration.

6

The college that was the capital of the U.S.

Before Washington, D.C., was established as the capital of the U.S., several places were temporary capitals, including Philadelphia, New York, and Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. From June to November 1783, the Continental Congress gathered in the college library in Nassau Hall, which made the place the de facto capital of the nation . Among other historical events, the library was where Congress received in 1783 the news of the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which effectively ended the American Revolutionary War.

7

The inclusion pioneers

The desegregation of education was a key element in the fight for civil rights, and Oberlin College, in Ohio, was a pioneer. In 1835, the college made history by enrolling Black students, decades before other major institutions . Besides this, Oberlin was the first to enroll women in 1833 and to admit them to bachelor's degree programs in 1837.

8

Unable to swim? Unable to graduate

Up until recently, students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill had to fulfill a strange requirement in order to graduate. They had to pass a mandatory swimming test , consisting of diving in the deep end, swimming 50 yards, and treading water or floating for 5 minutes. During WWII, the university was used as a training center, and the swimming test was mandatory for recruits. Eventually, this requirement became extensive for all students and was not abolished until 2006.

9

Computer science pioneers

A modern university offering a computer science program is nothing strange, unless they’re doing it a mere two decades after the invention of the first modern electronic computer. In 1962, Purdue University in Indiana was the first to establish a department of computer sciences , pioneering academic research in the field. More than 50 years later, Purdue University remains one of the leaders in computer science research.

10

The largest student body

Other institutions might boast about being the oldest or the most sought-after university, but Arizona State University leads the rankings when it comes to enrollment . With nearly 80,000 in-person students across the Phoenix metropolitan area campuses and nearly the same number of online attendees, it surpasses all American institutions in terms of student body size. In comparison, Deep Springs College, in California, sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, with a student body restricted to 26 undergraduates.

1

The Strip is not really in Las Vegas

Image: Stephen Leonardi

The Strip is probably the most iconic attraction in Las Vegas. It stretches approximately 4.2 miles along Las Vegas Boulevard and is the vibrant heart of the city , attracting millions of tourists to experience a unique combination of entertainment and luxury. However, did you know that The Strip is not in Vegas?

Well, it's a technicality. The Strip is located south of the city of Las Vegas, more specifically in Clark County, Nevada, in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester. In any case, this area is one of the most filmed and photographed in the United States. It is also home to many of the world's largest hotels, casinos, and resorts, such as The Mirage, the Caesars Palace, and The Bellagio.

2

There’s more than one Vegas

Image: Jim Witkowski

Although Las Vegas, Nevada is the most famous of them all, it is not the only one. In New Mexico, just a few miles from Santa Fe and Albuquerque, there is another city called Las Vegas. Founded in 1835, it was one of the main stops on the Santa Fe Trail.

Being part of this trail and preserving the Spanish Colonial style of its buildings has earned this town the right to have up to 900 of its buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. And it is the only place in the United States to reach that number!

Like its big sister in Nevada, Las Vegas, New Mexico is now a major film and television set. Series like House of Cards and movies like No Country for Old Men and Wyatt Earp have been filmed here. Who would have guessed?

3

The Great Sphinx is bigger than the original

Image: lindsayascott

The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most beautiful and emblematic monuments ever erected in the history of mankind. So, of course, Sin City had to have one of its own. This replica is located in Luxor Las Vegas, a casino following the theme of Ancient Egypt on The Strip.

Interestingly, however, the Luxor Las Vegas Sphinx is much larger than the Egyptian Sphinx at Giza. The original statue is only 66 feet tall, while the Las Vegas version is over 110 feet tall. What’s more accurate is the massive Luxor Pyramid making up the main building of the casino, it is as large as the Red and Bent Pyramids of Egypt.

4

One bright city

Image: Isaac Davis

Las Vegas is famous for its spectacular nighttime lights. In fact, it is considered one of the brightest cities in the world. But can you see it from space? The answer is yes! Las Vegas can be seen from space, as confirmed by NASA and images taken aboard the International Space Station.

In 2021, astronaut Shane Kimbrough tweeted an aerial photograph of the city taken 250 miles above Earth. In it, you can spot clearly a brighter band where The Strip is located. This is due to the high concentration of lights from casinos, hotels, and other attractions in this famous area. It is estimated that approximately 12,000,000 lights are turned on every night on the Las Vegas Strip!

5

Some hotels are missing a floor

Image: jaygeorge

Americans are used to hotels with no 13th floor, but why do some Las Vegas casinos lack 4th floors? Las Vegas hotels avoid numbering floors with a four to ward off any superstition associated with death.

Fear of the number four, called tetraphobia, is common in many Asian countries, especially China. The word death sounds eerily similar to the number four in Chinese and Japanese. Given that Las Vegas receives a large number of Asian tourists each year, it makes sense that so many casino owners want to avoid making them uncomfortable. In fact, many hotels such as the Aria, the Wynn, and the Elara don't even have floors 40 through 49.

6

More than 200 weddings a day

Image: Pexels

Las Vegas is where reality becomes fantasy, where the Eiffel Tower, Egyptian pyramids, and medieval castles shine away on a glamorous desert strip. It's no wonder, then, that Sin City remains a popular wedding destination.

In September 2023, Las Vegas celebrated its 70th anniversary as the "Wedding Capital of the World." There are about 100 chapels in the city issuing more than 200 licenses a day for couples looking for a simple, quick, and —why not?— themed wedding. Throughout history, lots of couples have tied the knot in the city, including celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, and Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu.

7

A ghost town below Lake Mead

Image: Nikola Majksner

Located 24 miles from the city of Las Vegas, Lake Mead is one of the most important tourist attractions in the state of Nevada. It is the largest lake and reservoir in the United States and is a great destination for water activities and fishing.

However, this place holds a big secret. A few years ago, the lake's low water level revealed the ruins of the abandoned city of St. Thomas, approximately 18 meters below the surface. St. Thomas, founded in 1865 by Mormons, was one of the communities directly affected by the construction of the Hoover Dam.

Today, its gloomy structures have become an attraction for those who want to see the remains of a town that once housed 500 people. The foundations of what was originally a school, a post office, a supermarket, and a church make it a true ghost town.

8

A mecca for antique collectors

Image: Kenny Eliason

There's so much more to do in Sin City besides gambling! Did you know that there is an impressive number of antique stores in Las Vegas? These second-hand shops are a favorite among locals and tourists alike and have been in the area for decades.

For example, Downtown Las Vegas, the city’s historic center, is the best place to find bargains, one-of-a-kind items, collectibles, vintage fashion, and unique pieces of jewelry. If you are visiting the city and, at some point, you get tired of the slots, you can go thrifting and take home a piece of the city's history.

9

FedEx wouldn’t exist without Sin City

Image: Michał Parzuchowski

Today FedEx is one of the best-known companies in the United States. With a large fleet of planes and trucks, the company delivers 16.5 million packages daily to 220 countries and territories. However, the delivery giant had a rocky start and there was a moment, five decades ago when it was close to disappearing.

In the mid-1970s, the oil crisis increased the company's operating costs. Overwhelmed by debt, founder Frederick W. Smith withdrew the last US$5,000 and spent a weekend gambling in the famous Las Vegas casinos. Fortunately, luck was on his side and today we can enjoy this service that changed the postal system forever.

10

The largest bronze sculpture in the U.S.

Image: Wadems, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As we’ve seen, everything in Las Vegas is grandiose and monumental. So it's no wonder that this city is home to the largest bronze sculpture in the United States. The iconic MGM Grand lion weighs a staggering 90,000 pounds and stands 45 feet tall.

This sculpture was placed at the entrance of the hotel in 1998 to replace a cartoon-like giant lion head made of fiberglass. The thing is, record-breaking has been at the heart of the MGM Grand since its beginnings: It was the largest hotel in the world at the time of its opening. Now, it is the largest single hotel in the country, with 5,124 rooms in one building.