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

Frank Sinatra was punished by the mob over JFK

According to reports, during the 1960 presidential election, Frank Sinatra allegedly acted as an intermediary connecting Chicago Outfit boss Sam Giancana with John F. Kennedy’s campaign. The mob believed securing votes for JFK would lead to lighter law enforcement pressure on organized crime.

When President Kennedy and Attorney General Robert Kennedy instead launched an aggressive crackdown on the Mafia, Giancana blamed Sinatra for failing to deliver on implied promises. As punishment, Giancana is said to have forced Sinatra to perform eight consecutive nights of unpaid shows at his Villa Venice nightclub in suburban Chicago to make up for the betrayal.

2

Al Capone opened one of America’s first Great Depression soup kitchens

In November 1930, as the Great Depression devastated the American economy, Chicago mob boss Al Capone saw an opportunity to improve his public image by opening a soup kitchen. Operating out of a storefront at 935 South State Street, Capone’s establishment served three hot meals a day (including coffee, soup, and donuts) to over 2,200 unemployed people daily.

Capone funded the operation entirely out of pocket with no government assistance, earning him a reputation among many locals as a modern Robin Hood before his tax evasion conviction.

3

Prohibition moonshiners wore "Cow Shoes" to fool the law

During Prohibition, federal agents and state police tracked illegal distilleries by following human footprints through soft mud and dirt. To counter this, rural bootleggers invented "cow shoes".

These specialized footwear attachments consisted of a carved wooden block shaped like a cow’s hoof at the bottom. When moonshiners walked through the woods carrying heavy jugs of illegal liquor, they left behind tracks that looked like cattle rather than criminals.

4

John Dillinger escaped jail with a block of wood

In March 1934, infamous bank robber John Dillinger was locked inside the Lake County Jail in Crown Point, Indiana, a facility local officials bragged was completely impossible to escape from.

Using a pocketknife, Dillinger carved a piece of wood into the shape of an automatic pistol and stained it black using razor polish. He used the wooden prop to trick a guard into opening his cell door. After taking real weapons from the jail armory, Dillinger took hostages and stole the sheriff’s personal V8 Ford to make his getaway.

5

The "Oddfather" wandered New York in pajamas for 30 years

Vincent "Chin" Gigante, boss of New York’s powerful Genovese crime family, earned the nickname "The Oddfather" for his elaborate scheme to evade federal prosecution. Starting in the late 1960s, Gigante began wandering the streets of Greenwich Village wearing a ragged bathrobe, pajamas, and slippers while muttering incoherently to himself.

His lawyers presented him as suffering from severe dementia and schizophrenia. For nearly three decades, the performance protected him from trial. However, in 1997, federal prosecutors finally proved in court that the routine was an act, and Gigante admitted in 2003, at age 75, that his madness was fake.

6

Al Capone accidentally shot himself in the groin

Despite his reputation as a ruthless gang boss, Al Capone was surprisingly clumsy with his own weapons. In September 1928, while playing a round of golf at the Burnham Woods course near Chicago, Capone reached into his pocket to retrieve a golf ball.

His hand caught the trigger of his hidden, loaded revolver. The gun discharged, shooting Capone through the right thigh and groin. He was rushed to Saint Mary’s Hospital under the alias "Bob Hart" and spent weeks recovering from the self-inflicted wound.

7

FDR rode in Al Capone’s armored limousine?

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Secret Service faced an immediate security dilemma: President Franklin D. Roosevelt needed a bulletproof vehicle for his public appearances, but federal rules prohibited spending more than $750 (or about $17,000 today) on executive automobiles.

According to legend, Treasury agents solved the problem by pulling Al Capone’s custom 1928 Cadillac Town Sedan out of impound. The car had been seized by the government following Capone’s tax evasion trial in 1931. Equipped with heavy armor plating and bulletproof glass, Capone’s former car might have safely transported President Roosevelt to Capitol Hill to deliver his famous "Day of Infamy" speech.

8

Kingpin Arnold Rothstein never drank alcohol

Arnold "The Brain" Rothstein was the financial mastermind of 1920s American organized crime, famously transforming street gangs into corporate syndicates and allegedly fixing the 1919 World Series.

Despite making tens of millions of dollars importing illegal liquor during Prohibition, Rothstein was a strict teetotaler. He never drank alcohol, smoked cigarettes, or used drugs. Instead, he preferred milk, ginger ale, and club soda, maintaining that staying sober gave him a clear advantage over business rivals and gamblers.

9

Bugsy Siegel tried to fix his hairline with magic

Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, the mobster credited with developing the Flamingo Hotel and building modern Las Vegas, was notoriously vain. Obsessed with his good looks, Siegel loathed his nickname "Bugsy" (slang for crazy) and lived in terror of going bald.

As his hairline began to recede, Siegel turned to extreme measures. He bought expensive unproven tonics, tried home remedies involving raw eggs and olive oil, and consulted spiritualists who offered magical chants and scalp massages to restore his hair growth.

10

Mickey Cohen was a devoted dog dad and germaphobe

West Coast mob boss Mickey Cohen ruled Los Angeles crime with an iron fist, but his personal life was defined by extreme eccentricities. Cohen was a germaphobe who washed his hands dozens of times a day and refused to touch doorknobs without a towel.

At the same time, Cohen was a passionate dog lover. He showered his pet dogs with affection, buying them silk bedding, feeding them prime cuts of meat, and hiring full-time staff to groom and walk them. When his favorite dogs fell ill, Cohen hired top veterinary specialists to tend them at his Hollywood home.

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!