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Lassie: TV’s Most Loyal Friend

Image: Kanashi

Lassie is the ultimate hero in a fur coat. The famous Rough Collie first appeared in a 1938 short story before becoming the star of her own TV show. Week after week, Lassie showed audiences how a dog’s loyalty and bravery could save the day.

Maybe she was alerting her family to danger or helping strangers; in any case, she was always there to lend a paw. Lassie’s adventures inspired generations of viewers and cemented her place as a true American icon. She was a devoted friend with a loving nature and a natural instinct to know when to act. She became more than just a dog; she became a family member to millions.

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Rin Tin Tin: From Battlefield to Box Office

Image: Christoph Schmid

Rin Tin Tin’s journey is one for the history books. He was rescued by a soldier during World War I. This German Shepherd was brought to America and became a Hollywood sensation in no time.

With his expressive eyes and fearless nature , Rin Tin Tin starred in over 25 silent films, performing stunts that left audiences in awe—can you believe that? He helped shape the early days of cinema and became a household name of its own.

Rin Tin Tin was more than a movie star, he was a hero in his own right, and that is what guaranteed his name is still popular today.

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Toto: The Little Dog with a Big Heart

Image: Paul Cuoco

Toto, Dorothy’s loyal companion in The Wizard of Oz , may have been small, but he was packed with personality. A Cairn Terrier named Terry actually played Toto in the iconic 1939 film, winning hearts with her expressive face and boundless courage.

Toto stuck by Dorothy through all of her Oz adventures. Regardless of his small size, his impact was completely the opposite! And we’re not just talking about the movie. Of course, in each scene, Toto showed loyalty and an instinct for getting into and out of trouble, much like our own beloved pets. But his bond with Dorothy was genuine, and fans could feel that connection. Toto’s spirit made him unforgettable, and he’s still celebrated as one of America’s favorite movie dogs.

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Old Yeller: The Ultimate Frontier Hero

Image: Caleb Fisher

Only a few dogs stuck and became part of America’s identity like Old Yeller. Set in the rugged Texas frontier, his story was all about bravery, family, and love in a world that was nothing but harsh.

The big, yellow dog feared nothing. He didn’t back down from protecting his family from wild animals, sickness, and any threat that came their way. He taught the family he lived with about sacrifice and courage. And we all learned that too!

When you think of Old Yeller, you think of resilience, even though his tale is bittersweet. Even decades later, people remember Old Yeller as a classic story of love and loss.

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Balto: The Husky that saved a village

Image: Chalo Gallardo

If a dog has a statue, he certainly must have earned it, right? Balto for sure did. His heroic journey is as inspiring as it is legendary.

Back in 1925, a diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska, needed urgent medicine, and Balto led the sled dog team through snow and freezing temperatures to deliver it. This brave Siberian Husky’s courage in the face of life-threatening conditions not only saved lives but also made him a hero.

Naturally, his success story spread across America, and New York’s Central Park even built a statue in his honor. Balto became the face of courage and teamwork, and his story has been immortalized in books, movies, and history.

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Benji: Hollywood’s Lovable Underdog

Image: Johannes W

Has your heart melted already? We certainly have, like two dogs ago, but let’s keep it going with the next one on our list: enter Benji.

Benji charmed his way into American hearts in the 1970s with his scruffy, humble looks and sharp problem-solving skills . This mixed-breed dog starred in a series of movies where he often found himself rescuing people or outsmarting bad guys.

Benji wasn’t big or flashy, but he didn’t need that. He made up for it with his resourcefulness and charm. Viewers loved his quiet bravery and knack for getting out of sticky situations. And of course, that little charming face of him, duh!

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Eddie: Frasier’s scene-stealing sidekick

Image: Egor Gordeev

Regardless of the director’s intention, dogs will always find a way to become the star of the show. Eddie is an example of that! The Jack Russell Terrier from the hit sitcom Frasier stole scenes with his hilarious antics and unforgettable stares.

In the series, Eddie kept Frasier on his toes, and audiences couldn’t get enough of him. His expressions were worth a thousand words, bringing both humor and heart to the show. The show was a hit, but this character made it relatable. Who hasn’t experienced the mischief of a furry friend? For such a small dog, Eddie made a huge impact and is still fondly remembered.

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Hachiko: Loyalty That Knows No Boundaries

Image: Oskar Kadaksoo

Hachiko’s story isn’t just famous in Japan; it resonated deeply with American audiences, too. An Akita known for waiting for his owner each day at a train station, Hachiko continued his routine for years after his owner’s passing. How moving is that?

His loyalty became legendary and eventually inspired the American film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale , which introduced his story to US viewers.

If there was any doubt concerning the kind of bonds formed between a human and a dog, Hachiko got rid of all of them! Even in America, Hachiko is celebrated as a symbol of unwavering dedication.

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Buddy: America’s first guide dog

Image: Brands&People

Speaking of special bonds, Buddy, a German Shepherd, changed countless lives in the 1920s by becoming America’s first official guide dog.

Her owner, Morris Frank, helped establish guide dog schools across the country, proving the incredible help dogs could offer to the visually impaired. Buddy’s intelligence and dedication paved the way for service dogs, and her influence continues to shape assistance programs today.

Her gentle guidance provided not only hope but also independence to many people with disabilities. Buddy’s groundbreaking work showed what dogs could do beyond companionship, which was an invaluable gift in itself!

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Scooby-Doo: The Detective dog

Image: Dinu J Nair

America has more than just 10 beloved dogs, and the ones we’ve mentioned so far were all real-life dogs. But let’s not forget that cartoon dogs also hold a special place in America’s heart. Take Scooby-Doo, for example.

Scooby-Doo is a fun-loving Great Dane who has been solving mysteries with his human friends since the 1960s. Yes, he was a detective. And yes, he was also very much afraid all the time!

Scooby has become a cartoon favorite and has starred in countless TV shows, movies, and comic books. With his human friend Shaggy by his side, Scooby always stumbled upon clues that saved the day—usually with a few treats along the way. Scooby-Doo’s legacy as a cartoon icon endures, and he has lots of fans around the globe!

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Most Olympic Gold Medals

Image: Gentrit Sylejmani

While many of us struggle with basic swimming techniques, the incredible swimmer Michael Phelps , rightly nicknamed "The Baltimore Bullet" after his birthplace and amazing speed, is the winner of 23 Olympic gold medals. This achievement gave him the world record for the most decorated Olympic male athlete!

But this feat is not easy. In addition to his natural talent, the athlete must follow a rigorous training program and eat approximately 12,000 calories every day. One thing is for sure: that's a lot of food!

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World's tallest dog ever

Image: leonides ruvalcabar

American animals are also record-breakers! There's nothing like the joy of returning home to your dog anxiously awaiting you, playfully jumping up to greet you, right? However, it can be a bit scary if your dog happens to be the tallest in the world.

This record was set by a Great Dane from Bedford, Texas, who reached an incredible height of 3 feet and 5.18 inches! His owners attest that despite his huge size, Zeus— a fitting name—was actually a gentle giant.

Sadly, Zeus passed away in 2023 at the age of 5, but he is fondly remembered for his impressive record, his animated personality, and his extraordinary beauty.

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Most cumulative days in space by a female astronaut

Image: NASA

Ever dreamed of traveling to space? As exciting as it sounds, the reality of space travel can be a real challenge and might intimidate many. But this was not the case for Peggy Whitson , the woman who spent the most cumulative days in space.

In 2017, she set the world record , spending 665 days out there. But that's not all; in 2023 , she extended her title by adding 9 more days as an astronaut with Axiom Space during Axiom Mission-2. That's almost two years without gravity!

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The longest spacewalk

Image: Kobby Mendez

If the idea of traveling through outer space is scary, imagine the experience of "walking" outside the spacecraft, completely alone in an astronaut suit. It's both exciting and intimidating, right?

NASA refers to this activity as EVA (Extravehicular Activity), more commonly known as a spacewalk . Happily, two Americans hold the record for the longest spacewalk . On March 10, 2001 , Expedition 2 astronauts James S. Voss from Cordova, Alabama, and Susan J. Helms from Charlotte, North Carolina, ventured on an impressive spacewalk that lasted 8 hours and 56 minutes!

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The largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia

Image: Tommy van Kessel

Let's continue with the space theme, though this time, fictional space.

Born on June 14, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Steve Sansweet has been an avid collector since childhood. His passion for collecting Star Wars memorabilia started the first time he saw a Star Wars movie, and he hasn't stopped since.

How many items do you think he has? 30,000? Maybe 100,000? Nope. Steve has a collection of over 500,000 items from the franchise! So many that he founded a museum, the Rancho Obi-Wan , in Petaluma, California. Would you give it a visit?

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The largest living tree

Image: Taisia Karaseva

Nature also claims its place in the list of world records. General Sherman is the largest living tree by volume on Earth. This giant sequoia stands tall in Sequoia National Park, among the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California .

Want to know its height? This huge sequoia reaches 274 feet and 3.3 inches! And its width is no less special, with a diameter of approximately 27 feet.

But wait, there's more! The tallest tree in the world is also in California . Hyperion , as it was named, stands 380 feet and 9.7 inches tall in Redwood National Park.

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Most Big Macs eaten in a lifetime

Image: Brett Jordan

While it's crucial to maintain a healthy diet, no one can deny the joy a good burger can bring to both the stomach and the soul. Don Gorske is a 70-year-old man who took this concept to a new level.

Don, a native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin , proudly holds the record for the most McDonald's Big Macs eaten in a lifetime: more than 34,000! In 1999 , he first broke the record. However, not satisfied with that feat alone, he extended his title, securing his place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2023 .

If you're worried about his health—and we are too—Don himself calms us down: he explains that he doesn't eat the fries and maintains a daily exercise routine.

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The longest international land border

Image: Redd F

This is a record shared with our Canadian neighbors. While we knew the border between Canada and the United States was extensive, who would have guessed it's actually the longest in the world?

The world's longest international border between two countries spans an impressive 5,525 miles . That is divided into two parts: the border shared between the continental United States and Canada, and the one shared by the state of Alaska with the neighboring country.

And here are more numbers: there are a total of 13 US states on this long border!

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The longest TV career for a female entertainer

Image: CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Betty White is a familiar face to everyone who has ever turned on the TV. Born in 1922 in Oak Park, Illinois, the talented actress and comedian has worked passionately from a very young age.

She made her TV debut in 1939 , and since then, she has enjoyed a long and successful career. So long that it earned her a world record for the longest TV career for a female entertainer.

So, how long was it? Not 40, not 50, not even 60 years. Betty delighted our screens for over 74 years! That's what we would call dedication, don't you think?

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Most consecutive wins on Jeopardy!

Image: 金 运

Jeopardy! has kept viewers glued to their screens for many seasons and for many reasons. Its blend of playful competition and engaging topics makes it simply irresistible.

As you already know, some contestants on Jeopardy! have both the skills and luck to win more than once. But one competitor truly stood out from the rest.

Ken Jennings is a software engineer from Utah who won an incredible 74 times! Can you believe it? His streak began in 2004, and from the moment he started until his 74th win, Ken won $2,520,700, earning the world record for the most consecutive wins.

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Jack In The Box

Image: Studbee

And speaking of outer space… Before Mark Hamill became Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, he once worked the drive-thru at Jack in the Box. He was quickly fired, though. Customers complained after he spoke to them using a clown-like voice.

Decades later, in 2022, Hamill reunited with the brand in a comeback ad promoting two revived fan favorites: Spicy Chicken Strips and French Toast Sticks.

3

Taco Bell

Image: PJ Gal-Szabo

The company has pulled off some interesting marketing pranks over the years, but none as unforgettable as its 1996 April Fool’s joke announcing that it had purchased the Liberty Bell.

A full-page ad ran in major newspapers announcing the purchase of the historic bell to help reduce the national debt. The "Taco Liberty Bell" joke did not land well. It caused thousands of complaints; people contacted Taco Bell and the National Park Service demanding answers. Later that day, the company confirmed the story was a hoax, and the stunt went down as one of the most memorable marketing pranks of all time.

4

Domino’s Pizza

Image: Erick Galván

Back in the ’80s, when Domino’s expanded into Japan, the company ran into a problem: there was no Japanese word for "pepperoni." And, since it was the best-selling topping in the US, they could not risk leaving that pizza out of the menu! So, the brand had to coin a Japanese word for pepperoni. They went for ペパロニ (pronounced "peparoni").

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Pizza Hut

Image: Joshua Hoehne

Pizza Hut has always been known for some memorable marketing stunts. When Back to the Future Part II hit theaters in 1989, the chain handed out "futuristic" sunglasses with every pie. In 1995, they recruited Donald Trump and Ivana Trump to introduce their first stuffed-crust pizza.

And who could forget the time, in 2001, when they delivered the first pizza ever sent into space, straight to the International Space Station (ISS)?

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Starbucks

Image: Gema Saputera

Starbucks is such an iconic franchise that its presence can signal rising real-estate values. Studies show that neighborhoods with a new Starbucks often experience property-price increases above the usual rate.

Another interesting tidbit about the brand: inside its stores, employees are required to avoid wearing perfume, cologne, or other strong fragrances to prevent interfering with the aroma and taste of the coffee.

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Coca-Cola

Image: Samuel Bryngelsson

From 1886 until 1959 (over seventy years!), a 6.5-oz glass or bottle of Coca-Cola cost exactly 5 cents. The company had strategic reasons for keeping the price so low and stable.

At the time, it was easier to get customers to insert a single nickel into vending machines rather than require multiple coins. The 5-cent price helped make Coca-Cola a simple, affordable choice.

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McDonald’s

Image: Brett Jordan

The Golden Arches giant has had a long, sometimes on-, sometimes off-, relationship with Disney. McDonald’s began doing Happy Meal tie-ins with Disney characters in 1987 to promote Disney films.

For about ten years, the partnership was exclusive, but it fell off because Disney wanted to work with other food brands, and McDonald’s with other movie studios! Today, they still share a non-exclusive alliance.

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Wendy’s

Image: Brian J. Tromp

Wendy’s square hamburger patties weren’t an accident; the idea reportedly came from a chain called Kewpee Hamburgers, a Kalamazoo favorite known for its square-shaped burgers. Founder Dave Thomas has said that as a child, he often ate at a Kewpee, and that those square patties inspired the look and feel of Wendy’s burgers.

Thomas had always loved those because corners poking out of the bun created the impression of a larger burger and made the meat easier to see.

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KFC

Image: Aleks Dorohovich

KFC’s legendary "11 herbs & spices" recipe is kept under tight lock and key; the company splits the production of the spice mix between different suppliers so that no single person outside knows the full formula.

However, there was a time when Colonel Sanders offered that recipe at a very affordable price: he would license the recipe to restaurant owners for just 4 to 5 cents per chicken piece sold, giving them the right to cook and sell his secret-recipe chicken themselves.

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Betty Crocker

Image: Lalada .

Betty Crocker was never a real person. Did you know? She was invented in 1921 by the Washburn-Crosby Company as a friendly, approachable name to respond to consumer letters.

Even though she was fictional, by 1945, Fortune magazine named "Betty Crocker" the second most famous woman in America, second only to Eleanor Roosevelt.

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M&M

Image: Pixabay

There’s a long-standing debate about America’s favorite chocolate nuggets: Do different colors of M&M’s actually taste different? While many fans swear their favorite color has a distinct flavor, the brand consistently states that the only difference between colors is their dye; all other ingredients remain the same.

That said, some people claim that mini M&M’s taste sweeter than the regular ones. Some analyses suggest that mini M&M’s have a higher candy-shell-to-chocolate ratio, which could make them taste sweeter.

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Heinz

Image: JEFERSON GOMES

Though ketchup is by far Heinz's flagship product, that was not the first one Henry J. Heinz sold. You probably could never guess what it was that he personally started selling back in 1869!

Horseradish! The first thing he ever sold, out of his house, under his name, was horseradish and other pickled goods like vinegar, sauerkraut, and pickles. This early business laid the groundwork for the now-famous condiments empire.