1

Gilroy Garlic Festival, California

Image: team voyas

The city of Gilroy, California, is known for being a major garlic producer and is even more known for hosting one of the most important food festivals in America. Originally inspired by a French garlic festival, Gilroy opens their doors to all garlic lovers the last weekend of July, and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Not recommended if you are allergic or just a vampire.

2

Mothman Festival, West Virginia

Image: LucasVphotos

Mothman is one of the most distinguished cryptids in American folklore and a point of pride for its home turf, Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Since 2002, a festival centered around the figure of Mothman has been celebrated yearly, and has been a big source of tourism for the town.

3

Humongous Fungus Festival, Michigan

Image: Transly Translation Agency

In the 1980s, Crystal Falls, Michigan, was the site of a significant discovery: a vast underground colony of Armillaria gallica , commonly known as the honey mushroom. Since 1991, Crystal Falls has celebrated its fungal neighbors with the Humongous Fungus Festival, which includes a parade, a cook-off —mushroom themed, of course—, and many more community events.

4

Surfing Santas, Florida

Image: krakenimages

Florida beaches might not have the ideal Christmas weather, but they are perfect for surfing. This is why, every Christmas Eve, Cocoa Beach, Florida, is the scene of Surfing Santas, a festival where, as the name suggests, people surf dressed as Santa Claus. Initially an open beach party turned festival, the proceeds are destined to local charities and to the Florida Surf Museum.

5

Frozen Dead Guy Days, Colorado

Image: Simon Berger

As the name of this certainly peculiar festival indicates, there is a corpse involved. The remains of Bredo Morstøl, originally from Norway, are cryopreserved in the town of Nederland, Colorado. While the town’s ordinances forbid the private keeping of remains, human or otherwise, a special clause was added for Bredo. Nederland celebrates its most unique resident the second weekend of March, and the celebrations include coffin races and a ‘frozen dead guy’ lookalike contest.

6

Waikiki Spam Jam Festival, Hawaii

Image: newhallpublishing

Hawaii is the biggest SPAM consumer in the U.S., so it’s only right that they hold a SPAM festival. Held during the last week of April, it includes fireworks, parades, live music, and all kinds of spam dishes.

7

Underwater Music Festival, Florida

Image: NEOM

Florida homes the biggest coral reef in the continental U.S., and this festival is all about it. With the intention of raising awareness for reef conservation and eco-friendly diving, this event holds an underwater concert for divers and snorkelers.

8

San Fermin, Louisiana

Image: mana5280

You might have heard of the San Fermin celebrations in Spain, where people run in front of bulls in the street. Louisiana’s San Fermin festival is similar, minus the bulls. In the New Orleans Running of the Bulls, people run from derby skaters armed with foam bats, which are aimed at anyone they encounter in their way.

9

Cow Chip Throw Festival, Wisconsin

Image: Daniel Quiceno M

Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, certainly knows how to party on Labor weekend. Besides the chip throwing, you can enjoy music, food, and family activities. Don’t worry about bringing your own cow chips: official festival-sanctioned chips are provided to contestants to ensure fair competition.

10

North American Wife Carrying Championship, Maine

Image: Priscilla Du Preez

Wife carrying as a competitive sport was first introduced in Finland, but it has had its own festival in Newry, Maine, since 1999. Participating couples have to traverse a 278-yard obstacle course, with some of the prizes including the wife’s weight in beer and cash. Single? No problem. As long as you are 21 or older and you have a companion, you can participate.

1

Brothers

Image: Juan Pablo Rodriguez

If you have siblings, you know that the relationship is often a mix of joy, complicity, and occasional rivalry.

The Wright brothers' bond was like that of any other pair of siblings. Wilbur, the eldest, was born on April 16, 1867, in Millville, Indiana. Four years later, he welcomed Orville, his younger brother and fellow adventurer, who was born on August 19, 1871, in Dayton, Ohio.

Their relationship, built on mutual respect and shared interests, led them to be the authors of nothing less than the first sustained, controlled flight in history.

2

The toy

Image: Yurii Khomitskyi

While most of us are familiar with the Wright brothers' historic achievement on December 17, 1903, you might not know how it all began.

Believe it or not, that great adventure started with a toy. That's right! In 1878, their father, Milton Wright, brought home a small flying toy made of cork and paper, which flew thanks to an elastic band. This simple object sparked the brothers' curiosity, which would later become the driving force behind their groundbreaking work.

3

Skilled mom

Image: Matt Artz

We all pick up a few tricks from our moms, don't we? Well, the Wright brothers were no exception. Their father wasn't the only one who fueled the little Wrights' curiosity; their mother, Susan Catherine Koerner Wright, also played a key role.

Susan had impressive mechanical skills and great practical problem-solving aptitudes. As the daughter of a wagon maker, she knew how to use tools to perfection, and often built household items and repaired appliances at home. Her mother's skills definitely influenced Orville and Wilbur's development!

4

Entrepreneurs

Image: Curdin

The brothers were not afraid of business and entrepreneurship—quite the opposite!

From a very young age, Wilbur and Orville dedicated their time and effort to different jobs tied to their passions. One of their earliest endeavors was a bicycle sales and repair business in Dayton, Ohio. Of course, they didn't just focus on repairs; they gave free rein to their irrepressible imagination. The pair of siblings began designing and building their own bicycles, gaining a reputation as skilled engineers and raising money to finance their experiments with flight.

5

All kinds of innovations

Image: Iqbal Pohan

On their path to becoming pioneering aviators, the Wright brothers made important contributions to transportation in many different ways.

Before them, bicycle wheels functioned adequately but often broke down and required regular maintenance. Luckily, Orville and Wilbur's ingenuity came to the rescue. The brothers created a system of greaseable wheel hubs, which provided better lubrication and, therefore, reduced the risk of failure. This innovation made bicycle maintenance less frequent and much more convenient.

6

Coin toss

Image: Derrick Treadwell

Sometimes, fate must be left to chance —and that’s exactly what Wilbur and Orville Wright did at a crucial historical moment.

When they had already succeeded in creating a machine capable of flying and transporting them, it was time for the test. But they couldn't decide which of them would be the first to test their invention, so they let a coin decide.

The coin toss declared Wilbur, the elder brother, as the first to fly their aircraft. However, that first attempt failed. So, On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville piloted the Wright Flyer for 12 seconds, covering a distance of 120 feet and becoming the first man to do so in history.

7

$1,000 plane

Image: History in HD

Did you know that the Wright Flyer—that impressive creation that allowed humans to fly sustainably for the first time in history—cost about $1,000?

That's right! For such an achievement, that price could be considered modest, right? However, the brothers worked very hard to reach their goal.

As you know, the money from their bicycle business, along with income from other ventures, provided the funds they needed to acquire the parts for numerous prototypes, conduct countless tests, and finally build and launch their spectacular airplane.

8

Together

Image: Chalo Garcia

Wilbur and Orville were inseparable since childhood, yet as surprising as it may seem, the brothers only flew together in an aircraft once! This historic event took place on October 5, 1905, when they flew the Wright Flyer III.

It seems it was crucial for one brother to pilot the aircraft while the other stayed on the ground, watching over the flight to ensure the other's safety. Although one stayed on the ground while the other soared through the air, all their work was the outcome of a careful and dedicated team effort.

9

Single

Image: Jack Douglass

As you might expect, the Wright brothers' intense focus on their work left little time for other pursuits, including love.

A fun fact about their personal lives is that neither Wilbur nor Orville ever married. While they formed friendships and social connections throughout their lives, there are no known partners, romantic relationships, or commitments of that nature. One thing is clear: the Wright brothers' one and only true passion was their work!

10

Neil Armstrong souvenir

Image: NASA

Wilbur and Orville’s dream was to reach as high as they could—and so they did. However, their memory not only reached the skies but went beyond that and also reached the moon!

That's right, it was Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, who carried a memento of the Wright brothers on his mission aboard Apollo 11. When the astronaut achieved the iconic feat of reaching the moon on July 20, 1969, he had with him a small piece of fabric from the Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer.

Through that small gesture, Armstrong honored the memory of his fellow Americans who, just like him, took a giant leap for humankind.

1

Titanic

Image: Courtesy of NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island (NOAA/IFE/URI)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Since the film was released in 1997, the famous theme song immortalized by Celine Dion has been played at more than one wedding. It's no coincidence: Titanic is one of the most iconic romantic films in cinema history.

While this movie is full of memorable love scenes, the one that has remained in our hearts is that of Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) putting their class differences behind and kissing at sunset on the ship's bow. Have you ever exclaimed, "I'm flying" while embracing your beloved? We bet many of you have!

2

When Harry met Sally

Image: Malcolm Garret

The basis of a successful romantic relationship is a beautiful friendship, and When Harry Met Sally is proof of that —even if it takes the main characters the whole film to figure it out!

Over the course of an hour and a half, spanning 12 years in the life of this couple , we see how they fall in love, even though they sometimes get on each other's nerves. In the end, during a New Year's Eve party, Harry (Billy Crystal) finally declares his love to Sally (Meg Ryan), who can't resist her friend's charm. Is When Harry Met Sally the ultimate rom-com of all time? Most definitely!

3

Casablanca

Image: Brett Sayles

Have you ever heard the phrase, "If you love somebody, set them free"? That's what Rick (Humphrey Bogart) must have been thinking when, at the end of Casablanca , puts his life in danger to help Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) flee to safety along with her husband.

Rick and Ilsa's relationship never materialized, but it has undoubtedly left us with one of the most iconic love stories the silver screen has ever produced. Yet, as a consolation, we'll always have Paris!

4

The Notebook

Image: Tima Miroshnichenko

Undoubtedly, the chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams has catapulted The Notebook to the podium of the most romantic movies ever. Twenty years after its release, it’s still one of the favorites among fans of the genre!

It’s very hard to choose just one romantic scene from this movie. All of it is an ode to love—and heartbreak. But perhaps the one that comes immediately to mind when we mention this film is the passionate kiss in the rain. Caught in a sudden storm, Allie finally confronts Noah for not writing to her for 7 years. Words certainly fall short of explaining the misunderstanding!

5

The Bridges of Madison County

Image: Jet Lowe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Not all love flicks have a happy ending, and that doesn't make them any less romantic. In The Bridges of Madison County , Francesca (Meryl Streep), a devoted housewife, meets Robert (Clint Eastwood), a free-spirited National Geographic photographer, while her family is away.

Francesca and Robert share a passionate week together but soon must return to reality. At the end of the film, Francesca faces two choices: be obedient and stay with her husband and children or give it all up for the love of her life. The scene in the truck, where she sees him standing in the rain and is about to leave everything for love, is so full of emotion that it is almost painful to watch.

6

Ghost

Image: Huzaifa Ginwala

Thanks to this film, pottery will be linked to romance forever. In one of the most iconic scenes in Ghost —and cinema in general— Molly (Demi Moore) can't sleep, so she decides to get to work. While modeling a vase to the rhythm of Unchained Melody she is joined by her steamy boyfriend Sam (Patrick Swayze).

With this scene, the film succeeds in capturing a moment of passion but also of emotional connection between two people. It is a scene of intimacy and sensuality rarely achieved so well on the big screen.

7

Gone with the Wind

Image: Kiddo27, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The relationship between Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) and Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) is as complicated as it is passionate. During nearly four hours of film that covers more than 10 years in the life of this tumultuous couple, we see their comings and goings, tender moments, and fierce fights.

Perhaps the most memorable scene in this film is the first kiss under the bright orange sunset. This, along with other equally romantic scenes, has made Gone with the Wind one of the best romantic films in the history of cinema, despite being 85 years old.

8

Sleepless in Seattle

Image: Timo Wagner

​​Sleepless in Seattle is another rom-com that can't be missing from this list. In a nutshell, this is the story of a widower (Tom Hanks) looking for a new partner and mother for his son and a woman (Meg Ryan) who discovers that the love of her life might be on the other side of the country. Sounds like the formula for success, don't you think?

But did you know that the film's most memorable scene—the one in which Sam and Annie finally meet at the top of the Empire State Building —almost didn't happen? Rumor has it that the producers didn't have clearance from the building's owners. Luckily, director Nora Ephron had an ace up her sleeve and got permission to film for a mere six hours, which was enough to make this scene unforgettable.

9

Up

Image: Tima Miroshnichenko

Who said there can't be romance in an animated movie? Up is one of the favorite films among children and adults alike. In the very beginning, a montage shows us the love story of Carl and Ellie, from childhood to old age.

Throughout their life story, we witness beautiful moments such as their wedding, as well as heartbreaking events. These few scenes really have all the necessary condiments to make us laugh, love, and cry in just a few minutes.

10

Her

Image: Cash Macanaya

Will artificial intelligence be the future of love? We don't know, although Her tries to explore what romantic relationships would be like in a hyper-connected tomorrow. Unable to get over a breakup, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) begins a romantic relationship with "Samantha," his computer's operating system.

In a heartbreaking scene, Samantha asks, "Are these feelings even real?" The love between them grows deeper each day, even though they cannot explain how it came about between a human being and a machine . Probably not your standard rom-com, but certainly a film that takes the subject of love to unexpected territories.

11

Love Story

Image: Shelby Deeter

"Love means never having to say you're sorry," says Jenny (Ali MacGraw) to Oliver (Ryan O'Neal) in a film considered one of the most romantic by the American Film Institute.

Although it has a sad ending, Love Story succeeds in masterfully and eloquently portraying the story of two young college students who fall deeply in love despite their differences.

12

Before Sunrise

Image: wal_172619

Is there such a thing as love at first sight? If you don't think so, then you should see Before Sunrise . In this endearing film, two strangers meet on a European train and end up roaming Vienna together all night.

In one memorable scene, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) pretend to talk to their friends back home. When Jesse asks her what she likes about him, Céline replies, "I like to feel his eyes on me when I look away." Pretty romantic, don't you think?