1

Serena Williams

Image: Josephine Gasser

We’ll start with a tennis legend. Serena Williams is definitively one of the biggest names in this sport’s history. Alongside Venus, her sister and doubles partner, Serena managed to set record after record in her 27-year professional career.

In 1999, an 18-year-old Serena won her very first major title in the U.S. Open. Of course, that was only the beginning: She managed to achieve a feat we now know as a "Serena Slam" , winning both a Career Grand Slam and a non-calendar year Grand Slam between 2002 and 2003.

2

Tiger Woods

Image: Steven Shircliff

It's not an unusual sight to spot a red shirt hanging around the final round of a major golf tournament. After all, Tiger Woods always wears this color whenever he’s competing in the most important round of a tournament, which happens quite frequently.

Few names inspire as much admiration among golf players as Tiger Woods does: With 82 PGA Tours wins and 15 majors, he is widely considered one of the greatest golfers in history . Not only that, at 48 years of age he still manages to be a force to be reckoned with.

3

Babe Ruth

Image: Diana Polekhina

You’ll find many "Kings", "Queens" and "Legends" in this article, but only one "Sultan of Swat": Babe Ruth. He is not only one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but he is also an icon in American culture and one of the five inaugural players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Babe Ruth also holds the dubious distinction of being the source of a jynx. After the Boston Red Sox sold Ruth to the Yankees in 1918, the Red Sox suffered an 86-year championship drought that many fans blamed as karma for the sale. Naturally, this cautionary tale has henceforth been known as "The Curse of the Bambino".

4

Michael Phelps

Image: Gentrit Sylejmani

The title of the most decorated Olympian of all time goes to none other than Michael Phelps, "the Baltimore Bullet". This iconic swimmer made a splash (no pun intended) in every Olympic game he competed in, earning a record amount of 28 medals during his career.

It is fairly hard to choose the most iconic Phelps performance, but we probably lean towards the 2008 Beijing Olympics : Michael won 8 gold medals, breaking the all-time record for most first-place finishes.

5

Michael Jordan

Image: Taylor Smith

Michael Jordan might be the biggest legend in NBA history. He is widely regarded as the best player of all time , having won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and a myriad of other competitions including an Olympic gold medal.

Not only that, Jordan became a cultural icon and one of the most recognizable figures of the 90s, appearing in movies, video games, and in the logo of his iconic Nike shoes, the Air Jordans.

6

Simone Biles

Image: Eduardo Cano Photo Co.

Simone Biles’ debut at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics is one fitting for someone considered to be one of the greatest gymnasts of all time : She won four individual gold medals, as well as gold as part of the United States team.

Nowadays, Biles holds the distinction of being the most decorated gymnast in history , becoming a six-times all-around World champion in the process. Although she was forced to withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to an injury, the future still seems to hold great things for this amazing athlete.

7

Joe Montana

Image: Dave Adamson

In the 1992 presidential primary, then-candidate Bill Clinton earned the nickname "The Comeback Kid" after securing a last-minute second place in New Hampshire. We’re pretty sure that President Clinton must have been particularly proud of this nickname: After all, it is legendary quarterback Joe Montana's most famous moniker.

Joe Montana earned this nickname through his iconic, last-minute touchdown plays . While he played for the San Francisco 49ers, Joe won four Super Bowls and became the first player to be named Super Bowl MVP on three separate occasions.

8

Jackie Robinson

Image: Mick Haupt

On April 15, every player, coach, and manager of all MLB teams wears the number 42 on their jerseys. This tradition, which started in 2004, is known as "Jackie Robinson Day" , a day dedicated to celebrating and remembering one of the most remarkable baseball players in history.

April 15th is a memorable date in baseball as it commemorates the day Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut. Celebrating his monumental career (winning a World Series and six All-Star games), Robinson was the very first African American player to play in the MLB, and his 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers marked the end of racial segregation in professional baseball.

9

Billie Jean King

Image: Valentin Balan

Billie Jean King is considered one of the best tennis players in history: She won an impressive total of 39 Grand Slam titles , as well as seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. However, she is also remembered as a long-standing advocate and pioneer for equality for female players, famously winning a historic match known as "the Battle of the Sexes".

In this 1973 match, while she was the No. 1 ranked female player in the world , King faced former American champion Bobby Riggs, who famously stated that even a retired male player such as himself could defeat the current female champion. King’s victory not only showcased her considerable skills but also marked a milestone in the road for female equality in the sport.

10

Muhammad Ali

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

We’ll end this article with the most celebrated boxer of all time . We could fill this entire article with incredible moments from Muhammad Ali’s life: His achievements are literally too many to count. From his groundbreaking fighting style to his flawless technique, Ali truly earned the title of "the Greatest".

However, this nickname also perfectly describes this boxer’s boundless determination both inside and outside the ring. Perhaps the best example of this can be described by a single, incredibly moving image: Despite his failing health, 54-year-old Ali took the stage at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games to light the Olympic flame.

1

Edinburgh Manor, Iowa

Image: Yener Ozturk

Thanks, in no small part, to horror movies and documentaries, asylums make great abandoned places. So, we might as well start our list with Edinburgh Manor , a once-bustling institution located in Iowa. Built in the early 1900s, this huge building served as a home for the mentally ill, the elderly, and the indigent, until 2010.

Today, Edinburgh Manor continues to harbor visitors but in the form of thrill chasers who seek to experience the paranormal within the mysterious walls of the immense asylum, even daring to stay the night on its premises. Would you dare to be one of them?

2

Dinosaur Mini Golf Ruins, California

Image: Dan Meyers

Dinosaurs and golf are two entirely different things. But in the cultural melting pot that is California, it seemed like a good idea to build a dinosaur-themed mini golf course in the town of Apple Valley, complete with 15-foot-tall creatures rendered in concrete.

Alas, the economics of the whole endeavor proved too much for its creator, who was forced to abandon his dream to the desert. Today, the deteriorating remains of these dinosaurs can still be visited, as an attraction that lures travelers off the highway.

3

Space Shuttle Fuel Tank, Green Cove Springs, Florida

Image: SpaceX

Picture a humongous 154-foot-long space fuel tank sitting alone in the middle of nowhere. For many years, this tank stood on display at the Kennedy Space Center. But after the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, NASA announced that they would remove the test fuel tank to make room for the retired space shuttle Atlantis, along with a new exhibition facility. The tank was auctioned off and sold to the Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum in Keystone Heights, Florida.

It took a 200-foot barge, two tugboats, and cranes to transport the massive tank to Green Cove Springs, where it would be temporarily held before moving to its final destination. But the logistics of moving such a massive structure proved difficult, and that temporary staging site seems to have become the fuel tank’s final home.

4

Meigs Field Tower and Terminal, Illinois

Image: Mads Eneqvist

An abandoned airport ranks high amongst the personal goals of any urban explorer worth its salt. And, to anyone close to Chicago, Meigs Field certainly delivers. Built on an artificial peninsula, the airport functioned as such from 1948 to 2003.

Today it no longer works as an airport but the stubby control tower is still very much recognizable as such, standing watch over the breezy park and its native grasses and birds.

While the tower is closed to the public, the old terminal building is not; it houses a Parks Department Visitor’s Center.

5

Old Zoo Nature Trails, Texas

Image: Matthew Cabret

A long-abandoned zoo repurposed as a hiking trail? Sign me up! The Cisco Zoo in rural Texas functioned as such for only a few years starting in the 1920s until it closed its doors due to a poisoned bear, a mysterious deer death, and other factors.

Visitors can walk through the rusted enclosures and concrete shelters where the animals were once kept, and even find the remains of what were once offices used by zoo staff. The ruins form an eerie backdrop to an otherwise tranquil 1.5-mile track still in the shadow of the dam.

6

Redstone Coke Ovens, Colorado

Image: Nadia Jamnik

Picture a mysterious "town" made up of several lines of man-made caves of equal dimensions, with open entrances like dark mouths. Now place it in a mountainous terrain, in the middle of nowhere. Welcome to Colorado Fuel and Iron coke ovens , in Coal Basin.

Built in 1899, the 249 ovens worked only for a few years, until 1908. In recent decades, the site was recognized as a historic one, and nowadays, many ovens remain intact and open to the public.

7

Black River Ghost Ship, Ohio

Image: zhao chen

Another high-ranking site in the books of any urban explorer is a ghost ship . Located on the banks of the Black River outside of Cleveland, lies a bit of a nautical mystery for the residents of Lorain, Ohio. Sinking into the muddy water along the shore and listing to one side, rusting away a little more each season, is a 90-foot-long Canadian automobile ferry that mysteriously appeared docked under the bridge sometime around 2003.

For the last 20 years, the ship has remained where it dropped anchor all those years ago. No one knows what will happen to the ship. But, for now, it serves as a decaying piece of maritime history that is well worth the walk to the top of the bridge in Lorain to view.

8

Lando School, South Carolina

Image: Evgeny Matveev

Going back to your former school as an adult is a recurring dream for many. Going back to your former school and walking through its ruins is a slightly less common dream, but it is also known to happen. And, if you went to school before the year 1955 in the Lando Schoolhouse in South Carolina, you can live the dream.

The school ruins feature classrooms, an auditorium, and balcony seatings above, all on three floors full of eerie corners, dusty blackboards, and forgotten tables. Quite creepy, right?

9

Abandoned Castle Video Games, South Carolina

Image: Chris Anderson

A defunct casino building fashioned as a castle, complete with a stone exterior, an arched wooden door, a looming knight statue, turrets, and other cliché castle features. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Castle Video Games was a video gambling center in the late 80s and early 90s until the Carolina Supreme Court ruled video gambling illegal, thus shutting the casino castle doors forever.

10

Camp Hayden, Washington

Image: Greg Panagiotoglou

Bunkers are gloomy places by design, with very little room for windows, if any, and an oppressive atmosphere. Now, imagine being in a World War II abandoned bunker at the end of a thickly forested road inside the Salt Creek Recreation Area west of Port Angeles, Washington.

One of seven locations in Washington’s system, this bunker featured a fire control radar and harbor entrance radar. Constructed of steel-shielded concrete, the structure was designed to withstand a direct hit. All of the bunkers still stand, and portions of the interiors are accessible to explorers.

1

Not seeing each other before the wedding

Image: Katy Duclos

Not seeing each other before the wedding was once considered essential. This superstition comes from the era of arranged marriages, when it was feared the couple might back out if they met beforehand. It evolved into the romantic "first look" at the altar. Many couples now skip it in favor of private pre-ceremony photos. Understandable!

2

Marrying in white

Image: Javier González Fotógrafo

Popularized by Queen Victoria in 1840, the white gown symbolized purity and wealth. U.S. brides embraced the trend for over a century, but modern weddings increasingly feature colorful gowns or non-traditional attire. Some pick their favorite color! Why not?

3

Wearing a veil

Image: Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz

Once meant to protect brides from evil spirits or hide them from jealous eyes, the veil became a symbol of modesty. In the U.S., it persisted more as a fashion choice. Today, many brides favor hairpieces, flowers, or nothing at all.

4

Roast speeches

Image: Mads Eneqvist

Roast-style speeches became popular as toasts with a humorous edge, sometimes poking fun at the couple, especially at casual receptions. While funny for some, they’ve also led to plenty of awkward moments. Have you ever seen a video online of particularly harsh ones? As a result, many weddings now stick to heartfelt speeches to avoid offense.

5

Throwing a bouquet

Image: Michal Mikulec

This playful tradition gave single women a "good luck" charm for marriage. It replaced older customs where guests tore pieces from the bride’s dress for luck. Many couples now swap it for alternative games or skip it entirely.

6

Receiving queues

Image: Shardayyy Photography

For decades, couples stood in a formal line after the ceremony to greet each guest in turn. It was a way to ensure everyone felt acknowledged. But some prefer not to miss that informal mingling during the reception! Instead, they spend time with their loved ones more casually, enjoying the natural flow of the party.

7

Matching bridesmaids’ dresses

Image: Joeyy Lee

Tradition once had bridesmaids dressed alike in the same color, cut, and fabric to create a uniform look. Today’s weddings often mix styles, shades, and even prints. The change allows friends to choose something flattering—and something they can actually wear again.

8

Full sit-down dinners

Image: Hồng Xuân Văn

The classic multi-course plated meal was once a wedding reception staple. Today, many couples opt for food trucks, buffet tables, or hearty hors d’oeuvres for a more social, less formal vibe. And, let’s face it, it also helps with costs and keeps the timeline flexible.

9

Saving the top tier of the cake

Image: Raquel Ming

Couples once froze the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first anniversary, as a symbol of enduring love. But after a year in the freezer, the result was often stale and unappetizing. These days, many order a fresh mini cake instead.

10

Rice throwing

Image: Emma Miller

Showering the couple with rice at the exit was a long-held sign of prosperity and fertility. Concerns over mess, safety, and wildlife led to alternatives like bubbles, sparklers, or flower petals. The celebration remains, just with less sweeping.

11

Dollar dance

Image: Tiko Giorgadze

In this tradition, guests paid for a short dance with the bride or groom, contributing to the couple’s honeymoon fund. It was playful and personal, but could feel awkward or even outdated. Many couples now skip it in favor of more inclusive group dances.

12

Matching family seating sides

Image: Thomas Beaman

Traditionally, guests sat on the side of the family they knew best—the bride’s family on the left, the groom’s on the right. Today, signs inviting guests to "sit anywhere" reflect a blending of families and a more casual approach. Alternatively, tables may be intentionally assigned to mix new people together.

13

Garter tosses

Image: Jeanie de Klerk

Once a bawdy medieval custom where guests scrambled for proof of consummation, it became a lighthearted party moment in American weddings. The groom removes and tosses the bride’s garter to single men. Today, it’s often skipped because it can feel outdated or awkward.