1

Florida: The American Dream car

Image: Richard R

Florida holds the record for the longest car in the world. Measuring a jaw-dropping 100 feet and 1.5 inches, this beast of a limousine stretches longer than a basketball court. Michael Dezer made it official at Dezerland Action Park in Orlando on March 1, 2022. It was rebuilt using parts from the original record-holding car. Wanna take a ride in it?

2

California: A dog on wheels—and on fire

Image: Ben Hanson

California isn’t just home to movie stars; it’s also where a dog named Tillman made record-breaking history. In 2009, Tillman flew across 330 feet on a skateboard in just 19.67 seconds. No, that’s not a typo; it took him less than 20 seconds. No motor, just pure doggy determination.

3

California: Pedaling across America at 67

Image: Tom Dillon

Lynnea C. Salvo, a retired teacher, didn’t let age slow her down. At the age of 66, she hopped on a bicycle and rode all the way, completing the first transcontinental bike ride. That’s 3,163 miles of grit, sunburn, and serious calf muscles. She wrapped up her journey on October 18, 2021, landing her a spot in the record books and in our article.

4

West Virginia: Flamingos, flamingos everywhere

Image: Vicko Mozara

If you’ve ever thought you liked flamingos, prepare to be humbled. Deborah Buscher Leck of Kearneysville, West Virginia, owns 2,595 flamingo-related items, making her the proud record-holder for the largest flamingo collection on Earth. It's pink, it's proud, and totally amazing!

5

Georgia: So many tiny chairs, so little time

Image: Haneen Alqatanani

Barbara Hartsfield of Ellenwood, Georgia, has a thing for chairs, but only the miniature kind. She’s collected 3,000 of them, each unique and meticulously displayed. It took her more than a decade to round them up. Her collection might be tiny in size, but it’s huge in charm. Who knew a chair that fits in your hand could still have so much to give you?

6

Idaho: Hula-hooping like a champ—in the pool

Image: Thomas Park

David Rush of Boise doesn’t just swim—he balances a hula hoop on his head while swimming. And not just for a few seconds. He kept that hoop steady for 16 minutes and 13 seconds, setting a Guinness World Record in 2017. If multitasking were an Olympic sport, David would be bringing home the gold, you know?

7

Iowa: The beard that wouldn't quit

Image: Multi Awesome Studio

Hans N. Langseth's beard was so legendary that it got its own posthumous world record. When he passed away in Kensett, Iowa, in 1927, his beard measured a whopping 17 feet and 6 inches long. That’s longer than most cars. His epic facial hair now lives on at the Smithsonian, preserved for curious beard fans and history buffs alike.

8

Kansas: Earsplitting basketball fans

Image: Marius Christensen

On February 13, 2017, the University of Kansas basketball fans did something no other crowd had managed before: They screamed their heads off to hit 130.4 decibels. That’s louder than a jackhammer. That way, the Jayhawks turned Allen Fieldhouse into the loudest indoor sports arena ever recorded.

9

Kentucky: The tape ball to end all tape balls

Image: Markus Spiske

Over in Louisville, the Portland Promise Center didn’t just toss out their tape; they rolled with it. They created a monstrous tape ball weighing 2,000 pounds and stretching 12 feet 9 inches around. It’s made of duct tape, packing tape, masking tape… You name it. Just don’t get too close, who knows what could happen?

10

Maryland: Crab cake heaven

Image: Andrey Stakhovskiy

Maryland takes its crab cakes seriously. How serious? Well, on September 1, 2012, Handy International in Timonium whipped up a 300-pound crab cake. That’s the size of a vending machine, but way tastier. It’s safe to say no one left that event hungry.

11

Minnesota: The fluffiest tail in town

Image: Daniel Zopf

Mr. Pugsley Addams, a silver Maine Coon from Mound, has a tail that stole the show—and the record. Measuring 18.5 inches, his tail was officially the longest on a domestic cat. That’s one unforgettable feline, don’t you think?

12

Mississippi: Cowbells ringing in unison

Image: Jamie Street

On September 10, 2015, the Mississippi State University Student Association gathered 5,748 people to ring cowbells at the same time. The result? A thunderous clanging that set a world record and probably made a few ears ring for days.

13

Alaska: Cabbage the size of a small car

Image: Arnaldo Aldana

Up in Alaska, where summer days seem to last forever, the vegetables grow big. Like, really big. Scott A. Robb set a jaw-dropping record at the Alaska State Fair with a cabbage that tipped the scales at 138.25 pounds. Scott’s no stranger to giant greens; he’s also grown record-holding turnips. There must be something in that Alaskan soil (or perhaps just a lot of fertilizer).

1

Boring, Oregon – "The Most Exciting Place to Live"

Image: everett mcintire

With a name like Boring, Oregon, you’d expect residents to have a sense of humor. Their slogan flips that expectation, proudly calling Boring the most exciting place to live.

The town has even partnered with Dull, Scotland, to form an "International League of Dull Places."

2

Hell, Michigan – "Go to Hell"

Image: Brad Switzer

Hell, Michigan, has turned its unusual name into a marketing goldmine . The slogan "Go to Hell" is proudly displayed on signs, T-shirts, and souvenirs, attracting thousands of curious visitors each year.

Locals have fun with it, running events like Halloween festivals and themed shops.

3

Normal, Illinois – "Everything is just as it seems!"

Image: Zander Betterton

The city of Normal, Illinois, proudly uses the slogan "Everything is just as it seems!" as its official motto, playfully referencing the town’s unusual name .

The name Normal has historical roots: it comes from the French phrase école normale , which described a type of school for training teachers.

4

Peculiar, Missouri – "Where the ‘odds’ are with you"

Image: Brittney Butler

A town with a name that is the exact opposite of the previous entry, Peculiar, Missouri, has also decided to embrace its unusual identity with the slogan "Where the ‘odds’ are with you," adding a playful touch to it

The oddball branding draws curious travelers, and the town celebrates its peculiarity with local events and merchandise.

5

Nothing, Arizona – "All for Nothing"

Image: Christoph von Gellhorn

Nothing, Arizona, an unincorporated community with an ironic name, became known for the phrase "All for Nothing." While not an official slogan, it reflects the determination of residents who built lives in a place with almost no amenities.

The phrase captures both humor and grit, giving the tiny settlement an identity that can be hard to forget.

6

Superior, Wisconsin – "Living up to our name"

Image: Tom Barrett

Superior, Wisconsin, sits on the western tip of Lake Superior, and its slogan, "Living up to our name," highlights both geography and civic pride .

It’s a confident statement that sticks in visitors’ minds. The town blends natural beauty with historical significance, and the slogan reinforces that it considers itself a cut above the rest.

7

Happy, Texas – "The town without a frown"

Image: Daniel Lloyd Blunk-Fernández

Happy, Texas, took its cheerful name and ran with it . Its slogan, "The Town Without a Frown," spreads positivity and conveys a sense of friendliness throughout the community.

The motto has become a source of local pride, turning a small Panhandle town into a feel-good stop that lives up to its sunny reputation.

8

Gas, Kansas – "Don’t pass gas, stop and enjoy it"

Image: Farhodjon Chinberdiev

Gas, Kansas, leans fully into its unusual name with a slogan that makes travelers laugh every time . Located in Allen County, this small town has become a roadside favorite thanks to its cheeky pun.

Rather than shy away from the obvious joke, Gas celebrates it, featuring the motto on signs and even postcards.

9

Lake City, Iowa: "Everything but a lake"

Image: Shawn Schroeder

Lake City, Iowa, proudly uses the slogan "Everything but a Lake." The phrase humorously acknowledges the irony behind the town’s name, since there’s no actual lake within its limits . Despite this, the motto highlights that Lake City has plenty to offer in other ways.

The town’s name was inspired by another town in Illinois, yet Lake City has successfully carved out its own character.

10

Show Low, Arizona - "Named by the turn of a card"

Image: Gerard Albanell

Show Low owes its unusual name to a high-stakes poker game played between two ranchers who couldn’t agree on who would claim the land. The decision came down to a single rule: whoever drew the lowest card would win, and from that moment, the town became known as Show Low.

Even today, Show Low highlights its origin story in tourism and branding, proudly using the phrase "Named by the turn of a card."

1

Baseball

Image: Josh Hemsley

Originating in the early 19th century, baseball evolved from British bat-and-ball games like rounders. By the 1840s, it was widely played in New York and spread quickly across the country.

Professional leagues began forming in the 1870s, and by the 20th century, baseball had become a defining cultural symbol. The Major League Baseball (MLB) remains a cornerstone of American sports identity.

2

American Football

Image: Tim Mossholder

American football developed from rugby and soccer in the late 19th century, with Walter Camp shaping key rules like the line of scrimmage.

Today, the NFL is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, with the Super Bowl considered an unofficial national holiday. Its unique strategic play sets it apart globally.

3

Basketball

Image: Markus Spiske

Invented in 1891 by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, basketball was created as an indoor game to keep athletes active during winter.

Basketball rapidly grew in schools and colleges, evolving into the NBA by 1946. Its fast pace and high scoring made it a uniquely American phenomenon with global influence.

4

Volleyball

Image: Jannes Glas

William G. Morgan invented volleyball in 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, as a less strenuous alternative to basketball for older athletes.

Originally called "Mintonette," it quickly spread through YMCA programs. Today, volleyball is a staple in American schools and a popular recreational and Olympic sport.

5

Lacrosse

Image: Gene Gallin

Though based on Indigenous games, the modern field version of lacrosse was codified in the U.S. in the mid-19th century, particularly in New York and Maryland.

American collegiate leagues helped popularize the sport. Its fast pace, physicality, and unique stick skills differentiate it from similar sports elsewhere.

6

Rodeo

Image: Lee Pigott

Rodeo emerged from cattle herding competitions in the American West in the late 1800s. Cowboys demonstrated skills like bronco riding, roping, and barrel racing.

Rodeo reflects frontier life and is heavily celebrated in states like Texas and Wyoming. It became an organized sport with professional circuits in the 20th century.

7

Skateboarding

Image: Rhendi Rukmana

Developed in California in the 1950s as "sidewalk surfing," skateboarding transformed surfing techniques for urban environments.

The sport gained a professional scene by the 1970s, complete with skate parks and competitions. Its counterculture roots remain distinctly American.

8

Roller Derby

Image: River Fx

Emerging in the 1930s as a banked-track endurance race, roller derby evolved into a full-contact team sport.

Especially popular with women, modern roller derby combines athleticism and theatrical flair. It’s a uniquely American mix of sport and spectacle.

9

Cheerleading

Image: Rojan Maharjan

Starting at the University of Minnesota in 1898, cheerleading began as organized support for college football teams.

Over time, it developed competitive elements with complex stunts and routines. Today, cheerleading is recognized both as a sport and a cultural phenomenon in the U.S.

10

Pickleball

Image: Aleksander Saks

Invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, pickleball blends tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

It gained popularity for all ages due to its accessibility and social appeal. Pickleball’s exponential growth highlights American ingenuity in casual sports.