1

The Searchers

Image: Tobias Keller

We’ll begin with what many critics believe to be the best Western ever made. Not only that: this 1956 movie is considered among the 100 best American films of all time, and it was selected for preservation in its National Film Registry in 1989. John Ford’s masterpiece truly marked a turning point in the history of the genre and influenced an entire generation of American filmmakers.

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"The Searchers" stars John Wayne as Ethan Edwards, a Civil War veteran who searches for his abducted niece all throughout Texas and New Mexico. The gorgeous shots in Technicolor (a huge leap at the time) helped cement this Western as a completely revolutionary film.

3

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Image: Scott Warman

The archetypical example of the subgenre known as "Spaghetti Western", this 1966 Sergio Leone film tells the story of three gunslingers competing to find a hidden treasure amid the chaos of the Civil War. The three characters’ personalities are more than the traits described in the film’s title: "The Good", Clint Eastwood’s character, is definitively more of an antihero than a regular protagonist.

Considered by many to be Leone’s masterpiece, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is a tension-filled, thrilling experience , and credited with launching an American icon like Eastwood to stardom.

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The Quick and the Dead

Image: Taylor Brandon

Few Westerns feature female gunslingers , so let’s take a second to showcase an excellent example. The 1995 movie "The Quick and the Dead" tells the story of "The Lady", an unnamed gunfighter who enters a deadly tournament to face off against an outlaw-turned-mayor named Gerrod, played by the iconic Gene Hackman.

Sharon Stone plays an extremely compelling protagonist, driven only by the desire to avenge the death of her father. The film features a star-filled cast , including Russel Crowe, Keith David, and then-newcomer Leonardo Di Caprio.

5

True Grit

Image: Taylor Brandon

Sharon Stone’s "The Lady" is not the only strong female lead on this list. Granted, the character of Mattie Ross in the 1969 classic "True Grit" is only a young girl, but don’t be fooled by her age: Mattie is a strong and determined character, hell-bent on apprehending the man responsible for her family’s death.

"True Grit" is also responsible for bringing us one of the most amazing cowboys ever portrayed on film. John Wayne’s legendary depiction of U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn earned him a well-deserved Oscar.

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Stagecoach

Image: Maddy Weiss

Considering our entry on "The Searchers", it probably won’t surprise you to learn that John Ford’s contributions to Westerns are incommensurable. In that sense, considering his 1939 film "Stagecoach" as anything other than groundbreaking would be a massive disservice to the entire genre.

This movie’s revolutionary shots and character development helped the film industry take a huge leap forward. Not only that, this movie stars John Wayne in his breakthrough role.

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The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Image: Stefan Münz

Legendary actor Humphrey Bogart is not particularly remembered as a Western actor: In fact, he only starred in two movies of the genre. However, the 1948 film "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", which stars Bogart as drifter Fred C. Dobbs, is considered an absolute Western treasure (no pun intended) and was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.

The film focuses on Dobbs and fellow drifter Bob Curtin, played by Tim Holt who, along with an old prospector, try to make a living searching for gold in Mexico.

8

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Image: Luis Domenech

The 1962 film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" begins with the funeral of a seemingly unimportant cowboy named Tom Doniphon which is attended by a powerful and influential U.S. senator. What follows is the retelling of an unusual friendship between two men, and their unyielding fight for justice.

This film holds the honor of being the very first film that starred both John Wayne and James Stewart. Under the direction of John Ford, these two acting juggernauts truly gave an unforgettable performance.

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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Image: JosephHershMedia

Nowadays, the subgenre of a buddy film seems almost exclusively reserved for cop movies: Think about movies like "Lethal Weapon" or "Bad Boys". However, the 1969 Western "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" is an outstanding addition to the buddy film subgenre, since it focuses on the adventures of this iconic gunslinging duo.

The movie describes the adventures of these two train robbers, wonderfully portrayed by Robert Redford and Paul Newman, who are trying to escape the law and flee to South America. It was awarded for Oscars, including "Best Story" and "Best Cinematography".

10

Unforgiven

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Besides avenging a loved one or escaping a corrupt sheriff, another powerful staple of the Western genre is the repentant outlaw trying to make amends with his past. In that sense, Clint Eastwood’s 1992 film "Unforgiven" combines both classic elements of the genre, while still providing a refreshing and innovative perspective.

The movie tells the tale of William Munny, an aging and retired outlaw who decides to take on one last job. Portrayed by Eastwood , Munny’s adventures take him on a violent path, seeking a cruel and dangerous cowboy named "Quick Mike".

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The Magnificent Seven

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

We’ll finish this list with one of the most innovative and daring entries to the Western genre. John Sturges’ "The Magnificent Seven" is an Old West remake of a Japanese movie, Kurosawa’s "Seven Samurai". Featuring an ensemble of legendary leads like Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen (The "King of Cool" himself!), this iconic film is to this day considered one of the very best Western films of all time.

The story centers around the titular "Magnificent Seven", a group of gunfighters hired to protect a small Mexican village from a group of bandits led by Eri Wallach, another heavy-hitter of the Western genre. It received an Academy Award for Best Score, and it was included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

1

Apple pie

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

We’ll start with an undisputed American icon: After all, doesn’t the saying go, "as American as apple pie" ? This iconic treat has been at the heart of countless American traditions, perhaps most notably during Independence Day celebrations. Fireworks and a slice of apple pie are all we need for a 4th of July to remember.

While apple pies originated in 14th-century England, it wasn’t until they arrived in America that they became a global icon. Over the centuries, several recipes and toppings have emerged, such as whipped cream, ice cream, custard, or even cheddar cheese.

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Key lime pie

Image: American Heritage Chocolate

Who says pies can’t be sour? The Key Lime Pie is the perfect example of a " When life gives you lemons " mentality: it takes the lime, a fruit that no one would want to eat raw, and transforms it into a luscious and delicious treat.

The Key Lime Pie is Florida’s official state pie, as it was invented in the "Sunshine State" during the 1940s. Not only that, but the traditional way to make this pie uses Key limes, which get their name from the Florida Keys where they are grown.

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Blueberry pie

Image: Diliara Garifullina

Just like pumpkin pies, blueberry pies were first created by American settlers , who used the abundant varieties of blueberries found in the country to make these delicious treats. Over time, their popularity spread to Europe, where people used their own types of blueberries to try to replicate the American versions.

This sweet treat has become synonymous with the state of Maine, where blueberry pie made with wild Maine blueberries was designated as the official state dessert. However, blueberry pie is still happily enjoyed across the entire nation.

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Pumpkin pie

Image: Alexander Grey

Just like apple pie is the go-to dessert for the 4th of July, pumpkin pie is instantly associated with Thanksgiving . After all, the origins of this delicious treat can be traced back to the very first American colonists, though it was served in a very different manner. Historians believe that these early versions of pumpkin pie were more akin to a type of pumpkin soup, served inside a hollowed-out pumpkin.

Nowadays, the pumpkin pie we know and love is made with eggs, milk, evaporated sugar, and several spices like nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, often topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

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Boston Cream pie

Image: Marko Klaric

According to some historians, Armenian-French chef Mossburg Sanzian created a particularly delicious cream-filled cake one afternoon in 1856 at the Parker House Hotel in Boston. Unbeknownst to Sanzian, his creation would eventually become the iconic Boston cream pie , declared Massachusetts’ official state dessert in 1996.

Since that day in 1856, this iconic dessert has gone by many names, such as "chocolate cream pie" and "Parker House chocolate cream pie." You might be confused by our use of the word "cake," but that was no mistake: The Boston cream pie is technically a cake. Its confusing name comes from the fact that, in the 19th century, both cakes and pies were baked in the same pan, which led these two words to become synonyms.

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Peanut Pie

Image: ROMAN ODINTSOV

American President James "Jimmy" Carter is still well-known for his love of peanuts, so it stands to reason that his beloved wife, Rosalynn, was known for her delicious peanut pie . After all, this pie is a staple of Southern cuisine and is especially beloved in Carter’s home state of Georgia.

Peanut pie is similar to pecan pie in that they are prepared with similar ingredients, such as corn syrup, eggs, and sugar. However, peanut pie is highly versatile and may include other ingredients, such as molasses, cayenne pepper, bourbon, or cream cheese.

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Marionberry Pie

Image: Larissa Farber

The marionberry pie is a delicious treat, particularly popular in the Pacific Northwest. After all, this type of blackberry is named after Marion County in Oregon , where it was bred and tested during the 20th century.

As you would expect, the marionberry pie is Oregon’s official state pie, and it truly shows. If you ever happen to visit "The Beaver State" during berry season, you’ll probably be welcomed with a warm smile and a slice of delicious marionberry pie.

8

Peach cobbler

Image: khezez | خزاز

Cobbler is definitely the entry with the most baffling name on this list. After all, what does a shoemaker have to do with this delicious dessert? In any case, don’t let this unusual name discourage you; cobblers are a simple yet amazing sweet treat.

While we would love to include as many types of cobblers as we could find, for brevity's sake, we’ll instead focus on one of the most popular cobblers in America: Peach cobbler combines the sweetness and texture of peaches with a crumbly, sweet topping. In 2013, Texas declared the peach cobbler its official state cobbler.

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Pecan pie

Image: nikohoshi

Standing on the other side of peanut pie, we have pecan pie, another Southern delicacy . Just like peanut pie, pecan pie might seem simple at first glance, but there are several variants and styles associated with this sweet treat. Different recipes include molasses, honey, or cane syrup.

In the American South, pecan pie is closely associated with the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Due to its status as a cultural icon, Texas declared pecan pie its official state pie.

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Cherry pie

Image: Nik

While most of us associate the 4th of July with apple pie, it should also be noted that many Americans picture a delicious slice of cherry pie when reminiscing about our Independence Day. Like many other pies on this list, cherry pie can be enjoyed with whipped cream or ice cream.

Cherry pie is also deeply ingrained in American folk songs , such as "Billy Boy," where the titular character is asked whether his bride-to-be can cook a cherry pie. Additionally, cherry pie is linked to George Washington’s birthday, thanks to the popular legend of a young Washington chopping down his father’s cherry tree.

1

The criminal Veep

America never lacked politicians who were suspected criminals —vice presidents included— but not every day is the second most important person in the nation formally accused of murder. It is a known fact that Aaron Burr, America’s third vice president, fatally shot founding father Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804. What many don’t know is that he was formally indicted for that murder in New York and New Jersey , but he fled to South Carolina and never stood trial, and the charge was eventually dropped. He was also accused of treason, but we can’t say that he was unique among politicians in that sense.

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The first Veep that was actually elected

Did you know that, in the beginning, vice presidents were not elected as running mates of a presidential candidate? For the first three presidencies, the position was filled by the runner-up, which created endless conflicts. After all, who wants to work with the guy who beat you? After Thomas Jefferson struggled to govern with Aaron Burr as his second, he pushed for the 12th Amendment, which allowed vice presidents to be elected on their own . For his next term, Jefferson chose George Clinton as running mate —not only because he was popular, but also because his age (65 years old) made it unlikely that he would challenge Jefferson’s successor, James Madison, for the presidency. In the end, Jefferson didn’t have to worry about it because Clinton was the first vice president to die while in office in 1812.

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The unelected Veep

In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned under accusations of corruption. The newly ratified 25th Amendment stated that the president, Richard Nixon, had to nominate someone for the position, to be later ratified by Congress. He chose Gerald Ford, at the time the House Minority Leader , and widely respected by his peers. Less than a year later, Nixon was forced to resign due to the Watergate scandal, and Ford assumed the presidency, making him the only vice president and president who was not elected.

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The first Veep to have a ‘Second Gentleman’

We’ve had many memorable First Ladies in our history, but, seeing that we never had a female President, we don’t know what that role would look like in a reversed situation. But what about a Second Gentleman? In 2021, Kamala Harris was the first woman to serve as Vice President, and her husband, Doug Emhoff, became the first ‘Second Gentleman’ of the nation , which meant that the acronym for the position (SLOTUS) had to be updated to SGOTUS.

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The first Veep to be a proper Veep

Where does the use of "Veep" for vice president come from? In 1949, Alben W. Barkley was elected as VP under President Harry S. Truman. Barkley thought that ‘Mr. Vice President’ was a mouthful, and it sounded too formal. His grandson suggested the term Veep (after the VP initialism) , which became popular when Barkley told the story to the press. Although the following vice president, Richard Nixon, refused to use the term out of respect for Barkley, it has become the common phrase used to informally refer to vice presidents.

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The shortest Veep-to-President pipeline

Out of the fifteen vice presidents to later become president, nine of them did so due to the president dying or resigning. The 10th Vice President, John Tyler, was not only the first Veep to assume the role after the President’s death, but also the Veep with the shortest tenure in American history. After only 31 days in office, in 1841, he became president due to the passing of William Henry Harrison , setting the precedent that vice presidents who assumed the presidency were official and not just acting presidents.

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The first Veep to live at Number One Observatory Circle

Unlike presidents, vice presidents didn’t always have an official residence. Up until 1974, when Congress designated Number One Observatory Circle as the official residence of the vice president , Veeps lived in their own houses. At the time, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller refused to move in and only used the house for entertaining guests. Walter Mondale was the first vice president to officially move in with his family in 1977.

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The Veeps that had to step down

Only two out of the 50 vice presidents in American history resigned their position. In 1832, Andrew Jackson’s vice president, John C. Calhoun, resigned during his second term to accept a seat in the Senate after a series of political differences with Jackson. In 1973, Spiro Agnew was accused of corruption and bribery , and charged with tax evasion. He resigned and pleaded no contest to the charges. His President, Richard Nixon, would also resign less than a year later.

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The Nobel Veeps

Only two vice presidents were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: Charles G. Dawes received the prize in 1925 for the "Dawes Plan", an initiative to stabilize the German economy after WWI , while Al Gore received it in 2007 —jointly with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change— for his efforts towards the conscientization of man-made climate change . Some also include Theodore Roosevelt in this list on account of his having served as vice president, but at the moment of receiving the prize in 1906, he was serving his second term as president.

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The youngest and oldest Veeps

According to the Constitution, the minimum age requirement for the vice president is 35 years old. The youngest ever vice president in office was John C. Breckinridge at 36 years old , serving under James Buchanan in 1857, followed by Richard Nixon and J.D. Vance, who both assumed the role at 40 years old. The oldest vice president to take office was Alben Barkley, who in 1949 served under Harry S. Truman at 71 years old , followed by Charles Curtis at 69 years old, and Hubert Humphrey at 67 years old.