1

Independence Day

Image: Jason W

Nothing beats a classic apocalyptic alien invasion, where extraterrestrials arrive to destroy the planet, but encounter a group of humans willing to give everything to save humanity. This is the premise of Independence Day (1996), one of the most famous disaster films. Starring Will Smith, the movie marked a turning point in science fiction, showcasing visual effects that, although they may not be as surprising today, set a new standard at the time.

2

Armageddon

Image: Javier Miranda

It’s hard to keep track of how many explosions light up the screen in Armageddon (1998), but rest assured, there are a lot of them. This film follows the classic natural disaster formula: a massive asteroid threatens Earth, and the only hope for survival is to destroy it. When the planet’s at risk, who better to call than Bruce Willis? Alongside Ben Affleck, he steps up to risk everything in a race against time.

Do you also remember this movie every time you hear Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"? You are one of us!

3

The Day After Tomorrow

Image: Mason Mulcahy

A new Ice Age threatens humanity after a series of devastating storms strike the planet in The Day After Tomorrow (2004), a film that takes climate change and pushes its possible consequences to the extreme. With spectacular disaster sequences and visuals, the movie became a total box office success worldwide.

4

I Am Legend

Image: Natalya Letunova

Imagine waking up one day and realizing that you are, as far as you can tell, the last survivor in the city. This is what happens to scientist Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, in I Am Legend (2007). The now-classic apocalyptic theme is a deadly virus that has devastated humanity, and it is Dr. Robert Neville who appears to be the only one capable of doing something to reverse the effects of this.

5

Interstellar

Image: Guillaume Le Louarn

In 2014, we saw one of the most exciting movies to hit the big screen: Christopher Nolan's Interstellar . Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike for its visual effects and its complex and thrilling plot, this film is one of those you’ll find hard to forget. Set on an Earth that is becoming uninhabitable, Matthew McConaughey plays Cooper, a former NASA pilot who joins a mission to travel through a wormhole near Saturn in search of a new place for humanity.

Fun fact: It’s not surprising that it has been well received even by the scientific community, since a Nobel Prize–winning physicist collaborated on the script.

6

Planet of the Apes

Image: Mateusz Suski

In the original Planet of the Apes (1968), the story takes us to a distant future planet where chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans have evolved to possess human-like intelligence and social structures, dominating that world while humans are reduced to an oppressed species. Featuring one of the most shocking and unforgettable plot twists in cinema history, the film stands as an essential classic of dystopian science fiction.

7

Night of the Living Dead

Image: Daniel Jensen

We couldn’t leave Night of the Living Dead off this list, the 1968 film that changed cinema forever. While the concept of "zombies" may feel familiar today, this George A. Romero’s film was the first to present the idea of the dead rising again and becoming a real threat to the living.

8

12 Monkeys

Image: Liam Andrew

Bruce Willis is once again called upon to help humanity (or what remains of it) in the 1995 film 12 Monkeys , this time alongside none other than Brad Pitt, who earned an Oscar nomination for this role. Set in a dark future, most of humanity has been wiped out by a deadly virus, and Willis’s character must travel back in time to gather information about its origins and help find a way to stop it.

9

Dawn of the Dead

Image: airci K

Of course, George A. Romero wasn’t going to appear just once on this list. In 1978, Dawn of the Dead was released, once again portraying the end of the world brought on by the return of the undead. A group of survivors takes refuge in a shopping mall, but human conflicts soon emerge as a threat equal to, or even greater than, that posed by the zombies themselves.

10

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Image: Michael Herren

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) is definitely a science fiction classic. Unlike the other films on this list, its catastrophe is not inevitable; disaster can still be avoided. Rather than centering on spectacular destruction, the film delivers a philosophical warning to humanity. An alien visitor arrives on Earth to deliver a stark message: abandon nuclear violence, or face devastating consequences.

1

Diana Ross & Lionel Richie: "Endless Love"

Image: Ethan Smith

Did you know that this pop music classic was actually composed for a movie? Diana Ross and Lionel Richie recorded "Endless Love" for the Motown label, and it was used as the theme song for the 1981 film of the same name, starring Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt.

Produced by Richie, the song was released as a single from the film’s soundtrack. Although the film was a flop, the song became the top hit single in the United States that year. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained there for nine consecutive weeks.

2

Sonny & Cher: "I Got You Babe"

Image: Joop van Bilsen / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

"I Got You Babe" is arguably the biggest hit by Sonny & Cher, one of the most iconic musical duos in history . Sonny Bono wrote it late one night in their basement for his wife, Cher.

Recorded in 1965, the song became a smash hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. "I Got You Babe" is a beautiful hymn to love and loyalty , and it has been covered by various artists over the years.

3

Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer: "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)"

Image: Gritte

Considered one of Donna Summer’s standout songs , "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" was recorded with Barbra Streisand in 1979. The song became so popular that several vocalists have recorded their own versions over the years.

Neither Donna nor Barbra ever performed the duet live together, but Streisand sang an excerpt during her Back to Brooklyn concert tour in 2012. At the time, she remarked that if Donna were still alive, she would have loved to perform it with her.

4

Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney: "Say Say Say"

Image: Pavel Danilyuk

The former Beatle had already collaborated with the King of Pop on "The Girl Is Mine," featured on Jackson’s Thriller album. The song was so successful that they teamed up again to record "Say Say Say," the lead single from McCartney’s fourth solo album , Pipes of Peace .

Jackson wrote most of the lyrics, and the legendary George Martin produced the track. It was released in 1983 , along with a music video in which the duo plays a pair of con men selling a miracle potion. The video also featured cameos by Linda McCartney and La Toya Jackson.

5

Aretha Franklin & George Michael: "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"

Image: melojordan94

Did you know this song wasn’t originally written as a duet? It was composed by Dennis Morgan and Simon Climie with Tina Turner in mind . Eventually, Aretha Franklin got the job, and the label later suggested a collaboration with George Michael.

Aretha and George released "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" in 1987. Both artists later stated that they had a great time recording the song and the music video that followed. And it shows, because the tune reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts around the world.

6

Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes: "(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life"

Image: Chris Duan

Performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, "(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life" was released in 1987 as part of the soundtrack for the movie Dirty Dancing . This pop ballad, with rock and soul influences, conveys a sense of celebration and joy, highlighting the importance of special moments that leave lasting memories.

The song was such a huge hit that it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Oscar for Best Original Song , the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

7

Nancy & Frank Sinatra: "Somethin’ Stupid"

Image: Elviss Railijs Bitāns

The original version of this song was recorded in 1966 by C. Carson Parks and his wife, Gaile Foote, but it only became widely known in 1967 when Nancy Sinatra performed it with her father, Frank.

It may seem a little unusual for a father and daughter to sing a romantic duet, but their version of "Somethin’ Stupid" became a massive international hit . Although the song was revived in 2001 by another duo—British singer Robbie Williams and Australian actress Nicole Kidman—Nancy and Frank’s rendition remains the most iconic.

8

Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton: "Islands In The Stream"

Image: 42 North

When the anti-disco backlash nearly ended their reign, the Bee Gees shifted their focus to writing hits for other artists. Originally, "Islands in the Stream" was intended as a soul song for Diana Ross or Marvin Gaye. However, it ended up becoming the quintessential country-pop duet—and one of the biggest hits of Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s careers.

The song is named after Ernest Hemingway’s posthumous novel, but its lyrics speak to the joy of finding that one person you’ve been searching for your whole life. Pretty romantic, don’t you think?

9

Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder: "Ebony And Ivory"

Image: Osman Rana

Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder released "Ebony and Ivory" in 1982, and it was an instant hit. Written by McCartney, the song addresses racial integration , using the black and white keys of a piano—working together to create harmony—as a metaphor.

Fun fact: McCartney and Wonder filmed their parts of the music video separately due to scheduling conflicts, but the final result was seamless nonetheless.

10

Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes: "Up Where We Belong"

Image: Paul Seling

This powerful and emotional ballad, performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, was released in 1982. The song was created for the soundtrack of the movie An Officer and a Gentleman and captures the essence of overcoming challenges and transcending through love.

"Up Where We Belong" won several major awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song . The combination of Cocker’s and Warnes’ passionate vocal performances and the rich instrumentation has made this song an enduring classic.

11

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

Image: AndNowProjekt

There’s nothing like the charismatic and luscious voices of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell to convince us of love’s healing power. "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" was released as a single in 1967 and became a huge hit.

This romantic anthem is just one of the iconic collaborations by the duo that helped define the Motown era, thanks to their vocal harmonies and onstage chemistry . Their list of great soul duets also includes "Your Precious Love," "Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing," and "You’re All I Need to Get By," among others.

12

John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John: "You’re The One That I Want"

Image: Mesh

Anyone who has seen the movie Grease is probably a fan of this iconic tune. Immortalized on screen in 1978 by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, the song transcended the boundaries of cinema, topped charts worldwide, reached number one in several countries, and became one of the best-selling singles of all time .

1

There is no official ‘Founding Fathers’ list

Image: The New York Public Library

Who can be called a Founding Father? The term was coined by Senator Warren G. Harding in 1916 and is used to refer to the leaders of the Revolutionary movement, but there’s no set list . While it is mainly used for key figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, the term applies broadly to those who signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution .

2

4th of July deaths

Image: Stephanie McCabe

The legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from the British Crown was voted by the Continental Congress on July 2nd, 1776, but was formally adopted on July 4th , immortalizing the date for the rest of American history. But did you know that it is also the death anniversary of three Founding Fathers?

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died July 4, 1826, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, while James Monroe died five years later, on July 4th, 1831. Interestingly, John Adams disliked the date chosen for celebrations, as he believed the day of the vote to be more significant.

3

Refusal to sign the Constitution

Image: Howard Chandler Christy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Constitutional Convention took place in 1787, from May to September. The Constitution of the United States was presented on September 28, 1787 , but nearly two years had to pass for it to be ratified by all the states, superseding the nation’s first constitution, the Articles of Confederation.

Not all signing constituents agreed on the final seven articles, among them Benjamin Franklin, but three of them in particular —George Mason, Edmund Randolph, and Elbridge Gerry— flat out refused to sign the document . Mason suggested the addition of a bill of rights, but was denied, a suggestion that would ultimately inspire the drafting of the Bill of Rights by James Madison.

4

A lawyer for the enemy

Image: National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Boston Massacre of 1770 was part of the incidents that prompted the start of the Revolutionary movement in the colonies. British soldiers stationed in Massachusetts to support the implementation of the Townshend Acts were confronted by an angry crowd. Overwhelmed, the soldiers opened fire without authorization, resulting in five deaths and six wounded.

During the subsequent trial, Founding Father John Adams worked as a defense lawyer for the British soldiers charged , a decision that prompted public criticism. However, he was a firm believer in the right to a fair trial for everyone, and argued that most soldiers had acted in self-defense. In the end, only two soldiers were convicted of manslaughter, a verdict Adams agreed with.

5

The origins

Image: Alex Boyd

None of the Founding Fathers was born an American (for obvious reasons), but most of them were born in the American colonies and had British origins . Out of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 47 were born in what is now U.S. territory.

The other nine? Eighth of them came from the British Isles : Two were English-born (Button Gwinnett, Robert Morris), three were Irish (George Taylor, Matthew Thornton, and James Smith), two were Scottish (James Wilson, John Witherspoon), and one was Welsh (Francis Lewis). The last one, Alexander Hamilton, was born in the British West Indies , now St. Kitts and Nevis.

6

The first signature

Image: David Nitschke

Have you ever wondered why people ask for a ‘John Hancock’ when they need a signature? It is all because of Founding Father John Hancock. One of the wealthiest men in the Thirteen Colonies, Hancock was a merchant (and smuggler) by trade, served as president of the Continental Congress, and as Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after the Revolution.

Why is he associated with a signature? John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence, and his signature stands out because it is visibly larger than the rest. According to legend, he claimed to have made it big so King George would be able to read it.

7

The anti-slavery clause that wasn’t

Image: Hussain Badshah

It is no secret that many Founding Fathers were slaveholders, but there was no unified opinion on the subject. Some, such as George Washington, freed their slaves in their wills, while others, such as Franklin, Paine, Hamilton, and Adams, were passionate abolitionists. Thomas Jefferson was a curious case: while he owned numerous slaves all his life, he was against the international slave trade and believed that America had to abolish slavery gradually to avoid civil unrest.

In his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson included his conflicted views on slavery in a paragraph condemning King George III for his role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the affronts to liberty caused by this. Ultimately, this clause had to be removed due to the objections of many delegates who supported slavery.

8

The vice president

Image: Ian Hutchinson

When the Constitutional Convention considered the best way to choose a chief executive (a.k.a., the president), they weren’t even considering the figure of the vice president , and had decided that the Senate would elect its own president. After creating the Electoral College, they realized that, being a new country, state loyalty would most likely outweigh loyalty to the union. The solution? Each elector had to choose two candidates, one of which should be from a different state. The two most-voted candidates would be president and vice president, respectively.

The first elected vice president, John Adams, was not happy with the position . He had received a huge amount of votes, but George Washington had still won in a landslide. Although he regarded the position as the "most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived", he took on his role as President of the Senate with the utmost dedication.

9

Confidence in the Constitution

Image: Adam Nir

It is difficult to believe that any Founding Father thought the Constitution to be perfect. After all, not only did some refuse to sign it, but they also included the possibility of amending it to better protect the stability and liberties of the country.

Some Founding Fathers, however, lacked confidence in the Constitution as a document. Benjamin Franklin expressed his disapproval of certain clauses . Still, he was not sure they could write one better, so he decided to sign it, faults and all, preferring to doubt himself than halt the constitutional process. On the other hand, Washington believed the Constitution to be much better than the Articles of the Confederation, but he expressed his doubts about the document lasting for more than twenty years.

10

A varied group of men

Image: Nathaniel Currier, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The centuries passed, and the wigs on the portraits have created the illusion of the Founding Fathers being a group of old men , but this is not exactly right. Although Benjamin Franklin was around 70 years old during the Revolutionary War, most Founding Fathers were young enough to fight and were between 30 and 45 years old.

The differences of age, background, and ideology between the Founding Fathers were the cause of many discussions, enmities, and rivalries, but these differences contributed to the foundation of the United States of America.