1

Singin’ in the Rain

Image: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

According to the American Film Institute, Singin' in the Rain is the greatest movie musical of all time . Its centerpiece is the film's title song, written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown and performed by the brilliant Gene Kelly.

The scene in which this melancholic melody is played has become a staple of American culture. "Singin' in the Rain" was later featured in dozens of films and remains a source of joy for many today.

2

Moon River

Image: Trailer screenshot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The theme song for Breakfast at Tiffany's was composed specifically by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini to be performed in Audrey Hepburn’s dreamy voice . The balcony scene in which Fred discovers Holly Golightly playing the song on the guitar is one of the most iconic moments in Blake Edwards' film—and to think it was almost removed from the final cut!

"Moon River" is such a timeless tune that it even won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and has been recorded by many other artists since its release in 1961.

3

Let The River Run

Image: David Jones

Remember those aerial shots of New York paired with the gorgeous music of "Let The River Run" in the title sequence of Working Girl ? Just epic!

The main theme of the 1988 film, directed by Mike Nichols, is one of the greatest of all time. Thanks to this song, Carly Simon became the first person in history to win an Oscar , a Golden Globe , and a Grammy for a track composed, written, and performed entirely by a single artist.

4

I Will Always Love You

Image: Hunters Race

Dolly Parton wrote "I Will Always Love You" in 1973. While it was a commercial success for the country legend at the time, it is Whitney Houston’s version of the song for The Bodyguard that everybody remembers.

Houston's 1992 pop ballad stayed at number one on the Billboard chart for 14 weeks and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. It also became the actress’s signature song.

5

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Image: Stainless Images

According to the American Film Institute, the greatest song in the history of cinema is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from _The Wizard of Oz_—and no wonder! The 1939 song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and was later inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural significance.

The ballad was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg with Judy Garland in mind . At just 16 years old, Garland delivered a masterful performance as Dorothy, and the scene remains one of the most iconic in film history.

6

What a Feeling!

Image: Juli Kosolapova

Written by Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey, and Irene Cara for the 1983 film Flashdance , "What a Feeling!" is one of the most defining songs of the decade. It’s fair to say the film includes other great tracks, like Michael Sembello's "Maniac" and Laura Branigan's "Imagination."

Yet, the main theme, played during the iconic audition scene, became a worldwide bestseller. It spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

7

Stayin' Alive

Image: NEOSiAM 2024+

The Bee Gees contributed several songs to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, but without a doubt, the most famous is "Stayin' Alive." This 1977 hit tune, along with John Travolta's iconic dance moves, defined the disco era .

"Stayin' Alive" became one of the British group's most popular songs, earning widespread recognition , including a Grammy Award and a spot on several "greatest songs of all time" rankings.

8

GoldenEye

Image: Quang Viet Nguyen

As its name suggests, this song, performed by the great Tina Turner , was written for the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye . It was composed by Irish musicians Bono and The Edge from U2 with Turner in mind.

Depeche Mode were originally asked to compose the film’s main theme but were too busy at the time. "GoldenEye" reached number two on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 when it was released as a single and, along with "Live and Let Die" by Paul McCartney and "You Only Live Twice" by Nancy Sinatra, is considered one of the best 007 theme songs !

9

It Must Have Been Love

Image: Malin Kettil, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The soundtrack of Pretty Woman , one of the best romantic comedies of all time, features several great songs—including Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman."

However, this time, we’d like to highlight "It Must Have Been Love," a bittersweet tune by Roxette . Originally released in 1987, the song was reintroduced when Touchstone Pictures wanted to feature a track by the Swedish pop duo in the 1990 film. Thanks to this re-release, it became a smash hit in the U.S. and around the world.

10

Eye of the Tiger

Image: Dolo Iglesias

Originally, Sylvester Stallone wanted to use Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" as the theme song for Rocky III . When permission was denied, he turned to the American rock band Survivor to write an original song.

Since then, "Eye of the Tiger" has achieved massive success and will forever be associated with Rocky Balboa . It remains one of the most frequently used songs at sporting events and is undoubtedly one of the greatest movie songs of all time.

11

My Heart Will Go On

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

Performed by Celine Dion, "My Heart Will Go On" is one of the most listened-to and best-selling songs of all time. Originally composed by James Horner as a motif for the Titanic soundtrack , it was later developed into the film’s official theme song.

This catchy tune, which won multiple Grammy Awards, is the perfect complement to Jack and Rose's tragic love story.

12

As Time Goes By

Image: Geert Pieters

Of course, we couldn't leave out of this list one of the most emblematic songs in film history: "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca . Play it again, Sam, and let us relive Ilsa Lund and Rick Blaine's unforgettable love story.

Originally composed by Herman Hupfeld for the 1931 Broadway musical Everybody's Welcome , the song achieved international fame thanks to one of Casablanca 's most memorable scenes. It became the foundation of the film’s soundtrack and was ranked No. 2 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs list.

1

Most Big Mac burgers eaten in a lifetime

Image: amirali mirhashemian

Sure, we all enjoy a delicious burger every now and then, but 34,000? That's the total number of Big Macs a 70-year-old retired prison officer from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, has consumed in his lifetime. Recently, after eating 728 more burgers throughout 2023, Donald Gorske has extended his world record.

On May 17, 1972, Gorske had his first Big Mac and from then on, he never stopped. Every day, he skips breakfast and goes straight for one burger at lunch and one at dinner, accompanied by fries or fruit. Gorske said he used to drive to McDonald's every day, but since retiring, he buys the burgers twice a week in batches and then heats them up in the microwave. What about you? If you had to choose just one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

2

Farthest distance to blow a pea

Image: Elena Leya

Some use the power of their lungs to run marathons, while others use it to break curious world records. On October 8, 2022, David Rush set out to accomplish a feat that, while unusual, required great precision and breathing control: the greatest distance traveled by a blown pea.

With a mixture of concentration and dexterity, Rush managed to blow a single green pea an impressive 84 feet, 11 inches. What makes this record even more remarkable is that he achieved this distance with a single breath. This accomplishment is just one more in the extensive list of Guinness World Records that the Boise, Idaho, resident has achieved in his lifetime; in fact, in August 2024, Rush became the world's top record breaker with 181 titles.

3

Largest collection of teddy bears

Image: MirelaSchenk

Not long ago, an American woman named Jackie Miley held the title for the largest collection of teddy bears. In her home in Rapid City, South Dakota, Jackie zealously guarded more than 8,000 teddy bears. The collection consisted of at least one bear representing each of the U.S. states and 29 different countries. She got her first bear during a vacation in 2000, and it wasn't until she reached 3,000 bears that she contacted Guinness World Records.

Unfortunately for Jackie, her record was beaten in 2019 by a Hungarian woman named Istvánné Arnóczki, who owns a total of 20,367 teddy bears. However, as far as stuffed animals go, the United States remains on the podium. In 2024, a 27-year-old from Mascoutah, Illinois, entered the Guinness World Records for having an impressive collection of 1,523 Squishmallows, a brand of stuffed toy launched in 2017 that boasts 3,000 different styles.

4

Longest birthday

Image: jarmoluk

Many of us wish our birthdays lasted a little longer than just 24 hours. Well, one young Hawaii native made that dream come true. On February 3, 2018, Paul Morgan celebrated his 28th birthday in a totally original way: by making it the longest birthday ever recorded. But how did he do it? He simply took advantage of the difference in time zones around the world! In doing so, he extended his special day to a total of 48 hours, breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest birthday in history.

Morgan began his epic celebration in Apia, Samoa, one of the first places in the world to welcome each new day. From there, he flew to Auckland, New Zealand, before heading to Los Angeles, and finally landing in Kauai, Hawaii. This carefully planned trip allowed him to cross several time zones and extend his birthday to twice as long as normal. Clever, huh?

5

Most candles on a cake

Image: Tim Cooper

And if we talk about birthdays, we can't miss cake! As we get older, candles multiply, but you'll never guess what the largest number of candles on a cake ever recorded is. In 2016, members of the Sri Chinmoy Center in New York, an Eastern philosophy spiritual group, achieved the world record for the most candles lit on a birthday cake.

They burned 72,585 candles for 40 seconds on a huge cake measuring 80.5 feet long and 2 feet wide. It took 100 volunteers to light them and a couple of fire extinguishers to put them out safely. We are not sure if the attendees were able to eat the delicious vanilla mousse sponge cake after such a blaze, but the video of the feat can be seen on YouTube. As of today, it has already been viewed by more than 220,000 people!

6

Most tricks performed by a cow in one minute

Image: leppäkerttu

It's not just humans who break world records, animals do too! In March 2023, a four-year-old Charolais cow named Ghost broke a Guinness World Record by performing 10 tricks in just one minute. This record, which might seem more fitting for a dog or a horse, is the sole merit of her owner’s ingenuity, Nebraskan Megan Reimann, who applied horse training techniques, such as positive reinforcement, to teach her a series of amazing skills.

Among Ghost’s incredible talents are her ability to come when called, turn, nod her head, give kisses, and even bow—all in just 60 seconds. The success of the "world's smartest cow" is not only a testament to her intelligence but also to the potential all animals have to learn and perform exceptional feats.

7

Highest number counted out loud

Image: Mishelved

This Guinness World Record is probably the exact opposite of counting sheep to sleep. In the summer of 2007, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama, named Jeremy Harper embarked on a feat that would test both his physical and mental endurance: counting out loud to the number one million without leaving his apartment.

For four months in a row, Harper live-streamed his quest on YouTube, capturing an audience of thousands around the world who tuned in to watch him recite more than 11,000 numbers a day. After 89 long days without breaks, sunlight, or privacy, Harper finally reached his goal and set the Guinness World Record for the highest number ever counted out loud.

8

Most bobby pins in a beard

Image: Alf van Beem, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Surely, when San Francisco-based cosmetics manufacturer Luis Marcus invented bobby pins in the early 20th century, he never imagined that a hundred years later they would be part of a world record. On July 21, 2021, Dean Banowetz, a California hairstylist, set out to accomplish a feat few would have imagined: placing the most bobby pins in a beard.

With precision and dedication, Banowetz managed to attach a total of 4,831 bobby pins to his own beard, surpassing all expectations and setting a unique world record. This stylist, who was already known as the Hollywood Hair Guy, proved that his skill goes beyond traditional hairdressing techniques, exploring the creative potential of something as simple as a bobby pin.

9

Heaviest kale

Image: Monika Borys

If humans and animals can break world records, why can't the vegetable world do it too? In August 2007, Scott Robb, a horticulturist from Palmer, Alaska, presented a kale at the State Fair that left everyone open-mouthed with its colossal size: 105 pounds, 14.5 ounces.

This achievement was no fluke but the result of years of perfecting farming techniques and a passion for growing giant vegetables. Robb is no stranger to the world of horticultural records; he also holds titles for growing the heaviest turnip (39.2 pounds), the heaviest kohlrabi (nearly 97 pounds), and the heaviest green cabbage (138.25 pounds). Robb's dedication has made Palmer, Alaska, a benchmark for gardening enthusiasts and Guinness World Records.

10

Largest hands and feet on a living teenager

Image: KlausHausmann

Eric Kilburn Jr., a 16-year-old from Michigan, has stamped his footprint in the 2025 Guinness World Records book—literally! With feet measuring 13.50 inches and hands just over 7.4 inches, Eric holds the title of "largest hands and feet on a teenager".

His shoe size is an impressive 23 American , while the average for an adult male typically ranges from 8.5 to 9. Before he rose to fame, his mother faced challenges having to get shoes custom-made for him; they cost more than US$ 1,500 a pair. Fortunately, after Eric’s story went viral, brands like Puma and Under Armour offered him custom shoes.

1

First president to live in the White House

Image: Raymond M.E. Aguirre

In 1790, President George Washington signed an act of Congress declaring that the government would reside in a district "not exceeding ten miles square […] on the river Potomac." Today, we all know what stands at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC. That's right! We're talking about the White House, an enduring symbol of the US presidency.

But it hasn't always been that way. The construction of the White House began in 1792 and only had its first resident 8 years later. He was President John Adams, who moved into the Executive Mansion with his wife Abigail in 1800.

2

First president with telephone in Office

Image: Carlos Eduardo

Nowadays, many of us can’t imagine getting anywhere without our cell phones. But in the 19th century, things were entirely different.

The landline telephone arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in the late 1870s, during the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes, shortly after Alexander Graham Bell had unveiled the communication device. It's said that President Hayes was interested in the technology and recognized its potential.

However, because the invention was so new, calls from the White House were rare. The first president to use the telephone frequently and regularly is considered to be William McKinley, who took office in 1897.

3

First president to serve two non-consecutive terms

Image: Josh Carter

Several men have had the honor of serving as president of the United States on more than one occasion, starting with none other than George Washington. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and others have served two consecutive terms.

But there was someone who, for the first time, served two non-consecutive terms as president: Grover Cleveland. That's right, Cleveland first took office in 1885 after defeating Republican candidate James G. Blaine in the election. In 1888, he lost the presidency to Benjamin Harrison. However, in 1892, Cleveland won again, assuming his second mandate in 1893.

4

First president to win the Nobel Peace Prize

Image: Sunguk Kim

Winning a Nobel Peace Prize is not something that happens every day, right? Fortunately, four US presidents have achieved this remarkable recognition.

The first was Theodore Roosevelt, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for his role in negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War. The other three presidents who received the Nobel were Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter (who was awarded the prize after leaving office), and Barack Obama.

5

First president born in the 20th century

Image: Florida Memory

The turn of the century is always a momentous and exciting event, and the first decades of the last century were quite... shall we say, "busy." The first president to serve during the 20th century was William McKinley, who was already in office at the turn of the century. But here’s a different question: who was the first future president born in the 20th century?

We're referring to none other than John F. Kennedy, who was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. At the age of 29, he won a seat in the House of Representatives, and six years later, he secured a position in the Senate.

Finally, in 1961, JFK was inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States.

6

First president to light the National Christmas Tree

Image: Gaby Dyson

The lighting of the National Christmas Tree by the president of the country has become a cherished tradition that beautifully reflects the American Christmas spirit.

This tradition began on December 24, 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge became the first to light the National Christmas Tree located at the Ellipse near the White House. The imposing tree stood 48 feet tall and was decorated with over 2,500 electric lights. Beautiful!

Fortunately, the presidents who followed Coolidge have continued this delightful Christmas custom, keeping the tradition alive for generations to enjoy.

7

First president on TV

Image: Yle Archives

In the 1930s, it wasn't common to see the president's face on TV. In fact, before 1939, no president had ever appeared on television while in office.

The first American president on TV was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who made his television debut on April 30, 1939, at the New York World's Fair. Although this might not seem so revolutionary today, at the time, it marked a turning point in political communication and how leaders connected with citizens. His speech is remembered for addressing important issues, such as the future of the nation and the world.

8

First president on color TV

Image: Aleks Dorohovich

Yes, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first US president to appear on TV, but Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first sitting US president who was lucky enough to appear on color television!

This detail, which seems trivial today, was a radical change at the time. When color TV arose, everything people watched on their living room screens began to better reflect the reality outside. Eisenhower made his color TV debut during the 1950s , delivering a speech as part of his re-election campaign—a moment that symbolized the merging of politics and modern technology.

9

First president to visit all 50 states

Image: David Lusvardi

We know that the United States of America is a big country. In fact, we're one of the largest countries in the world in terms of territory. For this reason, it can be a challenge to get to visit all 50 states that make up our nation in a short period of time. However, one president managed to accomplish this feat for the first time.

The president who achieved this milestone was Richard Nixon, the 37th president (1969-1974), when he visited Maine on October 22, 1972, marking the completion of his goal.

It’s worth noting, in fairness to all previous presidents, that Hawaii and Alaska didn’t become states until 1959.

10

First president on the internet

Image: Anthony Massaro

Although the origins of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that it became a widely popular and accessible phenomenon.

In line with global technological advances, the White House decided to incorporate the use of the Internet during the presidency of Bill Clinton, who officially became the first president to use the Internet for work purposes while in office.

But that wasn't all! Clinton also hosted an event that seemed unimaginable before —he organized a live chat from the White House. With that, Clinton was establishing the first direct communication between a US president and the public through the Internet.