1

The Everest

Image: Martin Jernberg

James Whittaker made history as the first American to achieve one of the most difficult things in the world.

In 1963 , Whittaker, then 34 years old , became the first American to reach the summit of the highest mountain on the planet, Mount Everest , as part of the American Mount Everest Expedition led by Norman Dyhrenfurth.

Facing challenging weather and low temperatures, Seattle-born Whittaker conquered the summit of the Himalayan giant, which stands at 29,035 feet high! Can you picture yourself on such an expedition?

2

The astronauts

Image: NASA

The 1960s definitely transformed history, marking a period when humanity first traveled into outer space. The first American to reach space was Alan Shepard on May 5, 1961 . After a successful flight of 15 minutes and 22 seconds, Shepard's spacecraft splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean. Shepard didn’t complete an orbit of Earth on that trip, but John Glenn arrived and became the first American to orbit our planet on February 20, 1962 .

Of course, these amazing achievements were necessary for Neil Armstrong to take his historic step onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969 , becoming the first American -and the very first human- to do so.

Want to know who was the first American woman in space ? The title went to Sally Ride , who reached outer space in 1983 .

3

The Skyscraper

Image: Pedro Lastra

Yes, skyscrapers dominate the skyline of many cities in our country today. However, there was a time when there were none. And the title of America's first skyscraper went to the Home Insurance Building in Chicago.

Designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney and completed in 1885 , it was the first to use a structural steel frame. Although iconic and unique in its time, it was demolished in 1931 to build what is now the Bank of America Building.

4

The Nobel

Image: caleb weiner

You'll be happy to know that the first Nobel Prize won by an American was in the Peace category. It was awarded to none other than Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 for his role and contribution to ending the Russo-Japanese War.

Roosevelt stood out precisely for inviting representatives from Russia and Japan to a peace conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1905. Of course, the task was not an easy one, but Teddy was determined. His efforts ended in a historic peace agreement known worldwide as The Treaty of Portsmouth.

5

The flight

Image: History in HD

The Wright brothers ' story is one of the most famous. Coming from Dayton, Ohio , these two brothers are credited with inventing the first powered airplane and making the world's first successful flight with it.

But which of them was the first American to fly? Well, it seems Wilbur Wright, the older of the two, gave the honor to his younger brother. So, it was Orville who made history as the first to pilot the successful aircraft.

Orville piloted the first sustained flight of a powered aircraft in December 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina . His flight lasted 12 seconds and flew a distance of 120 feet. True pioneers!

6

The University

Image: Somesh Kesarla Suresh

388 years is a really long time, right? Well, that's the amount of time that has passed since the first university was founded in the territory of what would eventually become the United States of America.

We are talking about the prestigious Harvard University , born in 1636 in what was then the Massachusetts Bay Colony , with the aim of training clergy. Originally called "New College," the institution was later renamed Harvard College in honor of John Harvard , its first major benefactor.

7

The baseball team

Image: Caitlin Conner

Whether you prefer football, ice hockey, baseball, or basketball, it's undeniable that these four sports best represent our nation.

But only one has earned the title of "America's pastime." Of course, we're talking about baseball . One of the most popular sports today, it was also the earliest to establish a professional team.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings , established in 1869 , were the first professional baseball team in our country. When all the teams were still amateur, the Red Stockings became the first team with paid players, leading the way for the rest of the teams and for the eventual establishment of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1871.

8

The Flag

Image: Samuel Branch

Every independent country needs a flag to symbolize its identity and ideals. The US flag , in particular, has gone through a series of changes that show the nation's journey through history. First hoisted by George Washington on January 1, 1776 , at Prospect Hill in Somerville, Massachusetts , our first National Flag was born during the years of the Revolution .

Known as the "Continental Colors," this unofficial flag was adopted in 1775 as a symbol of the Continental Army . Its design had 13 red and white stripes , symbolizing the 13 original colonies, and the Union Jack in the upper left corner.

As the Revolutionary War progressed, the Continental Congress considered a series of changes to our flag to better represent the united colonies and their desire for independence. Thus came the "Stars and Stripes" new design on June 14, 1777 , which replaced the Union Jack with 13 white stars, initially often arranged in a circle.

9

The Oscar

Image: Mirko Fabian

If you are a movie enthusiast , this fact is probably already in your memory. And if you're not, it's still a good fact worth knowing.

The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929 , and featured nominations for classic films like The Racket and Seventh Heaven , both released in 1927.

But the movie that stole the show was Wings , also from 1927 , directed by William A. Wellman and starring Clara Bow, Charles Rogers, and Richard Arlen. This silent film about WWI was the very first to win the category then known as "Outstanding Picture," which today we call "Best Picture." It was notable for its realistic aerial battles and special effects of excellent quality for its time. If you haven't seen it yet, this is your cue to do so!

10

The National Park

Image: Austin Farrington

From expansive deserts to dense forests, and from delightful beaches to impressive mountains, our country's landscapes and biodiversity are truly amazing.

Many of these natural sites have earned the title of National Parks , which guarantees their protection and conservation for the joy of locals and tourists. And while today we have many national parks to visit, there was once a first.

The very first was the great Yellowstone National Park , designated by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872 . Located in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, this natural site set a precedent for the conservation of our land's natural areas. Have you already visited it?

1

Watching TV together at a fixed time

Back when the only screen in the house was the TV in the living room, families gathered every night to watch their favorite shows at a specific time.

Long before streaming services let us pause, rewind, skip commercials, binge, or watch on demand, families built their evenings around the TV schedule. Shows like I Love Lucy , The Ed Sullivan Show , and later M A S H and The Cosby Show gave millions of Americans something to laugh and talk about together the next day. By the 2000s, though, that shared experience began to fade. With endless entertainment available anytime on phones, tablets, and computers, families no longer had to gather around one screen at one set hour.

2

Drive-in movies

A night at the drive-in was about much more than just watching a movie. Families piled into the car with blankets and snacks, kids often already wearing their pajamas, while teenagers saw it as the perfect date night. It was a kind of movie experience that today’s theaters can’t quite recreate.

But beginning in the 1970s, many drive-ins started disappearing. Growing suburban property values made those huge lots that provided low-cost entertainment harder to maintain, while cable TV and VHS gave families an easier and cheaper option: staying home to watch movies instead. Despite all this, drive-ins didn’t disappear completely. Around 300 are still operating across the country today, including famous spots like Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Middle River, Maryland, home to one of the largest movie screens in America, at 52 feet high by 120 feet wide.

3

Browsing the Sears catalog before Christmas

Long before Amazon, we had another way to shop remotely: the famous Sears catalog. For many families, the arrival of the Sears Christmas "Wish Book" was one of the signs that the holiday season had begun.

Kids spent hours flipping through its pages, circling toys they dreamed of, while parents browsed everything from clothes and appliances to tools and furniture. You filled out an order form, mailed in a check, and waited for your package to arrive. First introduced in 1933, the beloved Wish Book remained a holiday tradition for generations, but as online shopping grew and Sears struggled to keep up with changing times, the iconic catalog slowly disappeared before being discontinued in 2011.

4

Larger celebrations

Years ago, holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving often meant one thing: the whole family gathering in one house. The turkey had to be big enough for everyone, and folding tables appeared out of nowhere for cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Holiday gatherings are still an important American tradition, but they are often smaller than they used to be. Today, many families celebrate with only close relatives or a few friends instead of the massive family reunions. And there’s something that explains part of this phenomenon: in earlier generations, these holidays were one of the few chances extended families had to truly reconnect. Long-distance calls were expensive, travel was harder, and there were no video calls to keep everyone in touch year-round. Ironically, even though we were far apart, we actually saw each other in person more often.

5

Waiting for photos to be developed

For much of the 20th century, capturing memories meant waiting days, sometimes weeks, for vacation and holiday photos to be developed. And that wait was part of the fun. There was always a little excitement in wondering how the pictures had turned out, along with the surprise of discovering funny or beautiful moments you didn’t even remember capturing.

Those photos didn’t stay buried in a phone gallery; they filled family albums, sat in frames around the house, and became something families pulled out to relive old memories. But beginning in the 1980s, instant cameras like Polaroid and later digital photography slowly changed all that. Today, we can instantly take and keep thousands of pictures, but nothing compares to the analog experience.

6

Popping over to a friend’s house unannounced

Young people today often wonder how we made plans, checked if friends were home, or stayed connected before cell phones. The answer is as simple as life was back then: people just showed up.

Before texting and instant messaging, it was completely normal to stop by a friend’s or neighbor’s house unannounced, ring the doorbell, and see if they were around. Today, with constant digital communication, that kind of spontaneity has largely faded. Sometimes, showing up without warning is now seen as rude rather than friendly. But in many ways, that shift makes sense: busier schedules and a greater need for privacy have naturally led to a more planned way of life.

7

Sending Christmas cards and holiday postcards

Long before emails, group chats, and social media, sending Christmas cards and postcards was one of the most common ways we stayed connected during the holidays.

Although the tradition began in Britain, it truly took off in the US in the 1870s, thanks in large part to German immigrant Louis Prang, whose beautifully printed Christmas cards became wildly popular across the country. By the early 20th century, mailing holiday cards had become a cherished American tradition, with families eagerly checking the mailbox throughout December. The custom is still alive today, but it is no longer as central to the holiday season as it once was. Even so, we still send an estimated 1.3 to 1.6 billion Christmas and holiday cards every year.

8

Using paper road maps

For decades, almost every car had one thing tucked inside the glove compartment: a folded paper road map. Long before GPS and smartphones, knowing how to read a map was a requirement for any traveler.

Gas stations often gave them away for free, and on family road trips, one person usually drove while another tried to follow the route and give directions, sometimes correctly, sometimes not. Getting lost, arguing over the map, and struggling to fold it back up were all part of the experience.

9

Midnight Black Friday shopping

Do you remember when people spent a night outside stores, waiting for the doors to open on Black Friday? As the shopping frenzy grew in the late 2000s, major retailers like Target, Best Buy, and Macy’s pushed their opening hours earlier and earlier, until many stores were opening right at midnight.

Shoppers bundled up in coats, stood in long lines, and rushed through the doors to grab the year’s hottest TVs, toys, and holiday gifts before they sold out. It was chaotic, exhausting, and for many, surprisingly fun. But once online shopping and home delivery became faster and easier, those midnight shopping crowds slowly began to disappear. By the 2010s, the tradition was already fading away.

10

Door-to-door caroling

A few decades ago, opening the door during Christmastime often meant being greeted by neighbors or local groups singing carols. From the late 19th into the early 20th century, caroling was a community tradition, with churches, schools, and neighborhoods organizing routes.

Over time, the tradition began to fade. As cities grew and daily life became more fast-paced, privacy and safety concerns changed how people interacted with their neighbors. Today, door-to-door caroling is much less common, though it still survives in some communities. But America still loves the music: According to the market research company "YouGov," about 75% say they listen to holiday songs or carols at home during the season.

1

Jones Cream Soda

Image: Kevin Butz

Cream soda is a sweet soft drink, typically flavored with vanilla and inspired by the taste of an ice cream float . Many brands and variations can be found across America, and its roots can be traced to at least 150 years ago. Interestingly, Jones Cream Soda, which started in 1886, is not even the oldest one around.

This drink is available in both regular and diet options, and it's also one of the most popular mixers for alcoholic beverages. Cream soda is one of those drinks people associate with their childhood, and it's the perfect perfect pairing for ice cream.

2

Dr. Brown’s Root Beer

Image: David Trinks

Root beer is a sweet and classic American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree as the primary flavor . Root beer is usually alcohol and caffeine-free, sweet, and carbonated, with a thick, foamy head.

Dr. Brown's version of this classic soda is unbeatable, offering a harmonious blend of sugar and spice. It’s not just sweet—it boasts a distinct celery seed earthiness that keeps every sip interesting.

3

Olipop Lemon Lime

Image: Mariah Hewines

Lemon lime drinks have been around for a long time now (just ask Sprite or 7-Up), but Olipop manages to add a new twist to this old classic. This fizzy tonic boasts prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanicals, which not only taste great but also help your digestive health.

Olipop is also low in sugar, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in sweetness. It uses cassava root and other alternative sweeteners to maintain its delicious flavor.

4

Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water

Image: Nick Fewings

Tonic water is often considered a soda for adults due to its bitter taste. However, the brave ones who love this delicious beverage will find Fever-Tree’s Mediterranean Tonic Water has the perfect mix of bitterness for tonic water fans, but a balanced flavor that makes it appropriate for people who are just dipping their toe into the tonic water.

In addition to that traditional quinine flavor, this tonic is infused with rosemary and lemon thyme , adding a layer of complexity to its taste.

5

Cheerwine

Image: sq lim

Named for its color and taste, Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink with a mildly sweet flavor with strong cherry notes, most notably black cherry . It is burgundy-colored and has an unusually high degree of carbonation compared to other soft drinks.

Cheerwine is widely available throughout the southeastern United States, from Maryland to Florida, but it is best known and beloved in the Carolinas.

6

Sangrita Blast Mountain Dew

Image: Ashley Kirk

As the "Limited Edition" tag implies, this product was only available for a limited time, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression. Sangrita Blast, a Citrus Punch-flavored Mountain Dew with a maroon hue, was available at Taco Bell restaurants from 2013 to 2017. It was also released in cans and bottles in 2015 for a short period.

7

Cactus Cooler

Image: Thomas Verbruggen

Cactus Cooler is an orange-pineapple-flavored soft drink sold primarily in Southern California and the surrounding Southwestern region. The orange flavor is very present, with the pineapple appearing a bit behind but adding a layer of complexity to the overall flavor.

This soda has no caffeine, making it a safe product for anyone who gets the jitters from caffeine-infused beverages.

8

United Sodas Toasted Coconut

Image: Jonas Dücker

The words "healthy" and "soda" are not usually heard together but this is one of those occasions. United Sodas is a healthy soda brand that offers products with a lightly carbonated fizz and low sugar content.

Their Toasted Coconut flavor stands out with its distinctive coconut taste. Each can contains fewer than 30 calories, has no artificial ingredients, and is organically sweetened —making it the perfect alternative for health-conscious soda lovers.

9

Boylan Creme Soda

Image: Gourmet Lenz

Even if we started this list with a cream soda, we couldn’t leave out Boylan’s version. This glass-bottled beverage has a rich vanilla flavor and a robust amount of carbonation that make it very easy to drink.

While many cream sodas can be overly sweet, Boylan’s is refreshing, complex, and downright delicious. The use of cane sugar gives it a crisp, clean flavor all the way to the last drop.

10

Moxie

Image: Tom Paolini

The last entry on our list is a bitter and herbal soda named Moxie. It originated in Maine in the late 1800s as a patent medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food." It is flavored with gentian root, sassafras, wintergreen, and other herbs.

Though still somewhat unique to the Northeast, Moxie has become more widely available in specialty and larger grocery stores since Coca-Cola acquired the brand in 2018. Have you ever seen it?