Culture Culture 5 min read

Timeless Baddies

Mwahaha! Do you remember these 10 iconic American villains?

Image: Patrick Collins

What’s a good story without a bad guy ? For every knight in shiny armor, there needs to be a wickedly devious character to foil any do-gooder’s plan. Villains are a big part of what makes storytelling a compelling medium, so we decided to pay tribute to them with these 10 quintessential antagonists from American films, shows, and comic books. Get ready to practice your villainous laugh alongside these iconic characters!

1
The Joker

Image: Miggy Rivera

We’ll start with comic books’ most nefarious villain . Should an alien visit us tomorrow, it would be very hard to explain that a playing card-themed maniac is an archetypical antagonist to a bat-themed superhero. And yet, ever since appearing in Batman’s very first solo comic book, the Joker has proved again and again why he is known as "the Clown Prince of Crime".

Just like Batman, the Joker doesn’t have any superpowers besides his cunning and wicked sense of humor. Although definitively insane, he is remarkably smart, which is shown by his expertise as a chemist. He is responsible for creating his signature "Joker venom", a chemical compound capable of forcing anyone to smile.

2
The Green Goblin

Image: Uélvis Santana

The Green Goblin is to Spiderman what The Joker is to Batman. Another bad guy with a flare for theatricality (though almost all comic-book villains do), this flying menace soars through the air on his "Goblin Glider", his patented flying device.

Contrary to his superhero antagonist, this villain’s backstory is simple and selfish: wealthy industrialist Norman Osborn became this alter-ego to rule organized crime in New York City. Nowadays, Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of the Green Goblin in the 2001 "Spiderman" movie is perhaps this character’s most remembered iteration.

3
Hans Gruber

Image: Matt The Artist

There are many reasons why "Die Hard" is considered the very best action movie in history, from its groundbreaking setting to its amazing dialogue and fast-paced action. However, one of the most influential factors behind this movie’s legacy is Hans Gruber , the sophisticated and soft-spoken nemesis of John McClane.

Wonderfully portrayed by Allan Rickman, Gruber arrives at the fictional Nakatomi Plaza under false pretenses, with the sole purpose of stealing millions in bearer bonds. Rickman's superb performance almost made us feel bad when his plans got foiled by a certain adventurous NYPD detective. An action movie that made us feel bad about its bad guy! Can you imagine that?

4
Darth Vader

Image: André Volkmann

Should we add a spoiler warning for one of the most iconic reveals in the history of cinema? We won’t disclose it in the very (extremely) slim chance that you haven’t seen "The Empire Strikes Back". However, we are absolutely sure that you are familiar with science fiction's most memorable villain, even if you haven’t seen a single scene in any "Star Wars" movie.

Truly, Darth Vader needs no introduction: From his menacing mask, cold demeanor, and lightsaber skills, this Sith knight is truly a force to be reckoned with. What’s perhaps most iconic about Vader is his deep and powerful voice, provided by Hollywood legend James Earl Jones.

5
Wicked Witch of the West

Image: Ksenia Yakovleva

Granted, the 2003 musical "Wicked" made us realize that Elphaba, also known as "The Wicked Witch of the West" , was a truly nuanced character. However, by the time she received her dishonorable title in "The Wizard of Oz", Elphaba had become a dastardly green-skinned witch, hellbent on foiling the plans of Dorothy and her friends.

Margaret Hamilton’s performance in the 1939 version of "The Wizard of Oz" was so iconic that it cemented the look that most media witches would have over time: You can thank Hamilton for the pointy black hats, green make-up, and terrifying cackles you hear every Halloween.

6
Norman Bates

Image: Maxime Roedel

Just like with our Darth Vader entry, we have to ask: Is anyone not aware of the groundbreaking twist in Alfred Hitchcock’s most famous movie? We’ll once again have to tread lightly, but that doesn’t mean we can properly remember Norman Bates , the bone-chilling villain from "Psycho".

Portrayed by Anthony Perkins in the original 1960 movie and its 3 sequels, Norman Bates is the shy, mild-mannered proprietor of the "Bates Hotel", co-owned by Norman and his mother. However, anyone watching this classic thriller for the first time will quickly realize that there’s something sinister hiding in this hotel.

7
Hannibal Lecter

Image: Elchino portrait

You would expect someone nicknamed "Hannibal the Cannibal" to be a feral brute with an insatiable bloodlust, but Dr. Hannibal Lecter is, above all, well-mannered. While he definitively has the bloodlust part going, Lecter has been described as a soft-spoken, intelligent, and cultured monster since his first appearance in the 1981 horror novel "Red Dragon".

Most of us remember this character from Anthony Hopkins’ character in "Silence of the Lambs" and "Red Dragon", but did you know that there was a previous film portrayal of Hannibal Lecter? Scottish actor Brian Cox portrayed him in the 1981 film "Manhunter", although under the last name "Lecktor".

8
Xenomorphs

Image: Hossam el-Hamalawy, CC BY 2.0

When posters for the movie "Alien" first appeared in movie theaters, they had a simple yet terrifying tagline: "In space, no one can hear you scream". This 1979 horror masterpiece by Ridley Scott introduced the world to the now-iconic "Xenomorph", the perfect killing machine that haunts outer space.

Part of what makes the Xenomorph so memorable is its groundbreaking design, a huge departure from the traditional aliens depicted up to that point. It helps that they were designed by Swedish artist H.R. Giger, who in turn based them on his own 1976 surrealist painting "Necronom IV".

9
Lex Luthor

Image: Jon Tyson

Who knew that the perfect nemesis for "The Man of Steel" would be a bald billionaire? Lex Luthor is Superman’s lifelong and most-famous nemesis, always plotting to bring the world’s most powerful superhero to his knees.

In a way, the fact that Luthor has no superpowers other than his remarkable intellect is particularly fitting: While heavy-hitters like Doomsday or Metallo can physically hold their own against Superman, Luthor’s human greed and resourcefulness ultimately prove to be the biggest threat to this hero.

10
HAL 9000

Image: Axel Richter

We’ll end with the only robotic villain in this article. When audiences first met the artificial intelligence known as HAL 9000 in Stanley Kubrick’s groundbreaking "2001: A Space Odyssey", they were perplexed by how a single red light talking in a monotone yet calm voice could be so downright terrifying.

In truth, that’s part of what makes HAL such an incredible villain: He is not a sadistic, murderous monster, but rather a cold and calculating machine run by logic. HAL chooses to destroy the astronauts aboard the "Discovery One" only because he considers them a threat to the spacecraft’s plans. So, in a sense, this machine was only doing what it was programmed to do.

General General 6 min read

Sugar rush!

Dig into these 10 delightful American sweet treats!

Image: Christopher Ott

There’s a reason why the word "sweet" has become synonymous with a good and pleasant time: As anyone with a sweet tooth can attest, some of the best-tasting things in life are sweet. In that sense, America is definitively no stranger to sweet treats, as any of the mouth-watering items in this article can prove. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into and discover 10 of the most amazingly delicious American sweet treats. Enjoy!

1
Oreo

Image: ABHISHEK HAJARE

Who better to start this article than Milk’s absolute best friend? Oreo has been the king of American cookies since its very beginning. Dunk it, twist it, or just eat it: There’s no bad way to eat an Oreo.

Did you know that Oreos were originally sold as part of a trio of cookies? Not only that, they were sold under a much less marketable name: Hydrox, which doesn’t really fit such a delicious treat.

2
Snickers

Image: Joshua Fernandez

Have you ever wondered where the name "Snickers" comes from? You might be inclined to think that it comes from the hearty laughter that might arise after eating one of these delicious bars, but the answer is actually rather strange: It comes from a horse! Specifically, it was the name of the Mars family horse, who decided to immortalize their beloved stallion in 1930.

Regardless of its unusual name, Snickers is one of the most beloved candy bars in America, if not the world. Over their 90 years of history, they have produced a number of delicious variants of their traditional caramel and peanut filling, including dark and white chocolate, as well as peanut butter and almond.

3
Apple pie

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

We’ll continue with an American icon. If you ask anyone from outside the United States to choose 3 things to define our country, they’ll probably include apple pie . This beloved sweet treat is heavily associated with the 4th of July celebrations, but let’s be honest: There’s no bad time to have a slice or two of apple pie.

For such a culinary staple, apple pie definitely has a lot of variants. For instance, you can enjoy a delicious apple pie à la mode by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Other toppings include custard, whipped cream, or (surprisingly) a slice of cheddar cheese.

4
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Image: Terrance Barksdale

We debated which Reese’s product to include in this list: their delicious Peanut Butter Cups or their outstanding Pieces. We decided to go for the Peanut Butter Cup, if only for one reason. This amazing product was one of the first to showcase what a dynamic duo of chocolate and peanut butter make.

The story of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup s goes back to 1928, when H. B. Reese, a dairy farmer employed by the Hershey Company, decided to start his own candy company after he was let go of his job. The rest is history! Almost 100 years after, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are still one of America’s most cherished sweet treats.

5
Beignets

Image: Jessica Tan

If you ever find yourself in the beautiful city of New Orleans, you’ll be amazed by everything "The Big Easy" has to offer, from its amazing jazz, gorgeous architecture, and mouth-watering food. In that regard, take this piece of advice to heart: Don’t leave New Orleans without having some delicious beignets with a hot cup of coffee.

Like many of the things that make New Orleans so special, beignets come directly from French culture. They were most likely brought over by French colonists in the 18th century. However, Louisiana-style beignets stand out because they are topped with powdered sugar and are mostly eaten for breakfast.

6
Boston Cream pie

Image: Marko Klaric

Boston is known as "Beantown" for its affinity for beans, but don’t you dare think beans are the only culinary treat this city has to offer. With that in mind, we would like to present a slice of delicious Boston cream pie as evidence.

Many believe that the Boston cream pie was created in 1856 by Chef Mossburg Sanzian at the Parker House Hotel. Regardless of its origins, this cream-filled delicacy has grown to become a staple of Boston cuisine, being declared the city’s state pie in 1996.

7
Donuts

Image: Courtney Cook

If TV has taught us anything, it is that police officers and donuts go hand in hand. But let’s be honest: You don’t really need to be an officer to enjoy a delicious donut . This tasty treat has become an instantly recognizable pop icon, with its iconic shape and many colorful frostings.

It is believed that donuts were first brought to America by Dutch settlers, who brought a similar pastry called an olykoek to New York. In time, donuts would be happily adopted by the entire country. Nowadays, millions of these treats are consumed around America every day.

8
Hershey’s chocolate bars

Image: Janne Simoes

Let’s continue with " The Great American Chocolate Bar." Over 120 years ago, the very first Hershey bar was sold by American chocolatier and businessman Milton Hershey. This first bar unknowingly started one of the most lucrative and iconic chocolate companies in the world.

After that first bar sold at the start of the 20th century, Hershey has produced a myriad of iconic products, including their "Cookies ‘n’ Creme Bar" or their "Air Delight Bar." Regardless, you know that whenever you unwrap a delicious Hershey’s chocolate bar , you’ll find some of the world’s finest chocolate inside.

9
Cobbler

Image: Beyza Ç.

Let’s face it; the word " cobbler " is an awful-sounding word for such a delicious treat. Not only that, historians can’t seem to agree on where this name comes from. Many believe that it is a variant of the verb "to cobble", while others state that it comes from its resemblance to a ‘cobbled’ stone pathway. But we digress: Let’s instead just focus on how delicious they are.

Although originally created in the United Kingdom, cobblers are particularly popular in America, with many states and regions having their very own special variants. American cobblers are literally too many to mention, so we’ll just highlight a few of our favorites, like the "Brown Betty" (made with fruits and sweetened crumbles) or the "apple pan dowdy".

10
M&Ms

Image: Oksana Zub

We’ll end this article with one of America’s most iconic pieces of candy. At first glance, M&Ms are deceptively simple: They are just small and colorful pieces of chocolate. However, as anyone who has eaten a handful of M&Ms will tell you, there’s something magical to these small yet wonderful sweet treats.

M&Ms were created in 1941, inspired by a similar British product called "Smarties". The two Ms featured in the name come from Forrest Mars Sr., who created the product, and Bruce Murrie, stakeholder and son of Hershey Chocolate’s president.

History History 5 min read

Myth-busting America

Fact vs. fiction: 10 myths that shaped American history

Image: Markus Spiske

American history is loaded with stories—some true, some half-true, and many others pure myth. Despite historians' best efforts, a few tales have been repeated so often they’ve become almost inseparable from real events. Today, we’re separating fact from fiction with a look at 10 of the most common myths and misconceptions in American history. From young Washington's cherry tree to the actual date of the Declaration of Independence, the truth behind these historical myths may surprise you. But wouldn’t the Founding Fathers say that the truth is always worth knowing?

1
The first Thanksgiving feast

Image: Claudio Schwarz

The story of the first Thanksgiving is often heavily romanticized, but it was largely rooted in political and survival needs. Wampanoag leader Ousamequin reached out to the English at Plymouth not out of inherent friendship, but because his people had been devastated by epidemic disease and needed allies.

Moreover, English Thanksgivings were originally solemn occasions of fasting and prayer —quite different from today’s feasts of abundance and celebration. The truth is that around the 1760s, Pilgrim descendants in Plymouth, concerned about their declining cultural influence, began promoting the idea that the original Pilgrims were America’s founding fathers. The notion of a holiday symbolizing unity and friendship between colonists and natives gained traction, eventually shaping the Thanksgiving tradition we know today.

2
Paul Revere’s "Midnight Ride"

Image: Priscilla Du Preez

Though "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" is legendary, Revere certainly didn’t act alone. The famous silversmith was only one of several riders, including William Dawes and Samuel Prescott, who warned of the British army’s approach. To be fair, much of the well-known story was fabled by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem "Paul Revere’s Ride," which is far from a historically accurate account.

Additionally, Revere would have never shouted "The British are coming!"—that wouldn’t have made much sense, as most Massachusetts colonists still identified as British. The actual alert was closer to "The Regulars are coming," referring to British troops.

3
The frontier was lawless

Image: Idean Azad

Popular culture paints the American West as a wild, lawless frontier, but crime was actually lower in many Western towns than in Eastern cities at the time. Local codes, vigilante groups, and early forms of law enforcement helped keep order, even in the most remote pioneer towns.

Many towns established designated areas where firearms were off-limits, requiring visitors to put away their weapons before entering. Of course, cities like Dodge City and Tombstone had their rowdy moments, but local communities established governance quickly. In many cases, justice in the West was rough but effective, and it helped establish America’s early legal backbone.

4
Washington chopped down a cherry tree

Image: Terence Starkey

Though it’s deeply etched in American memory, the story of young George Washington confessing to chopping down a cherry tree is entirely fictional. This tale was fabricated by Parson Weems, Washington’s biographer, to depict him as morally upright and honest from an early age.

While the story is charming and has contributed to America’s sense of ethos, it underscores the tendency in early American history to create heroic, almost mythical personas for its leaders. Yet, Washington’s legacy hardly needs fabricated childhood anecdotes to shine; his real courage and dedication to his country speak for themselves.

5
The Liberty Bell rang on Independence Day

Image: Dan Mall

The story of the Liberty Bell ringing for independence traces back to a fictional tale by George Lippard in an 1847 issue of The Saturday Courier. In this story, an elderly bellman in the State House steeple anxiously awaited news of Congress’s decision. Doubting their resolve, he suddenly heard his grandson’s triumphant shout: "Ring, Grandfather! Ring!"

This story captivated the public and cemented the Liberty Bell’s association with the Declaration of Independence. However, historians now doubt that the bell actually rang in 1776; at the time the State House steeple was reportedly in poor condition, and the bell may not have been in use. Though many bells rang throughout Philadelphia on July 8 to celebrate the Declaration, whether the Liberty Bell itself rang remains uncertain due to a lack of contemporary accounts.

6
Betsy Ross made the first American flag

Image: Luke Michael

The story of Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag is one of America’s favorite tales, but the sad truth is that there’s no historical evidence to support it. The story only emerged nearly a century after the Revolution, when her grandson published the account in a paper for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870.

While the Continental Congress did approve a flag design in 1777, it’s unclear who actually made it. However, despite historians' doubts, the early flag design with 13 stars in a circle is still popularly known as "the Betsy Ross flag."

7
Orson Welles’ broadcast induced mass panic

Image: Muhammed ÖÇAL

It’s widely believed that Orson Welles’ 1938 radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds caused widespread panic across the United States, with listeners mistaking it for real news of an alien invasion. However, the actual extent of the panic was greatly exaggerated by newspapers looking to discredit radio as a rival news source.

While the broadcast did unsettle some listeners, most of the audience knew it was a dramatic performance. Reports of mass hysteria were largely fabricated, and ironically, the media’s reaction to the broadcast may be a greater testament to its power than Welles’ fictional invasion ever could be.

8
Cowboys wore big, flashy hats

Image: Brice Cooper

While movies and TV shows often show cowboys wearing wide-brimmed, flashy hats, most cowboys actually wore bowler or derby hats until the late 19th century. These hats were more practical and better suited for riding. Men also wore flat wool caps, Mexican sombreros, or even old Civil War hats like the kepi.

The wide-brimmed "cowboy hat" only became popular later and evolved into a cultural icon thanks to cinematic depictions of the Wild West. As with most things, in truth practicality ruled the range, and the stereotype of the cowboy hat developed more from fiction than reality.

9
Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity

Image: Felix Mittermeier

Benjamin Franklin’s famous kite experiment didn’t really "discover" electricity but rather demonstrated that lightning was a form of electrical energy. In fact, historians aren’t even sure whether he performed the famous experiment himself. At the time, scientists in Europe had been experimenting with electricity for decades.

That being said, Franklin’s findings did help advance science, and laid the groundwork for future innovations. His research not only led to the practical study of electricity, but his invention of the lightning rod also helped save both people and structures. In any case, Franklin never patented any of his inventions, believing that "products of the human imagination belonged to no one person," so he likely wouldn’t have wanted credit as the discoverer of electricity either.

10
The Fourth of July marks the signing of the Declaration

Image: Trent Yarnell

The Declaration of Independence is celebrated on July 4th, but the actual timeline of events is a bit more complex. Independence was formally approved by Congress on July 2, 1776, through the Virginia resolution, which officially severed ties with Britain. However, the text of the Declaration was subjected to intense debate and revisions before Congress approved the wording on July 4.

Further complicating things, the Declaration wasn't publicly read until July 8, and it took several more weeks before all signers had added their names. While some Founding Fathers, like John Adams, initially advocated for celebrating on July 2, the public ultimately gravitated toward July 4—the date displayed on the final document.

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