1

The Supremes

Image: Namroud Gorguis

The ‘60s gave us The Supremes, which was not only one of the most successful girl groups ever but also had the iconic Diana Ross among its members.

Have you heard "Stop! In the name of love / Before you break my heart / Think it over / Think it over"? But that unforgettable 1965 hit was not the Supremes' only success. They created many other hits, such as the famous "You Can't Hurry Love" from 1966. In fact, the group had 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100!

The influence of this successful group was so deep that it inspired and contributed to the flourishing and recognition of many other girl groups in the decades that followed, some of which are also on this list.

2

The Jackson 5

Image: Markus Spiske

The Supremes were not the only musical group that gave rise to an iconic solo star. The Jackson 5 appeared in 1964, featuring a very young Michael Jackson and his four brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon.

In the late ‘60s and ‘70s, the Jackson brothers achieved great success. In fact, one of their first singles, "I Want You Back," from 1969, became a number-one hit. When that song was played all over America, Michael Jackson was only 11 years old! Tunes like "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" are just a few of the other hits that followed.

In addition, The Jackson 5 had their own TV show, "The Jacksons" (from 1976 to 1977), and they were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997!

3

The Monkees

Image: Austin Prock

If you hear, "I thought love was only true in fairy tales..." you know how the lyrics of that song go on, right?

The Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night inspired an American series called The Monkees , televised from 1966 to 1968. If you watched it, you probably remember the musical band of the same name, created specifically for the show. Originally composed of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones, The Monkees achieved great musical success, particularly with the hit we just mentioned, "I'm a Believer," which remains famous worldwide.

4

The Ronettes

Image: Gayatri Pandkar

The '60s were prolific in musical groups, and one of the most popular was The Ronettes, a girl group formed by sisters Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector) and Estelle Bennett, along with their cousin Nedra Talley. Have you listened to some of their hits, such as "Be My Baby," "Baby, I Love You," and "Walking in the Rain"?

In addition to their catchy tunes, what distinguished The Ronettes was their style, characterized by dramatic makeup, beehive hairstyles , and iconic outfits.

Despite their influence, many years passed before they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 .

5

The Pointer Sisters

Image: Haley Lawrence

Pop, soul, R&B, jazz, country, and even dance music were some of the genres played by The Pointer Sisters, the girl group from Oakland, California, that rose to fame in the 70s. Their talent and versatility kept them going for several decades!

As their name suggests, The Pointer Sisters were a trio made up of sisters Anita, June, and Ruth Pointer. "I'm So Excited," "Jump (For My Love)," and "Fire" were some of the most famous hits of this three-time Grammy Award-winning group. Have you listened to them? You probably have!

6

New Kids on the Block

Image: Florian Schmetz

NKOTB was the coolest way to refer to the legendary New Kids on the Block (in fact, their fan base called themselves "NKOTB Nation"). Formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, this boy band triumphed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

NKOTB paved the way for other boy bands that emerged in the '90s, reshaping our concept of pop music. "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Hangin' Tough," and "Step by Step" were just a few of their many hits, which made them winners of several American Music Awards during their peak years. They also sold more than 80 million records worldwide!

If you want to remember NKOTB, you can listen to their songs, of course, but you can also visit their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where they've been honored since 2014.

7

Salt-N-Pepa

Image: Ben Wiens

In 1985, Queens , New York, saw the birth of Salt-N-Pepa, a legendary hip-hop group that became one of the first female groups in the genre.

Did you ever dream of forming a band when you were in college? We did! So did the members of Salt-N-Pepa. They not only made it happen, but they also became a huge success.

With hits like "Push It," "Shoop," "Whatta Man," and many others, these girls were everywhere. They had so much flow and rhythm that, in 2005, they were inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame!

8

Backstreet Boys

Image: Steve Johnson

If someone says, "Tell me why," many of us would probably respond with, "Ain't nothing but a heartache." And that's just one of the many ways the Backstreet Boys have left their mark across generations.

As one of the best-selling boy bands, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson were a sensation in the late '90s and early 2000s . Their music was everywhere, and fans were desperate to meet them.

As you know, they had several hits that we still remember, such as "I Want It That Way," "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," and "As Long As You Love Me." You've probably danced to the beat of some of these hit songs, right? Did you have a favorite?

9

Destiny's Child

Image: Rob Sarmiento

Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams were the final and best-known members of a girl group called Destiny's Child. Do any of these names ring a bell?

Big hits like "Say My Name" and "Bills, Bills, Bills"—which won them a couple of Grammy Awards, by the way—launched these women to total stardom. Destiny's Child was a constant presence on the charts during the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and had us all singing catchy lyrics like "Say my name, say my name / If no one is around you, say baby I love you."

In addition to several major hits that still live on in many people's minds and hearts, Destiny's Child gave us the incredible, iconic, record-breaking Beyoncé . What more could we ask for?

10

'N Sync

Image: Alphacolor

This list could never be complete without mentioning the unforgettable 'N Sync.

Not only was this one of pop's most legendary boy bands, but it also featured one member who eventually became a solo superstar. Yes, you guessed it— we're talking about Justin Timberlake! He, along with JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass, formed 'N Sync in 1995. Their first album, released in 1998, sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and included hits like "I Want You Back."

The faces of the 'N Sync members were everywhere: on posters, T-shirts, dolls, and all sorts of merchandise, selling out not just in the U.S. but also in other parts of the world. Remember their performance at the 2001 Super Bowl ?

1

Alaska SeaLife Center - Seward, Alaska

Image: David Clode

Alaska truly is the last frontier. Its wildlife is as vast as its land, and its sealife is equally incredible. To get a closer look at many of these creatures, the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward offers an excellent opportunity.

The only public aquarium in the state, the center combines regional exhibits with marine research, education, and wildlife rehabilitation. At this unique facility, visitors can observe regional birds in the aviary, view an undersea kelp forest, or watch seals and Steller sea lions at play in the Rocky Coast exhibit.

2

National Aquarium - Baltimore

Image: naomi tamar

The National Aquarium in Baltimore is home to a wide range of exhibits, from an Amazon River forest to an Atlantic coral reef and more. Visitors can encounter an incredible array of creatures , enjoy interactive experiences , watch 4D films , and even participate in aquarium sleepovers .

Aside from its exhibitions, the National Aquarium's conservation work is geared toward combating climate change, protecting wildlife and their habitats, and reducing plastic pollution. Recent visitors have also raved about the dolphin show.

3

Shedd Aquarium - Chicago

Image: Caroline Hernandez

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago gives visitors an up-close view of a variety of aquatic animals, including jellyfish, seahorses, and giant Pacific octopuses. The aquarium offers animal encounter experiences with beluga whales, sharks, penguins, stingrays, and sea otters.

There are also plenty of exhibits to explore. Pacific white-sided dolphins, belugas, California sea lions, and sea otters can be observed from both underwater and above-water viewing areas. The Polar Play Zone allows children to learn about life at the North and South poles in a kid-sized submarine, feeling the texture of a starfish in the touch pool, and admiring the underwater viewing area.

4

Tennessee Aquarium - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Image: Shane Rounce

The Tennessee Aquarium is divided into two separate buildings for freshwater and ocean exhibits , showcasing thousands of animals, including the macaroni penguin, sand tiger shark, alligator snapping turtle, hellbender, and giant Japanese spider crab.

The River Journey building features the Turtles of the World gallery, an Appalachian cove forest habitat, the River Giants exhibit, and more. In Ocean Journey , visitors will find a butterfly garden, a tropical cove habitat, and the Boneless Beauties exhibit, among other highlights.

5

Seattle Aquarium - Seattle

Image: Craig Lovelidge

Aquatic life in Puget Sound can be witnessed through the Seattle Aquarium's one-of-a-kind, 360-degree Underwater Dome , which displays local fish in a 400,000-gallon habitat . Set on two historic piers, the aquarium educates visitors about Puget Sound and the ocean at large through exhibits, events, conservation and education programs, research activities, and more.

At the Family Activity Center, guests of all ages can participate in hands-on activities to learn about the majestic orcas of the Pacific Northwest. The aquarium's species recovery program works to save animals from extinction through research, field conservation, and more.

6

Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach, California

Image: Julien Maculan

The Aquarium of the Pacific, in Long Beach, California, features habitats from the tropical Pacific Ocean, northern Pacific waters, and the Southern California/Baja region. As Southern California's largest aquarium, it houses more than 12,000 animals across 100-plus exhibits highlighting aquatic life in the Pacific Ocean.

The state-of-the-art Pacific Visions wing offers guests an interactive experience through film, art, and technology. Visitors can see what it's like to be an aquatic vet at the Molina Animal Care Center, and then learn about water sources and conservation at the Our Water Future exhibit.

7

New England Aquarium - Boston

Image: David Clode

The New England Aquarium features an open-air exhibit space for seal and sea lion training, the four-story Giant Ocean Tank, an Indo-Pacific coral reef habitat, an exhibit spotlighting Atlantic harbor seals , and the Simons Theatre with its nearly five-story-tall movie screen.

Aside from the indoor and outdoor exhibits, the aquarium's research division conducts ocean exploration and conservation through a plethora of initiatives like saving sea turtles and protecting North Atlantic right whales.

8

Shark Reef Aquarium - Las Vegas

Image: SGR

An aquarium is probably not the first thing that comes to one’s mind when thinking about Las Vegas, but the Shark Reef Aquarium is well worth a visit. With more than 2,000 animals, it features jellyfish, sharks, sea turtles, and even crocodiles.

Guests can feed stingrays, sea turtles, or even a zebra shark, or try out the Undersea Explorer VR Theater for an immersive digital experience.

9

Aquarium of Niagara - Niagara Falls, New York

Image: Shaun Low

Visitors can find more than 120 animal species at the Aquarium of Niagara, including many rescues that are unable to survive in the wild. The Penguin Coast exhibit is home to a colony of 14 Humboldt penguins , and the aquarium showcases over 100 species of fish and invertebrates from both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems , as well as several species of seals and sea lions .

In the summer of 2024, the aquarium unveiled the Great Lakes 360 experience with an interactive sturgeon touch pool and 16 new exhibits highlighting animals from the Great Lakes and Niagara River ecosystems.

10

Georgia Aquarium - Atlanta

Image: David Clode

At the enormous Georgia Aquarium, visitors can get close to rays, dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and sea otters, or even go behind the scenes at a dolphin training session. The aquarium focuses on conservation education and fostering positive connections between humans and animals.

The Ocean Voyager exhibit features a 100-foot-long underwater walk-through tunnel that displays more than 50 species.

1

Monopoly

Did you know that Monopoly played a key role in the European theater of World War II? Originally conceived in 1903 by Elizabeth Magie Phillips as The Landlord's Game to highlight the inequities of capitalism, the board game was later rebranded by Parker Brothers in 1934.

When thousands of Allied soldiers, including Americans, were captured by German forces during WWII, the British Secret Service began manufacturing specialized editions to be smuggled into prisoner camps inside Red Cross packages. The German guards welcomed the games as harmless ways for prisoners to pass the time. Little did they know, these boxes contained customized silk maps, real local currency, and precise escape routes hidden within the board and game pieces. Intelligence experts estimate that up to 10,000 Allied soldiers successfully escaped enemy capture because of these rigged board games.

2

Silly String

In the early 1970s, inventors Leonard A. Fish and Robert P. Cox were working on an aerosol spray-on cast for broken limbs. Although they failed spectacularly, they patented the sticky mess as "foamable resinous composition." Eventually, American toy company Wham-O picked it up and re-labeled it as Silly String.

Decades later, this joke device went to war. In 2006, while stationed in Iraq, Specialist Todd Shriver and his unit found themselves lacking official gear to safely detect the invisible tripwires used to detonate explosives. Because the spray of Silly String could shoot more than 10 feet away and was very light, it became an unlikely but useful tactical tool.

3

Slinky

In 1943, naval engineer Richard James was attempting to design a spring system for naval battleships. When he accidentally knocked one of his prototypes off a shelf, he watched in fascination as it walked down a stack of books, onto his desk, and onto the floor. The Navy never bought his invention, but the world got the Slinky, selling over 100 million units in its first two years alone.

Years later, the toy’s military purpose came into fruition during the Vietnam War. U.S. communications troops operating in dense jungles frequently struggled with terrible radio reception. They quickly discovered that a standard steel Slinky could be stretched out and tossed over high tree branches to serve as an effective improvised antenna.

4

View-master

When the View-Master made its grand debut at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, it was marketed as an alternative to scenic postcards. Co-inventors Wilhelm Gruber and Harold Graves paired standard stereoscopes with circular cardboard reels containing seven 3D color film images, which allowed people to marvel at the Grand Canyon from the comfort of their homes.

By 1942, the United States military realized that this photographic novelty could become a useful tool. In the midst of WWII, the U.S. Armed Forces purchased more than 100,000 View-Master viewers and commissioned thousands of custom-made reels. Instead of tourist images, these reels featured detailed, three-dimensional models of enemy aircraft, naval vessels, and artillery. It allowed troops to practice identification, making it a critical asset for gunners and pilots.

5

Silly Putty

Silly Putty is another marvel of accidental wartime engineering. During WWII, the United States faced shortages of natural rubber due to several blockades. In an attempt to create a cheaper alternative, General Electric engineer James Wright mixed silicone oil with boric acid. The result didn’t work for tires, but it became a hit when packaged inside plastic eggs.

Eventually, this gooey and bouncy material caught the attention of NASA. In 1968, the crew of Apollo 8 packed Silly Putty into their spacecraft. In the zero-gravity environment, the astronauts used the sticky compound to secure their gear to the walls to prevent it from floating away around the cabin.

6

Buzz Lightyear

While Buzz Lightyear began his life as a fictional space ranger in Pixar’s 1995 hit Toy Story, the physical action figure manufactured by Thinkway Toys achieved a few real-world milestones that would make Andy proud.

In 2008, NASA launched an authentic Buzz Lightyear action figure into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Buzz spent a staggering 15 months living aboard the International Space Station. There, he worked alongside astronauts to film educational videos designed to teach school children across America about weightlessness, orbital mechanics, and microgravity physics.

7

LEGO

The famous toy company was founded by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen in 1949. While LEGO first reached the US in the early 1960s, the plastic interlocking bricks didn’t become massively popular until the 1970s. Once American children adopted the new toy, it completely reshaped modern STEM education.

Although schools had experimented with bricks for decades, LEGO allowed teachers to develop structured curricula designed to teach kindergarteners fine motor skills and spatial mathematics. By the time those students reached high school, LEGO’s advanced kits were serving as the backbone for introductory robotics, engineering, and programming courses nationwide.

8

Mr. Potato Head

Created by American inventor George Lerner in 1951 and distributed by Hasbro, the original Mr. Potato Head didn’t include a plastic body, just sharp metal pins attached to plastic facial features. Despite the risk of children stabbing themselves, the toy made history as the very first toy ever advertised on television.

From there, Mr. Potato Head had a surprising career as a public servant. In 1985, he received four legitimate votes during the mayoral election in Boise, Idaho. In 1987, he officially dropped his plastic pipe to become the face of the American Cancer Society's "Great American Smokeout" anti-smoking campaign. He later joined forces with the League of Women Voters to boost voter turnout and today acts as an official travel ambassador for the state of Rhode Island.

9

Cabbage Patch Kids

When American businessman Xavier Roberts first created his "Little People" in 1978, nobody could have predicted that they would spark Black Friday riots by 1983. But beyond the hysteria, Cabbage Patch Kids went on to become national ambassadors.

In 1992 and 1996, the United States Olympic Committee selected the dolls as the first-ever official mascot of the US Olympic Team, traveling with the athletes to Barcelona and Atlanta. In 1999, the U.S. Postal Service immortalized them on a stamp celebrating the icons of 1980s American culture. Over the years, the franchise has collaborated with NASA on science education and raised thousands of dollars for disaster relief efforts.

10

Teddy Bear

Did you know Teddy Bears were born in the United States? In 1902, a Russian-born businessman and inventor named Morris Michtom was inspired by a cartoon published in The Washington Post to create what would become the most beloved toy in America. The cartoon depicted President Theodore Roosevelt showing compassion for a bear on a hunting trip in Mississippi.

Morris Michtom made a small plush bear cub, sent it to Roosevelt, and asked for permission to use his nickname, Teddy. After the president’s blessing, Mitchom placed the doll in the window of his Brooklyn store with the caption "Teddy’s bear." The success was so great that he began mass- producing them, and within a few years, he founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, which would become the largest doll-making firm in the United States.