51. NASCAR
Red states, blue states, and a season that lasts ten months a year. Truly America’s sport.

52. The Great Gatsby
Did anyone not read this in high school? A remake of the movie is in the works starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway.

53. Gatorade
From the University of Florida to national hangover beverage — okay, it’s a sports drink too.

54. Sandusky, Ohio
It’s known for its roller coasters, but it also has a 13.37% job-growth rate — the highest of any metropolitan area in the country in the past year.

55. Times Square
The lights, the shows, the crowds, the tourists (the jury’s still out on the new pedestrian plazas).

56. Aretha Franklin
At 69, she’s still — and forever — the Queen of Soul.

57. Independent bookstores
Powell’s in Portland, Ore., Kepler’s in Menlo Park, Calif., the Strand in New York City.

58. 60 Minutes
At 43 years, the longest-running primetime show is also the most successful broadcast in history, with 82 Emmys.

59. Clif Bars
The iconic energy bar. Yes, it’s come to this.

60. Seinfeld
Yadda, yadda, yadda.

61. Diet Coke
That perfect bubbly taste you can feel slightly better about drinking.

62. Gmail
So easy to use, so customizable, so much storage. Well done, Gmen.

63. The Grand Canyon
Still the not-to-be-missed family vacation.

64. Men and Women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces
Thanks.

65. Clint Eastwood
And now, in his latest incarnation, drinking PBR on his porch in Gran Torino.

66. E-ZPass
No more tossing coins through your window — keep on cruising, and they’ll send you the bill.

67. Jonathan Franzen
From The Corrections to Freedom, they’re a long time in the writing, but worth it.

68. Windex
An S.C. Johnson product, an American idea!

69. Michelle Obama
A formidable presence who’s brought her own form of glam to the White House.

70. Gibson les Paul
Namesake instrument of the electric guitar pioneer who died in 2009.

71. Morton Salt
Who doesn’t instantly recognize that little girl with the umbrella?

72. The Kardashians
Only in America would the family of O.J.’s lawyer become an institution.

73. Jeff Bridges
He was the Dude. And then he was the Dude again, in Crazy Heart and True Grit. And we love the man.

74. Nike
From Eugene, Ore., the Swoosh outfits athletes everywhere.

75. Prom
Not the new movie but the American ritual: limos, boutonnieres, slow dancing, and all.