[The list: 1-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | 76-100]
76. Joyce DiDonato
When the Metropolitan Opera staged a new production of Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda” for her, DiDonato became queen of the American mezzos. Brava, Yankee diva.
77. Free to Be You and Me
Marlo Thomas’ 1970s musical tribute to tolerance and gender equality.
78. Marshmallow fluff
Cause we’re all secret fluffernuts.
79. Seventh-inning stretch
Time to stand and sing “Take Me out to the Ballgame.”
80. The Sousaphone
A marching band innovation.
81. Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
A July 4 tradition. It’s not food addiction if it’s a competition, right?
82. Roomba
For those times when vacuuming yourself is just too hard to handle.
83. Bluegrass music
From the hills of Appalachia, to Manchester, Tenn, to Lower East Side Manhattan, this American musical form is alive and well.
84. One-click buying
Simple? Yes. Too easy? Definitely. Totally satisfying? Absolutely.
85. Puppy Bowl
For those who’d prefer to see cute puppies scamper on Super Bowl Sunday.
86. The cronut
Croissant + Doughnut = HuffPost headline: Cronut Shortage Caused A Man To Delay His Marriage Proposal.
87. Transformers
For the iconic toys, the movies, even the t-shirts at the mall… A joint enterprise between toy companies Takara Tomy and Hasbro, it’s also a symbol of Japanese-American harmony.
88. The Electric Slide
The wedding boogie woogie so easy even your grandma can jiggle-a-mesa-cara…whatever that means.
89. Converse All Stars (Chuck Taylors)
Unisex and universal — worn-in by ballers, rockstars, and rebels alike since 1917.
90. Robert Caro
Because two Pulitzer prizes is better than one.
91. Pecan pie
Sugar with nuts on top. Brilliant.
92. Free public schools
People have been saying the system is in crisis since its inception over 200 years ago, but our nation’s public schools are some of the finest and have set the bar for education innovation throughout the world.
93. Bluth’s Original Frozen Banana Stand
May we recommend the Original Frozen Banana?
94. Victoria’s Secret
Taking lingerie out of the shadows since 1977.
95. Game of Thrones
Winter is coming, and so is book six and season four of this epic fantasy.
96. Zombie movies
Critiques of American society or just scary movies? Both.
97. Maya Angelou
She knows why the caged bird sings.
98. 40 Watt Club
No longer just lit by a 40 watt bulb, this Athens, Ga., institution gave a start to R.E.M., the B-52’s and others.
99. U.S. Peace Corps
“The toughest job you’ll ever love.”
100. The St. Louis Arch
The gateway to the west.
