To commemorate USA Today's twenty-fifth anniversary, research has revealed these to be the top twenty-five quotes over the past twenty-five years. Enjoy!
1. "Let's roll."
Todd Beamer, Sept. 11, 2001, just before he and other passengers attacked terrorists controlling United Flight 93, which crashed in a Pennsylvania field.
2. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
President Reagan, June 12, 1987, appeals to the Soviet leader to remove the Berlin Wall that divided East and West German sectors. It fell in 1989.
3. "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."
Defense attorney Johnnie Cochran, Sept. 27, 1995, arguing that a glove used as murder evidence in the O.J. Simpson trial was too small.
4. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."
President Clinton, Jan. 26, 1998, at a White House news conference.
5. "You've got mail!"
America Online, 1989. The voice, which still greets users, is El Edwards, the husband of an AOL customer service representative.
6. "Read my lips: no new taxes."
George H.W. Bush, Aug. 18, 1988, accepting the GOP presidential nomination in New Orleans. A tax hike later in his presidency was a factor in his loss for re-election.
7. "Obviously a major malfunction."
Steve Nesbitt, NASA public affairs officer, Jan. 28, 1986, shortly after the space shuttle Challenger exploded.
8. "How do we know when irrational exuberance has unduly escalated asset values?"
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Dec. 5, 1996, interpreted as a warning that stocks were too high. Markets plunged briefly the next morning.
9. "You can't handle the truth!"
Actor Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan Jessup in the 1992 film A Few Good Men.
10. "I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."
Democratic vice presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen, debating Republican Dan Quayle in Omaha on Oct. 5, 1988.
11. "Just say no."
Nancy Reagan's anti-drug campaign slogan, 1983.
12. "I want to focus on my salad."
Martha Stewart, June 25, 2002, on CBS' The Early Show, when questioned about the probe into her stock dealings.
13. "Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?"
Former Labor secretary Raymond Donovan, May 25, 1987, after being acquitted of fraud charges.
14. "Keep hope alive."
Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, July 19, 1988, in a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta.
15. "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon."
President Bush, Sept. 14, 2001, addressing police, firefighters and rescue workers at Ground Zero.
16. "My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators."
Vice President Cheney, March 16, 2003, on NBC's Meet the Press, describing how Iraqis will react when U.S. troops topple Saddam Hussein.
17. "One more thing."
Apple CEO Steve Jobs, 1999. He uses the phrase before unveiling products such as the iMac and iPod at computer shows.
18. "Don't give up. Don't ever give up. "
Former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, March 4, 1993, accepting an ESPY Award shortly before he died of cancer.
19. "It takes a village to raise a child."
Hillary Rodham Clinton in her 1996 book, borrowing from an African proverb.
20. "I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl."
Russ Grimm, 1984, a Washington Redskin who ended his career as a player with three Super Bowl rings.
21. "You gotta fight for your right to party."
The Beastie Boys, 1986, in the song Fight For Your Right.
22. "People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?"
Rodney King, May 1, 1992, after the acquittal of Los Angeles police in his beating trial sparked widespread rioting.
23. "Where's the beef?"
Wendy's TV commercial, 1984, later used by Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale to ridicule opponent Gary Hart.
24. "I can't deny the fact that you like me! Right now, you like me!"
Sally Field, March 25, 1985,. accepting the Best Actress Oscar for Places in the Heart.
25. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."
Jerry Seinfeld, Feb. 11, 1993, in the episode The Outing, later used whenever a gay character was discussed on the show.
Ten Commandments in the eyes of a front desk agent at an upscale hotel:
Dear Guest,
I do not ask very much from you. Is it ridiculous to think that when traveling abroad you carry a form of identification and a credit card? I will ask of you only the following 10 things. Consider them rules, perhaps even "Commandments". (If you will.)
1. Thou Shalt Be Prepared. Have your credit card and ID in your hands or at least readily accessible.
2. Thou Shalt Listen. If you ask me for directions or even ask me a question, pay attention to the answer. I'll only say it once.
3. Thou Shalt Not Blabber. Don't waste my time with stories and excuses. I may ask how your day really is from time to time, but it's at my discretion. Don't take advantage of a good agent.
4. Thou Shalt Think. When I ask you your last name, don't hesitate and don't give me "the person you think booked it". I didn't ask for your secretary's name. I asked you your's.
5. Thou Shalt Speak When Needed. Don't come to the desk and throw me a credit card or stack of papers with a bunch of numbers and letters. I do not have time to sort through your mess to find a name or confirmation number.
6. Thou Shalt Use Common Sense. The place that looks like it might house elevators, houses our elevators. The bell stand will take care of your bags. I am in charge of your hotel room, not your convention registration.
7. Thou Shalt Read Carefully. If something says that it's a request, it means what it says, and chances are you aren't going to receive it. A guarantee is just that, a guarantee. Look carefully; I know the words look similar: request; guarantee; request; guarantee.
8. Thou Shalt Not "Diva". You are not Madonna, Kylie Minogue, or even Tori Spelling. Unless you are easily recognizable by my friends and I and can be utilized as an amusing topic of conversation over drinks - therefore making me "more cool" - then shut up and take the keys I give you. I don't care if you are the World's Leading Authority on Dog Training Basket Weaving Salsa Dancing Evangelists.
9. Thou Shalt Flirt. Recognizing my hotness will get you everywhere. I promise.
10. As a guest, while standing within 3 feet of me, I am god. You'll get the room that I give you. I'll upgrade you if I want. I'll give you a crappy view if I want. I'll walk you to another hotel and ruin your whole trip if I want. I'll comp your entire stay and practically give you everything.
These simple 10 Commandments can make or break you. Learn them. Live them. Love them.
Your Friendly Front Desk Agent