The Great Cornell Pumpkin

One morning in the middle of October in 1997, a large pumpkin - estimated to weigh up to 60lb (27kg) - mysteriously appeared on top of McGraw Tower. The mystery and sheer daring of the prank generated coverage by the national and international news media, beginning with an article in The New York Times on Oct. 27.

While a panel of plant experts affirmed that the object on the tower was indeed a pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), reports that President Rawlings had personally placed it there have been denied.