Bikini Parade 2012: Guinness World Record

Best education system? Not so much. Best quality of life? Don't think so. But when it comes to bikini parades, America leads the way.

Australia set the previous Guinness World Record for longest bikini parade last year, with 357 participants. But that comparatively puny number was crushed this month in Panama City, Florida, when 450 participants marched the good ol' US-of-A into its rightful place at the top.

One Panama Beach marcher summed up the significance of the historic event. "This is the most exciting day of my life, tears were coming out of my eyes, I’m so proud of the United States,” said Karly Quinn.

While chanting, "U-S-A! U-S-A," the 450 women walked one mile across Panama City Beach to break the record.

Panama City Beach officials couldn't be more proud of their community's place in history. "We are thrilled to have challenged and broken the record for the World’s Largest Bikini Parade,” said Dan Rowe, president of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Human Mattress Domino World Record

Setting a world record is not something to take lying down -- especially when the record is for "human mattress dominoes."

But 850 people in New Orleans were willing to be "pushovers" in order to break the current record, set last year in Belgium.

The rules set by Guinness World Records for breaking the record are fairly stringent: Each person needs to touch the person behind them and there needs to be a consecutive chain of toppling mattresses.

Once the official pushed the first domino, the carefully-placed mattresses all fell in turn until the last fell on a red carpet. However, participants had to remain lying down until the record was confirmed. After that, the participants were allowed to jump for joy on their mattresses.

The record attempt was set up by La Quinta Inn & Suites, who wrangled 850 employees -- one for each hotel owned by the company -- and the mattresses were donated by the Simmons Bedding Company and will reportedly be donated to charity.