How Much Do You Know About America's Most Impactful Figures?

American history is full of iconic figures and influential people. After all, it wasn't by chance that the country grew from an uncertain colony into the most powerful nation in the world. America was founded by visionaries, adventurous people, and idealists who dared to dream of something better, and had the audacity to make that dream a reality, even if it cost them their lives. Thanks to these folks, our history reads almost like fiction, with stories of awe-inspiring bravery, ingenuity, and innovation that sound almost too astounding to be true. Here are 20 of the most significant people in the history of the US and what they did to inspire such reverence. 

Pete Souza on Wikimedia

1. George Washington

The US may not exist without this man: George Washington, the leader of the Continental Army and the nation's first president. He set many precedents for future leaders of the country and helped establish the executive branch of government.

Gilbert Stuart on Wikimedia

2. Abraham Lincoln

Without Abraham Lincoln, the outcome of the Civil War may have been different. The US may have been separated into two nations without his brilliant leadership, and slavery may have never been abolished or may have taken much longer to be abolished. 

Alexander Gardner on Wikimedia

3. Barack Obama

The US's first Black president, Barack Obama was a trailblazer who opened the door of the Oval Office for future African Americans. He enacted many reforms that helped millions of Americans including the Affordable Care Act which made healthcare more accessible, the Reinvestment Act which helped the nation recover from the 2008 recession, and he was the first president to publicly support same-sex marriage. 

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza on Wikimedia

4. Henry Ford

Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, revolutionized the automobile industry, making cars accessible to the average American. He utilized the assembly line production method for mass-producing the Model T Ford, transforming transportation. 

Hartsook on Wikimedia

5. Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong was the first human to set foot on the moon. He was part of the Apollo 11 space mission alongside Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, beating the Soviets in the space race and opening a new era of space exploration.

Unknown author on Wikimedia

6. Mark Twain

Perhaps the most renowned American writer of all time, Mark Twain wrote such classics as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. These helped shape American literature, influenced countless future writers, and made the Mississippi River an iconic landmark throughout the world.  

A.F. Bradley, New York on Wikimedia

7. Walt Disney

Walt Disney produced countless classic shows and movies like The Mickey Mouse Club and Pinocchio which are still enjoyed today. He was a pioneer of animation who created iconic characters and built Disneyland and other hugely popular theme parks. 

Boy Scouts of America on Wikimedia

8. Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, winning the world heavyweight title three times, but that's only a small part of what he achieved during his lifetime. He was an outspoken civil rights activist and a UN messenger of peace who used his profile to advocate for justice, deliver medical supplies, and even help secure the release of hostages in other countries.

Bernard Gotfryd on Wikimedia

9. Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was a visionary who helped create revolutionary tech that changed the way the whole world lives. The development of the Macintosh which introduced the mouse and graphical user interface made computing infinitely more user-friendly. He also played a crucial role in the creation of iTunes, the iPhone, and the iPod, all products that put the user experience first.  

Matthew Yohe (talk) on Wikimedia

10. Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton was one of the founding fathers of the country who played a pivotal role in leading the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War as a military officer. After the war, he advocated for a strong central government, established the country's financial system, and helped draft the constitution. 

Vitold Muratov- скан и дигитализация. on Wikimedia

11. Martin Luther King Jr.

The US would arguably not be where it is today in terms of racial equality if not for Martin Luther King Jr. He was a key leader in the civil rights movement and an advocate for nonviolent resistance who founded resistance organizations, organized marches, and led demonstrations. 

Phil Stanziola on Wikimedia

12. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt was president of the US during some of the most trying times during WWII and the Great Depression. He created programs and reforms to pull the nation out of its biggest-ever recession, create jobs, and improve workers' rights. 

Unknown on Wikimedia

13. The Wright Brothers

The reason you can board a plane and fly from NYC to LA in an afternoon is thanks to these guys. The Wright Brothers were the first people to successfully create and fly a controlled machine heavier than air, revolutionizing transportation, trade, and warfare. 

Unknown author on Wikimedia

14. Susan B. Anthony

No one made more strides toward gender equality than this woman, Susan B. Anthony. She tirelessly advocated for women's right to vote and co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association. She was also an abolitionist who campaigned for the abolition of slavery. 

Frances Benjamin Johnston on Wikimedia

15. Noam Chomsky

One of the greatest thinkers of the modern era, Noam Chomsky revolutionized the field of linguistics and cognitive science, formulating new groundbreaking theories about language acquisition and development. A political activist, he's also a strong critic of the US government, capitalism, and imperialism. 

Andrea Womack on Wikimedia

16. Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison is the guy to thank for the fact that you don't have to light your way in the dark with a candlestick. He was a prolific inventor who brought us the incandescent light bulb, phonograph, and video camera, among other groundbreaking technologies. 

Louis Bachrach on Wikimedia

17. Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the US who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He was also a visionary who invented many useful items such as bifocal glasses and the lightning rod, and helped advance the invention of electricity with his famous kite experiment. 

Joseph-Siffred Duplessis on Wikimedia

18. Thomas Jefferson

One of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the nation's most important document, the Declaration of Independence. He helped establish the US government, acted as the first Secretary of State, and later, served as the third president of the US. 

Rembrandt Peale on Wikimedia

19. Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson had his work cut out for him as the president who led the US into the First World War. During his time as president, he significantly impacted the country's domestic and foreign policy, expanding labor rights and helping draft a comprehensive post-war plan as well as creating the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at preserving peace between nations. 

Harris & Ewing on Wikimedia

20. Jane Addams

Jane Addams was a lifelong social advocate. She co-founded Chicago's Hull House which provided crucial support to immigrant and working-class families. She also campaigned for labor rights, carried out life-saving public health initiatives, and co-founded important civil rights organizations. 

Moffett on Wikimedia