¶ … history are dotted by many instantly and universally-recognizable names. What is it that makes one an enduring symbol beyond death? From those few great men and women granted the sort of immortality that comes only with the eternal respect of his or her fellows, we may glean many key lessons about what it is to be great. One of the hallmarks of greatness, if the following examples may be taken as representative, is undoubtedly the contribution of enduring knowledge or action to the benefit of one's fellow man.
Albert Einstein lived a live of courage and brilliance, surmounting the odds as a German Jew in the mid twentieth century to thrive and spark a revolution in physics with his theory of relativity. One of the characteristics of greatness is surely acting when others would falter, which is why history will remember Winston Churchill as one of the greatest wartime leaders in history. During World War II, Churchill was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and used his legendary skills of oration to calm and inspire the British people through some of...
On the American front, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is treasured by history for similar reasons, serving the American people as president for a matchless four terms. He has further inspired generations for his bravery to work in the public eye despite physical disabilities stemming from a childhood struggle with polio, although this was not widely known at the time due to the media's avoidance of the subject.
There have been other American presidents who have stood apart from their peers in their service to their country. John F. Kennedy's book was aptly titled Profiles in Courage, as he was an American president who inspired a generation to believe that the Space Race was an achievable goal when it seemed to many beyond what was possible. In more recent history, Ronald Reagan provided decisive leadership through the tensions of the Cold War and made many hard calls in his presidency, such as in Grenada.
It is not just leaders who are fondly remembered in the volumes of history. Part of the American spirit includes…
