10 Remarkable and Courageous People Who Changed the World

Personal Finance and Development Jan 02, 2023
287 People Read
Courageous People
Table of Contents
  1. What is Courage?
  2. What Makes a Person Courageous?
  3. Most Courageous Acts in History
  4. 10 Remarkable and Courageous People in History Who Changed the World
    1. 1. Joan of Arc
    2. 2. Mahatma Gandhi
    3. 3. Nelson Mandela
    4. 4. Martin Luther King Jr.
    5. 5. Mother Teresa
    6. 6. Malala Yousafzai
    7. 7. Rosa Parks
    8. 8. Amelia Earhart
    9. 9. Harriet Tubman
    10. 10. Helen Keller
  5. Conclusion

Courage is an emotion that is often misunderstood.

It is not an emotion that is easy to define, as it is a feeling that is often subjective and context-dependent.

There are many different types of courage, each of which can be exhibited in different ways and various contexts.

The courage to stand up for what is right and to challenge the status quo is a trait that has been exhibited by some of the most influential figures in history.

This article looks at 10 of the most remarkable and courageous people in history who have changed the world.

What is Courage?

Courage is a complex emotion that can be difficult to define.

It is often described as the willingness to stand up for what is right and to confront fear and adversity.

It is the ability to face danger, pain, or uncertainty without giving in to fear or despair.

It is the ability to take risks and to stand up for one’s beliefs and values, even in the face of opposition or difficulty.

At its core, courage is about having the strength to take risks and act despite fear.

It is about having the resolve to do what is right, even when it is difficult to do so.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to confront fear and to take action despite it.

Courage can take many forms, from physical acts of bravery to the moral courage to speak out against injustice.

It can be exhibited in the face of danger or adversity, or it can be a quiet and steady determination to do what is right.

What Makes a Person Courageous?

Courage is not a trait that is possessed by everyone.

It requires a certain level of strength and determination to confront fear and take risks.

Several qualities or traits can make a person more likely to exhibit courage.

The first is resilience.

Courageous people can cope with difficult situations and setbacks without giving up.

They can keep going despite the odds and stay focused on the end goal.

The second is a sense of purpose.

Courageous people have a strong sense of what is right and wrong and act on their beliefs.

They are willing to take risks and stand up for what they believe in, even in the face of opposition.

The third is a willingness to take risks.

Courageous people are not afraid to take risks and try new things.

They are willing to step outside of their comfort zone and try something that may be difficult or uncomfortable.

The fourth is a strong moral compass.

Courageous people are driven by a strong sense of morality and justice.

They are not afraid to speak out against injustice or to take a stand, even when it is unpopular.

The fifth is self-confidence.

Courageous people have faith in their abilities and their own decisions.

They are not afraid to take risks and to stand up for what they believe in.

If you are looking for ways to build your self-confidence, then explore our range of articles on our Boosting Self-Confidence page.

Most Courageous Acts in History

Throughout history, there have been countless acts of courage and bravery.

Many of these acts have been small and personal, while others have had a profound impact on the course of history.

Some of the most remarkable and courageous acts in history include:

  • The storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution

  • The Montgomery Bus Boycott

  • The March on Washington

  • The Freedom Riders

  • The March from Selma to Montgomery

  • The Stonewall Riots

  • The Tiananmen Square protests

  • The Velvet Revolution

  • The Velvet Revolution

  • The Arab Spring

These acts of courage and bravery have changed the course of history and have helped to bring about major social and political change.

10 Remarkable and Courageous People in History Who Changed the World

Throughout history, there have been many remarkable and courageous people who have changed the world.

These people have stood up for what is right and taken risks to challenge the status quo and bring about positive change.

Here are 10 of the most remarkable and courageous people in history who have changed the world:

1. Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was one of the most courageous people in history.

She was able to defy the odds and lead the French army to victory against the English.

Her actions saved France from being conquered, and she eventually received national recognition and was canonized as a saint.

Joan of Arc was a fearless person who never backed down from a challenge.

She was able to face her fears and stand up to the English even when it seemed impossible.

Her courage inspired others, and she is now considered one of the most important figures in French history.

Her story is a testament to the power of courage, and it's something that everyone should learn from.

2. Mahatma Gandhi

If there’s one thing, we can all agree on, it’s that Mahatma Gandhi was an incredibly courageous person.

He led a movement that fought for India’s freedom from British colonialism and inspired a generation of change-makers.

His tireless commitment to non-violence and civil disobedience was remarkable.

He once famously said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

He believed that the strength of a person’s character was more important than the strength of their fists.

He was the first person to have shown the world that peaceful protest could lead to real change.

His courage was inspiring, and it still resonates today.

If we want to create a better world, we must be willing to be courageous, just like Mahatma Gandhi.

We must stand up for what is right and speak out against injustice.

We must strive to be the best versions of ourselves and be brave enough to challenge the status quo.

Only then can we create a more peaceful and equitable society.

3. Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was a courageous person who dedicated his life to the fight against racial discrimination and for justice and equality.

He was born as a black child in South Africa in 1918, and he would go on to become one of the most influential figures in the world.

Despite the oppressive system of apartheid, Mandela remained dedicated to fighting for what he believed in, and he never gave up.

He was arrested multiple times, but he still stood bravely for what he saw as right.

Mandela eventually became the first black president of South Africa, and he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

His courage and determination inspired millions and changed the world forever.

Mandela showed us that even the most seemingly insurmountable odds can be overcome with courage and perseverance.

He is an example of what it means to be a courageous person and a leader.

Hopefully, his legacy will live on and continue to inspire generations to come.

4. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. is a prime example of a courageous person.

As a young man, he campaigned tirelessly for civil rights and racial equality throughout the 1950s and 1960s, after the second world war, often facing danger and violence in the process.

In 1963, he gave the iconic 'I Have A Dream' speech during the March on Washington, which inspired millions of people around the world to fight for their rights.

Even when he was arrested or threatened with violence, he never backed down.

His commitment to a cause he believed in was unwavering, and this gave people the courage to stand up for their rights too.

Even after his assassination in 1968, his legacy lives on.

His courage, his determination, and his belief in a better world for all have inspired countless people to fight for justice.

Martin Luther King Jr. will always be remembered as one of the most courageous people in history.

5. Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was a courageous person who devoted her life to serving those in need.

She was born in what is now modern-day Macedonia in 1910, and from a young age, she was determined to help the poor and the sick.

In 1950 she founded the Missionaries of Charity, an organization that provided food, shelter, and medical care to those in need.

She worked tirelessly for her cause, traveling to countries all around the world to bring aid and comfort to those in need.

Despite the difficult conditions she encountered, she never gave up hope or lost sight of her mission.

Her courage and dedication to her cause earned her numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

She dedicated her life to bringing hope to those who had none, and her legacy continues to inspire countless people to this day.

Mother Teresa is an example of how one person can make a difference in the world, no matter how difficult the challenge is.

She is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, courage and dedication can make a world of difference.

6. Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is widely considered one of the world's most courageous people.

At just 15 years old, she spoke out against the Taliban's ban on girls' education in her native Pakistan.

Despite threats of violence, she refused to back down.

This brave stand made her a target of the Taliban — but she refused to be intimidated.

In 2012, she was shot by the Taliban as she traveled home from school.

Miraculously, she survived and became an international symbol for the fight for girls' education.

Malala has since become a Nobel Laureate, a bestselling author, and a tireless advocate for human rights.

Her courage is an inspiration to people around the world — especially young girls who are standing up for their rights.

Malala's story reminds us that with courage and determination, we can make a difference, no matter how big or small.

7. Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks was an incredibly courageous person who played an instrumental role in the American Civil Rights Movement.

On December 1, 1955, she made history when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking a wave of nonviolent protests that ultimately led to the desegregation of public transportation.

By taking a stand against the injustice of segregation, Parks became an iconic symbol of the fight for civil rights.

Her courage was an inspiration to many, and her story continues to be taught today as an example of the power of peaceful protest.

Rosa Parks' bravery and determination to stand up for what she believed in setting an example for all of us to follow.

She showed us that even one person can make a difference and that courageous people are capable of changing the world.

8. Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart was one of the most courageous people of her time.

She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and her legacy continues to inspire people today.

Her courage was undeniable—she was never afraid to take risks and push herself to the limits.

Every time she flew, she was aware of the danger, yet she still chose to pursue her dreams of being a pilot.

Her courage was infectious, and she inspired countless other women to pursue their dreams of aviation.

She was a pioneer of her time and having volunteered during World War 1, her courage and determination set the stage for many other women to follow in her footsteps.

However, she died at the age of 39 in a plane crash when her airplane ran out of fuel.,

Unfortunately, there were no other survivors who travelled with her.

Amelia Earhart was a true national hero, and her story of courage and perseverance is an inspiration to us all.

9. Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was a courageous person.

She was born a slave in 1820 and escaped to the north, where she helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom.

She is most famous for leading hundreds of slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes used by slaves to escape to freedom.

Tubman was a fearless leader, and she never hesitated to risk her life to help her fellow slaves.

She was also a very resourceful person, able to escape detection by the slave owners by hiding in plain sight.

Her courage and determination helped many slaves escape to freedom, and she is now recognized as one of the most courageous people in history.

10. Helen Keller

Helen Keller overcame immense obstacles in her life, including being blind and deaf, to become one of the most celebrated and influential women of her time.

Keller's courage was demonstrated throughout her life, from her work as a civil rights activist to her fight against tuberculosis.

She was a powerful voice for social justice, and her work helped to change the way society viewed the disabled.

Keller was a trailblazer in her field, and her contributions will continue to be remembered long into the future.

Her courage is an inspiration to all of us, and her example shows us that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Conclusion

Throughout history, there have been many remarkable and courageous people who have changed the world.

These people have stood up for what is right and taken risks to challenge the status quo and bring about positive change.

From Joan of Arc to Malala Yousafzai, these individuals have inspired us with their courage and determination.

Looking for ways to build up your courage?

Explore our various related articles on our Finding Courage page.

Being courageous can be hard but it is an important part of living a fulfilling life.

If we can learn from the example of these remarkable and courageous people, then perhaps we too can make a positive difference in the world.

Table of Contents
  1. What is Courage?
  2. What Makes a Person Courageous?
  3. Most Courageous Acts in History
  4. 10 Remarkable and Courageous People in History Who Changed the World
    1. 1. Joan of Arc
    2. 2. Mahatma Gandhi
    3. 3. Nelson Mandela
    4. 4. Martin Luther King Jr.
    5. 5. Mother Teresa
    6. 6. Malala Yousafzai
    7. 7. Rosa Parks
    8. 8. Amelia Earhart
    9. 9. Harriet Tubman
    10. 10. Helen Keller
  5. Conclusion