Can one person change the world?

Date of the last update: 07.03.2022

The history of the world is abundant in stories of people who, owing to their specific personal traits, spurred on and moved thousands and then millions of people to change. Great constructors, designers and activists certainly did not anticipate that their names would be famous on a global scale when they were developing their ideas. And yet, that is exactly what happened. Discover 5 examples of people who have made a significant impact on the way we live today.

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Rosa Parks and the bus incident

How can one seemingly insignificant decision inspire millions of people? Rosa Parks, an African-American human rights activist, found that out for herself. On 1 December 1955 she refused to give up her seat to a white person on a bus. This ended in a brief detention, a court hearing and a fine, as well as her and her husband losing their jobs. This sparked a series of protests, including a boycott of public transport by black residents, which was covered by national and international media. Peaceful protests soon spread across the United States, and Rosa Park was called the “mother of the civil rights movement”.

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The Wright brothers and the first aeroplane

Born in the second half of the 19th century in the United States, brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright drew on their experiences as aviation pioneers to create a flying machine heavier than air. That was their dream. In 1903 they built the first aircraft powered by an internal combustion engine, which allowed Wilbur to fly 279 metres in 59 seconds. Just 2 years later, a 39-minute long flight took place! Today, it is difficult to imagine travelling without aeroplanes, which enjoy the reputation of being the safest mode of transport.

Virginia Apgar and Her Scale For Evaluating the Health of Newborn Infants

Virginia Apgar was one of many female American doctors specialising in paediatrics, but the first woman to become a certified anaesthetist in 1937. In the 1940s, she searched for the causes of the high mortality rate among newborns. She saw a problem in the lack of a standardised procedure for assessing the newborn’s vitality. As a result, Apgar developed a method for evaluating the newborn’s health. Her scale, despite the initial resistance of the medical community, was approved and then introduced not only in the USA, but also in other countries. Today, the 10-point method for evaluating the newborn baby’s health is well known as the “Apgar Scale” and is widely used, including in Poland where it is a mandatory medical test.

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Mahatma Gandhi and Pacifism

Born in the second half of the 19th century in India, Mahatma Gandhi returned to his homeland after completing his law studies in London. Then, he became involved in the struggle for civil rights in South Africa. On his return to India, he actively campaigned for independence of his homeland. He opposed social divisions and promoted pacifism as a form of political activism. Today, Gandhi is mentioned alongside other human rights fighters such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, while his views, thoughts and quotations are cited around the world as an example of his peaceful philosophy.

Coco Chanel and the Fashion Revolution

It is hard to think of anyone who has had a greater impact on women’s fashion in the 20th century than her. Coco Chanel brought about a real revolution in this area, becoming a female style icon and an inspiration for women all over the world. The French designer popularised trousers among women , introduced the so-called “little black dress” and elegant jersey costumes that replaced corsets. She wore her hair short, promoted tanning (until then reserved for the poorer classes of society) and created the world’s most popular fragrance – Channel N°5. Without any doubt, Coco Chanel had a significant impact on the progressive emancipation of women in the 20th century.

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Sources:

http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/rosa-parks,

https://www.vogue.pl/a/rzeczy-ktore-coco-chanel-wprowadzila-do-mody,

https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/wright-brothers,