America at 250: Forgotten Figures Who Altered History

As the United States approaches its semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the nation's founding, Americans are reflecting on the stories that have shaped the country's history.

Those stories often center on presidents, generals, and other well-known public figures whose names fill textbooks, monuments, and national holidays. Yet, behind many of the nation's most defining moments are individuals whose contributions rarely receive the same recognition.