What Makes a Hero?

What makes a hero can be something quite specific to an individual. I believe that it is not just
sporting prowess, and maybe not sporting ability at all. It is their sporting ability that puts them in the
limelight, but it is what they do once there that can make them stand out as a hero.
There are many other attributes, other than skill, that should be considered for labeling someone as a
sporting hero. A hero should be aware that they are a role-models and act accordingly. They usually
have the money to do whatever they want to do, and the real heros choose to give some of it back to
those more needy, and to be a positive influence in the community. Heroes also should have good
family relationships and relate well with people.

Rating Criteria
In an article analyzing UK heroes, Parry (2009) (see references) concluded that to become a hero
athletes should combine skill with devotion to family, charity work and a place in popular culture. I
have combined these attributes of a sporting hero with major points from the discussion above to
create a five point rating system so that you can rate particular sportspeople on how you think they
stack up as a hero. Here are my five criteria of being a hero, and a description of what they mean. To
use these criteria to rate some heroes, see therating page. Are all these criteria equal in terms of what
makes a hero? Help answer that question by rating the importance of each of these criteria.
1. skill a hero will be very skillful in their chosen sport
2. character they know they are a role-models and act accordingly.
3. family they have good family relationships and relate well with people.
4. charity work they strive to be a positive influence in the community, giving back as much
as they receive.
5. popular culture a great hero will be greater than their sport, and well known outside of
sport altogether.
here's a definition :
I1. n mythology and legend, a man, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and
strength, celebrated for his bold exploits, and favored by the gods.
2. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or
sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war.
3. A person noted for special achievement in a particular field: the heroes of medicine.
4. The principal male character in novel, poem, or dramatic presentation.

Brave / Courageous!
A good and strong leader
Altruistic (puts other first e.g. risks or gives life for others)
Clever
Visionary (has far reaching ideas)
Good or Moral (strong beliefs or principles)
Had integrity (stands up for what they believe and act accordingly)
Tenacious (keeps going despite challenges)
Decisive
Focused / Single minded (has a purpose)
Inspiring / Charismatic
Determined
Ambitious
Wise
Honest
Kind / Compassionate
Just and fair minded

1. Courage
Courage and bravery leap to mind first when we think of heroism. It's difficult to
achieve anything truly heroic unless you're up against daunting odds. As Nelson
Mandela put it, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
Example: Marine Cpl. Kyle Carpenter literally dove on a grenade to protect a
fellow Marine during an attack in Afghanistan in November 2010. Both men
survived but were badly wounded. After a military investigation into exactly what
happened, Carpenter will receive the Medal of Honor at a ceremony later this
year.

2. Selflessness
True leaders always puts others first. Ironically, that kind of selflessness can often
be strategic, because focusing on others' needs often winds up helping you

achieve your own goals. However, a heroic leader does so without any
expectation of payback.
Example: During the Korean War, an army private named Leonard Kravitz (the
uncle and namesake of singer Lenny Kravitz) voluntarily stayed behind to cover
the retreat of other soldiers in his unit. Remaining as the last line of defense
saved his entire platoon, but it also cost him his life on March 7, 1951. It took until
this year for him to be recognized posthumously for his heroism with the Medal of
Honor

3. Humility
Nothing makes a heroic leader seem a little less heroic than if he or she seems to
want constant credit for his or her actions. True heroism can amaze us, but it also
often contains a component of modesty.
Example: Sgt. Santiago Erevia received the Medal of Honor earlier this year as a
result of his heroism in Vietnam in 1969. During 32 years after he left the military,
however, while he carried mail for the U.S. Postal Service, he never talked much
about his military service--despite the fact that he'd already been awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross, the military's second-highest honor.
"I didn't give it too much thought," Erevia said. "You know, you go from day-today, do what you're told."

4. Patience
While heroism often requires quick thinking and decisiveness, truly heroic leaders
often also display an impressive amount of patience.
Example: In September 1969, Melvin Morris was a special forces sergeant
serving in Vietnam, and he led a mission across enemy lines to rescue a fellow
U.S. soldier. Along the way, according to an official account, he "single-handedly
destroyed an enemy force that had pinned his battalion from a series of
bunkers ... [and] was shot three times as he ran back toward friendly lines with
the American casualties."
"Better late than never," Morris told a newspaper when asked how he felt about
waiting four and a half decades to receive the medal this year. The newspaper

also reported that like other heroes, Morris had never talked much about his
military service, "out of respect for the gravity of taking a human life."

5. Caring
Separate from selflessness, heroic leaders display a sense of concern and
kindness for others. This can often manifest itself in strong but gentle actions
intended to improve the lives of others. These are small acts of heroism that
rarely attract any notice.
Example: Army veteran Jose Rodela received the Medal of Honor earlier this
year for his valor during an 18-hour battle in Vietnam in September 1969.
However, Rodela was also known for having taken in a 12-year-old Cambodian
orphan his unit had found living alone. Rodela made plans to adopt the boy and
bring him back to his family in the United States, although the boy unfortunately
was later killed when he stepped on a mine.

The oxford English dictionary defines a hero as a person, typically a man, who is
admired for his courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Both the
history of the mankind and the world literature are rife with characters who have
exhibited the virtues mentioned in the definition, in fact many more and have been
admired, adored and revered by the entire human race. Yes, we all have read about
heroes like those in the Greek or Norse mythologies and all their deeds are engraved
in our minds as the paragon of heroism. However, it is also true that the world has
witnessed many heroes who like all of us were crafted in blood and flesh yet by virtue
of their qualities attained godhood. Albert Einstein referring to Gandhi once quoted
Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and
blood walked upon this earth. However, the question is what are those essential
qualities that make a person hero? Different people have different heroes whom they
look up to or try to emulate. However, whoever they may be, sport stars, film stars,
politicians, social activists or businessman they all do possess certain qualities which
set them apart from the commoners. Read this article to learn what essential
characteristics or qualities a hero invariably possesses.
Characteristics Of A Hero

Courage
The first and the foremost quality of a hero is his courage. A hero always overcomes
his fears and confronts any challenge head on. Even the faintest tinge of fear doesnt
linger in the heart of a hero.
Virtuosity
Virtuosity is the key aspect of a heros character. A hero is never foolishly audacious.
He always is judicious and well skilled to cite and cease the opportunities, which
present themselves on the way towards his destination. A hero is laden with all the
essential faculties, which are instrumental to accomplish what he seeks.
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a quality that stands unique from all the other virtues which makes a hero
noble in his deeds. He or she is always quite willing to cast off the predilections and
personal comforts whenever they become indispensable for a higher cause or for the
welfare of others.
Determination
For a hero the word Impossible always decomposes to yield I am possible. A hero
is unflinching in his or her determination and believes in his ability without the whiff of
dubiety.
Focus
Being focused is also one of the most prominent qualities of a hero. It seems as if all
the heroes that have walked on the surface of the earth have been born with definite
motives. All their life they hardly lose focus of what they want to achieve or establish.
For instance, it appears that Mahatma Gandhi was born with the sole purpose of
driving the British forces out of then enslaved India and to preach the world the
ideology of nonviolence.
Compassion
A true hero is always empathetic, benevolent and shows a great deal of compassion
and tenderness to those ailing or in distress. He or she keeps aside thoughts those
are oriented to the self and embraces an attitude that serves others.

Perseverance
This quality is what that makes the hero special. Even if they encounter failure on
their way, they are determined to get over it and fight till they achieve success. They
do not give up simply rather they are focused to withstand all the consequences that
they may encounter in their path.
Dedication
The heroes are selflessly dedicated to their task and will thus focus their actions
towards its achievement. They whole-heartedly dedicate themselves to the task,
which is set, and work towards its completion.
Honesty
In all the endeavors that a hero takes up, honesty forms the base of all his efforts.
This honesty earns him the respect of others and helps him leading his followers to
the desired goal.
Loyalty
A hero is considered to possess fierce loyalties in the sense that he is faithful to
whatever tasks they take up. His commitment to a particular cause leads him way
beyond others citing an example for others to follow him.
Intrepidity
The heroes have a courage that is unshaken despite anything that comes in their
path of their focused success. They are determined to fight challenges with resolute
courageousness.
Conviction
Heroes have a strong conviction as they have strong beliefs regarding a particular
situation. It is a set of unshakable thoughts or beliefs, which cannot be altered by any
chance.
Fortitude
Fortitude can be defined as a habit that is involved in encountering a deed that is
dangerous with a bright spirit that is adopted with passive courage.

Responsibility
Whatever be the type of responsibility entailed on them, they take it up with utmost
sincerity and take it to its logical conclusion.
Wisdom
Wisdom is the most desired quality, which a leader must possess. A fool can lead a
horde of beasts but not human beings set on a definite purpose. Only a wise and
astute person can do so. Whatever a hero maybea warrior, a preacherwisdom is
always an attribute that all of them possess.
A hero is not born, he is self-made. Above mentioned are some of the most
fundamental qualities, which a hero invariably possesses. We all do possess some
of the virtues, which have been explained above. However, what sets a hero apart
from the hoi polloi is that he can be said to be the highest or the perfect embodiment
of all of these virtues.
Everyone likes to hear the stories of great leaders, especially heroic leaders. Think of
great people like Martin Luther King, Mandela, and Mother Teresa. These heroic
leaders were common individuals who jumped into the crisis situations regardless of
whether or not they were responsible for resolving the issue. We praise these
characters as role models and celebrate their successes.
Here are some common qualities of heroic leaders.
1. Courage
Heroic leaders have the determination to achieve the goal, regardless of the challenging
obstacles. They display confidence under stress and are courageous enough to take risks
when others are looking to hide themselves.
In, 1955, Rosa Lee Parks in Tuskegee, Alabama refused to hand over her seat to
a white passenger on an isolated Montgomery, Alabama bus. She was detained

and penalized, but her courageous action directed a positive boycott of the
Montgomery buses by African American passengers.

2. Passion
It might be possible to instill leaders qualities, but truly heroic leaders are already
passionate about their work. Their passion and level of assurance inspire the team members
and motivate them to perform better.
Mohandas Gandhi was a well-known political and ideological leader of India
during the Indian independence movement. Gandhi headed the powerful Salt
Tax protest and was detained numerous times for his protests against British
rule.

3. Integrity
Leadership is the integration of external actions and internal ethics. Heroic leaders are
trusted by their followers because they never change from inner values, even when it might
be difficult.
Nelson Mandela had the trust and daring to fight against the unfair structure of
apartheid. Because of his political actions, he was sent to prison for 20 years,
but he managed to win the trust of the people and soon he was set free to lead a
free South Africa.

4. Honesty
Heroic leaders are always honest with everyone around them; they tell the truth and possess
little tolerance for telling people what they want to hear. At the end of the communiqu, they
expect honesty from others, and they dont penalize people for doing so.

Abraham Lincolns great laws of truth and honesty led people to recognize him
as a judge or moderator in several cases, fights, and quarrels. People trusted
implicitly upon his honesty, truthfulness, and fairness.

5. Confidence
Developing self-confidence is ingrained in heroic leaders as a key to success. A leader begins
to develop confidence by achieving a small accomplishment. As heroic leaders progress in
their lives, they attract fellowship, use influence tactics to develop self-confidence, and
shape, train, and motivate a team.
Steve Jobss leadership style was multifaceted. He was strongly focused when
committed and confident enough to make risky decisions to enlist legions of
employees and customers in the persistent search of his goals.

6. Patience
One of the greatest qualities heroism possesses is a great amount of patience, an invaluable
virtue, which helped them in spreading their message.
Martin Luther King, Jr. significantly contributed to American society by
eradicating isolation and hugely plummeting racism. During his movement,
Kings life was in unceasing dangerhis home was blown up and his
companions were threatened, hassled, arrested, and detained. His impeccable
quality of patience to remove racism makes King one of the most inspirational
heroes of all time.

7. Selflessness
A great American leader John F.Kennedy once said, Dont ask what your country can do
for youask what you can do for your country.

This is the attitude of truly heroic leaders. They are more concerned about group successes
than with hunting their own goals. Such individuals become an inspiration for others, even
as they face challenges; they will embrace success and earn respect.
Again, the great Nelson Mandela was a selfless leader who lived his life for his
people, and he has been recognized as one of the greatest leaders in the world.
His willingness and enthusiasm to sacrifice for others headed a movement to
unite a divided nation and bring together periods of pain and racism.
Throughout his life and even after his death, he is renowned as a hero. Mandela
dedicated himself to the struggle of the African people.

8. Caring
Apart from selflessness, Heroic Leaders care about making the world a better place; they
display a sense of concern and kindness for others. They are community service leaders, who
take action intentionally to improve the lives of others.
Mother Teresas life-long dedication to the care of the poor, unprivileged and
deprived people was one of the utmost examples of service to the humanity. She
dedicated herself to humanity, forgotten and unwanted people, not only in
India but all over the world.

9. Humility
Humility is the common quality of heroic leaders: nonexistence of pride or self-assertion in
their personality. Heroic leader realizes their own weaknesses, and give credit to all the
people behind their success. Humility is the most powerful virtue that is needed within every
leader to achieve success.
Jim Levy, an army officer, is recalled as a humble man who served his nation
and public in times of war and peace and always kept his sense of service. After

the war, when he came back to Montgomery, Levy switched from combat
services to community responsibilities and set an example of leadership by
playing key roles in various public activities.

10. SupportiveWe conclude from this point that heroic leaders display a supportive
leadership behavior. They make it a habit to guide others and are welcoming, approachable,
and supportive. Truly heroic leaders lean toward the welfare and requirements of their
subordinates.
Malala Yousafzai, 15 years old, is the worlds most famous advocate for
girls right to education; she was shot in the head for protecting every girls
right to an education in Pakistans Swat valley.
Classical Hero Everyman Hero
Superhero

Tragic Hero

Epic Hero

Anti-Hero

A hero is someone how does something to help or save others given all of
them to do what's best to help and save people. A hero motivates others to
better in life and I believe some of the qualities that heroes should hold upon
themselves are courage, compassion, inspiration, and sacrifice. Courage is
doing the right thing when the wrong thing seems to produce better results,
looking past your personal goals and dedicating your life better. For example
Batman is a man with a lot of courage, the fact that as bruce wayne he also
gives to charity, he has sacrificed his entire life to keep others safe. This
shows that a person with courage can be a hero even though most of the
heroes have super power you don't have to have them to be a hero someone
can just have some good qualities in order to become a real hero.
Another quality is compassion, the understanding or empathy for the
suffering of others, take action to help others, Maria shows compassion by
helping other during weekends, she will visit to the orphanage and help the
workers to teach the children and also play with them. Maria also always
teach me manners, to respect other people, and always give to other people
who is needed making her a hero for other people. Inspiration is one
important quality that a hero has, being inspired by someone makes a person
trie to be like them or try to do good stuff in life, Harry Potter he was a hero
inspired by his parents were wizards like him Harry survived the darkest spell
of them all from Lord Voldemort, but his parents died. showing him what a
brave parents he had, this inspired Potter to have a position as a fighter for
all things good and against evil he;s destined to be brave, loyal, and
triumphant against the evil source. This shows that Harry potter is inspired by

his parent making him a hero by being against the evil inspirits saving other
people.
Who Is A Hero?
Who is a hero? What are the qualities of a hero? Are there any heroes left? These
questions are actually the basis for this essay. Even though most of them can be
answered by
you, the reader, I shall try to incorporate fact and personal opinion in order to
give a
better understanding of the qualities a hero possesses. Now lets talk about who
is a hero. In my
opinion, a hero is a person, who possesses three main qualities: compassion,
courage, and
intelligence.
Compassion, a word with only one definition, but so much meaning. The quality,
which
makes a hero who he is. Its not just courage and intelligence that define a hero,
but also
compassion. Compassion for life a trait that is very important, a trait that
stands out the most.
First, let me give you the meaning of this word: sympathetic feeling. Sympathy
and compassion
are the same things, and both of these should not just exist in a hero, but also in
every one of us.
A hero possess this quality as well as many others, but it is what makes him
human, or should I
even say, humane. This quality, even though not as important as the other two,
makes up a heros
heart and soul, his inner strength, and that is the most important strength of all.
Brave, fearless, heroic, bold all synonyms that describe a hero. All these could
just be
summarized into one quality: courage. Courageous isnt an adjective that
describes only the
person who jumps in front of a bullet. Yes, that is an example of courage, but an
even more vivid
example would be the courage that it takes to stand alone, when you are
outnumbered ,or
outvoted. That is, indeed, true courage. Only a hero can be brave and
courageous enough to

stand alone when he is completely outvoted and outnumbered. A wonderful

example of this
quality would be in the play Twelve Angry Men when juror number eight has

Who is a hero?
hero. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and
noble qualities. a person who, in the opinion of others, hasheroic qualities or has
performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a
local hero when he saved the drowning child.

3. Alexander, The Great

Known as the Man Who Conquered The World, Alexander the Great is
often said to be the greatest military leader of all time. He was born in 356
BC and by the age of 33, he had the largest empire in the history which
stretched from Greece to Egypt to India. He was the king of the Kingdom
of Macedonia and perhaps, he was the greatest military commander to
have ever lived. He did the noble deed of unifying many Greek city states.
He was undefeated in battle and succumbed to malaria and died in 323
BC. His fortes were his foresight, vision and military capabilities.
12. Asoka

Another king from another kingdom who was given the title of The Great.
Asoka the Great was the last of the great Indian empire of Maurya and he
ruled from 269 BC. He too has great conquests and his empire was almost
the entire Indian sub-continent. He was a kind and a good-hearted leader.
After the bloody Kalinga War, he was so deeply moved and pained by the
suffering that he denounced his throne and all his wealth and adopted
Buddhism. Today, he is known as an important champion of Buddhism and
he preached the values of Buddhism and the lesson from Buddhas life to
the people.
11. Winston Churchill

The most crucial and the most important time for a leader to show their
true worth is in the face of adversity and Winston Churchill managed to
shine at the task. He was the British Prime Minister and leader during the
WW II. He was an able leader, an emotional man but his greatest victory
was in his motivation for others to defend themselves against the Nazis.
His determination, perseverance and the patriotic devotion towards the
nation motivated the Britishers to go forward and win the war with the
help of the Allies. Keep Calm And Carry On, he said, and won the war and
the hearts. Winston Churchill
Former British Prime Minister
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, PC, DL, FRS, RA
was a British statesman who was the Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955

Life Beyond Politics

In 1908 Churchill married Clementine Ogilvy Hozier. He said, "My most brilliant
achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me." He had
proposed to three other women while in his twenties and they turned him down, but
all remained friends.
Churchill and his wife had five children. Throughout their marriage, whenever they
spent time apart, they sent each other letters, often with hand-drawn illustrations.
Churchill's pet name for his wife was "Kat," and she called him "Pug."
Churchill was an accomplished painter, creating mostly landscapes, but also some
interiors and portraits. Most of his works were oil-based, often impressionistic. All
told, he created nearly 600 paintings, using the pseudonyms Charles Morin and Mr.
Winter. He reportedly said, "If it weren't for painting, I wouldn't live; I couldn't bear the
extra strain of things." For Churchill, painting eased his depression, a malady he
referred to as his "Black Dog."
Also a prolific writer, Churchill used the pen name "Winston S. Churchill" to
distinguish himself from the American novelist by the same name. In 1953 he
received the Pulitzer Prize in Literature.
Churchill was a gentleman who believed in taking responsibility for his actions.
During a visit to New York in 1931, he tried to cross Fifth Avenue after looking to the
right, forgetting that Britons and Americans drive on opposite sides of the road. A car
hit him from the left at 30 miles per hour, but Churchill told the police officer that the
accident was his fault. He even invited the driver to visit him in the hospital.

Among Churchill's surprising beliefs, he opposed women's suffrage for a time, and
admittedly believed in ghosts - once claiming that he saw the ghost of Lincoln during
a stay at the White House.
Churchill collected butterflies during his early travels outside of Britain. Plans to begin
breeding butterflies in 1939 were put on hold, due to the onset of World War II. In
1946, after the war, he had a building converted to a butterfly house, following advice
from an expert. He cultivated garden plants to attract butterflies, including buddleia
and thistles, at his home at Chartwell. He even dabbled as a bricklayer, adding walls
to his garden.
Churchill was fascinated by all animals, not just butterflies. He once said, "I am fond
of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." Over the
years he received animals from all around the world as gifts, including an albino
kangaroo from Australia, many of which he donated to the London Zoo.
Queen Elizabeth II knighted Churchill in 1953. She once offered to make him the
Duke of London, but he declined.
Churchill was the first person to be named an Honorary Citizen of the United States,
in 1963, by President John F. Kennedy.

10. Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar was a Roman military commander and a genius, to say the
very least. He played a critical role in the death of a Roman Republic and
the rise of the strong Roman Empire. He was not only quick and smart on
the battlefield but he also devised great strategies and plan for the

expansion of the empire and his political finesse, with the help of which he
conquered almost all of Western Europe. His decisiveness, abilities to outwit his opponents made it possible for him to gain a strong following. He
was eventually assassinated by his friend Brutus. The famous
Shakespearean tragedy Julius Caesar is based on his life.
9. Franklin D Roosevelt

Franklin Roosevelt, also called FDR, was an American statesmen and a

political leader who helped America during some of the worst years like
The Great Depression. Roosevelt was afflicted with polio at the age of 29
and he was left paralyzed in both his legs. And yet, he went on to become
the President in 1933 and he is the only President who was elected four
consecutive times, till 1945, when he died. He also lead the America
military into WW II and made America rise to power. His political
knowledge, yearning to never stop are characteristics that every true
leader longs to have.
8. Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military leader who rose to power after
the French Revolution which overthrew the monarchy. He was shrewd and
cunning and a person who knew that bigger numbers did not always mean
bigger strength. His small armies are known to have triumphed over larger
armies. The Napoleonic Code of Legal Reforms which he formed is used till
date in many places. His military leadership and the regard for the
common man made him famous and he ruled and influenced France for
many years.
7. George Washington

The Founding father of The United States Of America, George Washington,

is till date one of the greatest leaders that we have ever seen. He led the
American Revolution and later, led USA into the first few years of its
independence as the First President of USA. He was a visionary and he had
immense vision for America which has led America to become the super
power it is today. His tenacity, steadfastness, his ability to make decisions
during difficult times made him a great leader and he led many people to
success.
6. Adolf Hitler

Now, many people will argue and disagree with the fact that a man like
Hitler is called a great leader but we have to say that although his actions
and deeds were not good but his leadership skills were matched only by
few in the world. He became the chancellor of Germany in 1933, rising
through the ranks and waged a great war. But his oratory skills, military
expansions and economic growth plans are something whose credit we
have to duly give him and him alone. Meticulous planning, propaganda
and strategizing by Hitler has in some way, shaped the power politics of
the world that we see even today.
5. Mao Zedong

We can see that some of the greatest leaders have spurted as the ones
who leaded a change in a particular place. Mao Zedong, similarly, was the
leader of the Chinese Revolution and the founder of Peoples Republic of
China, the China we see today. He withheld the Japanese invasion, kickstarted the economy of China and helped it become the super-power it is
today. His vision for China is what him and the people of China strived for.
His ideologies and principles of governance and economics are now known
as Maoism.
4. Abraham Lincoln

It takes a man with a vision to lead a country during its bad times.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of USA, led the country through the
US Civil War. He strived hard and did his best to keep the people of the
country together or else, today, America would have been many smaller
countries instead of one big country. He signed the Emancipation
Proclamation, thereby ending slavery in US. He heart ached for the ones
for whom he could do not do anything. His conviction, humility, oratory
skills made him one of the greatest leaders we have ever had.
3. Martin Luther King Jr.

It all started with a dream, like it always does. A dream for change and a
dream for better tomorrow. Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist and a
leader in the civil rights movement of USA. He was also a member of the
clergy. He is known for the non-violent ways in which he advanced and led
the civil rights movement. He fought for racial equality and showed the
people a picture of a better future where all men are equal. Courage,
perseverance and the will to fight for whats right till the very end made
him a great leader. He won The Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
2. Nelson Mandela

No one needs an introduction for this great man. Nelson Mandela was the
first democratically elected President of South Africa. He was the leader
and the face of the Anti- Apartheid movement and all through his life, he
relentlessly fought against racial discrimination. For his actions, he served
a long prison sentence but even that did not deter him. He came out as a
hero and led the country into a free, equal future. His determination, focus
and will-power were tremendous that even after serving almost 30 years
in jail, he got out and worked again for what was right.
1. Mahatma Gandhi

Born an ordinary boy Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, he later became

known as the Father of the Nation or bapu. Mahatma Gandhi led India
against the tyrannical rule of the Britishers. He fought silently and
practiced ahinsa or non-violence. He believed and truth and only truth
shall prevail and without harming a single soul, he got freedom to India.
Civil disobedience movements, boycotts of foreign goods etc is show he
showed his resistance towards the British. Eventually, The British left India
and Gandhi became the face of the nation. He is, without doubt, one of
the greatest leaders to have ever walked the earth.

Aung San Suu Kyi is an opposition leader in her home country of Myanmar and the winner of
the 1991 Nobel Prize for Peace.
IN THESE GROUPS

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNERS

FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO WENT TO PRISON

FAMOUS PEOPLE IN POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

NOTABLE FEMALE LEADERS

Show All Groups
1 of 2

QUOTES
Fear is a habit; I am not afraid.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Synopsis

Aung San Suu Kyi returned to Burma in 1988, after years of living and studying abroad, only
to find widespread slaughter of protesters rallying against the brutal rule of dictator U Ne
Win. She spoke out against him and initiated a nonviolent movement toward achieving

democracy and human rights. In 1989, the government placed Suu Kyi under house arrest,
and she spent 15 of the next 21 years in custody. In 1991, her ongoing efforts won her the
Nobel Prize for Peace, and she was finally released from house arrest in November 2010. She
has since gained a parliamentary seat with the National League for Democracy party.
Early Years

Aung San Suu Kyi was born on June 19, 1945 in Yangon, Myanmar, a country traditionally
known as Burma. Her father, formerly the de facto prime minister of British Burma, was
assassinated in 1947. Her mother, Khin Kyi, was appointed ambassador to India in 1960. Suu
Kyi obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of Oxford in 1969, and in 1972, she
married Michael Aris, a scholar in Bhutanese studies. She had two childrenin 1973 and
1977and the family spent the 1970s and '80s in England, the United States and India.
In 1988, Suu Kyi returned to Burma to care for her dying mother, and her life took a dramatic
turn.
Return to Burma

In 1962, dictator U Ne Win staged and carried out a coup d'tat in Burma, which spurred
intermittent protests over his policies for the subsequent decades. By 1988, he had resigned
his post of party chairman, essentially leaving the country in the hands of a military junta, but
stayed behind the scenes to orchestrate various violent responses to the continuing protests
and other events.
Suu Kyi returned to Burma from abroad in 1988, amidst the slaughter of protesters rallying
against U Ne Win and his iron-fisted rule. She began speaking out against him, with
democracy and human rights at the fore of her struggle. It did not take long for the junta to
notice her efforts, and in July of 1989, the military government of Burmawhich was
renamed the "Union of Myanmar" in 1989placed Suu Kyi under house arrest and cut off
any communication she might have with the outside world.
Though the Union military told Suu Kyi that if she agreed to leave the country, they would
free her, she refused to do so, insisting that her struggle would continue until the junta
released the country to civilian government and political prisoners were freed. In 1990, an
election was held, and the party with which Suu Kyi was now affiliatedthe National
League for Democracywon more than 80 percent of the parliamentary seats. The election
results, though, were predictably ignored by the junta. Twenty years later, they formally
annulled the results.
Suu Kyi was released from house arrest in July 1995, and the next year she attended the NLD
party congress, under the continual harassment of the military. Three years later, she founded
a representative committee and declared it as the country's legitimate ruling body, and in
response, in September 2000, the junta once again placed her under house arrest. She was
released in May of 2002.

In 2003, the NLD clashed in the streets with pro-government demonstrators, and Suu Kyi was
yet again arrested and placed under house arrest. Her sentence was then renewed yearly, and
the international community came to her aid each time, calling continually for her release (to
no avail).