A lot of historical past’s well-known leaders had been nice women and men who impressed and helped others. Some led revolutions, fought colonization and oppression, led influential nations, and are nonetheless preventing and advocating for training, freedom, and different initiatives all over the world. True, some nice leaders had been controversial, notorious, and even disastrous and damaging figures. However, any listing of well-known leaders reveals us how the world has developed, and the course it would take sooner or later.
Use this listing of nice leaders to speak about historical past and the way the acts and selections of 1 individual actually form historical past.
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1. Hammurabi, first King of Babylon
Babylonia, circa 1810–1750 B.C.E.
The sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty issued a set of legal guidelines often known as the Code of Hammurabi. These complete legal guidelines included one of many earliest examples of an accused individual being thought-about harmless till confirmed responsible.
Be taught extra about Hammurabi at Kiddle.
2. Hatshepsut, Egyptian pharaoh
Egypt, circa 1507–1458 B.C.E.
Hatshepsut was the second feminine pharaoh and was often known as a prolific builder. She commissioned tons of of buildings, statues, and monuments. She additionally re-established essential commerce routes and elevated the dynasty’s wealth.
Be taught extra about Hatshepsut at Britannica.
4. Cyrus the Great, founding father of the Achaemenid Empire
Persia, 600–530 B.C.E.
Cyrus based the primary Persian Empire, the most important but seen on the earth. He dominated lands from the Balkans to India and usually revered the cultures and religions of the lands he conquered.
Be taught extra about Cyrus the Great at Kiddle.
5. Pericles, Greek politician
Greece, 495–429 B.C.E.
Below the management of Pericles, Athens grew to become a robust middle of the humanities, tradition, and training. He ushered within the age of Athenian democracy, through which even poor residents may maintain positions in authorities.
Be taught extra about Pericles at Kiddle.
6. Alexander the Nice, king of Macedonia
Macedonia, 356–323 B.C.E.
Alexander III of Macedon expanded his empire to grow to be one of many largest in historical past. This well-known chief, whose identify says all of it, was undefeated in battle and was thought-about one in all historical past’s best army leaders. Army academies immediately nonetheless train his ways.
Be taught extra about Alexander the Great at Kiddle.
7. Ashoka, emperor of India
India, 238? B.C.E.
Ashoka was the final main emperor of the Mauryan Dynasty. He promoted Buddhism throughout his time as emperor and helped unfold Buddhism all through India.
Be taught extra about Ashoka at Britannica.
8. Qin Shi Huang, founding father of the Qin Dynasty
China, 259–210 B.C.E.
As the primary emperor of a unified China, Shihuangdi (as he was additionally recognized) was a ruthless, tyrannical ruler. Nonetheless, he’s remembered immediately for uniting the Chinese language states and establishing a typical forex and a standardized writing fashion. He additionally began building on the Nice Wall of China.
Be taught extra about Qin Shi Huang at Kiddle.
9. Julius Caesar, Roman dictator
Rome, 100–44 B.C.E.
Julius Caesar helped construct Rome right into a mighty empire, bringing all of Gaul (France) below Roman rule. He made himself dictator of Rome, initiating land reform and granting citizenship to residents of far-off areas of the empire. Members of the ruling elite didn’t belief Caesar, in order that they finally plotted to assassinate him on the Ides of March.
Be taught extra about Julius Caesar at Kiddle.
10. Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt
Egypt, 69–30 B.C.E.
Cleopatra, one of the vital well-known feminine world leaders of historic instances, was the ultimate ruler of the Ptolemaic Empire of Egypt. She had a detailed relationship with Julius Caesar, bearing him a son. After Caesar’s loss of life, she allied with Mark Antony. When his bid to take over the Roman Empire failed, he killed himself by falling on his personal sword. Cleopatra took her personal life quickly after, and Egypt grew to become a Roman province.
Be taught extra about Cleopatra at Kiddle.
11. Caesar Augustus, first Roman emperor
Rome, 63 B.C.E. to A.D. 14
Augustus was the primary Roman emperor. His reign began an period of peace (Pax Romana) that lasted greater than 200 years. He additionally fashioned the Roman Empire, establishing a community of roads and a standing military throughout a time of prosperity.
Be taught extra about Caesar Augustus at Kiddle.
12. Constantine the Nice, Roman emperor
Roman Empire, A.D. 272–337
Constantine is thought for permitting Christianity to flourish within the Roman Empire. He constructed up town of Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople (immediately often known as Istanbul), making it the brand new capital of the empire.
Be taught extra about Constantine at Kiddle.
13. Attila, king of the Huns
Europe, A.D. ?–453
Attila the Hun was king of the Huns from 434 to 453. He was a barbarian ruler who attacked the Roman Empire and invaded the southern provinces. He’s such a well-known chief that his legend is informed as far-off as Iceland.
Be taught extra about Attila the Hun at Britannica.
14. Wu Zetian, empress of China
China, A.D. 624–705
Empress Wu, who dominated for 40 years, was the one legit feminine sovereign of China. Below her rule, corruption in China declined whereas the tradition and financial system grew. China grew to become one of many nice powers of the world.
Be taught extra about Wu Zetian at Kiddle.
15. Charlemagne, king of the Franks
Carolingian Empire, A.D. 742–814
Charlemagne united the vast majority of Western and Central Europe throughout the Center Ages. Individuals name him the “Father of Europe,” and the Pope made him the primary Holy Roman Emperor. He was strongly in favor of training, although he himself was illiterate, and arrange many faculties throughout Europe. He’s one of the vital well-known world leaders of the Center Ages.
Be taught extra about Charlemagne at Kiddle.
16. William the Conqueror, first Norman king of England
England, circa A.D. 1028–1087
In 1066, William invaded England, main the Normans to victory and changing into king. He ruthlessly put down revolts in Northern England, destroying a lot of the countryside. William I constructed many castles all through the nation and in addition ordered an enormous survey report often known as the Domesday Ebook.
Be taught extra about William the Conqueror at Ducksters.
17. Genghis Khan, ruler of the Mongols
Mongol Empire, A.D. 1162–1227
Genghis Khan united the nomadic individuals of northeast Asia into the Mongol Empire. He was a brutal conqueror, slaughtering complete cities that resisted him. Hundreds of thousands died in battle, famine, or mass extermination below his rule. Regardless of his fearsome status, many revered him for his willingness to share his wealth and different contributions to Mongol society.
Be taught extra about Genghis Khan at Ducksters.
18. Kublai Khan, founding father of the Yuan Dynasty
Mongol Empire, A.D. 1215–1294
Grandson of Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan dominated over the Mongol Empire at its largest—it stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Black Sea, Siberia to modern-day Afghanistan. He based the Yuan Dynasty of China and in addition constructed the palace of Xanadu, which Marco Polo visited on his voyages.
Be taught extra about Kublai Khan at Ducksters.
19. Mansa Musa, Mansa of the Mali Empire
Kingdom of Mali, circa A.D. 1300s
Mansa Musa was emperor of the Mali Empire in West Africa from round 1307. He left an empire that was notable for its riches and constructed the Nice Mosque in Timbuktu. He’s remembered most for his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, throughout which he traveled in a glittering procession with 60,000 males, together with 12,000 enslaved individuals, all wearing brocade and silk. He additionally had a baggage prepare of 80 camels every carrying 300 kilos of gold.
Be taught extra about Mansa Musa at Kiddle.
20. Njinga Mbandi, queen of the Ambundu Kingdoms
Angola, 1583–1663
Njinga Mbandi was the queen of the Mbundu individuals and resisted Portuguese colonizers in what’s now Angola. She struggled throughout 4 many years to stop the enslavement of her individuals.
Be taught extra about Njinga Mbandi on the BBC.
21. Joan of Arc, patron saint of France
France, circa A.D. 1412–1431
Jeanne d’Arc was a French heroine who led a military to victory in opposition to the English throughout the Hundred Years Struggle. The English later captured her and accused her of witchcraft, partially as a result of she most popular to decorate as a person. She was burned on the stake at simply 19 years outdated.
Be taught extra about Joan of Arc at Ducksters.
22. Henry VIII, king of England
England, A.D. 1491–1547
Henry VIII could be finest recognized for having six wives (and beheading two of them). He was decided that one in all his wives give him a male inheritor. His insistence on divorcing his first spouse led to a cut up with the Catholic Church. Henry VIII then grew to become the primary chief of the Protestant Church of England.
Be taught extra about Henry VIII at Kiddle.
23. Suleiman the Magnificent, sultan of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire, 1494–1566
The longest-reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman dreamed of taking on Europe. His bold siege of Vienna finally failed and began a rivalry between the Ottomans and the Habsburgs that lasted for hundreds of years. Suleiman expanded the empire within the Center East and North Africa, although. He led a golden age, reforming the authorized system and changing into a terrific patron of the humanities.
Be taught extra about Suleiman at Kiddle.
24. Elizabeth I, queen of England
England, 1533–1603
Elizabeth I, Henry VIII’s daughter, took the throne after a tumultuous time in English politics. Her half-sister Mary dominated earlier than her and tried to return the nation to Catholicism so forcefully she was often known as Bloody Mary. When Elizabeth I used to be topped, she vowed to make England Protestant once more, however she was comparatively tolerant. Her 44-year reign was a time of stability. She by no means married and was often known as the Virgin Queen.
Be taught extra about Elizabeth I at Kiddle.
25. Catherine the Great, empress of Russia
Russian Empire, 1729–1796
The longest-ruling empress of Russia, Catherine II helped develop Russia and led the nation because it grew to become one of many best European powers. She was a progressive chief, establishing a nationwide system of free faculties, together with the primary college for ladies. Catherine beloved literature and the humanities and constructed a group of greater than 38,000 books.
Be taught extra about Catherine the Great at Kiddle.
26. George Washington, first president of the US
United States, 1732–1799
The primary president of the US is unquestionably one of the vital well-known world leaders of all time. After main the American colonies to victory within the Revolutionary Struggle, Washington was unanimously elected to be the brand new nation’s first chief. Regardless of his fierce combat for U.S. independence, Washington himself had tons of of Black slaves all through his life. He ordered lots of them freed upon his loss of life and the loss of life of his spouse.
Be taught extra about George Washington at Kiddle.
27. Thomas Jefferson, U.S. president and writer of the Declaration of Independence
United States, 1743–1826
The third president of the US, Thomas Jefferson grew to become one of the vital well-known world leaders in historical past by writing the Declaration of Independence on the age of 33. As president, he accomplished the Louisiana Buy, which doubled the scale of the nation. Like Washington, Jefferson was additionally a slaveholder. He fathered a number of kids with the enslaved Sally Hemings.
Be taught extra about Thomas Jefferson at Kiddle.
28. Shaka Zulu, Zulu chief
Zulu Empire, 1787–1828
Shaka based southern Africa’s Zulu empire. When his father died in 1816, Shaka took over the Zulu, who had been fewer than 1,500 on the time. They had been a small clan, however Shaka reorganized the military by re-arming his males and reorganized how they fought. His military fought different clans and integrated the survivors into the Zulu. In a yr, the Zulu had been 4 instances higher than they had been earlier than. As Shaka elevated the variety of Zulu and decreased smaller tribes, it impacted the coastal and inland areas because the clan construction broke and lots of died. In 1827, his mom died and Shaka grew to become psychotic. He was killed in 1828.
Be taught extra about Shaka Zulu at Kiddle.
29. Tecumseh, Shawnee chief
Shawnee, circa 1768–1813
Tecumseh was a robust Shawnee chief who fashioned the Native American Confederacy to withstand U.S. enlargement onto native lands. He was a gifted speaker and traveled broadly to advertise his trigger. Tecumseh joined with the British within the Struggle of 1812, finally dying in battle.
Be taught extra about Tecumseh at Kiddle.
30. Napoleon Bonaparte, emperor of France
France, 1769–1821
Napoleon was a superb French army commander who grew to become the emperor of France after taking on a lot of continental Europe. After a disastrous foray into Russia, Napoleon was finally captured and exiled to the island of Elba. He escaped and retook management of France, solely to be defeated by an alliance of his enemies on the well-known Battle of Waterloo.
Be taught extra about Napoleon Bonaparte at Kiddle.
31. José de San Martín, liberator of Argentina, Chile, and Peru
Argentina, 1778–1850
San Martín was an Argentinian normal who helped lead Argentina, Chile, and Peru to independence from Spain. After a profitable army profession in Europe, he returned to his homeland to hitch native revolutionary actions. He has grow to be a nationwide hero within the nations he fought to free.
Be taught extra about San Martín at Kiddle.
32. Simón Bolívar, chief within the South American Independence Motion
Venezuela, 1783–1830
Bolívar is likely one of the most revered and well-known world leaders in South America. He led Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia to independence from the Spanish Empire. Bolívar hoped these nations would grow to be allies in a nation often known as Gran Colombia, however they started to combat amongst themselves. Deeply upset, Bolívar stepped down as president in despair in 1830. Right now, Bolívar is broadly revered as El Libertador, a terrific nationwide hero all through South America.
Be taught extra about Bolívar at Kiddle.
33. Abraham Lincoln, U.S. president
United States, 1809–1865
The sixteenth president of the US is finest often known as the person who freed the American slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. He led the nation all through the Civil Struggle and was tragically assassinated simply days after it ended. He was shot at Ford’s Theatre by Accomplice sympathizer John Wilkes Sales space.
Be taught extra about Abraham Lincoln at We Are Lecturers.
34. Queen Liliuokalani, queen of Hawaii
Hawaii, 1838–1917
When King Kalakaua handed away in 1891, his sister Liliuokalani grew to become the queen of Hawaii. She was the final ruler of the Hawaiian kingdom. The queen was compelled to surrender authority to the U.S. authorities, however in 1895 she engaged within the Counter-Revolution in Hawaii in an try to regain monarchy management.
Be taught extra about Queen Liliuokalani at Britannica.
35. Yaa Asantewaa, queen mom of the Ashanti individuals
Ghana, 1840–1921
Yaa Asantewaa lived in modern-day Ghana. She was queen of the Ashanti individuals and is legendary for main the Ashanti kings in battle in opposition to British colonial rule. She was additionally an mental, a politician, farmer, and human rights activist.
Be taught extra about Yaa Asantewaa on the BBC.
36. Victoria, queen of England
United Kingdom, 1819–1901
Victoria’s reign lasted 63 years, longer than any British monarch till Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. She grew to become queen at age 18 and oversaw an enormous enlargement of the British Empire. The Victorian period was a time of nice industrial, scientific, and political change. Queen Victoria married Prince Albert and had 9 kids. Regardless of eight assassination makes an attempt, she was usually beloved by her residents and can at all times be among the many most well-known world leaders in historical past.
Be taught extra about Queen Victoria at Kiddle.
37. Sitting Bull, Lakota Supreme Chief
Lakota Sioux, circa 1831–1890
As Supreme Chief of the Lakota Sioux nation, Sitting Bull led his individuals to a surprising victory over U.S. troops on the Battle of Little Bighorn. In response, the US despatched many extra troops, finally forcing the give up of most of the Lakota Sioux. Sitting Bull himself surrendered in 1881, then carried out in Buffalo Invoice’s Wild West Present for a time. When he returned to Standing Rock Company in South Dakota, native Indian Service brokers feared his affect. They ordered his arrest, and Sitting Bull was killed within the ensuing battle. He’s remembered immediately as an emblem of Native American resistance actions.
Be taught extra about Sitting Bull at Kiddle.
38. Nicholas II, final emperor of Russia
Russian Empire, 1868–1918
Nicholas II was the final tsar of the Russian Empire. He resisted efforts to present extra energy to the brand new Russian parliament (Duma) and misplaced the help of his individuals. In 1917, he abdicated the throne and was exiled to Siberia. In 1918, he and his household had been executed, and shortly after, Russia grew to become the Soviet Union.
Be taught extra about Tsar Nicholas II at Kiddle.
39. Mahatma Gandhi, civil rights activist
India, 1869–1948
Gandhi was a civil rights chief who led the profitable marketing campaign for India’s independence from British rule. His strategies of nonviolent protest impressed different well-known world leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. in their very own freedom fights. In 1948, a Hindu Nationalist assassinated Gandhi as he was on his solution to a prayer assembly. Right now, individuals all over the world nonetheless revere Gandhi for his peaceable however highly effective affect.
Be taught extra about Gandhi at Kiddle.
40. Vladimir Lenin, Russian Communist revolutionary
Soviet Union, 1870–1924
Lenin led the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, overseeing the transformation of the nation into the Soviet Union. His authorities instituted Communist reforms all through the nation, redistributing land amongst poor peasants and nationalizing business and the banks. Lenin is a extremely divisive determine. Some take into account him a champion of socialism and the poor. Others really feel he instituted a totalitarian dictatorship that led to political oppression. Both method, he was a extremely influential chief.
Be taught extra about Vladimir Lenin at Kiddle.
41. Winston Churchill, prime minister of the UK
United Kingdom, 1874–1965
As prime minister, Winston Churchill led the UK all through World Struggle II. He was an inspiring speaker who stored his individuals’s spirits up because the battle took its toll on the nation. Churchill had an extended political profession, serving as prime minister twice. He was additionally an achieved writer and painter and an ardent animal lover.
Be taught extra about Winston Churchill at Kiddle.
42. Joseph Stalin, premier of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union, 1878–1953
When Lenin died in 1924, Stalin took over as chief of the Soviet Union. Stalin was a brutal chief and killed tens of millions of his personal residents who disagreed with him. Although he allied with the UK and the US throughout World Struggle II, his differing insurance policies led to the beginning of the Chilly Struggle within the years after WWII ended. Regardless of his remorseless status, he stays one of the vital well-known world leaders and a well-liked historic determine in Russia immediately.
Be taught extra about Joseph Stalin at Kiddle.
43. Franklin D. Roosevelt, U.S. president
United States, 1882–1945
Additionally recognized merely as “FDR,” Roosevelt served longer than another U.S. president. His social and financial applications helped the nation get better from the Nice Melancholy. He gave charismatic radio talks known as Hearth Chats, which made him highly regarded with most Individuals. FDR led the nation by means of World Struggle II and gained a document fourth time period in 1944. (After this, Congress modified the regulation to restrict all presidents to 2 phrases.) Roosevelt had polio as a younger man and spent most of his grownup life in a wheelchair, although he hid this from the general public. His spouse, Eleanor Roosevelt, was a robust chief herself and helped him all through his presidency.
Learn extra about Franklin D. Roosevelt at Kiddle.
44. Benito Mussolini, founding father of the Nationwide Fascist Celebration
Italy, 1883–1945
Mussolini began the Fascist political celebration, which grew to become common in Italy regardless of their ruthless therapy of those that opposed them. By 1925, his celebration had taken energy and made Mussolini “Il Duce.” Mussolini dominated as a dictator and joined his nation with Hitler’s Germany in World Struggle II. Italy was unprepared for such a big battle and finally fell to the Allies. Mussolini was captured and executed.
Be taught extra about Benito Mussolini at Kiddle.
45. Adolf Hitler, dictator of Germany
Germany, 1889–1945
Hitler is undoubtedly one of the vital well-known world leaders of all time, however he’s additionally notorious. He began World Struggle II with ruthless takeovers of a lot of Europe. He despatched greater than 6 million Jewish individuals to die in focus camps throughout the Holocaust. In the end, his hubris led to defeat, and Hitler took his personal life whereas hiding from Allied troops.
Be taught extra about Adolf Hitler at Kiddle.
46. Mao Zedong, founding father of the Individuals’s Republic of China
China, 1893–1976
Mao was a Chinese language Communist revolutionary who based the Individuals’s Republic of China. He oversaw excessive reforms just like the Nice Leap Ahead when he despatched individuals to work in large farm communes. This was so unsuccessful that it triggered a terrific famine and lots of deaths, however Mao refused to consider he was at fault. He later led a “Cultural Revolution” that destroyed many historic buildings and artifacts. Regardless of his brutal and controversial regime, Mao remodeled China right into a world energy, and lots of there nonetheless admire him.
Be taught extra about Mao Zedong at Kiddle.
47. Kwame Nkrumah, president of Ghana
Ghana, 1909–1972
Kwame Nwai Nkrumah fought for the independence of the Gold Coast (Ghana and Togo) of Africa from Britain. Nkrumah went to highschool in the US however returned to the Gold Coast in 1947 and have become president of the United Gold Coast Conference. Along with his political celebration, the Conference Individuals’s Celebration, he organized nonviolent protests, demanding independence from Britain. He was imprisoned however later launched. He was elected prime minister of the Gold Coast in 1952 and the nation was granted independence. When Ghana grew to become a republic in 1960, Nkrumah grew to become president. He dominated as a “president for all times,” and Ghana grew to become corrupt as Nkrumah retreated and finally went into exile. Right now, Ghana is a secure, democratic nation and Nkrumah is remembered for his anti-colonial stance and combat for independence.
Be taught extra about Kwame Nkrumah at Britannica.
48. B.P. Koirala, prime minister of Nepal
Nepal, 1914–1982
In 1959, Koirala grew to become Nepal’s first elected prime minister. He led a well-liked revolt in 1951 that overthrew the oligarchy, and in 1960, solely 18 months after taking workplace, he jailed by King Mahendra, who took over the federal government.
Be taught extra about B.P. Koirala on the New York Occasions.
49. Mohammad Zahir Shah, king of Afghanistan
Afghanistan, 1914–2007
Shah was king of Afghanistan for 40 years, implementing his nation’s structure within the Sixties. However following the nation’s struggling by means of financial issues, Shah was deposed in 1973. He lived in exile for 30 years and returned after the autumn of the Taliban.
Be taught extra about Mohammad Zahir Shah at Britannica.
50. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, prime minister of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, 1916–2000
Bandaranaike was the primary lady within the trendy world to be elected head of presidency. When she was elected, she’d entered politics solely the yr earlier than, after her husband was assassinated by a Buddhist monk whereas he was prime minister. Amongst different political positions, she served phrases as prime minister in Sri Lanka from 1960 to 1965, 1970 to 1977, and 1994 to 2000.
Be taught extra about Sirimavo Bandaranaike at Kiddle.
51. Indira Gandhi, prime minister of India
India, 1917–1984
Indira Gandhi was the daughter of India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and was a part of the motion for independence from Britain early on. She was elected celebration chief in 1966 and later grew to become the primary feminine prime minister of India and served for 3 consecutive phrases. Throughout her fourth time period, in 1984, she was assassinated. She is thought for supporting Bangladesh of their battle for independence, which made India the most important energy in South Asia.
Be taught extra about Indira Gandhi at Kiddle.
52. Nelson Mandela, first black president of South Africa
South Africa, 1918–2013
Nelson Mandela was a civil rights chief and the primary Black president of South Africa. Fearing his affect, the Apartheid authorities imprisoned him for 27 years. Even in jail, Mandela remained an inspiration, and folks and governments all over the world started to name for his freedom. He was launched in 1990 and elected president within the free elections of 1994. He obtained the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Be taught extra about Nelson Mandela at Kiddle.
53. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, prime minister of India
India, 1924–2018
Vajpayee was India’s prime minster for 13 days in 1996 after which once more from 1998 to 2004. He served in India’s parliament for many years and performed an essential position in negotiating peace with Pakistan.
Be taught extra about Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Britannica.
54. Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s first lady prime minister
England, 1925–2013
Thatcher was Britain’s first lady prime minister, serving from 1979 to 1990. She was an essential chief within the Chilly Struggle who supported democracy over Communism. After one speech, the Soviets known as her “the Iron Girl.” She was prime minister for 11 years, the longest-serving prime minister within the twentieth century.
Be taught extra about Margaret Thatcher at Ducksters.
55. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, president of Iceland
Iceland, born 1930
Finnbogadóttir was a instructor and politician who grew to become president of Iceland and served from 1980 to 1996. She was the primary lady on the earth to be elected in a nationwide election. After her first time period, which she gained by a slim victory, she was reelected thrice (1984, 1988, and 1992). After serving as president, she labored in roles with the United Nations Instructional Scientific and Cultural Group (UNESCO), together with as ambassador for languages.
Be taught extra about Vigdís Finnbogadóttir at Britannica.
56. Kofi Annan, United Nations statesman
Ghana, 1938–2018
Kofi Annan was born in Ghana and began his profession with the United Nations as a finances officer for the World Well being Group in 1962. Besides for 2 years because the director of tourism in Ghana, he spent his complete profession with the U.N. Annan was recognized for skillfully dealing with the transition of peacekeeping operations throughout the Bosnia and Herzegovina civil battle. Annan additionally labored to restore U.N. relations with the US and to revive public confidence within the U.N., combat the AIDS virus, and finish human rights abuses. He labored all over the world to advertise peace and stability. In 2008, he obtained the Peace of Westphalia prize, awarded for contributions to unity and peace. In 2007, he based the Kofi Annan Basis, which promotes peace and human rights.
Be taught extra about Kofi Annan at Kiddle.
57. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia
Liberia, born 1938
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was a Liberian politician and economist. Liberia is a rustic in West Africa that was based as a settlement for freed slaves within the nineteenth century. Sirleaf was born in Liberia however studied in the US and lived in Kenya when she was youthful and throughout the Liberian Civil Struggle. She beat a slate of males and gained help from 80% of ladies voters within the first presidential election after the battle. Sirleaf was president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018 and was the primary lady to be elected president of an African nation. In 2011, she gained the Nobel Prize for her work for ladies’s rights.
Be taught extra about Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at Britannica.
58. Angela Merkel, German chancellor
Germany, born 1954
Angela Merkel entered politics proper after the autumn of the Berlin Wall in Germany in 1989. In 2000, she grew to become the chief of her political celebration in Germany, and in 2005 the primary feminine chancellor of Germany, the primary East German chancellor, and the youngest chancellor (she was 51). Throughout her 4 phrases as chancellor, she served because the chief of Germany, a rustic with the most individuals and energy in Europe. No surprise she remains to be a well-known world chief!
Be taught extra about Angela Merkel on the Council of Ladies World Leaders.
59. Barack Obama, U.S. president
United States, born 1961
Barack Obama, the forty fourth president of the US, was the primary African American to carry the workplace. A graduate of Columbia College and Harvard Legislation Faculty, he was a civil rights lawyer and represented the thirteenth District within the Illinois Senate for 3 phrases earlier than changing into president. He grew to become one of the vital well-known world leaders when he assumed workplace as president in January 2009 and was reelected to a second time period in November 2012.
Be taught extra about Barack Obama at The White Home.
60. Shinzo Abe, prime minister of Japan
Japan, 1954–2022
Shinzo Abe, one in all Japan’s most well-known world leaders, was the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese historical past, having served from 2006 to 2007 after which once more from 2012 to 2020. He got here from a politically influential household—his father, Shintaro Abe, was the longest-serving postwar overseas minister, and his maternal grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, was the previous prime minister of Japan. His financial insurance policies grew to become often known as “Abenomics.” As a result of poor well being, Abe resigned in 2020. He was tragically assassinated on July 8, 2022, whereas giving a speech in help of a politician.
Be taught extra about Shinzo Abe at Britannica.
61. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, president of Mexico
Mexico, born 1962
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo is the primary lady head of state in Mexico. She is a scientist who has labored on making use of science to public coverage and served as governor of Mexico Metropolis earlier than working for president.
Be taught extra about Claudia Sheinbaum at Britannica.
62. Jacinda Ardern, prime minister of New Zealand
New Zealand, born 1980
Jacinda Ardern grew to become the youngest feminine head of the federal government on the earth when she was sworn in because the fortieth prime minister of New Zealand at simply 37 years of age. She was additionally the youngest chief of the Labour Celebration, which she joined at simply 17, and after Helen Clark, was the second feminine to guide the celebration. Ardern additionally grew to become the youngest sitting member of Parliament when she entered Parliament at 28 years outdated. She confronted main points, such because the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic, throughout her time in workplace. She resigned as prime minister in 2023.
Be taught extra about Jacinda Ardern at Britannica.
63. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine
Ukraine, born 1978
Lengthy earlier than coming into politics, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a profitable comic. In truth, his manufacturing firm, Kvartal 95, produced a well-liked tv present known as Servant of the Individuals through which he performed the president of Ukraine. In a second of life imitating artwork, he was truly elected in 2019 by incomes greater than 70% of the vote. In the course of the first two years of his administration, Zelenskyy confronted many points together with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent financial recession. As Ukraine grappled with the affect of those challenges, Russia launched an ongoing full-scale invasion in February 2022. As one of the vital well-known world leaders of immediately, Zelenskyy has earned worldwide reward for his management throughout the disaster, was named Time’s Individual of the Yr in 2022, and has been ranked as Ukraine’s best president in opinion polls.
Be taught extra about Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Britannica.
64. Malala Yousafzai, training activist
Pakistan, born 1997
Born within the Swat Valley in Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai was only a highschool pupil when she grew to become the goal of the Taliban. The terrorist group had taken over the Swat Valley and burned down ladies’ faculties. She stored a diary, which was revealed by BBC Urdu, the place she tracked the occasions and condemned the regime. In 2012, Malala survived being shot within the head on a college bus by a Taliban gunman. She and her household fled to England, the place they presently reside in exile. Within the years because the capturing, Malala has doubled down on her activism, talking on the United Nations on her sixteenth birthday and even being named one in all “The 100 Most Influential Individuals within the World” by Time journal.
Be taught extra about Malala Yousafzai on the Malala Fund.
65. Greta Thunberg, environmental activist
Sweden, born 2003
Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg is an environmental activist who, regardless of being a young person when she started, grew to become well-known for demanding speedy motion from world leaders for local weather change mitigation. She based a motion often known as Fridays for Future (additionally known as Faculty Strike for Local weather). Strikes have been held in nations together with Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US. She is one in all many younger, nice leaders preventing for options to trendy considerations.
Be taught extra about Greta Thunberg at Britannica.
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