"Never was so much owed by so many to so few." – Winston Churchill*

If America symbolizes one word, it’s freedom. And we’ve all heard it before: Freedom isn’t free. So this Independence Day we tip – no, remove – our hats to those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. From those valiant ‘rebels’ that first served under George Washington to the millions of families that have made untold sacrifice over two and a quarter centuries, we thank you.

We also salute those men (and women) of character that have contributed in so many other ways to make this country better and more interesting, whether it be exploration, science, politics, business, culture or anything else. From Davy Crockett to Andy Warhol, from Mark Twain to Martin Luther King, from Elvis Presley to Steve Jobs, the list of those that have made indelible contributions to America – and many times the world – is a mile long.

So here’s to the characters that have shaped America and here’s to her 236th birthday!

*Yeah, we realize he was British but it’s still a very apt quote.