Through their unforgettable art and innovations in film, these auteurs stand among the most influential big-screen talents in movie history.

The former first lady spoke publicly about her struggles with prescription pills and alcohol, and founded a rehab center to help others.

The writer used her poetry to fight for justice across racial, social and sexual barriers.

The Harlem-raised trailblazer learned to control her emotions and ride out the hostilities to become one of the sport’s transcendent champions.

The New Yorker used her poetic way with words to amplify injustice in race, gender, sexuality and classism.

The two revolutionary LGBTQ+ activists developed a friendship while fighting for transgender rights in the 1960s and '70s.

As one of the leaders of the Stonewall Inn resistance, the Black transgender woman was an early activist for LGBTQ+ rights in New York City.

The largely forgotten bicycle racing champion took center stage at a time when the sport was all the rage in a still-segregated nation.

The trailblazing Black lawyer uncovered the evidence that tied the Mafia boss to a prostitution operation and led to his conviction.

Here are five lesser-known but important facts from the life of the iconic sportsman.

Learn more about Alexander Graham Bell and the machines he invented.

The up-and-coming boxer relished the tutelage and friendship of the influential Nation of Islam minister before a power struggle drove them apart.

The musician used her voice and songs to support the civil rights movement and speak out about crimes against Black people in America.

At the age of 19, the future Queen of Soul wed her manager—and the seven-year marriage was filled with dark moments.

The Queen of Soul and the King of Motown first met as kids in Detroit, not realizing how much impact they’d each have on the world of music.

The members of the gold-medal-winning 1996 U.S. women's Olympic gymnastics team have moved on to successful lives as coaches, authors, media personalities and mothers.

Decades before Brown v. Board of Education, a Supreme Court decision favored the continued segregation of schools by race.

The often controversial activist called homosexuals an "oppressed minority."

The larger-than-life writer found unyielding companionship and support from her fellow American expatriate in Paris.

An unexpected best-selling book by Amy Tan turned into a box office success, yet it wasn’t until 2018 that its effects stuck.

The two activist forged an unlikely bond in the 1960s while fighting for racial equality.

The inventors' different approaches to creating a standardized electrical system ultimately drove them apart.

With their leadership and bravery, these trailblazing activists left a lasting mark on American history, fighting for civil rights, labor rights and everything in between.

The royal couple's love story had a romantic beginning but their relationship was rattled by her early ascension to the throne five years into their marriage.