What makes someone a hero? It's not about superpowers or headlines—it's about rising with courage in the face of adversity, doing what’s right, and inspiring others through action and spirit.

In past polls, Americans named their heroes with names like Jesus, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, and Pope Francis—people admired for integrity, leadership, compassion, and courage in the face of injustice.

The poll also highlighted five traits shared by heroic individuals:

• They never give up on their goals.
• They do what’s right, even at great cost.
• They go beyond what others expect of them.
• They overcome adversity with strength and grace.
• They remain calm in times of crisis.

Christopher Reeve, who portrayed Superman and became quadriplegic after a tragic accident, once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Reeve’s unshakable determination lit the way for others, reminding us that heroism lives quietly in persistence, faith, and hope.