10. Muhammad Ali
“Get up and fight, sucker!” Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali stands over Sonny Liston, the man he snatched the title from the previous year, following a first-round knockout in a championship rematch on May 25, 1965.

9. Roger Bannister
In one of the greatest singular athletic achievements ever, Roger Bannister became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes (3:59.4) on May 6, 1954. The 25-year-old medical student from London reached “one of man’s hitherto unattainable goals,”

8. Black Power
American sprinters Tommie Smith (center) and John Carlos (right) raise gloved fists on the medal stand at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City on October 16, 1968. The duo planned to boycott the Games in protest of racial inequality, but instead utilized the platform to make their statement.

7. Kerri Strug
Holding a slim lead over Russia in the women’s gymnastics team competition at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Kerri Strug overcame torn ligaments in her ankle to help bring Team USA its first-ever gold medal in the team all-around. Strug, who got hurt on her first vault, stepped up again to seal the win for the Americans.

6. Eddie Gaedel
Standing at 3 feet, 7 inches, Eddie Gaedel became the first little person in Major League Baseball (MLB) history when he stepped to the plate on August 19, 1951, as a member of the St. Louis Browns.

See Pt. 2 for the rest!