Influential Figures Who Changed the World: Kroc, King, Jobs, Houdini, Mandela

Posted on Oct 23, 2026 in History

1. Ray Kroc

Businessman in the fast-food industry

Five Facts

• Was born in 1902 in Illinois, USA.
• Was a milkshake-machine salesman.
• Met the McDonald brothers, who owned a successful fast-food restaurant.
• Was hired by them in 1954 and opened the first McDonald’s in 1955.
• Bought the McDonald brothers’ business in 1961 and started expanding it all over the world.

How Did He Change the World?

Ray Kroc changed the world by making McDonald’s a global restaurant brand. He developed a unique method of franchising to operate his business.

2. Martin Luther King Jr.

Civil rights leader | Equality

Five Facts

• Was born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Was a Baptist minister and a civil rights activist who advocated nonviolent protest.
• Gave the famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
• Won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was assassinated in 1968.

How Did He Change the World?

Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent civil rights leader who worked to eliminate segregation and discrimination in the United States. He played a crucial role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

3. Steve Jobs

Inventor and entrepreneur | Technology

Five Facts

• Was born in 1955 in San Francisco, California.
• Founded Apple Inc. in 1976 with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.
• Was responsible for launching the Macintosh in 1984.
• Was also responsible for bringing the iPod, iPhone, and iPad to the marketplace.
• Returned to Apple in 1997 and led it to massive success before passing away in 2011.

How Did He Change the World?

Steve Jobs was an inventor and entrepreneur known for his role in the development and popularization of personal computers. He made technology more accessible and brought the world revolutionary products.

4. Harry Houdini

Magician and escape artist

Five Facts

• Was born in 1874 in Budapest, Hungary, as Erik Weisz.
• His family emigrated when he was a child, and he became known as Harry Houdini in America.
• Was a celebrity magician and performer who specialized in escaping from restraints.
• Was famous for his incredible and often dangerous stunts, such as escaping from underwater restraints.
• Was also a skeptic who challenged fake spiritualists, and he passed away in 1926.

How Did He Change the World?

Harry Houdini was a famous escape artist who popularized modern-day magic. Many of his stunts were dangerous, and he encouraged people to stop believing in fake mediums.

5. Nelson Mandela

Political leader | Human rights

Five Facts

• Was born in 1918 in South Africa.
• Was a political leader who played a crucial role in bringing an end to apartheid.
• Was imprisoned for 27 years for his anti-apartheid activities.
• Was released in 1990 and shared the Nobel Peace Prize with F. W. de Klerk in 1993.
• Became the first Black president of South Africa, in the country’s first multiracial democracy, in 1994, and passed away in 2013.

How Did He Change the World?

Nelson Mandela fought for human rights and democracy. His efforts contributed to ending apartheid in South Africa and promoting equality among all its citizens.

Discussion Questions

1. Who Is the Most Important Person in This Unit? Why?

Sample answer: Martin Luther King Jr.

I think Martin Luther King Jr. was the most important person because he stood up for equality and promoted nonviolence. He was a skilled public speaker who could deliver messages of peace and unity to crowds of thousands of people. His ideas and actions influenced many individuals, and he played a significant role in modern history.

2. What Person Are You Most Like? Why?

Choose the person whose qualities best match your own personality.

Steve Jobs: creative and innovative

“I am most like Steve Jobs because I enjoy thinking creatively and coming up with new ideas. I am passionate about finding innovative solutions and bringing my visions to life.”

3. If You Could Have Dinner With One Person, Who Would It Be and Why?

Nelson Mandela

If I could have dinner with Nelson Mandela, I would ask him what motivated him to endure such a long prison term. I would also ask him how he achieved reconciliation with those who once oppressed his people. Having dinner with him would be an opportunity to learn from his fascinating life and gain valuable insights.

Three Questions I Would Ask Him and Why

1. “How did you stay optimistic during your 27-year prison stay?”

   I would ask this question to understand how he maintained hope and resilience during his challenging times.

2. “How were you able to forgive your oppressors?”

   I would ask this question to learn how he practiced forgiveness and let go of negativity.

3. “What advice would you give to young people who wish to make a difference?”

   I would ask this question to discover how he would guide young individuals seeking to contribute positively to society.

Summary Table

Important Vocabulary for the Test

• Entrepreneur: A person who starts or develops a business.
• Innovation: The action or process of introducing new ideas or methods.
• Civil rights: The rights of people to be free from unfair discrimination.
• Segregation: Forced separation of people on the basis of race.
• Apartheid: South Africa’s policy of racial segregation.
• Perseverance: The determination to achieve one’s goals.
• Legacy: Something that a person leaves behind after death.
• Nonviolent protest: A method of protesting that does not involve violence.
• Franchise: A business that operates under the ownership of another company.