Despite what you might think, history involves more than dates & facts. In fact, it’s full of stories about people who just wouldn’t give up, no matter what. These inspiring tales teach us how sticking to your guns can really make a difference in the world. As such, here are eleven historical moments where persistence paid off a lot. Each event will show you why you should never throw in the towel—no matter how impossible things might seem.
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One Small Step for Man
The moon landing in 1969 was the result of years of hard work by thousands of people. Getting astronauts to the moon & back was no small feat since it required persistence, innovation—and plenty of bravery. Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon truly was a giant leap for mankind. And it was made possible by not giving up in the face of huge challenges!
Wiping Out Smallpox
Thanks to a global vaccination effort, we recorded the last natural case of smallpox in 1977. By 1980, the disease was declared eradicated. It was an incredible achievement that came after years of persistent work by health organizations & countries around the world. When we all work together, we can achieve the impossible.
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Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison for fighting apartheid in South Africa. But instead of breaking his spirit, it only made his resolve stronger and after his release, he led the country through reconciliation. He even became its first black president. Mandela was determined in the face of injustice, showing us just how strong the human spirit can be.
Vincent van Gogh Kept on Painting
Vincent van Gogh really didn’t get much attention while he was alive. In fact, he sold just one painting! But he refused to stop painting, continuing to create over 2,000 artworks that we see practically everywhere. He just loved painting, fame or no fame. You should take his story as proof that just because you’re not appreciated for your talents now doesn’t mean that you won’t ever be.
Building the Panama Canal Was No Joke
In order to build the Panama Canal, workers had to dig a huge waterway through a jungle. It’s as difficult as it sounds! After the French gave it a go and couldn’t finish, the Americans took over. Despite diseases, political issues & the huge task of actually cutting through the isthmus of Panama, they finished it by 1914. It completely changed how ships travel around the world.
Kathrine Switzer Ran Her Way into History
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer wasn’t supposed to run the Boston Marathon because she was a woman. But run it she did—even when an official tried to physically stop her mid-race. She finished it and her persistence opened the door for women in marathons everywhere. Now that’s one way to run down barriers!
Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope
Speaking of races, after losing his leg to cancer, Terry Fox decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Every day, he ran a marathon—that’s 26 miles. Every. Single. Day. Even when his cancer came back, he kept going until he physically couldn’t. His journey raised millions for cancer research but also did more than that. It inspired a whole country & then some.
Herman Melville and His Big Whale Tale
While “Moby Dick” is a classic now, when Herman Melville wrote it, people weren’t lining up to get their hands on a copy. It sold quite poorly. But Melville kept on writing because he believed in his work—and he was right. Many English teachers hail “Moby Dick” as a masterpiece and it just goes to show that, sometimes, the world needs time to catch up.
Beethoven Didn’t Let Deafness Stop Him
Ludwig van Beethoven losing his hearing is probably one of the most ironic twists in music history. He refused to pack up his piano & call it quits, choosing instead to continue composing & conducting. He performed even when he couldn’t hear a note! In fact, some of his best work came out when he was completely deaf and if that’s not persistence, we don’t know what is.
Stephen King and the Novel That Almost Wasn’t
Stephen King’s “Carrie” almost didn’t see the light of day. After facing plenty of rejections, King tossed it in the trash but lucky for us, his wife fished it out & convinced him to keep trying. Finally, King got the book published. The rest is history! King’s story is a classic example of how we should never give up—with a bit of a “listen to your spouse” lesson thrown in!
Rebuilding After World War II
The devastation of World War II left many countries in ruins. But what happened next was a remarkable story of resilience—nations rebuilt & economies recovered. Countries also formed new alliances, with the post-war era seeing some of the most rapid & widespread prosperity in history. It was all because people were determined to move forward!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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