As our nation marks 250 years of history, it’s natural to look back at the moments that shaped America. But history is ultimately a story about people—and the choices they made when others needed them most.

That perspective is at the heart of 250 Great American Heroes, a new project from Newsweek created in collaboration with the National Medal of Honor Museum.

More than a commemorative publication for America’s semiquincentennial, the editorial initiative places 250 Medal of Honor Recipients at the center of the celebration, telling our nation’s story through the lives of ordinary Americans who chose to serve others in extraordinary ways.

“One of the things that made this collaboration so meaningful was Newsweek’s commitment to keeping the focus where it belongs—on the people,” said Alexandra Rhue, Senior Vice President of Museum Engagement & Strategic Initiatives at the National Medal of Honor Museum. “They shared our belief that these are deeply human stories, and they approached them with a genuine commitment to accuracy, thoughtful storytelling, and honoring each Recipient’s own voice whenever possible.”

The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,536 Americans representing every state in the Union, every branch of the United States Armed Forces, every major conflict since the Civil War, and every walk of life. While the 250 stories featured here represent just a small portion of that legacy, together they reveal the enduring spirit of service that continues to define our nation.

“The Medal of Honor reminds us that what binds us together is often more powerful than what sets us apart,” said Cory Crowley, Executive Vice President of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. “It’s a reflection of values that connect Americans across generations—putting others before yourself, leading with integrity, and answering the call to serve. Those values don’t belong to the past. They’re part of our shared identity, and they’re just as relevant today as they’ve ever been.”

Visitors to the National Medal of Honor Museum can explore those stories through immersive exhibits, firsthand Recipient interviews, and artifacts that bring these remarkable lives into focus. Whether beginning with one profile in 250 Great American Heroes or continuing the journey at the Museum, each story offers another opportunity to better understand the people whose choices have helped shape America’s past—and continue to inspire its future.

Explore 250 Great American Heroes on Newsweek.com, then plan your visit to the National Medal of Honor Museum, where thousands more Recipient stories are waiting to be discovered.