TIME Best of the Person of the Year

Ever since Charles Lindbergh was proclaimed the Man of the Year for 1927 in the January 2, 1928, issue, TIME magazine has annually designated one man, woman, couple, or concept that had the most influence on the world during the previous 12 months. In this special issue, we profile the past Persons of the Year who made a positive impact on the world. Unplug, dive in, and find hope and inspiration in these stories of people who used their influence for good. You’ll find stories of more recent Persons of the Year, then take a trip down memory lane through stories of other change-makers, going back to the franchise’s origin. In the second half of the book, we highlight groups of people TIME recognized for their selfless contributions to society. Despite turmoil in this world, there are luminaries who work to make it a better place.