The Top 100
Atlantic, The, December, 2006
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Or buy someone a gift subscription. 1 Abraham Lincoln He saved the Union, freed the slaves, and presided over America’s second founding. 2 George Washington He made the United States possible—not only by defeating a king, but by declining to become one himself. 3 Thomas Jefferson The author of the five most important words in American history: “All men are created equal.” 4 Franklin Delano Roosevelt He said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” and then he proved it. 5 Alexander Hamilton Soldier, banker, and political scientist, he set in motion ...