ICONS OF BELARUS
What is Belarus, and why should the lives and rights of its people command global attention?
Belarusians Who Contributed to the Independence and Development of the USA
Throughout history, Belarusians have played an important role in the formation and development of the United States of America. They fought for independence, made significant contributions to science, culture, the economy, and other areas, leaving an indelible mark on the country's history.
This section is dedicated to the memory and achievements of outstanding Belarusians whose names deserve recognition:
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Participants in the Fight for U.S. Independence: Individuals whose courage and dedication to the ideals of freedom helped shape the United States.
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Contributions to Science and Technology: Belarusians whose discoveries and innovations changed the world.
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Culture and Arts: Talents who enriched America’s cultural heritage.
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Public Service and Civic Engagement: Belarusians who played key roles in the development of American society.
We take pride in their achievements and hope their example will inspire future generations to strive for great deeds and high goals.
If you know of Belarusians whose names deserve to be mentioned in this section, please contact us—their stories deserve to be heard.
United Spirit, Great Heritage: Icons of the USA with Belarusian Roots
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Thaddeus Kosciuszko
(1746–1817) was a Brigadier General of the United States Army and a hero of the American Revolution. Born in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (modern-day Belarus), he played a key role in the war for independence. Revered in both the United States and Belarus, he remains a symbol of resistance and justice.
Simon Kuznets
(1901 –1985) was a Belarusian-born American economist and statistician who received the 1971 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences "for his empirically founded interpretation of economic growth which has led to new and deepened insight into the economic and social structure and process of development."
Paul Baran
(1926–2011) was an American engineer and Internet pioneer born in Grodno, Belarus. In the 1960s, he developed packet-switched data transmission, the foundation of modern networks, Internet. Baran played a key role in advancing digital communication and secure data transmission.
Barys Kit
(1910-2018) was a Belarusian-American scientist, mathematician, and rocket engineer. He was born in 1910 and grew up in Belarus. Kit made significant contributions to space technology, particularly in the use of liquid hydrogen as rocket fuel, which played a key role in the Apollo program. He was a Distinguished Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park.
David Sarnoff
(1981-1971) originally from Belarus, a pioneer of radio and telecommunications, David Sarnoff was the longtime president of RCA and founder of NBC, shaping modern broadcast media.
In 1926, he established NBC, the first commercial radio network, and in 1939, introduced regular television broadcasting in the U.S. He played a key role in developing color television.
Irving Berlin
(05.11.1888 09.22.1989) was a composer and lyricist of Belarusian-Jewish origin, the author of “God Bless America” and one of the most prolific and popular American songwriters of the 20th century, whose hits include “White Christmas” and “Cheek to Cheek.”
We will continue to expand this list of icons as opportunities arise. This is not a comprehensive list—we have highlighted only a small portion of Belarusians and have not included celebrities whose parents were born in Belarus. If you or a famous individual has Jewish heritage from Eastern Europe, there is a high likelihood they have roots in Belarus.
Belarusians are not barbarians or aliens. They are your neighbors, colleagues, scientists, filmmakers, and business leaders, who have made significant contributions to the development of the United States and continue to work every day for the greatness of our beloved America.