Who Will Be Number Eight?

Am I the only person in the world who never heard of becoming an "honorary citizen of the United States?" I hope not! Did you know that throughout our 234 years of existence that we have honored seven people with "honorary citizenship?" I must have missed the day in history class where this was discussed.



The first one to receive such an honor was General Lafayette in 1784. He was selected for the part he played in our Revolutionary War. This was done by a very grateful nation!



It was two hundred years later before the second such honor was bestowed on Raoul Wallenburg (1981) for his efforts to rescue the Jews from the gas chambers during the Holocaust. Again, a much deserved recognition. I do wonder if there were no others during that two hundred years that accomplished something worthy of note, but he was the second one chosen.



The next two where a husband and his second wife. William and Hannah Penn were bestowed this honor in 1984 for their contributions to our nation through their work in Pennsylvania, but I am not exactly sure what those contributions were. Remember, I said that I must have missed history class the day that these things were discussed!



Kazimierz Pulaski was honored as the "father of the American calvary" in 2009, obviously making him the most recent so honored "citizen of the United States."



Even though the above honorees were recognized after their deaths, two were given the distinction as "honorary citizens" during their lifetime. Sir Winston Churchill was designated in 1963 for his leadership during World War II and for his very close ties with the United States during this period of history. The other honoree was Mother Teresa who was given the award in 1996 for her humanitarian ministry among the poor of this world.



I am wondering who will be the next person given such esteem? Where is that person living? What is he or she doing to merit such acclaim? Who will be the one that nominates them for such an award?



These and other interesting questions await answers!