To all you historians here, why is it that sometimes people who have done really important things that have helped many people and nations are sometimes not really known in other nations or known very well in there own nation.

How many of you have heard of Eugenio Maria de Hostos. Before someone says he has nothing to do with AF did you know that he:
You must remember this was in the late 1800's and he was a foreigner telling Peruvians in there own nation about there treatment of the Chinese immigrants. I would think that would not be an easy thing. But if he saw injustice he would tell it to your face but in an intelligent calm way. He had a way with words. He also fought for womens rights to higher education in Chile. He was a people person. They later called him citizen of the Americas. Interesting story, as per his instructions he is waiting, whats left of him, in the Dominican Republic to be taken to PUR. if and only when PUR. becomes Independent. Its almost been 105 years and counting.

This info. on him http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenio_Maria_de_Hostos

This shows a list of books on him and his works. By the way the famous writings he did on Hamlet was an essay on that famous Shakespears work. http://senorboriqua.net/Famous%20Puerto%20...e%20Hostos.html

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There are plenty of historically important Chinese, Indian, Arab and Persian artists, engineers, inventors, philosophers, scientists and statesmen who made important contributions to the world, but are rarely known outside their countries.

Although a lot of people might know about the "Four Great Inventions" of China, they don't know about the inventors responsible for them (like Cai Lun, Shen Kuo and Bi Sheng). Although a lot of people might know about the decimal place-value numerals (with zero) coming from India, they don't know about the mathematicians responsible for it (like Aryabhata, Bhaskara and Brahmagupta). Although a lot of people might know about the scientific method coming from the Arabs or Persians, they don't know about the scientists responsible for it (like Alhazen, Al-Biruni and Avicenna).

As pathetic as it is, most Americans don't even know who Sun Yat Sen was. That's why I think that the majority of Americans are completely clueless about Chinese people, culture and of course politics.

too hard for them to pronounce. Mao is much easier.

Most Americans are clueless about cultures and people they think are exotic.